Virginia Contractors License Exam – Advanced
(Class A) Examination Complete Questions And
Detailed Solutions Latest Update This Year
Q1: Virginia contractor license classes - Class A limits?
A. Class A limit $750,000 per project
B. Class A limit $10,000 per project
C. Class A limit $120,000 per project
D. Class A unlimited - no dollar limit on single project or total - net worth $45,000 minimum - per DPOR Board for Contractors
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
D. Class A unlimited - no dollar limit on single project or total - net worth $45,000 minimum - per DPOR Board for Contractors
CONCEPT: Virginia contractor classes A B C dollar limits. CORRECT - A: Class A unlimited - no limit single contract or aggregate
annual - per DPOR Board for Contractors Reg 18 VAC 50-22. Requires net worth $45,000 (assets minus liabilities). Class B limit
$120,000 single / $750,000 total annual, net worth $15,000. Class C limit $10,000 single / $150,000 total annual, net worth no
requirement but must show. WHY B WRONG: $10,000 is Class C limit single project - confusing Class C with Class A - Class A
unlimited not $10k - this distractor traps those who don't know classes. WHY C WRONG: $120,000 is Class B single project limit - not
Class A - Class A unlimited - Class B limited. WHY D WRONG: $750,000 is Class B total annual limit - not Class A - Class B single 120k
total 750k - Class A unlimited both. EXAM TIP: Memorize: C=$10k single $150k total, B=$120k single $750k total, A=unlimited - net
worth C=0, B=$15k, A=$45k.
Q2: Virginia Class A contractor - Responsible Management and Qualified Individual requirements?
A. Must have Responsible Management (officer, manager) and Qualified Individual who passed exams for each classification - QI
must be full-time employee or member of responsible management
B. QI can be part-time consultant not employee
C. Responsible Management not required
D. No QI required
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
A. Must have Responsible Management (officer, manager) and Qualified Individual who passed exams for each classification -
QI must be full-time employee or member of responsible management
CONCEPT: Who must be associated with license. CORRECT - A: Virginia requires Responsible Management (individual who is
officer, director, member, manager who controls company) and Qualified Individual (QI) who has passed required exams (VA portion
and trade) for each classification/specialty. QI must be full-time employee or member of responsible management - not part-time
consultant - must be employed 30+ hrs/week. WHY B WRONG: QI required - must pass exams for license - no QI = no license - exams
are tied to QI. WHY C WRONG: QI cannot be part-time consultant - must be full-time employee or member of responsible management -
consultant arrangement violates Reg 18 VAC 50-22 - board audits employment. WHY D WRONG: Responsible Management required -
must have person who controls company decisions - cannot have license without responsible management. EXAM TIP: If QI leaves,
must notify DPOR within 90 days and replace - cannot operate without QI.
Page 1 | VA CLASS A CONTRACTOR - ULTRA - BIG TITLE - 200Q
,Q3: Virginia contractor - specialty classifications - how many?
A. Only Building
B. No classifications - one license does all
C. Only one classification exists
D. Many classifications - e.g., Building (BLD), Highway Heavy (H/H), Electrical (ELE), Plumbing (PLB), HVAC (HVA), etc - plus
specialties - must have QI for each
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
D. Many classifications - e.g., Building (BLD), Highway Heavy (H/H), Electrical (ELE), Plumbing (PLB), HVAC (HVA), etc - plus
specialties - must have QI for each
CONCEPT: Classifications. CORRECT - A: Virginia has multiple classifications: Building BLD, Highway/Heavy H/H, Electrical ELE,
Plumbing PLB, HVAC HVA, etc, plus specialties like Concrete CON, Roofing ROC, etc per 18 VAC 50-22-20. Must add classification
with QI passing trade exam. WHY B WRONG: Only one classification false - many exist - exam tests knowledge of classifications. WHY
C WRONG: Only Building false - many classifications - Building is one but electrical plumbing HVAC etc separate require separate QI.
WHY D WRONG: One license does all false - need classification - doing work outside classification is violation - e.g., Class A BLD
cannot do electrical without ELE classification. EXAM TIP: Know BLD cannot do ELE PLB HVA without those classifications - need QI
for each.
Q4: Virginia contractor license exam - what exams required for Class A?
