Virginia HIC Home Improvement Exam: Questions with Complete
Solutions (2026/2027 Edition)
SECTION 1: Virginia State Laws and Regulations (Contractor Licensing)
Question 1. Under Virginia Code Title 54.1, which DPOR-regulated license classification
is specifically required for a contractor performing kitchen remodeling on an existing
single-family residence in Fairfax County?
A. Class A General Contractor license only
B. Home Improvement Contracting (HIC) license or an appropriate Class A, B, or C
license
C. Residential Building Contractor endorsement only
D. No license required for residential remodeling under $10,000
Correct Answer: B. Home Improvement Contracting (HIC) license or an appropriate
Class A, B, or C license
Rationale: Virginia Code §54.1-1100 et seq. requires either an HIC license or a Class A,
B, or C contractor license for home improvement work on existing residential structures.
The HIC license is specifically for existing residential property, while Class A/B/C
licenses cover broader construction work. Option A is incorrect because a Class A
license alone is not the only permissible license. Option C is incorrect because Virginia
DPOR does not issue a standalone "Residential Building Contractor endorsement"
separate from these classifications. Option D is incorrect because Virginia requires
licensure for home improvement work based on scope, and statutory thresholds apply
regardless of arbitrary dollar figures.
Question 2. A Richmond homeowner hires an unlicensed individual to replace their roof
for $8,000. Under Virginia DPOR regulations, which statement is most accurate?
,A. The homeowner is solely liable for any defects because they hired an unlicensed
contractor
B. The unlicensed contractor may face civil penalties and DPOR enforcement actions
C. The contract is automatically void and the contractor must return all payments
received
D. The homeowner's insurance company must cover all resulting damages
Correct Answer: B. The unlicensed contractor may face civil penalties and DPOR
enforcement actions
Rationale: Virginia Code §54.1-1115 makes contracting without a required license a
Class 1 misdemeanor and subjects the violator to DPOR enforcement, including civil
penalties and potential criminal prosecution. Option A is incorrect because
homeowners retain rights under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act regardless of the
contractor's licensure status. Option C is incorrect because while unlicensed contracts
may be unenforceable by the contractor, automatic restitution is not guaranteed without
legal action. Option D is incorrect because insurance policies typically exclude damages
arising from unlicensed contractor work.
Question 3. According to Virginia DPOR requirements, how often must a Home
Improvement Contracting license be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B. Every two years
Rationale: Virginia DPOR contractor licenses, including HIC licenses, are issued for a
two-year term and must be renewed biennially. The renewal period aligns with DPOR's
,standard licensing cycle, and failure to renew results in license expiration and inability to
legally contract.
Question 4. Under Virginia Code §54.1-1101, which individual is generally exempt from
the requirement to hold a Home Improvement Contracting license?
A. A handyman performing miscellaneous repairs totaling $800 on a neighbor's home
B. A property owner improving their own residential rental property
C. A licensed Class C contractor performing work outside their classification limits
D. An out-of-state contractor performing emergency repairs after a hurricane
Correct Answer: B. A property owner improving their own residential rental property
Rationale: Virginia law exempts property owners performing work on their own real
property from contractor licensing requirements, regardless of whether the property is
owner-occupied or held as a rental. Option A is incorrect because regular business
activity may trigger licensure requirements regardless of per-project amounts. Option C
is incorrect because working outside classification limits is a violation, not an
exemption. Option D is incorrect because emergency repairs do not create an automatic
licensure exemption in Virginia.
Question 5. A Virginia HIC licensee in Virginia Beach changes their business address.
Under DPOR regulations, within what timeframe must the licensee notify the Board for
Contractors of the address change?
A. Within 10 days
B. Within 30 days
C. Within 60 days
D. Within 90 days
Correct Answer: B. Within 30 days
, Rationale: DPOR regulations require licensees to notify the Board within 30 days of any
change in business address. Failure to update contact information can result in missed
disciplinary notices, renewal reminders, and other critical correspondence, potentially
leading to administrative penalties.
Question 6. Which statement accurately describes the scope of work permitted under a
Virginia Home Improvement Contracting license?
A. New construction of single-family dwellings up to $150,000
B. Repair, replacement, remodeling, and improvement of existing residential structures
C. Commercial tenant improvement work in mixed-use buildings
D. Construction of new multi-family residential buildings up to four units
Correct Answer: B. Repair, replacement, remodeling, and improvement of existing
residential structures
Rationale: The HIC license is specifically limited to work on existing residential
structures. New construction (Options A and D) requires a Class A, B, or C contractor
license. Option C (commercial work) falls outside the residential scope of HIC and
would require an appropriate commercial construction license.
Question 7. Under Virginia DPOR regulations, a contractor licensed in Maryland wishes
to perform home improvement work in Virginia. Which statement is most accurate?
