VIRGINIA HIC (HOME IMPROVEMENT
CONTRACTOR) PRACTICE EXAM –
QUESTIONS & COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
(2025/2026)
Introduction
This 2025/2026 Virginia HIC practice exam aligns with DPOR/PSI standards and the
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC, 2018 edition with amendments). It
covers licensing, business practices, construction, safety, and contract management for
Class C HIC licenses. Questions are open-book style per PSI guidelines. Review the
NASCLA Contractor's Guide (VA 8th Ed.), USBC, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and VA codes (Title
54.1 Ch. 11) for preparation. Passing score: 70% (35/50 for General, 18/24 for Virginia
Portion).
Question [1]: Under Virginia Code §54.1-1100, who must hold a Class C contractor's
license for home improvement work valued over $1,000?
A. The homeowner
B. Any individual or firm performing the work
C. Subcontractors only
D. Suppliers of materials
Answer: B — Any individual or firm performing the work
Solution: Virginia Code §54.1-1100 requires a Class C license for contractors performing
home improvement work exceeding $1,000, including labor and materials; homeowners
exempt for self-work (A), subcontractors must be licensed if primary (C), suppliers not
contractors (D).
Question [2]: What is the maximum value of projects a Class C HIC license allows without
additional Class B requirements?
A. $1,000
B. $120,000 per project
C. $5,000
,D. Unlimited
Answer: B — $120,000 per project
Solution: DPOR Board for Contractors rules (18VAC50-22-90): Class C HIC limited to
$120,000 single project/$1M annual aggregate; $1,000 threshold for licensing (A), $5,000
minor (C), unlimited Class A/B (D).
Question [3]: Per Virginia Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund, what is the maximum
recovery per claim for HIC violations?
A. $10,000
B. $25,000
C. $50,000
D. $100,000
Answer: B — $25,000
Solution: VA Code §54.1-2354.5 limits recovery to $25,000 per transaction for Class C
HIC; $10,000 aggregate (A), $50,000 Class B (C), $100,000 rare (D).
Question [4]: A HIC contract must include a notice of the right to file a complaint with
DPOR within how many days of completion?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Answer: B — 30 days
Solution: VA Code §54.1-1110 requires contracts to notice complaint filing within 30 days
of substantial completion; 10 too short (A), 60/90 longer (C,D).
Question [5]: For HIC work, what is required for a mechanic's lien filing?
A. No notice needed
B. Memorandum of lien within 90 days of last work
C. Immediate filing
D. 6-month limit only
Answer: B — Memorandum of lien within 90 days of last work
, Solution: VA Code §43-4: File memo within 90 days of last furnishing labor/materials;
notice optional (A), immediate no (C), 6 months suit (D).
Question [6]: Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law requires a plan for disturbed
land over?
A. 2,500 sq ft
B. 10,000 sq ft
C. 1 acre
D. 5 acres
Answer: B — 10,000 sq ft
Solution: VA Erosion Control Regulations (9VAC25-840-40): Plan for >10,000 sq ft
disturbance; 2,500 small (A), 1 acre larger (C), 5 acres major (D).
Question [7]: HIC licenses are renewed annually by?
A. July 31
B. December 31
C. March 31
D. June 30
Answer: A — July 31
Solution: DPOR 18VAC50-22-160: Renew by last day of birth month, but annual cycle
ends July 31 for compliance; others quarterly (B,C,D).
Question [8]: A HIC must maintain general liability insurance of at least?
A. $50,000
B. $100,000
C. $500,000 per occurrence
D. $1,000,000
Answer: C — $500,000 per occurrence
Solution: VA Code §54.1-1108.01: Class C requires $500,000 GL/$100,000 property
damage; lower insufficient (A,B), higher Class A/B (D).
Question [9]: Contracts for HIC work over $1,000 must be in writing and include?
A. Verbal agreement
B. Scope, price, start/end dates, warranties
CONTRACTOR) PRACTICE EXAM –
QUESTIONS & COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
(2025/2026)
Introduction
This 2025/2026 Virginia HIC practice exam aligns with DPOR/PSI standards and the
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC, 2018 edition with amendments). It
covers licensing, business practices, construction, safety, and contract management for
Class C HIC licenses. Questions are open-book style per PSI guidelines. Review the
NASCLA Contractor's Guide (VA 8th Ed.), USBC, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and VA codes (Title
54.1 Ch. 11) for preparation. Passing score: 70% (35/50 for General, 18/24 for Virginia
Portion).
Question [1]: Under Virginia Code §54.1-1100, who must hold a Class C contractor's
license for home improvement work valued over $1,000?
A. The homeowner
B. Any individual or firm performing the work
C. Subcontractors only
D. Suppliers of materials
Answer: B — Any individual or firm performing the work
Solution: Virginia Code §54.1-1100 requires a Class C license for contractors performing
home improvement work exceeding $1,000, including labor and materials; homeowners
exempt for self-work (A), subcontractors must be licensed if primary (C), suppliers not
contractors (D).
Question [2]: What is the maximum value of projects a Class C HIC license allows without
additional Class B requirements?
A. $1,000
B. $120,000 per project
C. $5,000
,D. Unlimited
Answer: B — $120,000 per project
Solution: DPOR Board for Contractors rules (18VAC50-22-90): Class C HIC limited to
$120,000 single project/$1M annual aggregate; $1,000 threshold for licensing (A), $5,000
minor (C), unlimited Class A/B (D).
Question [3]: Per Virginia Contractor Transaction Recovery Fund, what is the maximum
recovery per claim for HIC violations?
A. $10,000
B. $25,000
C. $50,000
D. $100,000
Answer: B — $25,000
Solution: VA Code §54.1-2354.5 limits recovery to $25,000 per transaction for Class C
HIC; $10,000 aggregate (A), $50,000 Class B (C), $100,000 rare (D).
Question [4]: A HIC contract must include a notice of the right to file a complaint with
DPOR within how many days of completion?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Answer: B — 30 days
Solution: VA Code §54.1-1110 requires contracts to notice complaint filing within 30 days
of substantial completion; 10 too short (A), 60/90 longer (C,D).
Question [5]: For HIC work, what is required for a mechanic's lien filing?
A. No notice needed
B. Memorandum of lien within 90 days of last work
C. Immediate filing
D. 6-month limit only
Answer: B — Memorandum of lien within 90 days of last work
, Solution: VA Code §43-4: File memo within 90 days of last furnishing labor/materials;
notice optional (A), immediate no (C), 6 months suit (D).
Question [6]: Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law requires a plan for disturbed
land over?
A. 2,500 sq ft
B. 10,000 sq ft
C. 1 acre
D. 5 acres
Answer: B — 10,000 sq ft
Solution: VA Erosion Control Regulations (9VAC25-840-40): Plan for >10,000 sq ft
disturbance; 2,500 small (A), 1 acre larger (C), 5 acres major (D).
Question [7]: HIC licenses are renewed annually by?
A. July 31
B. December 31
C. March 31
D. June 30
Answer: A — July 31
Solution: DPOR 18VAC50-22-160: Renew by last day of birth month, but annual cycle
ends July 31 for compliance; others quarterly (B,C,D).
Question [8]: A HIC must maintain general liability insurance of at least?
A. $50,000
B. $100,000
C. $500,000 per occurrence
D. $1,000,000
Answer: C — $500,000 per occurrence
Solution: VA Code §54.1-1108.01: Class C requires $500,000 GL/$100,000 property
damage; lower insufficient (A,B), higher Class A/B (D).
Question [9]: Contracts for HIC work over $1,000 must be in writing and include?
A. Verbal agreement
B. Scope, price, start/end dates, warranties
