VIRGINIA HIC EXAM (HOME IMPROVEMENT EXAM) NEWEST ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 250 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
1. A Virginia contractor is preparing to perform residential remodeling work
that involves repairing, improving, or altering property owned by another
person. The contractor wants to determine which regulatory framework
applies before accepting the project. Which statement best describes the
purpose of Virginia contractor licensing requirements?
A. They apply only to contractors performing commercial work
B. They regulate businesses engaged in construction, removal, repair, or
improvement of facilities on property owned by others
C. They apply only when a contractor performs electrical work
D. They eliminate the need for any local building permits
Answer: B
2. A contractor is deciding which Virginia contractor license classification is
appropriate for a proposed project. The contractor understands that the
license classification is separate from the specific type of construction work
authorized. Which statement correctly describes the relationship between
these requirements?
A. The license class determines the monetary value of contracts or projects,
while the classification or specialty identifies the type of work permitted
B. The specialty determines the maximum contract value, while the license
class identifies the contractor's employees
C. The license class applies only to employees and the specialty applies only
to homeowners
D. The classification determines insurance requirements but does not affect
permitted work
Answer: A
3. A new Virginia contractor is preparing an application for a contractor license
and is reviewing the education requirements before scheduling an
examination. Which statement is most accurate regarding current pre-
license education requirements?
pg. 1
, A. Pre-license education is unnecessary for all new contractor applicants
B. Only licensed electricians must complete pre-license education
C. New contractor license applicants must satisfy the applicable board-
approved pre-license education requirement
D. Pre-license education is required only after the contractor receives a
license
Answer: C
4. A contractor wants to obtain a Virginia Class B contractor license but has
not yet determined who will serve as the qualified individual. Which person
generally has responsibility for demonstrating the technical knowledge and
experience associated with the classification or specialty?
A. Any homeowner who hires the contractor
B. The contractor's accountant
C. The designated employee or other qualifying individual recognized by the
licensing requirements
D. The local tax assessor
Answer: C
5. A contractor is reviewing Virginia license classes before submitting an
application. The contractor wants to understand why Class A, Class B, and
Class C licenses exist. Which explanation is most accurate?
A. The classes are primarily distinctions in the monetary scope of projects a
contractor may undertake
B. The classes identify whether a contractor is licensed by a city, county, or
town
C. The classes determine whether the contractor can hire employees
D. The classes identify the contractor's preferred building material
Answer: A
6. A Virginia home improvement contractor is asked to perform electrical
wiring, plumbing, and HVAC work as part of a remodeling project. The
contractor holds a general contractor classification but does not personally
hold the required trade certification. What should the contractor recognize?
pg. 2
, A. A general contractor classification automatically authorizes every
regulated trade
B. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work may have separate trade licensing or
certification requirements
C. Trade certification is optional if the customer signs a waiver
D. A contractor may perform regulated trades without authorization when
the project is residential
Answer: B
7. A contractor is planning a project and wants to determine whether a
particular specialty is included within the scope of the license. Which action
is most appropriate before signing the contract?
A. Review the applicable Virginia contractor classification and specialty
requirements
B. Assume that any construction activity is automatically authorized
C. Ask the customer to determine the contractor's legal scope
D. Begin the project and determine the license requirements later
Answer: A
8. A homeowner hires a contractor to renovate a kitchen. During the project,
the contractor proposes additional work that was not included in the
original agreement. Which practice provides the strongest protection for
both parties?
A. Perform the work without discussing price
B. Rely on a verbal agreement made at the job site
C. Clearly document the additional work, price, and other material contract
changes
D. Wait until completion before telling the homeowner the additional cost
Answer: C
9. A contractor prepares a written agreement for a home improvement
project. Which information is most important for reducing disputes
concerning the scope of work?
A. A detailed description of the work, materials, costs, payment terms, and
pg. 3
, responsibilities of the parties
B. The contractor's personal hobbies
C. The homeowner's unrelated employment information
D. The contractor's preferred brand of vehicle
Answer: A
10. A homeowner asks a contractor why a written contract is important even
when both parties trust each other. Which response is most appropriate?
A. A written agreement establishes the agreed scope, price, responsibilities,
and other important terms
B. Written contracts are useful only for commercial construction
C. Written contracts eliminate every possible construction dispute
D. A written contract is needed only when the contractor expects not to
finish
Answer: A
11. A contractor discovers that the project will require a building permit. The
homeowner says the contractor should proceed immediately because the
work is inside the house. What should the contractor do?
A. Begin construction and apply for the permit after completion
B. Determine the applicable permit requirements and obtain required
approvals before performing regulated work
C. Ignore the permit because residential work is exempt
D. Ask a neighbor whether a permit is necessary
Answer: B
12. A contractor is preparing a renovation involving structural modifications.
Which professional responsibility is most important before construction
begins?
