VIRGINIA HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTING -HIC EXAM
WITH QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS
LATEST 2025/2026 RATED A+
1. The MINIMUN length drywall screw for installing 1/2 inch gypsum board to wood studs is
1 1/4 inches
2. What is the MINIMUM breaking strength required of safety belt lanyards
- 5,400 pounds
3. What is the MINIMUM clearance that combustible insulation MUST other heat-producing
devices
1 inch
4. What is the MAXIMUM flame spread index for insulation materials
25
5. The amount of water per sack of cement is what controls all EXCEPT
Wear resistance
6. The escape device for a trench over 4 feet deep MUST be within a MAXIMUM of
25 feet of the worker
7. What is the correct sequence for installing a bi-fold door
Top track, lower track, insert bottom pivot, insert upper pivot
8. What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail 34 inches 9. How MUST rafters be
framed to each other
With rectangular ties
1|Page
, 10. The nailing holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are elongated to allow for
Expansion and contraction
11. What are batter boards
Stakes and ledger boards marking building lines
12. The first step that needs to be taken prior to starting any excavation work is
Contracting the local utility companies
13. What is the MAXIMUM distance horizontal reinforcement can be placed from the top of a
masonry partition wall
16 inches
14. What is the MINIMUM vertical reinforcement spacing for a reinforced concrete foundation
wall that is 7 feet high and 10 inches thick on type SP soil
48 inches on center
15. A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width exceeds
30 inches
16. Unless otherwise specified, the standard guideline for spacing contraction joints is to space
them in feet
2 times the stab depth in inches
17. What is the MINIMUM lap of riveted horizontal lap siding
1 inches
2|Page
WITH QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS
LATEST 2025/2026 RATED A+
1. The MINIMUN length drywall screw for installing 1/2 inch gypsum board to wood studs is
1 1/4 inches
2. What is the MINIMUM breaking strength required of safety belt lanyards
- 5,400 pounds
3. What is the MINIMUM clearance that combustible insulation MUST other heat-producing
devices
1 inch
4. What is the MAXIMUM flame spread index for insulation materials
25
5. The amount of water per sack of cement is what controls all EXCEPT
Wear resistance
6. The escape device for a trench over 4 feet deep MUST be within a MAXIMUM of
25 feet of the worker
7. What is the correct sequence for installing a bi-fold door
Top track, lower track, insert bottom pivot, insert upper pivot
8. What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail 34 inches 9. How MUST rafters be
framed to each other
With rectangular ties
1|Page
, 10. The nailing holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are elongated to allow for
Expansion and contraction
11. What are batter boards
Stakes and ledger boards marking building lines
12. The first step that needs to be taken prior to starting any excavation work is
Contracting the local utility companies
13. What is the MAXIMUM distance horizontal reinforcement can be placed from the top of a
masonry partition wall
16 inches
14. What is the MINIMUM vertical reinforcement spacing for a reinforced concrete foundation
wall that is 7 feet high and 10 inches thick on type SP soil
48 inches on center
15. A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width exceeds
30 inches
16. Unless otherwise specified, the standard guideline for spacing contraction joints is to space
them in feet
2 times the stab depth in inches
17. What is the MINIMUM lap of riveted horizontal lap siding
1 inches
2|Page
