VIRGINIA HOME IMPROVEMENT
CONTRACTOR (HIC) EXAM STUDY SET
2026/2027 Virginia DPOR Licensing
Preparation | 300 Verified Questions with
Detailed Explanations
This comprehensive 300-question study set is designed for candidates preparing for
the Virginia Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Examination through
the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Each
question includes the correct answer (bolded) and a detailed rationale based on Virginia
contractor licensing laws, building codes, safety standards (OSHA), and industry best
practices.
Important Note: Virginia HIC licensing requirements are governed by Title 54.1,
Chapter 11 of the Code of Virginia. Localities have the authority to require HIC
licenses for home improvement work . This exam covers contractor classification
thresholds, contract requirements, building codes, safety standards, and technical
construction practices.
DOMAIN 1: VIRGINIA CONTRACTOR LICENSING & REGULATIONS (50
Questions – 1 to 50)
1. According to Virginia Code § 54.1-1117, a locality may require home improvement
contractors to do which of the following?
A) Obtain a license from the locality
B) Furnish evidence of ability and proficiency
C) Successfully complete an examination
D) All of the above
*Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1117 permits localities to require home improvement
contractors to obtain local licenses, demonstrate qualifications, and pass examinations
unless they hold a valid state contractor license under § 54.1-1106 .*
,2. A person who falsely represents having a valid contractor's license may be subject to
a civil penalty not exceeding:
A) $1,000
B) $1,500
**C) $2,500**
D) $5,000
*Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1117(C) establishes a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for
falsely representing that a person or business has a valid contractor's license issued
under § 54.1-1106 .*
3. What is the minimum contract value threshold for a Class A contractor license in
Virginia?
A) $10,000 or more
B) $25,000 or more
C) $120,000 or more per single contract or $750,000 or more annually
D) $500,000 or more per single contract
*Rationale: Class A contractors perform work where the total value per contract is
$120,000 or more, OR the total value of all work within a 12-month period is $750,000
or more .*
4. What is the minimum contract value threshold for a Class B contractor license in
Virginia?
A) $10,000 or more but less than $120,000 per contract, OR $150,000 or more but
less than $750,000 annually
B) $5,000 or more but less than $50,000 per contract
C) $50,000 or more but less than $200,000 per contract
D) $25,000 or more but less than $500,000 annually
Rationale: Class B contractors perform work where a single contract is at least $10,000 but
less than $120,000, OR annual work totals at least $150,000 but less than $750,000 .
5. What is the contract value threshold for a Class C contractor license in Virginia?
A) Less than $5,000 per contract
**B) Over $1,000 but not more than $10,000 per contract, OR annual total not more than
$150,000**
C) Less than $25,000 per contract
D) Over $500 but not more than $50,000 per contract
*Rationale: Class C contractors perform work where a single contract exceeds $1,000 but
is not more than $10,000, OR the total annual work is not more than $150,000 .*
6. Under Virginia law, the business of "home improvement" is defined as:
A) New construction of residential buildings only
,B) Contracting for and providing labor and materials (or labor only) for repairs,
improvements, and additions to residential buildings or accessory structures
C) Commercial building construction only
D) Electrical and plumbing work only
*Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1117(D) defines home improvement as contracting for
and providing labor and material (or labor only) for repairs, improvements, and
additions to residential buildings or structures accessory thereto where payment is
required .*
7. Class C contractors, and those whose work does not meet the threshold for a Class C
license, must obtain which additional license in certain Virginia localities?
A) No additional license is required
B) A local Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license
C) A federal contractor registration
D) A specialized trade license only
Rationale: In jurisdictions like Fairfax County, Class C contractors and those whose work
falls below Class C thresholds must obtain a local Home Improvement Contractor (HIC)
license .
8. The Virginia Board for Contractors is responsible for:
A) Issuing driver's licenses
B) Licensing contractors and regulating the construction industry
C) Enforcing building codes only
D) Collecting local taxes
Rationale: The Board for Contractors, under the Virginia Department of Professional and
Occupational Regulation (DPOR), is responsible for licensing contractors and regulating
the construction industry in Virginia .
