VIRGINIA HIC REAL EXAM MASTER STUDY GUIDE
350 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF ALL EXAM TOPICS FOR
2026/2027
1. What type of nail is used in floor installation?
7d or 8d threaded/Cut steel
2. What should be applied to crevices in wood flooring?
Filling
3. What is the best nail for hardwood?
Ring shank nail
4. What is the maximum size of a floor frame opening?
5 sq ft (R310.2.1)
5. When installing a string of wall cabinets, the cabinets should:
Be attached to the adjacent cabinets before attaching to the wall
6. What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail?
34 inches
,7. A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width
exceeds:
30 inches
8. What type of nail is best for general construction?
Smooth shank
9. What is the MAXIMUM flame spread index for insulation materials?
25 (R302.10.1)
10. What is the MAXIMUM dimension of the ventilation coverings for
under-floor space?
1/4 inch (R408.2)
11. Flexible insulation placed in floor joists above an unheated crawl
space should:
Be well supported between joists using wire mesh or rigid board
12. In a crawl space, how far from the floor joists do you need to place
vapor retarder?
On top of the soil
13. Ice dam protection needs to be ______ from the edge of eaves:
24 inches (R905.1.2)
14. Where to install radiant heat barrier in attic?
Rafters
,15. What is the major advantage of icynene over polyurethane foam?
Can be poured instead of sprayed
16. In a crawl space, what kind of vapor retarder should be used?
6 mil or 8 mil polyethylene
17. When batt insulation is installed, a vapor retarder that is
commonly used is:
4 mil polyethylene
18. What is the minimum amount of space that is allowed between
roof sheeting and insulation to allow the passage of air?
1 1/2 inches
19. In a ceiling batt insulation, where is the vapor retarder placed?
Against the back of ceiling finish
20. A vapor retarder on blanket installation MUST:
Face the warm side of the wall
21. How should radiant heat barrier be installed?
On the rafters (perforated)
22. The nailing holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are elongated to
allow for:
Expansion and contraction
, 23. What is the MINIMUM lap of rabbeted horizontal lap siding?
1/2 inches (R703.5.3)
24. In a Vinyl soffit installation, what type of accessory is used?
J or F Channel
25. What kind of siding can be vertically installed?
Board and Batten/Plywood
26. Fiber cement siding for exterior weather wall, the minimum
thickness should be:
5/16 inches (R703.3)
27. What is the clearance for exterior wood siding and finish grade
where the wood is untreated?
8 inches
28. How is furring installed on horizontal vinyl siding?
Strips should be installed vertically and completely around doors and
windows
29. What is NOT a siding accessory?
Z-channel
30. The MINIMUM length drywall screw for installing 1/2 inch gypsum
board to wood studs is:
1 1/4 inches
350 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF ALL EXAM TOPICS FOR
2026/2027
1. What type of nail is used in floor installation?
7d or 8d threaded/Cut steel
2. What should be applied to crevices in wood flooring?
Filling
3. What is the best nail for hardwood?
Ring shank nail
4. What is the maximum size of a floor frame opening?
5 sq ft (R310.2.1)
5. When installing a string of wall cabinets, the cabinets should:
Be attached to the adjacent cabinets before attaching to the wall
6. What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail?
34 inches
,7. A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width
exceeds:
30 inches
8. What type of nail is best for general construction?
Smooth shank
9. What is the MAXIMUM flame spread index for insulation materials?
25 (R302.10.1)
10. What is the MAXIMUM dimension of the ventilation coverings for
under-floor space?
1/4 inch (R408.2)
11. Flexible insulation placed in floor joists above an unheated crawl
space should:
Be well supported between joists using wire mesh or rigid board
12. In a crawl space, how far from the floor joists do you need to place
vapor retarder?
On top of the soil
13. Ice dam protection needs to be ______ from the edge of eaves:
24 inches (R905.1.2)
14. Where to install radiant heat barrier in attic?
Rafters
,15. What is the major advantage of icynene over polyurethane foam?
Can be poured instead of sprayed
16. In a crawl space, what kind of vapor retarder should be used?
6 mil or 8 mil polyethylene
17. When batt insulation is installed, a vapor retarder that is
commonly used is:
4 mil polyethylene
18. What is the minimum amount of space that is allowed between
roof sheeting and insulation to allow the passage of air?
1 1/2 inches
19. In a ceiling batt insulation, where is the vapor retarder placed?
Against the back of ceiling finish
20. A vapor retarder on blanket installation MUST:
Face the warm side of the wall
21. How should radiant heat barrier be installed?
On the rafters (perforated)
22. The nailing holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are elongated to
allow for:
Expansion and contraction
, 23. What is the MINIMUM lap of rabbeted horizontal lap siding?
1/2 inches (R703.5.3)
24. In a Vinyl soffit installation, what type of accessory is used?
J or F Channel
25. What kind of siding can be vertically installed?
Board and Batten/Plywood
26. Fiber cement siding for exterior weather wall, the minimum
thickness should be:
5/16 inches (R703.3)
27. What is the clearance for exterior wood siding and finish grade
where the wood is untreated?
8 inches
28. How is furring installed on horizontal vinyl siding?
Strips should be installed vertically and completely around doors and
windows
29. What is NOT a siding accessory?
Z-channel
30. The MINIMUM length drywall screw for installing 1/2 inch gypsum
board to wood studs is:
1 1/4 inches