A. Only trade no VA portion
B. Only VA portion no trade
C. VA portion (business law) and trade/specialty exam for each classification - 8-hour business law + trade
D. No exam required
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
C. VA portion (business law) and trade/specialty exam for each classification - 8-hour business law + trade
CONCEPT: Exam requirements. CORRECT - A: Virginia requires two exams: Virginia portion (business law, regulations, lien law, etc)
8-hour? Actually VA portion 50 questions, plus trade exam for each classification (e.g., Building trade). Both must be passed by QI. VA
portion valid 6 years. WHY B WRONG: Only VA portion insufficient - trade exam also required for classification - VA portion alone does
not give trade qualification. WHY C WRONG: Only trade insufficient - VA portion (business law) also required - both required. WHY D
WRONG: Exam required - no exam would be unlicensed - Virginia requires exams for Class A and B, Class C only VA portion? Actually
Class C also VA portion. EXAM TIP: VA portion = business law - covers DPOR laws, lien law, employment law, etc.
Page 2 | VA CLASS A CONTRACTOR - ULTRA - BIG TITLE - 200Q
,Q5: Virginia mechanics lien - who can file and deadline?
A. No lien in Virginia
B. Any contractor, subcontractor, supplier who has not been paid can file memorandum of lien within 90 days from last work or 90
days from project completion, must file in circuit court clerk where property located - must give notice
C. Deadline 1 year
D. Only general contractor can file
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
B. Any contractor, subcontractor, supplier who has not been paid can file memorandum of lien within 90 days from last work or
90 days from project completion, must file in circuit court clerk where property located - must give notice
CONCEPT: Mechanics lien Virginia Code 43-3. CORRECT - A: Virginia Code 43-3: any general contractor, subcontractor, sub-sub,
material supplier, equipment lessor who has not been paid can file memorandum of lien within 90 days from last work or 90 days
from completion (whichever later, but 90 days from last work is common). Must file in circuit court clerk where property located, must
include affidavit, must serve owner. Must enforce by lawsuit within 6 months from filing or 60 days after completion whichever later. WHY
B WRONG: Not only GC - subs and suppliers also have lien rights - this is core lien law - if only GC, subs would have no security. WHY
C WRONG: 1 year too long - Virginia 90 days - other states 60-120 days - Virginia 90 days - missing deadline loses lien rights - exam
loves 90 days. WHY D WRONG: Virginia HAS lien law - Code 43 - lien exists - saying no lien false. EXAM TIP: Memorize 90 days to file,
6 months to enforce - must give notice to mechanic's lien agent if one designated on building permit.
Q6: Virginia lien - Defense of Payment and mechanic's lien agent?
A. Subs need not give notice
B. No MLA required
C. No defense of payment
D. Virginia has Defense of Payment for GC - if owner paid GC in full, owner has defense against sub lien - plus Mechanic's Lien
Agent (MLA) must be designated on building permit - subs must give notice to MLA within 30 days of starting work to preserve lien
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
D. Virginia has Defense of Payment for GC - if owner paid GC in full, owner has defense against sub lien - plus Mechanic's Lien
Agent (MLA) must be designated on building permit - subs must give notice to MLA within 30 days of starting work to preserve
lien
CONCEPT: Virginia unique lien features. CORRECT - A: Virginia has Defense of Payment - if owner can prove paid GC in full, defense
against sub-sub liens (GC still liable but owner protected). Also Mechanic's Lien Agent (MLA) - person designated on building permit
(often title company) - subcontractors/suppliers must send notice to MLA within 30 days of first work to preserve lien rights - per
Code 43-4.01. GC must notify subs of MLA. WHY B WRONG: Defense of Payment DOES exist in Virginia - unique - many states don't
have - Virginia does - exam tests this. WHY C WRONG: MLA required on building permits for residential - must be designated - if no
MLA, notice to owner serves. WHY D WRONG: Subs MUST give notice to MLA within 30 days - failure to give notice = loss of lien rights
- critical. EXAM TIP: MLA notice 30 days from first work - memorize.
Page 3 | VA CLASS A CONTRACTOR - ULTRA - BIG TITLE - 200Q
, Q7: Virginia contractor - change orders and written contracts?
