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Virginia Masonry Contractor EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST
RELEASED
Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam – Complete 250-Question Practice Bank
10-LINE EXAM COVERAGE IN POINTS FORM
1. Exam Format – 60 questions, open-book, multiple-choice, 150 minutes, 70% passing
score. Administered by PSI with pre-approval from DPOR required . Topics:
Estimating/Plan Reading, Unit Masonry, Mortar/Grout, Accessories/Specialties, Stone,
Tools, Restoration, Reinforced Masonry, Safety .
2. Virginia Licensing – Class A/B/C – Licenses issued to business entities, not individuals.
Class A ($120k+ projects, $750k+ annual, 5 yrs experience); Class B ($10k-$119k, $150k-
$749k annual, 3 yrs experience); Class C ($1k-$9,999, up to $150k annual, 2 yrs
experience) . Masonry Contracting (BRK) specialty required .
3. Pre-License Requirements – 8-hour business class required before application . LLC,
corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship acceptable. Must designate Qualifying
Individual (QI) for each specialty and complete DPOR application. Average processing: 30
days . Contact DPOR: (804) 367-8511 .
4. Masonry Materials – Bricks & CMU – Brick grades: SW (severe weathering –
foundations, below grade, freezing), MW (moderate weathering – exterior walls above
grade) . Solid brick requirement: 75% solid . CMU: ASTM C90 for load-bearing concrete
masonry units .
5. Mortar Types – Type M: highest strength (~2500 psi), exterior load-bearing/severe
weather . Type S: high strength (~1800 psi), structural/seismic zones . Type N: medium
strength, brick veneer . Type O: low strength (~350 psi), interior non-load-bearing .
ASTM C270 governs mortar .
6. Bond Patterns – Running bond: offsets by ½ brick length, most common/strongest for
load distribution . Stack bond: vertical joints align – weakest . Flemish bond: alternates
headers/stretchers . Common/American bond: full-length headers for structural
bonding .
7. Moisture Protection – Weep holes: allow moisture to drain, maximum spacing 33
inches . Flashing: directs water out of wall assembly . 1-inch air space behind brick
veneer provides drainage plane . Control joints: accommodate thermal expansion,
prevent cracking .
8. Reinforcement & Structural – Lintels: support loads above doors/windows . Corbels:
projecting wall members for support . Curtain walls: non-load-bearing exterior walls not
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supported at each story . Foundation walls: 4-inch minimum thickness, 4-foot max
height, unbalanced fill limitations (24” solid, 12” hollow) .
9. Safety – OSHA Requirements – Fall protection required at 6+ feet . Silica dust standard
(29 CFR 1926.1153): respirator (N95+) required when cutting silica-containing materials .
Scaffolding: guardrails on all open sides, mid-rail, toe-board required . Fire extinguishers
(CO2 for electrical fires) .
10. Estimating & Plan Reading – Floor plans show horizontal layout, brick coursing,
openings, joint dimensions . Standard mortar joint: ¾ inch . 1 inch = 1 foot scale: 1½
inches = 18 inches actual . Brick quantity: bricks per SF (based on unit dimensions +
joints). Waste factors applied for estimating .
100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
QUESTION 1
In masonry construction, which material is the binding agent that holds bricks or concrete
blocks together?
A) Aggregate
B) Cement plaster
C) Reinforcement steel
D) Mortar
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mortar is a workable paste made of cementitious material, sand, and water used to
bond masonry units together, fill joints, and distribute loads evenly across masonry assemblies .
Aggregate is used in concrete, reinforcement steel provides tensile strength, and plaster is a
finish coating.
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QUESTION 2
Which tool is specifically designed to spread mortar and shape mortar joints during brick or
block laying?
A) Mason’s hammer
B) Brick trowel
C) Joiner
D) Bolster chisel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A brick trowel is the primary masonry tool used for spreading mortar, buttering brick
ends, and shaping mortar joints during installation of masonry units . A mason's hammer is for
breaking/cutting bricks, a joiner is for finishing joints, and a bolster chisel is for cutting.
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of grout in reinforced masonry walls?
A) Increase aesthetic appearance
B) Provide insulation
C) Fill cavities and bond reinforcement to masonry units
D) Waterproof masonry walls
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Grout is a fluid mixture used to fill cores or cavities in masonry units and embed
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reinforcement bars, creating a stronger structural bond between masonry components . Grout
provides structural integrity, not aesthetics, insulation, or waterproofing.
QUESTION 4
What is the minimum curing time for masonry mortar under normal conditions?
A) 1 day
B) 3 days
C) 7 days
D) 30 days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mortar typically requires about 7 days of curing for adequate strength development .
Proper curing ensures proper hydration and strength development in the mortar.
QUESTION 5
Which type of brick is fired at the highest temperature and is most durable?