A. Verify applicable building-code, permit, inspection, and structural
requirements
B. Purchase materials before reviewing the plans
C. Allow the homeowner to determine structural safety
pg. 4
EXAM COMPLETE 250 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
1. A Virginia contractor is preparing to perform residential remodeling work
that involves repairing, improving, or altering property owned by another
person. The contractor wants to determine which regulatory framework
applies before accepting the project. Which statement best describes the
purpose of Virginia contractor licensing requirements?
A. They apply only to contractors performing commercial work
B. They regulate businesses engaged in construction, removal, repair, or
improvement of facilities on property owned by others
C. They apply only when a contractor performs electrical work
D. They eliminate the need for any local building permits
Answer: B
2. A contractor is deciding which Virginia contractor license classification is
appropriate for a proposed project. The contractor understands that the
license classification is separate from the specific type of construction work
authorized. Which statement correctly describes the relationship between
these requirements?
A. The license class determines the monetary value of contracts or projects,
while the classification or specialty identifies the type of work permitted
B. The specialty determines the maximum contract value, while the license
class identifies the contractor's employees
C. The license class applies only to employees and the specialty applies only
to homeowners
D. The classification determines insurance requirements but does not affect
permitted work
Answer: A
3. A new Virginia contractor is preparing an application for a contractor license
and is reviewing the education requirements before scheduling an
examination. Which statement is most accurate regarding current pre-
license education requirements?
pg. 1
, A. Pre-license education is unnecessary for all new contractor applicants
B. Only licensed electricians must complete pre-license education
C. New contractor license applicants must satisfy the applicable board-
approved pre-license education requirement
D. Pre-license education is required only after the contractor receives a
license
Answer: C
4. A contractor wants to obtain a Virginia Class B contractor license but has
not yet determined who will serve as the qualified individual. Which person
generally has responsibility for demonstrating the technical knowledge and
experience associated with the classification or specialty?
A. Any homeowner who hires the contractor
B. The contractor's accountant
C. The designated employee or other qualifying individual recognized by the
licensing requirements
D. The local tax assessor
Answer: C
5. A contractor is reviewing Virginia license classes before submitting an
application. The contractor wants to understand why Class A, Class B, and
Class C licenses exist. Which explanation is most accurate?
A. The classes are primarily distinctions in the monetary scope of projects a
contractor may undertake
B. The classes identify whether a contractor is licensed by a city, county, or
town
C. The classes determine whether the contractor can hire employees
D. The classes identify the contractor's preferred building material
Answer: A
6. A Virginia home improvement contractor is asked to perform electrical
wiring, plumbing, and HVAC work as part of a remodeling project. The
contractor holds a general contractor classification but does not personally
hold the required trade certification. What should the contractor recognize?
pg. 2
, A. A general contractor classification automatically authorizes every
regulated trade
B. Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work may have separate trade licensing or
certification requirements
C. Trade certification is optional if the customer signs a waiver
D. A contractor may perform regulated trades without authorization when
the project is residential
Answer: B
7. A contractor is planning a project and wants to determine whether a
particular specialty is included within the scope of the license. Which action
is most appropriate before signing the contract?
A. Review the applicable Virginia contractor classification and specialty
requirements
B. Assume that any construction activity is automatically authorized
C. Ask the customer to determine the contractor's legal scope
D. Begin the project and determine the license requirements later
Answer: A
8. A homeowner hires a contractor to renovate a kitchen. During the project,
the contractor proposes additional work that was not included in the
original agreement. Which practice provides the strongest protection for
both parties?
A. Perform the work without discussing price
B. Rely on a verbal agreement made at the job site
C. Clearly document the additional work, price, and other material contract
changes
D. Wait until completion before telling the homeowner the additional cost
Answer: C
9. A contractor prepares a written agreement for a home improvement
project. Which information is most important for reducing disputes
concerning the scope of work?
A. A detailed description of the work, materials, costs, payment terms, and
pg. 3
, responsibilities of the parties
B. The contractor's personal hobbies
C. The homeowner's unrelated employment information
D. The contractor's preferred brand of vehicle
Answer: A
10. A homeowner asks a contractor why a written contract is important even
when both parties trust each other. Which response is most appropriate?
A. A written agreement establishes the agreed scope, price, responsibilities,
and other important terms
B. Written contracts are useful only for commercial construction
C. Written contracts eliminate every possible construction dispute
D. A written contract is needed only when the contractor expects not to
finish
Answer: A
11. A contractor discovers that the project will require a building permit. The
homeowner says the contractor should proceed immediately because the
work is inside the house. What should the contractor do?
A. Begin construction and apply for the permit after completion
B. Determine the applicable permit requirements and obtain required
approvals before performing regulated work
C. Ignore the permit because residential work is exempt
D. Ask a neighbor whether a permit is necessary
Answer: B
12. A contractor is preparing a renovation involving structural modifications.
Which professional responsibility is most important before construction
begins?
A. Verify applicable building-code, permit, inspection, and structural
requirements
B. Purchase materials before reviewing the plans
C. Allow the homeowner to determine structural safety
pg. 4
