VIRGINIA CLASS A CONTRACTOR EXAM Practice
Questions with Detailed Rationales 2 Versions
Complete Study Guide for 2026
EXAM OVERVIEW
Feature Details
Administering Agency Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)
Exam Provider PSI
Format Multiple-choice, open-book
Virginia Portion 24 items; 18 pass; 48 minutes
General Portion 50 items; 35 pass; 100 minutes
Advanced Portion 24 items; 17 pass; 60 minutes
Reference Materials NASCLA Guide, USBC, IRC, OSHA 1926
Question 1
What is the maximum allowable noise exposure for an 8-hour workday according to
OSHA?
,A) 85 dBA
B) 90 dBA
C) 95 dBA
D) 100 dBA
Answer: B) 90 dBA
Rationale: OSHA's permissible exposure limit for noise is 90 dBA as an 8-hour time-
weighted average. Employers must implement a hearing conservation program when
exposure reaches 85 dBA.
Question 2
At what height does OSHA require fall protection for workers on scaffolds?
A) 6 feet
B) 8 feet
C) 10 feet
D) 12 feet
Answer: C) 10 feet
Rationale: OSHA requires fall protection for employees working on scaffolds 10 feet or
more above a lower level. This is specified in 29 CFR 1926.451(g).
Question 3
What is the maximum allowable spacing between ladder rungs according to OSHA?
A) 10 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 14 inches
D) 16 inches
Answer: B) 12 inches
Rationale: OSHA requires ladder rungs to be spaced not more than 12 inches apart, center
to center, for fixed ladders and portable ladders.
,Question 4
At what depth must an excavation be protected against cave-ins according to OSHA?
A) 4 feet
B) 5 feet
C) 6 feet
D) 8 feet
Answer: B) 5 feet
Rationale: OSHA requires protective systems for excavations 5 feet or deeper unless the
excavation is made entirely in stable rock. A competent person must inspect the
excavation daily.
Question 5
When is a permit required for entry into a confined space according to OSHA?
A) Only if the space is deeper than 5 feet
B) Only if the space contains hazardous atmospheres
C) For all permit-required confined spaces
D) Only if the space has limited entry and exit
Answer: C) For all permit-required confined spaces
Rationale: OSHA requires a permit for entry into any permit-required confined space,
which is a space that has one or more of the following: hazardous atmosphere,
engulfment potential, internal configuration that could trap or asphyxiate, or any other
recognized serious safety or health hazard.
Question 6
What does OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard require employers to provide?
A) Labels on containers only
B) Safety Data Sheets only
C) Training only
D) Labels, Safety Data Sheets, and training
, Answer: D) Labels, Safety Data Sheets, and training
Rationale: OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200) requires employers to
ensure that labels on containers are present, Safety Data Sheets are available, and
employees are trained on hazardous chemicals.
Question 7
Who is responsible for paying for personal protective equipment (PPE) required by
OSHA?
A) The employee
B) The employer
C) Split equally between employer and employee
D) It is optional
Answer: B) The employer
Rationale: OSHA requires employers to provide and pay for most personal protective
equipment required to protect employees from workplace hazards, with limited exceptions
for items like non-specialty safety-toe footwear and prescription eyewear.
Question 8
What is required for a lockout/tagout program according to OSHA?
A) A written program and employee training
B) Only locks
C) Only tags
D) No written program is required
Answer: A) A written program and employee training
Rationale: OSHA's Lockout/Tagout Standard (1910.147) requires employers to develop a
written program, provide employee training, and use locks and tags to isolate hazardous
energy sources during maintenance or repair.
Questions with Detailed Rationales 2 Versions
Complete Study Guide for 2026
EXAM OVERVIEW
Feature Details
Administering Agency Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)
Exam Provider PSI
Format Multiple-choice, open-book
Virginia Portion 24 items; 18 pass; 48 minutes
General Portion 50 items; 35 pass; 100 minutes
Advanced Portion 24 items; 17 pass; 60 minutes
Reference Materials NASCLA Guide, USBC, IRC, OSHA 1926
Question 1
What is the maximum allowable noise exposure for an 8-hour workday according to
OSHA?
,A) 85 dBA
B) 90 dBA
C) 95 dBA
D) 100 dBA
Answer: B) 90 dBA
Rationale: OSHA's permissible exposure limit for noise is 90 dBA as an 8-hour time-
weighted average. Employers must implement a hearing conservation program when
exposure reaches 85 dBA.
Question 2
At what height does OSHA require fall protection for workers on scaffolds?
A) 6 feet
B) 8 feet
C) 10 feet
D) 12 feet
Answer: C) 10 feet
Rationale: OSHA requires fall protection for employees working on scaffolds 10 feet or
more above a lower level. This is specified in 29 CFR 1926.451(g).
Question 3
What is the maximum allowable spacing between ladder rungs according to OSHA?
A) 10 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 14 inches
D) 16 inches
Answer: B) 12 inches
Rationale: OSHA requires ladder rungs to be spaced not more than 12 inches apart, center
to center, for fixed ladders and portable ladders.
,Question 4
At what depth must an excavation be protected against cave-ins according to OSHA?
A) 4 feet
B) 5 feet
C) 6 feet
D) 8 feet
Answer: B) 5 feet
Rationale: OSHA requires protective systems for excavations 5 feet or deeper unless the
excavation is made entirely in stable rock. A competent person must inspect the
excavation daily.
Question 5
When is a permit required for entry into a confined space according to OSHA?
A) Only if the space is deeper than 5 feet
B) Only if the space contains hazardous atmospheres
C) For all permit-required confined spaces
D) Only if the space has limited entry and exit
Answer: C) For all permit-required confined spaces
Rationale: OSHA requires a permit for entry into any permit-required confined space,
which is a space that has one or more of the following: hazardous atmosphere,
engulfment potential, internal configuration that could trap or asphyxiate, or any other
recognized serious safety or health hazard.
Question 6
What does OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard require employers to provide?
A) Labels on containers only
B) Safety Data Sheets only
C) Training only
D) Labels, Safety Data Sheets, and training
, Answer: D) Labels, Safety Data Sheets, and training
Rationale: OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200) requires employers to
ensure that labels on containers are present, Safety Data Sheets are available, and
employees are trained on hazardous chemicals.
Question 7
Who is responsible for paying for personal protective equipment (PPE) required by
OSHA?
A) The employee
B) The employer
C) Split equally between employer and employee
D) It is optional
Answer: B) The employer
Rationale: OSHA requires employers to provide and pay for most personal protective
equipment required to protect employees from workplace hazards, with limited exceptions
for items like non-specialty safety-toe footwear and prescription eyewear.
Question 8
What is required for a lockout/tagout program according to OSHA?
A) A written program and employee training
B) Only locks
C) Only tags
D) No written program is required
Answer: A) A written program and employee training
Rationale: OSHA's Lockout/Tagout Standard (1910.147) requires employers to develop a
written program, provide employee training, and use locks and tags to isolate hazardous
energy sources during maintenance or repair.
