VIRGINIA RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
CONTRACTOR (RBC) EXAM PREP
2026/2027 – 300 TEST BANK QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES | VI CONTRACTOR'S EXAM
1. What is the primary purpose of contractor licensing in Virginia?
A) To generate revenue for the state
B) To protect the health and welfare of the public
C) To limit competition among contractors
D) To standardize construction materials
Rationale: The fundamental purpose of Virginia contractor licensing is consumer
protection—ensuring contractors are qualified and accountable. Licensing
requirements safeguard public health, safety, and welfare by establishing minimum
competency standards.
2. Under Virginia Code § 54.1-1100, what is the maximum single contract value
for a Class C contractor?
A) $5,000
**B) $10,000**
C) $15,000
D) $25,000
Rationale: Class C contractors are limited to single contracts over $1,000 but not
exceeding $10,000. Annual work must not exceed $150,000.
3. What is the maximum annual work volume for a Class C contractor in
Virginia?
A) $50,000
B) $100,000
**C) $150,000**
D) $250,000
Rationale: Class C contractors may perform work where the total value of all projects
within any 12-month period does not exceed $150,000.
4. What is the minimum net worth requirement for a Class A contractor license?
A) $5,000
B) $15,000
**C) $45,000**
D) $100,000
,Rationale: Class A contractors must demonstrate a minimum net worth of $45,000.
Class B requires $15,000.
5. What is the minimum net worth requirement for a Class B contractor license?
A) $5,000
**B) $15,000**
C) $45,000
D) $100,000
Rationale: Class B requires a minimum net worth of $15,000. Class C requires $5,000.
6. What is the minimum net worth requirement for a Class C contractor license?
*A) $5,000**
B) $10,000
C) $15,000
D) No net worth requirement
*Rationale: Class C requires a minimum net worth of $5,000. This is the lowest net
worth requirement among the three license classes.
*7. A contractor is preparing a bid for a project valued at $150,000. What license class
is required?**
**A) Class A**
B) Class B
C) Class C
D) No license required
*Rationale: Class B covers single contracts of $10,000 or more but less than $120,000.
For a $150,000 project, a Class A license is required because the Class B single-contract
limit is $120,000.
*8. A contractor is preparing a bid for a project valued at $80,000. What license class is
required?**
A) Class A
**B) Class B**
C) Class C
D) No license required
*Rationale: Class B covers single contracts of $10,000 or more but less than $120,000.
An $80,000 project falls within this range.
*9. A contractor is preparing a bid for a project valued at $8,000. What license class is
required?**
A) Class A
B) Class B
**C) Class C**
D) No license required
,*Rationale: Class C covers single contracts over $1,000 but no more than $10,000. An
$8,000 project falls within this range.
10. What is the exam format for the Virginia RBC exam?
A) 50 questions, 60 minutes, closed book
B) 80 questions, 160 minutes, open book
C) 100 questions, 180 minutes, closed book
D) 60 questions, 120 minutes, open book
Rationale: The RBC exam is open-book, 80 questions, and candidates have 160 minutes
to complete it.
11. What is the minimum passing score for the Virginia RBC exam?
A) 56 correct answers (70%)
B) 60 correct answers (75%)
C) 64 correct answers (80%)
D) 48 correct answers (60%)
Rationale: The passing score is 56 correct answers out of 80 (70%).
12. Who administers the Virginia RBC exam?
A) DPOR
B) PSI
C) Virginia Board for Contractors
D) Virginia Department of Housing
Rationale: PSI administers the Virginia RBC exam for the Virginia Board for
Contractors. Candidates must be pre-approved by DPOR before scheduling.
13. What is the first step in the Virginia RBC licensing process?
A) Schedule the exam
B) Submit a pre-approval application to DPOR
C) Pay the license fee
D) Complete the exam
Rationale: Candidates must be pre-approved by DPOR before scheduling the exam. The
application includes experience verification, financial statements, and other
documentation.
14. What document must be submitted to demonstrate financial responsibility
for a Class A or B license?
A) Bank statement only
B) Financial statement prepared by a CPA or accountant
C) Credit report
D) Tax return only
Rationale: The financial statement must be prepared by a CPA or a licensed public
accountant. This verifies the applicant meets the net worth requirement.
, 15. How long must a contractor maintain a residential construction contract
after completion?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Rationale: Virginia law requires contractors to retain copies of residential contracts and
records for at least two years after completion of the work.
16. What is the maximum deposit a contractor may request for custom-made
items?
A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 30%
D) 50%
Rationale: Virginia regulations limit deposits for custom-made items to 30% of the
contract price.
17. How long must a contractor retain records of all construction contracts
according to Virginia law?
A) 2 years
B) 3 years
C) 5 years
D) 7 years
Rationale: Virginia Code §43-2-317 mandates that contractors keep contract records
for a minimum of five years.
18. Under Virginia mechanic’s lien law, a subcontractor must serve a lien notice
within how many days after completing work?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 45 days
D) 60 days
Rationale: Virginia Code §43-2-1360 requires subcontractors to serve a lien notice
within 30 days of completing the work to preserve lien rights.
19. A contract signed by an unlicensed contractor is:
A) Enforceable by the contractor
B) Void and unenforceable by the contractor
C) Enforceable if the homeowner waives the license requirement
D) Enforceable if the work is completed satisfactorily
Rationale: Contracts with unlicensed contractors are generally void and unenforceable.
The homeowner may be entitled to recover payments made to unlicensed individuals.
