VIRGINIA DPOR • BOARD FOR CONTRACTORS • LICENSING PRACTICE
VIRGINIA HIC EXAM
Home Improvement Contractor – COMPREHENSIVE LICENSING PRACTICE – 2026/2027
EDITION
50 Questions (Official Length) 120-Minute Format 70% to Pass (35/50) Open-Book • PSI • IRC 2021
I M P O RTA N T N O T I C E
This is an original practice examination aligned with the published Virginia HIC
examination content outline (concrete/masonry, framing, siding/roofing/insulation, drywall/
finish carpentry/painting, codes & safety, licensing & business practices, project
management & estimating) and the International Residential Code (2021 edition). It is not
the actual state examination, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Virginia Department
of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), the Board for Contractors, or PSI
Services, and contains no proprietary exam items. It is intended for self-study and
preparation only.
Licensing classifications, dollar thresholds, contract and deposit rules, and code provisions
change and must be verified against current Virginia statutes, DPOR guidance, and the
referenced edition of the IRC before exam day or business use.
HOW TO USE THIS EXAM
Sit all 50 questions in one 120-minute session, open-book style as on test day (know your
IRC tab locations before you start). Passing is 70% — 35 of 50. Correct answers are
marked [CORRECT] with a rationale addressing the distractors. Three scenario blocks
(shaded boxes) present linked field situations: a load-bearing framing scope, a reroofing
scope, and a Virginia home-improvement contracting scope.
CONTENTS
1. Sec 1 Concrete & Masonry (8)
2. Sec 2 Framing & Carpentry (10, incl. Framing Scenario)
3. Sec 3 Siding, Roofing & Insulation (8, incl. Reroofing Scenario)
4. Sec 4 Drywall, Finish Carpentry & Painting (8)
5. Sec 5 Building Codes & Safety (6)
6. Sec 6 Contractor Licensing & Business Practices (5, incl. Contracting Scenario)
7. Sec 7 Project Management & Estimating (5)
Page 1 of 18
, Virginia HIC Exam —Comprehensive Licensing Practice (2026/2027 Edition)
Section 1: Concrete & Masonry – Mixing, Curing, Reinforcement,
Masonry (8 questions)
Q1: A 4-inch residential concrete slab is being placed in mild weather. What is the recommended
maximum spacing for its control (contraction) joints?
A. No joints are needed in slabs under 6 inches thick
B. Joints spaced about 8 to 12 feet apart (approximately 2 to 3 times the slab thickness in feet)
[CORRECT]
C. A single joint at the exact center only, regardless of slab size
D. Joints every 2 feet to be safe
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Control joints are spaced roughly 2–3 times the slab thickness in feet (a 4-inch slab → 8–12
feet) so shrinkage cracks form in the joints; omitting joints guarantees random cracking, and 2-foot
spacing is unnecessarily destructive to the slab's function.
Q2: According to the IRC, what is the minimum duration for curing concrete foundation walls before
backfilling?
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 7 days [CORRECT]
D. 30 days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: IRC R403.1.6 requires concrete footings/walls to cure a minimum of 7 days before backfill (or
until about 75% of design strength is achieved under approved procedures); 12–24 hours risks cracking
the green concrete.
Q3: When reinforcing steel is placed in concrete that will be cast against and remain in contact with the
earth, what is the minimum concrete cover over the rebar?
A. 3/4 inch
B. 1 1/2 inches
C. 3 inches [CORRECT]
D. 6 inches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Concrete in contact with earth requires 3 inches of cover over reinforcement to protect steel
from corrosion (IRC/ACI); 3/4 and 1 1/2 inch cover apply only to formed, non-earth-exposed concrete, and
6 inches wastes the section.
Page 2 of 18
, Virginia HIC Exam —Comprehensive Licensing Practice (2026/2027 Edition)
Q4: Rebar splices in a residential concrete wall must be lapped at least:
A. 8 times the bar diameter
B. 12 times the bar diameter
C. 40 times the bar diameter [CORRECT]
D. Any amount, since the bars touch
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The standard lap splice for residential reinforcement is 40 bar diameters (a #4 bar laps 20
inches), which transfers force through the concrete bond; short laps or mere contact do not develop the
bars and will pull apart under load.
Q5: Which mortar type is NOT permitted for masonry foundation walls below grade?
A. Type M
B. Type S
C. Type N [CORRECT]
D. Type M or S are both permitted
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The IRC permits Type M or S mortar below grade, where higher strength and durability are
needed; Type N (a medium-strength mortar) is acceptable only above grade, so it cannot be used in
foundation walls.
Q6: In brick veneer construction, what is the maximum allowable spacing of weep holes in the bottom
course of the veneer?
A. 33 inches on center [CORRECT]
B. 10 feet on center
C. Weep holes are optional decorative features
D. 3 inches on center at every brick
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IRC R703.7.6 requires weep holes at a maximum of 33 inches on center so the drainage
cavity behind veneer can discharge water; omitting or over-spacing them traps moisture against the
sheathing, and 3-inch spacing is impractical.
Q7: What is the maximum horizontal and vertical spacing for wall ties anchoring brick veneer to the
backup wall?
A. 32 inches horizontal by 24 inches vertical [CORRECT]
B. 8 feet by 8 feet
C. Ties are only needed at window openings
D. 48 inches horizontal by 48 inches vertical
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IRC R703.8 requires veneer anchors at no more than 32 inches horizontally and 24 inches
vertically, so the veneer is adequately tied against wind loads; 48-inch grids exceed limits, and ties are
required throughout, not just at openings.