9. Which type of contractor license requires the applicant to demonstrate the highest
level of financial responsibility and experience?
A) Class C
B) Class B
C) Class A
D) All classes require the same qualifications
Rationale: Class A contractor licenses require the highest thresholds for net worth,
experience, and contract value, reflecting the larger scale and complexity of projects
permitted under this classification.
10. A contractor who performs home improvement work without a required license may
be subject to:
A) A warning only
, B) Civil penalties, criminal charges, and inability to enforce contracts
C) No consequences if the work was completed satisfactorily
D) Only a small fine
Rationale: Unlicensed contracting in Virginia can result in civil penalties, criminal charges
(misdemeanor), and the inability to file a mechanic's lien or sue for payment on the
contract.
11. A contractor's license issued by the Virginia Board for Contractors must be renewed
every:
A) 6 months
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Rationale: Virginia contractor licenses are typically renewed every two years, with
continuing education requirements for certain license types.
12. Which of the following is generally EXEMPT from state contractor licensing
requirements in Virginia?
A) General contractors building new homes
B) Individuals performing work on their own property (owner-builder)
C) Home improvement contractors with contracts over $10,000
D) Electrical contractors
Rationale: Owner-builders performing work on their own property are generally exempt
from state contractor licensing, though they may still need local permits and must comply
with building codes.
13. A contractor who fails to renew their license before the expiration date must:
A) Immediately stop all work
B) Pay a reinstatement fee and possibly retake the exam
C) Stop work, pay a late fee, and complete the renewal process before resuming
contracting
D) Apply for a new license as a first-time applicant
Rationale: Contractors with expired licenses must cease contracting activities, pay late fees,
complete any continuing education requirements, and complete renewal before resuming
work.
14. According to Virginia law, a locality may require a bond from home improvement
contractors. This bond serves to:
A) Increase the contractor's profits
B) Protect consumers from financial loss due to contractor non-performance or
violations
CONTRACTOR (HIC) EXAM STUDY SET
2026/2027 Virginia DPOR Licensing
Preparation | 300 Verified Questions with
Detailed Explanations
This comprehensive 300-question study set is designed for candidates preparing for
the Virginia Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Examination through
the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Each
question includes the correct answer (bolded) and a detailed rationale based on Virginia
contractor licensing laws, building codes, safety standards (OSHA), and industry best
practices.
Important Note: Virginia HIC licensing requirements are governed by Title 54.1,
Chapter 11 of the Code of Virginia. Localities have the authority to require HIC
licenses for home improvement work . This exam covers contractor classification
thresholds, contract requirements, building codes, safety standards, and technical
construction practices.
DOMAIN 1: VIRGINIA CONTRACTOR LICENSING & REGULATIONS (50
Questions – 1 to 50)
1. According to Virginia Code § 54.1-1117, a locality may require home improvement
contractors to do which of the following?
A) Obtain a license from the locality
B) Furnish evidence of ability and proficiency
C) Successfully complete an examination
D) All of the above
*Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1117 permits localities to require home improvement
contractors to obtain local licenses, demonstrate qualifications, and pass examinations
unless they hold a valid state contractor license under § 54.1-1106 .*
,2. A person who falsely represents having a valid contractor's license may be subject to
a civil penalty not exceeding:
A) $1,000
B) $1,500
**C) $2,500**
D) $5,000
*Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1117(C) establishes a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for
falsely representing that a person or business has a valid contractor's license issued
under § 54.1-1106 .*
3. What is the minimum contract value threshold for a Class A contractor license in
Virginia?
A) $10,000 or more
B) $25,000 or more
C) $120,000 or more per single contract or $750,000 or more annually
D) $500,000 or more per single contract
*Rationale: Class A contractors perform work where the total value per contract is
$120,000 or more, OR the total value of all work within a 12-month period is $750,000
or more .*
4. What is the minimum contract value threshold for a Class B contractor license in
Virginia?