A. No written contract needed
B. Virginia requires written contract for residential - must include scope, price, change order procedure - change orders must be in
writing signed before work - per DPOR Reg
C. No contract required for any job
D. Change orders can be oral always
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
B. Virginia requires written contract for residential - must include scope, price, change order procedure - change orders must
be in writing signed before work - per DPOR Reg
CONCEPT: Contract requirements. CORRECT - A: Virginia Reg 18 VAC 50-22-260 requires written contract for residential (and
good practice commercial) - must include scope, price, payment schedule, start/completion, change order procedure - change orders
must be in writing signed by both parties before extra work performed - oral change orders unenforceable and violation. WHY B
WRONG: Written contract required for residential per DPOR Reg - no written contract is violation - can be disciplined. WHY C WRONG:
Oral change orders not allowed for residential - must be written signed - oral leads to disputes - exam tests that oral change order invalid.
WHY D WRONG: Contract required - especially residential - no contract is violation. EXAM TIP: Change order must be written and
signed BEFORE work - doing work then getting signature violates.
Q8: Virginia - building permit and inspections?
A. Permit after work complete
B. Must obtain building permit from local building department before starting work per Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
VUSBC - inspections required by local building official - working without permit violation
C. No permit needed
D. Only owner obtains permit never contractor
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
B. Must obtain building permit from local building department before starting work per Virginia Uniform Statewide Building
Code VUSBC - inspections required by local building official - working without permit violation
CONCEPT: Permits. CORRECT - A: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code VUSBC requires building permit from local building
dept before starting work - contractor must ensure permit obtained (owner or contractor can obtain but contractor responsible) -
inspections required: footing, framing, electrical, plumbing, final etc by local building official - working without permit violation per DPOR
and building code. WHY B WRONG: Permit IS needed for most construction - no permit is violation - exception minor repairs. WHY C
WRONG: Owner can obtain permit but contractor also can and is responsible to ensure permit - contractor cannot claim owner failed -
contractor must verify permit. WHY D WRONG: Permit must be obtained BEFORE work - after work is violation - must obtain before
starting. EXAM TIP: Contractor must ensure permit - cannot start without permit - even if owner says no permit needed.
Page 4 | VA CLASS A CONTRACTOR - ULTRA - BIG TITLE - 200Q
(Class A) Examination Complete Questions And
Detailed Solutions Latest Update This Year
Q1: Virginia contractor license classes - Class A limits?
A. Class A limit $750,000 per project
B. Class A limit $10,000 per project
C. Class A limit $120,000 per project
D. Class A unlimited - no dollar limit on single project or total - net worth $45,000 minimum - per DPOR Board for Contractors
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
D. Class A unlimited - no dollar limit on single project or total - net worth $45,000 minimum - per DPOR Board for Contractors
CONCEPT: Virginia contractor classes A B C dollar limits. CORRECT - A: Class A unlimited - no limit single contract or aggregate
annual - per DPOR Board for Contractors Reg 18 VAC 50-22. Requires net worth $45,000 (assets minus liabilities). Class B limit
$120,000 single / $750,000 total annual, net worth $15,000. Class C limit $10,000 single / $150,000 total annual, net worth no
requirement but must show. WHY B WRONG: $10,000 is Class C limit single project - confusing Class C with Class A - Class A
unlimited not $10k - this distractor traps those who don't know classes. WHY C WRONG: $120,000 is Class B single project limit - not
Class A - Class A unlimited - Class B limited. WHY D WRONG: $750,000 is Class B total annual limit - not Class A - Class B single 120k
total 750k - Class A unlimited both. EXAM TIP: Memorize: C=$10k single $150k total, B=$120k single $750k total, A=unlimited - net
worth C=0, B=$15k, A=$45k.
Q2: Virginia Class A contractor - Responsible Management and Qualified Individual requirements?
A. Must have Responsible Management (officer, manager) and Qualified Individual who passed exams for each classification - QI
must be full-time employee or member of responsible management
B. QI can be part-time consultant not employee
C. Responsible Management not required
D. No QI required
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
A. Must have Responsible Management (officer, manager) and Qualified Individual who passed exams for each classification -
QI must be full-time employee or member of responsible management
CONCEPT: Who must be associated with license. CORRECT - A: Virginia requires Responsible Management (individual who is
officer, director, member, manager who controls company) and Qualified Individual (QI) who has passed required exams (VA portion
and trade) for each classification/specialty. QI must be full-time employee or member of responsible management - not part-time
consultant - must be employed 30+ hrs/week. WHY B WRONG: QI required - must pass exams for license - no QI = no license - exams
are tied to QI. WHY C WRONG: QI cannot be part-time consultant - must be full-time employee or member of responsible management -
consultant arrangement violates Reg 18 VAC 50-22 - board audits employment. WHY D WRONG: Responsible Management required -
must have person who controls company decisions - cannot have license without responsible management. EXAM TIP: If QI leaves,
must notify DPOR within 90 days and replace - cannot operate without QI.