CONTRACTOR (RBC) EXAM PREP
2026/2027 – 300 TEST BANK QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES | VI CONTRACTOR'S EXAM
1. What is the primary purpose of contractor licensing in Virginia?
A) To generate revenue for the state
B) To protect the health and welfare of the public
C) To limit competition among contractors
D) To standardize construction materials
Rationale: The fundamental purpose of Virginia contractor licensing is consumer
protection—ensuring contractors are qualified and accountable. Licensing
requirements safeguard public health, safety, and welfare by establishing minimum
competency standards.
2. Under Virginia Code § 54.1-1100, what is the maximum single contract value
for a Class C contractor?
A) $5,000
**B) $10,000**
C) $15,000
D) $25,000
Rationale: Class C contractors are limited to single contracts over $1,000 but not
exceeding $10,000. Annual work must not exceed $150,000.
3. What is the maximum annual work volume for a Class C contractor in
Virginia?
A) $50,000
B) $100,000
**C) $150,000**
D) $250,000
Rationale: Class C contractors may perform work where the total value of all projects
within any 12-month period does not exceed $150,000.
4. What is the minimum net worth requirement for a Class A contractor license?
A) $5,000
B) $15,000
**C) $45,000**
D) $100,000
,Rationale: Class A contractors must demonstrate a minimum net worth of $45,000.
Class B requires $15,000.
5. What is the minimum net worth requirement for a Class B contractor license?
A) $5,000
**B) $15,000**
C) $45,000
D) $100,000
Rationale: Class B requires a minimum net worth of $15,000. Class C requires $5,000.
6. What is the minimum net worth requirement for a Class C contractor license?
*A) $5,000**
B) $10,000
C) $15,000
D) No net worth requirement
*Rationale: Class C requires a minimum net worth of $5,000. This is the lowest net
worth requirement among the three license classes.
*7. A contractor is preparing a bid for a project valued at $150,000. What license class
is required?**
**A) Class A**
B) Class B
C) Class C
D) No license required
*Rationale: Class B covers single contracts of $10,000 or more but less than $120,000.
For a $150,000 project, a Class A license is required because the Class B single-contract
limit is $120,000.
*8. A contractor is preparing a bid for a project valued at $80,000. What license class is
required?**
A) Class A
**B) Class B**
C) Class C
D) No license required
*Rationale: Class B covers single contracts of $10,000 or more but less than $120,000.
An $80,000 project falls within this range.
*9. A contractor is preparing a bid for a project valued at $8,000. What license class is
required?**
A) Class A
B) Class B
**C) Class C**
D) No license required
,*Rationale: Class C covers single contracts over $1,000 but no more than $10,000. An
$8,000 project falls within this range.
10. What is the exam format for the Virginia RBC exam?
A) 50 questions, 60 minutes, closed book
B) 80 questions, 160 minutes, open book
C) 100 questions, 180 minutes, closed book
D) 60 questions, 120 minutes, open book
Rationale: The RBC exam is open-book, 80 questions, and candidates have 160 minutes
to complete it.
11. What is the minimum passing score for the Virginia RBC exam?
A) 56 correct answers (70%)
B) 60 correct answers (75%)
C) 64 correct answers (80%)
D) 48 correct answers (60%)
Rationale: The passing score is 56 correct answers out of 80 (70%).
12. Who administers the Virginia RBC exam?
A) DPOR
B) PSI
C) Virginia Board for Contractors
D) Virginia Department of Housing
Rationale: PSI administers the Virginia RBC exam for the Virginia Board for
Contractors. Candidates must be pre-approved by DPOR before scheduling.
13. What is the first step in the Virginia RBC licensing process?
A) Schedule the exam
B) Submit a pre-approval application to DPOR
C) Pay the license fee
D) Complete the exam
Rationale: Candidates must be pre-approved by DPOR before scheduling the exam. The
application includes experience verification, financial statements, and other
documentation.
14. What document must be submitted to demonstrate financial responsibility
for a Class A or B license?
A) Bank statement only
B) Financial statement prepared by a CPA or accountant
C) Credit report
D) Tax return only
Rationale: The financial statement must be prepared by a CPA or a licensed public
accountant. This verifies the applicant meets the net worth requirement.
, 15. How long must a contractor maintain a residential construction contract
after completion?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Rationale: Virginia law requires contractors to retain copies of residential contracts and
records for at least two years after completion of the work.
16. What is the maximum deposit a contractor may request for custom-made
items?
A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 30%
D) 50%
Rationale: Virginia regulations limit deposits for custom-made items to 30% of the
contract price.
17. How long must a contractor retain records of all construction contracts
according to Virginia law?
A) 2 years
B) 3 years
C) 5 years
D) 7 years
Rationale: Virginia Code §43-2-317 mandates that contractors keep contract records
for a minimum of five years.
18. Under Virginia mechanic’s lien law, a subcontractor must serve a lien notice
within how many days after completing work?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 45 days
D) 60 days
Rationale: Virginia Code §43-2-1360 requires subcontractors to serve a lien notice
within 30 days of completing the work to preserve lien rights.
19. A contract signed by an unlicensed contractor is:
A) Enforceable by the contractor
B) Void and unenforceable by the contractor
C) Enforceable if the homeowner waives the license requirement
D) Enforceable if the work is completed satisfactorily
Rationale: Contracts with unlicensed contractors are generally void and unenforceable.
The homeowner may be entitled to recover payments made to unlicensed individuals.