A) $10,000 or more but less than $120,000 per contract, OR $150,000 or more but
less than $750,000 annually
B) $5,000 or more but less than $50,000 per contract
C) $50,000 or more but less than $200,000 per contract
D) $25,000 or more but less than $500,000 annually
Rationale: Class B contractors perform work where a single contract is at least $10,000 but
less than $120,000, OR annual work totals at least $150,000 but less than $750,000 .
5. What is the contract value threshold for a Class C contractor license in Virginia?
A) Less than $5,000 per contract
**B) Over $1,000 but not more than $10,000 per contract, OR annual total not more than
$150,000**
C) Less than $25,000 per contract
D) Over $500 but not more than $50,000 per contract
*Rationale: Class C contractors perform work where a single contract exceeds $1,000 but
is not more than $10,000, OR the total annual work is not more than $150,000 .*
6. Under Virginia law, the business of "home improvement" is defined as:
A) New construction of residential buildings only
,B) Contracting for and providing labor and materials (or labor only) for repairs,
improvements, and additions to residential buildings or accessory structures
C) Commercial building construction only
D) Electrical and plumbing work only
*Rationale: Virginia Code § 54.1-1117(D) defines home improvement as contracting for
and providing labor and material (or labor only) for repairs, improvements, and
additions to residential buildings or structures accessory thereto where payment is
required .*
7. Class C contractors, and those whose work does not meet the threshold for a Class C
license, must obtain which additional license in certain Virginia localities?
A) No additional license is required
B) A local Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license
C) A federal contractor registration
D) A specialized trade license only
Rationale: In jurisdictions like Fairfax County, Class C contractors and those whose work
falls below Class C thresholds must obtain a local Home Improvement Contractor (HIC)
license .
8. The Virginia Board for Contractors is responsible for:
A) Issuing driver's licenses
B) Licensing contractors and regulating the construction industry
C) Enforcing building codes only
D) Collecting local taxes
Rationale: The Board for Contractors, under the Virginia Department of Professional and
Occupational Regulation (DPOR), is responsible for licensing contractors and regulating
the construction industry in Virginia .
9. Which type of contractor license requires the applicant to demonstrate the highest
level of financial responsibility and experience?
A) Class C
B) Class B
C) Class A
D) All classes require the same qualifications
Rationale: Class A contractor licenses require the highest thresholds for net worth,
experience, and contract value, reflecting the larger scale and complexity of projects
permitted under this classification.
10. A contractor who performs home improvement work without a required license may
be subject to:
A) A warning only
, B) Civil penalties, criminal charges, and inability to enforce contracts
C) No consequences if the work was completed satisfactorily
D) Only a small fine
Rationale: Unlicensed contracting in Virginia can result in civil penalties, criminal charges
(misdemeanor), and the inability to file a mechanic's lien or sue for payment on the
contract.
11. A contractor's license issued by the Virginia Board for Contractors must be renewed
every:
A) 6 months
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Rationale: Virginia contractor licenses are typically renewed every two years, with
continuing education requirements for certain license types.
12. Which of the following is generally EXEMPT from state contractor licensing
requirements in Virginia?
A) General contractors building new homes
B) Individuals performing work on their own property (owner-builder)
C) Home improvement contractors with contracts over $10,000
D) Electrical contractors
Rationale: Owner-builders performing work on their own property are generally exempt
from state contractor licensing, though they may still need local permits and must comply
with building codes.
13. A contractor who fails to renew their license before the expiration date must:
A) Immediately stop all work
B) Pay a reinstatement fee and possibly retake the exam
C) Stop work, pay a late fee, and complete the renewal process before resuming
contracting
D) Apply for a new license as a first-time applicant
Rationale: Contractors with expired licenses must cease contracting activities, pay late fees,
complete any continuing education requirements, and complete renewal before resuming
work.
14. According to Virginia law, a locality may require a bond from home improvement
contractors. This bond serves to:
A) Increase the contractor's profits
B) Protect consumers from financial loss due to contractor non-performance or
violations
