VIRGINIA HIC REAL EXAM EVALUATION QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS 2025/2026 GRADED A+
What type of nail is used in floor installation - 7d or 8d threaded/Cut steel
What should be applied to crevices in wood flooring? - Filling
What is the best nail for hardwood - Ring shank nail
What is the maximum size of a floor frame opening? - 5 sq ft (62) (R310.2.1)/ 4 ft
header joist (130) (R502.10)
When installing a string of wall cabinets, the cabinets should - Be attached to the
adjacent cabinets before to the wall
What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail - 34 inches
A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width exceeds - 30 inches
What type of nail are best for general construction? - Smooth shank
What is the MAXIMUM flame spread index for insulation materials - 25 (R302.10.1)
What is the MAXIMUM dimension of the ventilation coverings for under-floor space - 1/4
inch (R 408.2)
Flexible insulation placed in floor joists above an unheated crawl space should - Be well
supported between joists/using a wire mesh or rigid board (c 904-5)
In a crawl space how far from the floor joints do you need to place vapor retarder - Top
Soil
Ice dam protection needs to be _________ from the edge of eaves - 24 inches
(R905.1.2)
Where to install radiant heat barrier in attic - Rafters
What is the major advantage of icynene over polyurethane foam - Can be poured
instead of sprayed
In a crawl space, what kind of vapor retarder should be used? - 6 mil or 8 mil
When batt insulation is installed a vapor retarder that __________ is commonly - 4 mil
polyethylene
, What is the minimum amount of space that is allowed between roof sheeting and
insulation to allow the passage of air? - 1 1/2 in
In a ceiling batt insulation where is the vapor retarder placed? - Against the back of
ceiling finish
A vapor retarder on blanket installation MUST - Face the warm side of the wall
How should radiant heat barrier be installed - Either rafters (1st choice)/ perforated
The nailing holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are elongated to allow for - Expansion
and contraction
What is the MINIMUM lap of rabbeted horizontal lap siding - 1/2 inches (R703.5.3)
In a Vinyl soffit installation what type of accessory is used - J or F Channel (c 677)
What kind of siding can be vertically installed - Board and Batten/Plywood
Fiber cement siding for exterior weather wall, the minimum thickness should be - 5/16
inches (R703.3)
What is the clearance for an exterior wood siding and finish grade where the wood is
untreated - 8 inches
How is furring installed on horizontal vinyl siding? - Strips should be installed vertically
and completely around doors and windows
What is not a siding accessory? - Z-channel
The MINIMUN length drywall screw for installing 1/2 inch gypsum board to wood studs
is - 1 1/4 inches (362 IRC18)
What is the MAXIMUM recommended spacing for 5/8 inch drywall installed on a wall at
right angies to framing members - 24 inches
what type of gypsum is used in veneer plaster system - Blueboard
When installing ceiling drywall, end butt joints should - Not be butted tightly/taped
What kind of drywall is used that is fire resistant to ceilings? - Type C/X (c 917)
In which direction should drywall be fastened to steel studs? - In one direction only
How far should the screws be placed on a 3/8 ceiling drywall Applica adhesive? - 16
ANSWERS 2025/2026 GRADED A+
What type of nail is used in floor installation - 7d or 8d threaded/Cut steel
What should be applied to crevices in wood flooring? - Filling
What is the best nail for hardwood - Ring shank nail
What is the maximum size of a floor frame opening? - 5 sq ft (62) (R310.2.1)/ 4 ft
header joist (130) (R502.10)
When installing a string of wall cabinets, the cabinets should - Be attached to the
adjacent cabinets before to the wall
What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail - 34 inches
A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width exceeds - 30 inches
What type of nail are best for general construction? - Smooth shank
What is the MAXIMUM flame spread index for insulation materials - 25 (R302.10.1)
What is the MAXIMUM dimension of the ventilation coverings for under-floor space - 1/4
inch (R 408.2)
Flexible insulation placed in floor joists above an unheated crawl space should - Be well
supported between joists/using a wire mesh or rigid board (c 904-5)
In a crawl space how far from the floor joints do you need to place vapor retarder - Top
Soil
Ice dam protection needs to be _________ from the edge of eaves - 24 inches
(R905.1.2)
Where to install radiant heat barrier in attic - Rafters
What is the major advantage of icynene over polyurethane foam - Can be poured
instead of sprayed
In a crawl space, what kind of vapor retarder should be used? - 6 mil or 8 mil
When batt insulation is installed a vapor retarder that __________ is commonly - 4 mil
polyethylene
, What is the minimum amount of space that is allowed between roof sheeting and
insulation to allow the passage of air? - 1 1/2 in
In a ceiling batt insulation where is the vapor retarder placed? - Against the back of
ceiling finish
A vapor retarder on blanket installation MUST - Face the warm side of the wall
How should radiant heat barrier be installed - Either rafters (1st choice)/ perforated
The nailing holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are elongated to allow for - Expansion
and contraction
What is the MINIMUM lap of rabbeted horizontal lap siding - 1/2 inches (R703.5.3)
In a Vinyl soffit installation what type of accessory is used - J or F Channel (c 677)
What kind of siding can be vertically installed - Board and Batten/Plywood
Fiber cement siding for exterior weather wall, the minimum thickness should be - 5/16
inches (R703.3)
What is the clearance for an exterior wood siding and finish grade where the wood is
untreated - 8 inches
How is furring installed on horizontal vinyl siding? - Strips should be installed vertically
and completely around doors and windows
What is not a siding accessory? - Z-channel
The MINIMUN length drywall screw for installing 1/2 inch gypsum board to wood studs
is - 1 1/4 inches (362 IRC18)
What is the MAXIMUM recommended spacing for 5/8 inch drywall installed on a wall at
right angies to framing members - 24 inches
what type of gypsum is used in veneer plaster system - Blueboard
When installing ceiling drywall, end butt joints should - Not be butted tightly/taped
What kind of drywall is used that is fire resistant to ceilings? - Type C/X (c 917)
In which direction should drywall be fastened to steel studs? - In one direction only
How far should the screws be placed on a 3/8 ceiling drywall Applica adhesive? - 16