Page 3 of 18
VIRGINIA HIC EXAM
Home Improvement Contractor – COMPREHENSIVE LICENSING PRACTICE – 2026/2027
EDITION
50 Questions (Official Length) 120-Minute Format 70% to Pass (35/50) Open-Book • PSI • IRC 2021
I M P O RTA N T N O T I C E
This is an original practice examination aligned with the published Virginia HIC
examination content outline (concrete/masonry, framing, siding/roofing/insulation, drywall/
finish carpentry/painting, codes & safety, licensing & business practices, project
management & estimating) and the International Residential Code (2021 edition). It is not
the actual state examination, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Virginia Department
of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), the Board for Contractors, or PSI
Services, and contains no proprietary exam items. It is intended for self-study and
preparation only.
Licensing classifications, dollar thresholds, contract and deposit rules, and code provisions
change and must be verified against current Virginia statutes, DPOR guidance, and the
referenced edition of the IRC before exam day or business use.
HOW TO USE THIS EXAM
Sit all 50 questions in one 120-minute session, open-book style as on test day (know your
IRC tab locations before you start). Passing is 70% — 35 of 50. Correct answers are
marked [CORRECT] with a rationale addressing the distractors. Three scenario blocks
(shaded boxes) present linked field situations: a load-bearing framing scope, a reroofing
scope, and a Virginia home-improvement contracting scope.
CONTENTS
1. Sec 1 Concrete & Masonry (8)
2. Sec 2 Framing & Carpentry (10, incl. Framing Scenario)
3. Sec 3 Siding, Roofing & Insulation (8, incl. Reroofing Scenario)
4. Sec 4 Drywall, Finish Carpentry & Painting (8)
5. Sec 5 Building Codes & Safety (6)
6. Sec 6 Contractor Licensing & Business Practices (5, incl. Contracting Scenario)
7. Sec 7 Project Management & Estimating (5)
Page 1 of 18
, Virginia HIC Exam —Comprehensive Licensing Practice (2026/2027 Edition)
Section 1: Concrete & Masonry – Mixing, Curing, Reinforcement,
Masonry (8 questions)
Q1: A 4-inch residential concrete slab is being placed in mild weather. What is the recommended
maximum spacing for its control (contraction) joints?
A. No joints are needed in slabs under 6 inches thick
B. Joints spaced about 8 to 12 feet apart (approximately 2 to 3 times the slab thickness in feet)
[CORRECT]
C. A single joint at the exact center only, regardless of slab size
D. Joints every 2 feet to be safe
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Control joints are spaced roughly 2–3 times the slab thickness in feet (a 4-inch slab → 8–12
feet) so shrinkage cracks form in the joints; omitting joints guarantees random cracking, and 2-foot
spacing is unnecessarily destructive to the slab's function.
Q2: According to the IRC, what is the minimum duration for curing concrete foundation walls before
backfilling?
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 7 days [CORRECT]
D. 30 days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: IRC R403.1.6 requires concrete footings/walls to cure a minimum of 7 days before backfill (or
until about 75% of design strength is achieved under approved procedures); 12–24 hours risks cracking
the green concrete.
Q3: When reinforcing steel is placed in concrete that will be cast against and remain in contact with the
earth, what is the minimum concrete cover over the rebar?
A. 3/4 inch
B. 1 1/2 inches
C. 3 inches [CORRECT]
D. 6 inches
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Concrete in contact with earth requires 3 inches of cover over reinforcement to protect steel
from corrosion (IRC/ACI); 3/4 and 1 1/2 inch cover apply only to formed, non-earth-exposed concrete, and
6 inches wastes the section.
Page 2 of 18
, Virginia HIC Exam —Comprehensive Licensing Practice (2026/2027 Edition)
Q4: Rebar splices in a residential concrete wall must be lapped at least:
A. 8 times the bar diameter
B. 12 times the bar diameter
C. 40 times the bar diameter [CORRECT]
D. Any amount, since the bars touch
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The standard lap splice for residential reinforcement is 40 bar diameters (a #4 bar laps 20
inches), which transfers force through the concrete bond; short laps or mere contact do not develop the
bars and will pull apart under load.
Q5: Which mortar type is NOT permitted for masonry foundation walls below grade?
A. Type M
B. Type S
C. Type N [CORRECT]
D. Type M or S are both permitted
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The IRC permits Type M or S mortar below grade, where higher strength and durability are
needed; Type N (a medium-strength mortar) is acceptable only above grade, so it cannot be used in
foundation walls.
Q6: In brick veneer construction, what is the maximum allowable spacing of weep holes in the bottom
course of the veneer?
A. 33 inches on center [CORRECT]
B. 10 feet on center
C. Weep holes are optional decorative features
D. 3 inches on center at every brick
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IRC R703.7.6 requires weep holes at a maximum of 33 inches on center so the drainage
cavity behind veneer can discharge water; omitting or over-spacing them traps moisture against the
sheathing, and 3-inch spacing is impractical.
Q7: What is the maximum horizontal and vertical spacing for wall ties anchoring brick veneer to the
backup wall?
A. 32 inches horizontal by 24 inches vertical [CORRECT]
B. 8 feet by 8 feet
C. Ties are only needed at window openings
D. 48 inches horizontal by 48 inches vertical
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IRC R703.8 requires veneer anchors at no more than 32 inches horizontally and 24 inches
vertically, so the veneer is adequately tied against wind loads; 48-inch grids exceed limits, and ties are
required throughout, not just at openings.
Page 3 of 18