Page 1 | VA CLASS A CONTRACTOR - ULTRA - BIG TITLE - 200Q
,Q3: Virginia contractor - specialty classifications - how many?
A. Only Building
B. No classifications - one license does all
C. Only one classification exists
D. Many classifications - e.g., Building (BLD), Highway Heavy (H/H), Electrical (ELE), Plumbing (PLB), HVAC (HVA), etc - plus
specialties - must have QI for each
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
D. Many classifications - e.g., Building (BLD), Highway Heavy (H/H), Electrical (ELE), Plumbing (PLB), HVAC (HVA), etc - plus
specialties - must have QI for each
CONCEPT: Classifications. CORRECT - A: Virginia has multiple classifications: Building BLD, Highway/Heavy H/H, Electrical ELE,
Plumbing PLB, HVAC HVA, etc, plus specialties like Concrete CON, Roofing ROC, etc per 18 VAC 50-22-20. Must add classification
with QI passing trade exam. WHY B WRONG: Only one classification false - many exist - exam tests knowledge of classifications. WHY
C WRONG: Only Building false - many classifications - Building is one but electrical plumbing HVAC etc separate require separate QI.
WHY D WRONG: One license does all false - need classification - doing work outside classification is violation - e.g., Class A BLD
cannot do electrical without ELE classification. EXAM TIP: Know BLD cannot do ELE PLB HVA without those classifications - need QI
for each.
Q4: Virginia contractor license exam - what exams required for Class A?
A. Only trade no VA portion
B. Only VA portion no trade
C. VA portion (business law) and trade/specialty exam for each classification - 8-hour business law + trade
D. No exam required
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
C. VA portion (business law) and trade/specialty exam for each classification - 8-hour business law + trade
CONCEPT: Exam requirements. CORRECT - A: Virginia requires two exams: Virginia portion (business law, regulations, lien law, etc)
8-hour? Actually VA portion 50 questions, plus trade exam for each classification (e.g., Building trade). Both must be passed by QI. VA
portion valid 6 years. WHY B WRONG: Only VA portion insufficient - trade exam also required for classification - VA portion alone does
not give trade qualification. WHY C WRONG: Only trade insufficient - VA portion (business law) also required - both required. WHY D
WRONG: Exam required - no exam would be unlicensed - Virginia requires exams for Class A and B, Class C only VA portion? Actually
Class C also VA portion. EXAM TIP: VA portion = business law - covers DPOR laws, lien law, employment law, etc.
Page 2 | VA CLASS A CONTRACTOR - ULTRA - BIG TITLE - 200Q
,Q5: Virginia mechanics lien - who can file and deadline?
A. No lien in Virginia
B. Any contractor, subcontractor, supplier who has not been paid can file memorandum of lien within 90 days from last work or 90
days from project completion, must file in circuit court clerk where property located - must give notice
C. Deadline 1 year
D. Only general contractor can file
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
B. Any contractor, subcontractor, supplier who has not been paid can file memorandum of lien within 90 days from last work or
90 days from project completion, must file in circuit court clerk where property located - must give notice
CONCEPT: Mechanics lien Virginia Code 43-3. CORRECT - A: Virginia Code 43-3: any general contractor, subcontractor, sub-sub,
material supplier, equipment lessor who has not been paid can file memorandum of lien within 90 days from last work or 90 days
from completion (whichever later, but 90 days from last work is common). Must file in circuit court clerk where property located, must
include affidavit, must serve owner. Must enforce by lawsuit within 6 months from filing or 60 days after completion whichever later. WHY
B WRONG: Not only GC - subs and suppliers also have lien rights - this is core lien law - if only GC, subs would have no security. WHY
C WRONG: 1 year too long - Virginia 90 days - other states 60-120 days - Virginia 90 days - missing deadline loses lien rights - exam
loves 90 days. WHY D WRONG: Virginia HAS lien law - Code 43 - lien exists - saying no lien false. EXAM TIP: Memorize 90 days to file,
6 months to enforce - must give notice to mechanic's lien agent if one designated on building permit.
