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VIRGINIA HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTING (HIC)
EXAM 2025 | QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS AND A
STUDY GUIDE
The MOST specific information about the size and location of windows would be
found in a - Answer: Floor plan
What direction does heat flow? - Answer: Hot to cold
What is the minimum amount of space that is allowed between roof sheeting and
insulation to allow the passage of air? - Answer: 1 1/2 in
In a ceiling batt insulation where is the vapor retarder placed? - Answer: Against
the back of ceiling finish
A vapor retarder on blanket installation MUST - Answer: Face the warm side of
the wall
How should radiant heat barrier be installed - Answer: Either rafters (1st choice)/
perforated
The nailing holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are elongated to allow for -
Answer: Expansion and contraction
What is the MINIMUM lap of rabbeted horizontal lap siding - Answer: 1/2 inches
(R703.5.3)
In a Vinyl soffit installation what type of accessory is used - Answer: J or F
Channel (c 677)
What kind of siding can be vertically installed - Answer: Board and
Batten/Plywood
Fiber cement siding for exterior weather wall, the minimum thickness should be -
Answer: 5/16 inches (R703.3)
What is the clearance for an exterior wood siding and finish grade where the wood
is untreated - Answer: 8 inches
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How is furring installed on horizontal vinyl siding? - Answer: Strips should be
installed vertically and completely around doors and windows
What is not a siding accessory? - Answer: Z-channel
The MINIMUN length drywall screw for installing 1/2 inch gypsum board to wood
studs is - Answer: 1 1/4 inches (362 IRC18)
What is the MAXIMUM recommended spacing for 5/8 inch drywall installed on a
wall at right angies to framing members - Answer: 24 inches
What are batter boards - Answer: stakes and ledger boards marking building lines
What is the MAXIMUM distance between a ventilating opening in an under-floor
space and each corner of the building? - Answer: 3 feet
What is NOT required in exterior nonbearing walls? - Answer: Load-bearing
headers
A lengthwise grain separation between or through the growth rings of lumber is
called a - Answer: Shake (c 326)
The abbreviation "d" in "16d" means - Answer: Penny
Notches may not be located in the ____________ of a joist span - Answer: Middle
1/3
How should board and batten be installed? - Answer: 1 inch overlap 10d nails
What is the maximum allowable notch in ceiling joists - Answer: 1/6 the depth of
the member
How MUST rafters be framed to each other - Answer: Gusset plate (R802.3)
What is used to prevent buckling at points of high stress? - Answer: Squash blocks
Prior to the installation of wood floor how long for acclimation? - Answer: 4-5
days
VIRGINIA HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTING (HIC)
EXAM 2025 | QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS AND A
STUDY GUIDE
The MOST specific information about the size and location of windows would be
found in a - Answer: Floor plan
What direction does heat flow? - Answer: Hot to cold
What is the minimum amount of space that is allowed between roof sheeting and
insulation to allow the passage of air? - Answer: 1 1/2 in
In a ceiling batt insulation where is the vapor retarder placed? - Answer: Against
the back of ceiling finish
A vapor retarder on blanket installation MUST - Answer: Face the warm side of
the wall
How should radiant heat barrier be installed - Answer: Either rafters (1st choice)/
perforated
The nailing holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are elongated to allow for -
Answer: Expansion and contraction
What is the MINIMUM lap of rabbeted horizontal lap siding - Answer: 1/2 inches
(R703.5.3)
In a Vinyl soffit installation what type of accessory is used - Answer: J or F
Channel (c 677)
What kind of siding can be vertically installed - Answer: Board and
Batten/Plywood
Fiber cement siding for exterior weather wall, the minimum thickness should be -
Answer: 5/16 inches (R703.3)
What is the clearance for an exterior wood siding and finish grade where the wood
is untreated - Answer: 8 inches
, 2|Page
How is furring installed on horizontal vinyl siding? - Answer: Strips should be
installed vertically and completely around doors and windows
What is not a siding accessory? - Answer: Z-channel
The MINIMUN length drywall screw for installing 1/2 inch gypsum board to wood
studs is - Answer: 1 1/4 inches (362 IRC18)
What is the MAXIMUM recommended spacing for 5/8 inch drywall installed on a
wall at right angies to framing members - Answer: 24 inches
What are batter boards - Answer: stakes and ledger boards marking building lines
What is the MAXIMUM distance between a ventilating opening in an under-floor
space and each corner of the building? - Answer: 3 feet
What is NOT required in exterior nonbearing walls? - Answer: Load-bearing
headers
A lengthwise grain separation between or through the growth rings of lumber is
called a - Answer: Shake (c 326)
The abbreviation "d" in "16d" means - Answer: Penny
Notches may not be located in the ____________ of a joist span - Answer: Middle
1/3
How should board and batten be installed? - Answer: 1 inch overlap 10d nails
What is the maximum allowable notch in ceiling joists - Answer: 1/6 the depth of
the member
How MUST rafters be framed to each other - Answer: Gusset plate (R802.3)
What is used to prevent buckling at points of high stress? - Answer: Squash blocks
Prior to the installation of wood floor how long for acclimation? - Answer: 4-5
days
