VA ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEM CONTRACTING PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 |300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
LATEST EDITION
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & LICENSING (Questions 1-40)
QUESTION 1:
Which Virginia regulatory body oversees Alternative Energy System Contracting
licensure?
A. Virginia Department of Health
B. Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
C. Virginia State Corporation Commission
D. Virginia Board of Education
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The DPOR manages contractor licensing across all categories,
including Alternative Energy System Contracting. The Board for Contractors
operates under DPOR and is responsible for establishing licensing requirements,
approving examinations, and enforcing regulations for all contractor
classifications in Virginia. DPOR was established to protect the public by
regulating various professions and occupations, including contractors.
QUESTION 2:
Under Virginia law, which document defines the scope of practice for an
Alternative Energy System (AES) contractor?
A. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)
B. Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) § 18-124-10
C. Virginia Electrical Safety Act
D. Virginia Renewable Energy Act of 2020
ANSWER: B
1
,RATIONALE: VAC § 18-124-10 specifically outlines the licensure requirements and
scope of practice for Alternative Energy System (AES) contractors in Virginia.
The USBC covers broad construction standards but does not define contractor
licensure scope. The Electrical Safety Act and Renewable Energy Act are
separate legislative frameworks that address different aspects of energy
systems and electrical safety.
QUESTION 3:
What is the official abbreviation for the Alternative Energy System contracting
specialty in Virginia regulations?
A. AES
B. AESC
C. RE
D. ALT
ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Virginia regulations commonly refer to the specialty as "Alternative
Energy System contracting" with the abbreviation AES. While some documents
may
use AESC, the state code primarily uses AES as the official identifier for this
classification. This abbreviation is used throughout DPOR documentation,
licensing applications, and regulatory references.
QUESTION 4:
Which of the following best defines an "alternative energy system" under
Virginia regulations?
A. Systems using only coal-based power
B. Systems that use fossil fuels and nuclear energy
C. Systems using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal
D. Systems that use municipal water power only
2
,ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Virginia defines "alternative energy systems" as those deriving power
from renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal rather than fossil
fuels. This definition underpins the AES specialty classification. The Virginia
Clean Economy Act further emphasizes the transition to renewable energy
sources,
which include solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable resources.
QUESTION 5:
What license classification covers the installation of solar photovoltaic
systems in Virginia?
A. Class C Residential Building
B. Electrical Journeyman
C. Alternative Energy System (AES) Contracting
D. HVAC Mechanical
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The AES specialty classification is specifically for the
installation, repair, or improvement of alternative energy generation systems
(solar, wind, geothermal) annexed to real property. An electrical license is
also required for the electrical work portion of the installation. This dual
licensing requirement ensures that contractors are qualified for both the
technical installation and the electrical connections.
QUESTION 6:
To qualify for a Virginia AES license, which exams must be passed?
A. Only a trade exam
B. Only a business law exam
C. Both the trade exam and the Virginia business law exam
D. Environmental certification exam only
3
, ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Contractors must pass both the technical (trade) exam covering PV
systems, electrical theory, and wind energy, AND the Virginia business law exam
covering lien law, contracts, finance, and Virginia-specific regulations. This
dual examination requirement ensures that AES contractors have both technical
competence and business knowledge necessary to operate legally and ethically
in Virginia.
QUESTION 7:
A contractor installing a solar photovoltaic system in Virginia must hold at
least which class of license for projects exceeding $120,000?
A. Class C
B. Class A
C. Class B
D. Specialty certificate only
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Class A is required for large-scale projects over $120,000 in value.
Class B is capped at $120,000 project value or $750,000 annual volume. Class C
is limited to smaller projects. The classification system ensures that
contractors have appropriate experience and financial capacity for projects of
various sizes.
QUESTION 8:
The VA Class B license allows contractors to work on projects up to what
contract value?
A. $50,000
B. $75,000
C. $120,000
4
2026/2027 |300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
LATEST EDITION
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & LICENSING (Questions 1-40)
QUESTION 1:
Which Virginia regulatory body oversees Alternative Energy System Contracting
licensure?
A. Virginia Department of Health
B. Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
C. Virginia State Corporation Commission
D. Virginia Board of Education
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The DPOR manages contractor licensing across all categories,
including Alternative Energy System Contracting. The Board for Contractors
operates under DPOR and is responsible for establishing licensing requirements,
approving examinations, and enforcing regulations for all contractor
classifications in Virginia. DPOR was established to protect the public by
regulating various professions and occupations, including contractors.
QUESTION 2:
Under Virginia law, which document defines the scope of practice for an
Alternative Energy System (AES) contractor?
A. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)
B. Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) § 18-124-10
C. Virginia Electrical Safety Act
D. Virginia Renewable Energy Act of 2020
ANSWER: B
1
,RATIONALE: VAC § 18-124-10 specifically outlines the licensure requirements and
scope of practice for Alternative Energy System (AES) contractors in Virginia.
The USBC covers broad construction standards but does not define contractor
licensure scope. The Electrical Safety Act and Renewable Energy Act are
separate legislative frameworks that address different aspects of energy
systems and electrical safety.
QUESTION 3:
What is the official abbreviation for the Alternative Energy System contracting
specialty in Virginia regulations?
A. AES
B. AESC
C. RE
D. ALT
ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Virginia regulations commonly refer to the specialty as "Alternative
Energy System contracting" with the abbreviation AES. While some documents
may
use AESC, the state code primarily uses AES as the official identifier for this
classification. This abbreviation is used throughout DPOR documentation,
licensing applications, and regulatory references.
QUESTION 4:
Which of the following best defines an "alternative energy system" under
Virginia regulations?
A. Systems using only coal-based power
B. Systems that use fossil fuels and nuclear energy
C. Systems using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal
D. Systems that use municipal water power only
2
,ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Virginia defines "alternative energy systems" as those deriving power
from renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal rather than fossil
fuels. This definition underpins the AES specialty classification. The Virginia
Clean Economy Act further emphasizes the transition to renewable energy
sources,
which include solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable resources.
QUESTION 5:
What license classification covers the installation of solar photovoltaic
systems in Virginia?
A. Class C Residential Building
B. Electrical Journeyman
C. Alternative Energy System (AES) Contracting
D. HVAC Mechanical
ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The AES specialty classification is specifically for the
installation, repair, or improvement of alternative energy generation systems
(solar, wind, geothermal) annexed to real property. An electrical license is
also required for the electrical work portion of the installation. This dual
licensing requirement ensures that contractors are qualified for both the
technical installation and the electrical connections.
QUESTION 6:
To qualify for a Virginia AES license, which exams must be passed?
A. Only a trade exam
B. Only a business law exam
C. Both the trade exam and the Virginia business law exam
D. Environmental certification exam only
3
, ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: Contractors must pass both the technical (trade) exam covering PV
systems, electrical theory, and wind energy, AND the Virginia business law exam
covering lien law, contracts, finance, and Virginia-specific regulations. This
dual examination requirement ensures that AES contractors have both technical
competence and business knowledge necessary to operate legally and ethically
in Virginia.
QUESTION 7:
A contractor installing a solar photovoltaic system in Virginia must hold at
least which class of license for projects exceeding $120,000?
A. Class C
B. Class A
C. Class B
D. Specialty certificate only
ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Class A is required for large-scale projects over $120,000 in value.
Class B is capped at $120,000 project value or $750,000 annual volume. Class C
is limited to smaller projects. The classification system ensures that
contractors have appropriate experience and financial capacity for projects of
various sizes.
QUESTION 8:
The VA Class B license allows contractors to work on projects up to what
contract value?
A. $50,000
B. $75,000
C. $120,000
4