Q6: Virginia lien - Defense of Payment and mechanic's lien agent?
A. Subs need not give notice
B. No MLA required
C. No defense of payment
D. Virginia has Defense of Payment for GC - if owner paid GC in full, owner has defense against sub lien - plus Mechanic's Lien
Agent (MLA) must be designated on building permit - subs must give notice to MLA within 30 days of starting work to preserve lien
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
D. Virginia has Defense of Payment for GC - if owner paid GC in full, owner has defense against sub lien - plus Mechanic's Lien
Agent (MLA) must be designated on building permit - subs must give notice to MLA within 30 days of starting work to preserve
lien
CONCEPT: Virginia unique lien features. CORRECT - A: Virginia has Defense of Payment - if owner can prove paid GC in full, defense
against sub-sub liens (GC still liable but owner protected). Also Mechanic's Lien Agent (MLA) - person designated on building permit
(often title company) - subcontractors/suppliers must send notice to MLA within 30 days of first work to preserve lien rights - per
Code 43-4.01. GC must notify subs of MLA. WHY B WRONG: Defense of Payment DOES exist in Virginia - unique - many states don't
have - Virginia does - exam tests this. WHY C WRONG: MLA required on building permits for residential - must be designated - if no
MLA, notice to owner serves. WHY D WRONG: Subs MUST give notice to MLA within 30 days - failure to give notice = loss of lien rights
- critical. EXAM TIP: MLA notice 30 days from first work - memorize.
Page 3 | VA CLASS A CONTRACTOR - ULTRA - BIG TITLE - 200Q
, Q7: Virginia contractor - change orders and written contracts?
A. No written contract needed
B. Virginia requires written contract for residential - must include scope, price, change order procedure - change orders must be in
writing signed before work - per DPOR Reg
C. No contract required for any job
D. Change orders can be oral always
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
B. Virginia requires written contract for residential - must include scope, price, change order procedure - change orders must
be in writing signed before work - per DPOR Reg
CONCEPT: Contract requirements. CORRECT - A: Virginia Reg 18 VAC 50-22-260 requires written contract for residential (and
good practice commercial) - must include scope, price, payment schedule, start/completion, change order procedure - change orders
must be in writing signed by both parties before extra work performed - oral change orders unenforceable and violation. WHY B
WRONG: Written contract required for residential per DPOR Reg - no written contract is violation - can be disciplined. WHY C WRONG:
Oral change orders not allowed for residential - must be written signed - oral leads to disputes - exam tests that oral change order invalid.
WHY D WRONG: Contract required - especially residential - no contract is violation. EXAM TIP: Change order must be written and
signed BEFORE work - doing work then getting signature violates.
Q8: Virginia - building permit and inspections?
A. Permit after work complete
B. Must obtain building permit from local building department before starting work per Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
VUSBC - inspections required by local building official - working without permit violation
C. No permit needed
D. Only owner obtains permit never contractor
Answer & ULTRA-Detailed Rationale:
B. Must obtain building permit from local building department before starting work per Virginia Uniform Statewide Building
Code VUSBC - inspections required by local building official - working without permit violation
CONCEPT: Permits. CORRECT - A: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code VUSBC requires building permit from local building
dept before starting work - contractor must ensure permit obtained (owner or contractor can obtain but contractor responsible) -
inspections required: footing, framing, electrical, plumbing, final etc by local building official - working without permit violation per DPOR
and building code. WHY B WRONG: Permit IS needed for most construction - no permit is violation - exception minor repairs. WHY C
WRONG: Owner can obtain permit but contractor also can and is responsible to ensure permit - contractor cannot claim owner failed -
contractor must verify permit. WHY D WRONG: Permit must be obtained BEFORE work - after work is violation - must obtain before
starting. EXAM TIP: Contractor must ensure permit - cannot start without permit - even if owner says no permit needed.
Page 4 | VA CLASS A CONTRACTOR - ULTRA - BIG TITLE - 200Q
