VIRGINIA SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS CONTRACTOR
EXAM — 200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
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Section 1: Licensing & Regulatory Framework (Questions 1–50)
1. Which Virginia agency is responsible for overseeing contractor licensing for
alternative energy systems?
A) Virginia Department of Energy
B) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
C) Virginia State Corporation Commission
D) Virginia Board of Education
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational
Regulation (DPOR) manages contractor licensing across all categories,
including Alternative Energy System Contracting. DPOR's Board for
Contractors specifically oversees licensing requirements and examinations for
AES and other contractor specialties.
2. What is the minimum passing score for the Virginia AES specialty exam?
A) 65%
B) 70%
C) 72%
,D) 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Virginia Board for Contractors requires a minimum passing
score of 72% for the AES specialty exam administered by PSI.
3. Under Virginia regulations, what is the maximum project value for a Class C
licensed contractor?
A) $5,000
B) $10,000
C) $15,000
D) $25,000
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia contractor licenses are based on project dollar thresholds.
A Class C license allows contractors to perform individual projects with a
maximum value of $10,000. Class B covers projects between $10,000 and
$120,000, and Class A covers projects exceeding $120,000.
4. What license classification covers the installation of solar photovoltaic
systems in Virginia?
A) Class C Residential Building
B) Electrical Journeyman License
C) Alternative Energy Systems Contracting (AES)
D) Master Plumber License
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: The Alternative Energy Systems Contracting (AES) specialty license
covers the installation of solar photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems,
wind energy systems, and geothermal systems in Virginia.
5. Which Virginia regulation defines the scope of practice for an AES
contractor?
A) Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
B) Virginia Electrical Safety Act
C) Virginia Administrative Code § 18-124-10
D) Virginia Consumer Protection Act
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: VAC § 18-124-10 specifically outlines licensure requirements and
the scope of work for Alternative Energy System contractors in Virginia.
6. Which activity is explicitly excluded from the AES contractor scope of work?
A) Installing solar photovoltaic panels
B) Installing residential wind turbines
C) Installing emergency generators powered by fossil fuels
D) Installing geothermal heat pump loops
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Emergency generators that run on fossil fuels are specifically
excluded from the AES specialty. AES focuses on alternative energy generation
systems.
7. What must you obtain before scheduling the AES exam with PSI?
, A) A passing NABCEP certificate
B) A valid electrician journeyman license
C) Pre-approval from the Virginia Department of Professional and
Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
D) Proof of 5 years of contracting experience
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DPOR must pre-approve your application before you can schedule
any contractor specialty examination, including AES.
8. What is the minimum bond amount required for a Class A Alternative
Energy System Contractor in Virginia?
A) $10,000
B) $25,000
C) $50,000
D) $100,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Virginia Class A contractors must maintain a minimum bond of
$50,000 as part of their licensing requirements. This bond protects consumers
in case of contractor default or non-performance.
9. Under Virginia regulations, what is the correct name of the specialty that
covers solar, wind, and geothermal work from the customer's meter?
A) Solar Energy Specialist License
B) Alternative Energy System Contracting (AES)
C) Renewable Energy Installer Certification
EXAM — 200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
---
Section 1: Licensing & Regulatory Framework (Questions 1–50)
1. Which Virginia agency is responsible for overseeing contractor licensing for
alternative energy systems?
A) Virginia Department of Energy
B) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
C) Virginia State Corporation Commission
D) Virginia Board of Education
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational
Regulation (DPOR) manages contractor licensing across all categories,
including Alternative Energy System Contracting. DPOR's Board for
Contractors specifically oversees licensing requirements and examinations for
AES and other contractor specialties.
2. What is the minimum passing score for the Virginia AES specialty exam?
A) 65%
B) 70%
C) 72%
,D) 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Virginia Board for Contractors requires a minimum passing
score of 72% for the AES specialty exam administered by PSI.
3. Under Virginia regulations, what is the maximum project value for a Class C
licensed contractor?
A) $5,000
B) $10,000
C) $15,000
D) $25,000
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia contractor licenses are based on project dollar thresholds.
A Class C license allows contractors to perform individual projects with a
maximum value of $10,000. Class B covers projects between $10,000 and
$120,000, and Class A covers projects exceeding $120,000.
4. What license classification covers the installation of solar photovoltaic
systems in Virginia?
A) Class C Residential Building
B) Electrical Journeyman License
C) Alternative Energy Systems Contracting (AES)
D) Master Plumber License
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: The Alternative Energy Systems Contracting (AES) specialty license
covers the installation of solar photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems,
wind energy systems, and geothermal systems in Virginia.
5. Which Virginia regulation defines the scope of practice for an AES
contractor?
A) Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
B) Virginia Electrical Safety Act
C) Virginia Administrative Code § 18-124-10
D) Virginia Consumer Protection Act
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: VAC § 18-124-10 specifically outlines licensure requirements and
the scope of work for Alternative Energy System contractors in Virginia.
6. Which activity is explicitly excluded from the AES contractor scope of work?
A) Installing solar photovoltaic panels
B) Installing residential wind turbines
C) Installing emergency generators powered by fossil fuels
D) Installing geothermal heat pump loops
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Emergency generators that run on fossil fuels are specifically
excluded from the AES specialty. AES focuses on alternative energy generation
systems.
7. What must you obtain before scheduling the AES exam with PSI?
, A) A passing NABCEP certificate
B) A valid electrician journeyman license
C) Pre-approval from the Virginia Department of Professional and
Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
D) Proof of 5 years of contracting experience
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DPOR must pre-approve your application before you can schedule
any contractor specialty examination, including AES.
8. What is the minimum bond amount required for a Class A Alternative
Energy System Contractor in Virginia?
A) $10,000
B) $25,000
C) $50,000
D) $100,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Virginia Class A contractors must maintain a minimum bond of
$50,000 as part of their licensing requirements. This bond protects consumers
in case of contractor default or non-performance.
9. Under Virginia regulations, what is the correct name of the specialty that
covers solar, wind, and geothermal work from the customer's meter?
A) Solar Energy Specialist License
B) Alternative Energy System Contracting (AES)
C) Renewable Energy Installer Certification