A. The Maryland license is automatically recognized in Virginia through reciprocity
B. The contractor must obtain a Virginia license; there is no reciprocity for HIC licenses
C. The contractor may work for up to 30 days using their Maryland license
D. The contractor may work only on federal military installations using the Maryland
license
Solutions (2026/2027 Edition)
SECTION 1: Virginia State Laws and Regulations (Contractor Licensing)
Question 1. Under Virginia Code Title 54.1, which DPOR-regulated license classification
is specifically required for a contractor performing kitchen remodeling on an existing
single-family residence in Fairfax County?
A. Class A General Contractor license only
B. Home Improvement Contracting (HIC) license or an appropriate Class A, B, or C
license
C. Residential Building Contractor endorsement only
D. No license required for residential remodeling under $10,000
Correct Answer: B. Home Improvement Contracting (HIC) license or an appropriate
Class A, B, or C license
Rationale: Virginia Code §54.1-1100 et seq. requires either an HIC license or a Class A,
B, or C contractor license for home improvement work on existing residential structures.
The HIC license is specifically for existing residential property, while Class A/B/C
licenses cover broader construction work. Option A is incorrect because a Class A
license alone is not the only permissible license. Option C is incorrect because Virginia
DPOR does not issue a standalone "Residential Building Contractor endorsement"
separate from these classifications. Option D is incorrect because Virginia requires
licensure for home improvement work based on scope, and statutory thresholds apply
regardless of arbitrary dollar figures.
Question 2. A Richmond homeowner hires an unlicensed individual to replace their roof
for $8,000. Under Virginia DPOR regulations, which statement is most accurate?
,A. The homeowner is solely liable for any defects because they hired an unlicensed
contractor
B. The unlicensed contractor may face civil penalties and DPOR enforcement actions
C. The contract is automatically void and the contractor must return all payments
received
D. The homeowner's insurance company must cover all resulting damages
Correct Answer: B. The unlicensed contractor may face civil penalties and DPOR
enforcement actions
Rationale: Virginia Code §54.1-1115 makes contracting without a required license a
Class 1 misdemeanor and subjects the violator to DPOR enforcement, including civil
penalties and potential criminal prosecution. Option A is incorrect because
homeowners retain rights under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act regardless of the
contractor's licensure status. Option C is incorrect because while unlicensed contracts
may be unenforceable by the contractor, automatic restitution is not guaranteed without
legal action. Option D is incorrect because insurance policies typically exclude damages
arising from unlicensed contractor work.
Question 3. According to Virginia DPOR requirements, how often must a Home
Improvement Contracting license be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B. Every two years
Rationale: Virginia DPOR contractor licenses, including HIC licenses, are issued for a
two-year term and must be renewed biennially. The renewal period aligns with DPOR's
,standard licensing cycle, and failure to renew results in license expiration and inability to
legally contract.
Question 4. Under Virginia Code §54.1-1101, which individual is generally exempt from
the requirement to hold a Home Improvement Contracting license?
A. A handyman performing miscellaneous repairs totaling $800 on a neighbor's home
B. A property owner improving their own residential rental property
C. A licensed Class C contractor performing work outside their classification limits
D. An out-of-state contractor performing emergency repairs after a hurricane
Correct Answer: B. A property owner improving their own residential rental property
Rationale: Virginia law exempts property owners performing work on their own real
property from contractor licensing requirements, regardless of whether the property is
owner-occupied or held as a rental. Option A is incorrect because regular business
activity may trigger licensure requirements regardless of per-project amounts. Option C
is incorrect because working outside classification limits is a violation, not an
exemption. Option D is incorrect because emergency repairs do not create an automatic
licensure exemption in Virginia.
Question 5. A Virginia HIC licensee in Virginia Beach changes their business address.
Under DPOR regulations, within what timeframe must the licensee notify the Board for
Contractors of the address change?
A. Within 10 days
B. Within 30 days
C. Within 60 days
D. Within 90 days
Correct Answer: B. Within 30 days
, Rationale: DPOR regulations require licensees to notify the Board within 30 days of any
change in business address. Failure to update contact information can result in missed
disciplinary notices, renewal reminders, and other critical correspondence, potentially
leading to administrative penalties.
Question 6. Which statement accurately describes the scope of work permitted under a
Virginia Home Improvement Contracting license?
A. New construction of single-family dwellings up to $150,000
B. Repair, replacement, remodeling, and improvement of existing residential structures
C. Commercial tenant improvement work in mixed-use buildings
D. Construction of new multi-family residential buildings up to four units
Correct Answer: B. Repair, replacement, remodeling, and improvement of existing
residential structures
Rationale: The HIC license is specifically limited to work on existing residential
structures. New construction (Options A and D) requires a Class A, B, or C contractor
license. Option C (commercial work) falls outside the residential scope of HIC and
would require an appropriate commercial construction license.
Question 7. Under Virginia DPOR regulations, a contractor licensed in Maryland wishes
to perform home improvement work in Virginia. Which statement is most accurate?
A. The Maryland license is automatically recognized in Virginia through reciprocity
B. The contractor must obtain a Virginia license; there is no reciprocity for HIC licenses
C. The contractor may work for up to 30 days using their Maryland license
D. The contractor may work only on federal military installations using the Maryland
license
