1
VA ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEM CONTRACTING
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES Latest Edition | Based on the
Current Virginia USBC, NEC 2023, and DPOR Regulations
Exam Authority:Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational
Regulation (DPOR)
Board: Virginia Board for Contractors
Testing Provider: PSI Services
Exam Format: Open-book, multiple choice
Number of Questions:Approximately 250–300
Pre-Approval Requirement: DPOR pre-approval required before scheduling
the exam with PSI
Key Topics Covered:
- Virginia contractor regulations and licensing
- NEC Article 690 & 705 requirements
- Photovoltaic (PV) systems and components
- Solar system sizing and load calculations
- Battery storage systems and BMS
- Wind turbine and geothermal system basics
- OSHA safety and NFPA 70E requirements
- Fall protection and lockout/tagout (LOTO)
- Virginia procurement and contract law
- Net metering and solar incentives
- Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA)
, 2
SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS, LICENSING & ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (Questions 1–
50)
1. Which Virginia regulatory body oversees Alternative Energy System
Contracting licensure?
A) Virginia Department of Health
B) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
C) Virginia State Corporation Commission
D) Virginia Board of Education
Answer: B) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
(DPOR)
Rationale: The DPOR manages contractor licensing across all categories,
including Alternative Energy System Contracting. The Board for Contractors
operates under DPOR and is responsible for issuing contractor licenses and
specialty classifications.
2. What is the official abbreviation for the Alternative Energy System
contracting specialty in Virginia regulations?
A) AES
B) AESC
C) RE
D) ALT
, 3
Answer: A) AES
Rationale: Virginia regulations commonly refer to the specialty as “Alternative
Energy System contracting” with the abbreviation AES. While some
documents may use AESC, the state code primarily uses AES as the official
identifier for this classification.
3. Under Virginia law, which document defines the scope of practice for an
Alternative Energy System (AES) contractor?
A) Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)
B) Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) § 18VAC50-22-30
C) Virginia Electrical Safety Act
D) Virginia Renewable Energy Act of 2020
Answer: B) Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) § 18VAC50-22-30
Rationale:VAC § 18VAC50-22-30 specifically outlines the licensure
requirements and scope of practice for Alternative Energy System (AES)
contractors in Virginia. The USBC covers broad construction standards but
does not define contractor licensure scope.
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4. Which of the following best defines an “alternative energy system” under
Virginia regulations?
A) Systems using only coal-based power
B) Systems that use fossil fuels and nuclear energy
C) Systems using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal
D) Systems that use municipal water power only
Answer: C) Systems using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or
geothermal
Rationale:Virginia defines “alternative energy systems” as those deriving
power from renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal rather than
fossil fuels. This definition underpins the AES specialty classification.
5. According to the Virginia Board for Contractors, AES contracting means
from the customer's meter, the installation, repair or improvement of:
A) Any electrical wiring inside the home
B) Alternative energy generation systems and associated equipment annexed
to real property
C) Both natural gas and solar systems
D) Only residential electrical panels
VA ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEM CONTRACTING
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES Latest Edition | Based on the
Current Virginia USBC, NEC 2023, and DPOR Regulations
Exam Authority:Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational
Regulation (DPOR)
Board: Virginia Board for Contractors
Testing Provider: PSI Services
Exam Format: Open-book, multiple choice
Number of Questions:Approximately 250–300
Pre-Approval Requirement: DPOR pre-approval required before scheduling
the exam with PSI
Key Topics Covered:
- Virginia contractor regulations and licensing
- NEC Article 690 & 705 requirements
- Photovoltaic (PV) systems and components
- Solar system sizing and load calculations
- Battery storage systems and BMS
- Wind turbine and geothermal system basics
- OSHA safety and NFPA 70E requirements
- Fall protection and lockout/tagout (LOTO)
- Virginia procurement and contract law
- Net metering and solar incentives
- Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA)
, 2
SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS, LICENSING & ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (Questions 1–
50)
1. Which Virginia regulatory body oversees Alternative Energy System
Contracting licensure?
A) Virginia Department of Health
B) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
C) Virginia State Corporation Commission
D) Virginia Board of Education
Answer: B) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
(DPOR)
Rationale: The DPOR manages contractor licensing across all categories,
including Alternative Energy System Contracting. The Board for Contractors
operates under DPOR and is responsible for issuing contractor licenses and
specialty classifications.
2. What is the official abbreviation for the Alternative Energy System
contracting specialty in Virginia regulations?
A) AES
B) AESC
C) RE
D) ALT
, 3
Answer: A) AES
Rationale: Virginia regulations commonly refer to the specialty as “Alternative
Energy System contracting” with the abbreviation AES. While some
documents may use AESC, the state code primarily uses AES as the official
identifier for this classification.
3. Under Virginia law, which document defines the scope of practice for an
Alternative Energy System (AES) contractor?
A) Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)
B) Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) § 18VAC50-22-30
C) Virginia Electrical Safety Act
D) Virginia Renewable Energy Act of 2020
Answer: B) Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) § 18VAC50-22-30
Rationale:VAC § 18VAC50-22-30 specifically outlines the licensure
requirements and scope of practice for Alternative Energy System (AES)
contractors in Virginia. The USBC covers broad construction standards but
does not define contractor licensure scope.
, 4
4. Which of the following best defines an “alternative energy system” under
Virginia regulations?
A) Systems using only coal-based power
B) Systems that use fossil fuels and nuclear energy
C) Systems using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal
D) Systems that use municipal water power only
Answer: C) Systems using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or
geothermal
Rationale:Virginia defines “alternative energy systems” as those deriving
power from renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal rather than
fossil fuels. This definition underpins the AES specialty classification.
5. According to the Virginia Board for Contractors, AES contracting means
from the customer's meter, the installation, repair or improvement of:
A) Any electrical wiring inside the home
B) Alternative energy generation systems and associated equipment annexed
to real property
C) Both natural gas and solar systems
D) Only residential electrical panels