A) Common brick
B) Face brick
C) Engineering brick
D) Sand-lime brick
Virginia Masonry Contractor EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST
RELEASED
Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam – Complete 250-Question Practice Bank
10-LINE EXAM COVERAGE IN POINTS FORM
1. Exam Format – 60 questions, open-book, multiple-choice, 150 minutes, 70% passing
score. Administered by PSI with pre-approval from DPOR required . Topics:
Estimating/Plan Reading, Unit Masonry, Mortar/Grout, Accessories/Specialties, Stone,
Tools, Restoration, Reinforced Masonry, Safety .
2. Virginia Licensing – Class A/B/C – Licenses issued to business entities, not individuals.
Class A ($120k+ projects, $750k+ annual, 5 yrs experience); Class B ($10k-$119k, $150k-
$749k annual, 3 yrs experience); Class C ($1k-$9,999, up to $150k annual, 2 yrs
experience) . Masonry Contracting (BRK) specialty required .
3. Pre-License Requirements – 8-hour business class required before application . LLC,
corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship acceptable. Must designate Qualifying
Individual (QI) for each specialty and complete DPOR application. Average processing: 30
days . Contact DPOR: (804) 367-8511 .
4. Masonry Materials – Bricks & CMU – Brick grades: SW (severe weathering –
foundations, below grade, freezing), MW (moderate weathering – exterior walls above
grade) . Solid brick requirement: 75% solid . CMU: ASTM C90 for load-bearing concrete
masonry units .
5. Mortar Types – Type M: highest strength (~2500 psi), exterior load-bearing/severe
weather . Type S: high strength (~1800 psi), structural/seismic zones . Type N: medium
strength, brick veneer . Type O: low strength (~350 psi), interior non-load-bearing .
ASTM C270 governs mortar .
6. Bond Patterns – Running bond: offsets by ½ brick length, most common/strongest for
load distribution . Stack bond: vertical joints align – weakest . Flemish bond: alternates
headers/stretchers . Common/American bond: full-length headers for structural
bonding .
7. Moisture Protection – Weep holes: allow moisture to drain, maximum spacing 33
inches . Flashing: directs water out of wall assembly . 1-inch air space behind brick
veneer provides drainage plane . Control joints: accommodate thermal expansion,
prevent cracking .
8. Reinforcement & Structural – Lintels: support loads above doors/windows . Corbels:
projecting wall members for support . Curtain walls: non-load-bearing exterior walls not
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supported at each story . Foundation walls: 4-inch minimum thickness, 4-foot max
height, unbalanced fill limitations (24” solid, 12” hollow) .
9. Safety – OSHA Requirements – Fall protection required at 6+ feet . Silica dust standard
(29 CFR 1926.1153): respirator (N95+) required when cutting silica-containing materials .
Scaffolding: guardrails on all open sides, mid-rail, toe-board required . Fire extinguishers
(CO2 for electrical fires) .
10. Estimating & Plan Reading – Floor plans show horizontal layout, brick coursing,
openings, joint dimensions . Standard mortar joint: ¾ inch . 1 inch = 1 foot scale: 1½
inches = 18 inches actual . Brick quantity: bricks per SF (based on unit dimensions +
joints). Waste factors applied for estimating .
100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
QUESTION 1
In masonry construction, which material is the binding agent that holds bricks or concrete
blocks together?
A) Aggregate
B) Cement plaster
C) Reinforcement steel
D) Mortar
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mortar is a workable paste made of cementitious material, sand, and water used to
bond masonry units together, fill joints, and distribute loads evenly across masonry assemblies .
Aggregate is used in concrete, reinforcement steel provides tensile strength, and plaster is a
finish coating.
, Page 3 of 129
QUESTION 2
Which tool is specifically designed to spread mortar and shape mortar joints during brick or
block laying?
A) Mason’s hammer
B) Brick trowel
C) Joiner
D) Bolster chisel
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A brick trowel is the primary masonry tool used for spreading mortar, buttering brick
ends, and shaping mortar joints during installation of masonry units . A mason's hammer is for
breaking/cutting bricks, a joiner is for finishing joints, and a bolster chisel is for cutting.
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of grout in reinforced masonry walls?
A) Increase aesthetic appearance
B) Provide insulation
C) Fill cavities and bond reinforcement to masonry units
D) Waterproof masonry walls
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Grout is a fluid mixture used to fill cores or cavities in masonry units and embed
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reinforcement bars, creating a stronger structural bond between masonry components . Grout
provides structural integrity, not aesthetics, insulation, or waterproofing.
QUESTION 4
What is the minimum curing time for masonry mortar under normal conditions?
A) 1 day
B) 3 days
C) 7 days
D) 30 days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Mortar typically requires about 7 days of curing for adequate strength development .
Proper curing ensures proper hydration and strength development in the mortar.
QUESTION 5
Which type of brick is fired at the highest temperature and is most durable?
A) Common brick
B) Face brick
C) Engineering brick
D) Sand-lime brick
