VA Contractors General (Class A or B) Exam
2026/2027 | Verified Questions & Correct Answers
with Rationales | Graded A+ | Comprehensive Virginia
Contractor License Exam Prep
1. A contractor enters into a lump sum contract for a commercial building. During excavation,
unforeseen rock formations are encountered that were not indicated in the geotechnical report
provided by the owner. The contractor incurs additional costs for rock removal. Under Virginia
law, which legal doctrine is most likely to provide a basis for the contractor to recover these extra
costs?
A. The doctrine of substantial performance
B. The doctrine of impossibility of performance
C. The doctrine of differing site conditions
D. The doctrine of constructive change
Answer: C
Rationale: The differing site conditions clause allows a contractor to recover additional costs when
subsurface conditions differ materially from those indicated in the contract documents. Virginia courts
recognize this doctrine even without an express clause, as it is implied to prevent inequity. Impossibility
(B) requires objective impracticability, which is not the case here. Substantial performance (A) relates to
payment for completed work. Constructive change (D) involves owner directives, not differing
conditions.
2. A Class A contractor in Virginia is required to have a qualified individual responsible for
supervision on the job site. Which of the following best describes the minimum qualification for
this individual as per Virginia regulations?
A. Must hold a journeyman license in the applicable trade
B. Must have at least 5 years of experience in the trade
C. Must be listed as a member of the board of directors of the contracting company
D. Must be designated as the qualifying party for the contractor's license
Answer: D
Rationale: Virginia law requires that each licensed contractor have a designated qualifying party who is
responsible for supervision and compliance. This individual must have passed the licensing exam and is
listed on the license. While experience is relevant, the specific requirement is designation as the
qualifying party. A journeyman license (A) is not equivalent. Board membership (C) is not required. Five
years experience (B) is a common requirement for the qualifying party but not the sole criterion.
Page 1
,3. A contractor performs work under a time-and-materials contract with a not-to-exceed price.
The contractor completes the work under budget and within the scope. The owner refuses to pay
the full amount of the time-and-materials invoices, arguing that the actual cost was less than the
not-to-exceed price. Which of the following is most accurate regarding the contractor's right to
payment?
A. The contractor is entitled to the full amount of the invoices because the not-to-exceed price is a cap, not a
target
B. The contractor is only entitled to the actual costs incurred plus a reasonable profit as determined by the owner
C. The contractor is entitled to the full amount only if the contract includes a cost-plus-percentage-of-cost
provision
D. The contractor is not entitled to any profit because the work was completed under budget
Answer: A
Rationale: In a time-and-materials contract with a not-to-exceed price, the contractor is entitled to
payment for actual time and materials up to the cap. The cap is a maximum, not a guaranteed minimum
or target. The owner cannot unilaterally reduce payment because the contractor was efficient. Option B
is incorrect because the owner does not determine profit. Option C is irrelevant;
cost-plus-percentage-of-cost is a different arrangement. Option D is false; profit is earned regardless of
being under budget.
4. A general contractor hires a subcontractor to perform roofing work. The subcontractor's
employee is injured on the job due to a fall from a ladder that was not properly secured. The
subcontractor has workers' compensation insurance. The injured employee sues the general
contractor for negligence. Under Virginia law, which of the following is the most likely outcome?
A. The general contractor is immune from suit because the subcontractor's employee is covered by workers'
compensation
B. The general contractor may be held liable if it retained control over the means and methods of the roofing
work
C. The general contractor is strictly liable because it is the prime contractor on the project
D. The general contractor is not liable because the subcontractor is an independent contractor and the injury
occurred off the general's premises
Answer: B
Rationale: Under Virginia law, a general contractor may be liable for injuries to a subcontractor's
employee if the general contractor retains control over the work's means and methods. The general
contractor's control creates a duty of care. Workers' compensation does not bar suits against third
parties like the general contractor if they are found negligent. Option A is incorrect because workers'
compensation only bars suits against the direct employer. Strict liability (C) does not apply. Independent
contractor status (D) is not a complete defense if control is retained.
5. A contractor is preparing a bid for a public school project in Virginia. The project specifications
require that all concrete meet a minimum compressive strength of 4,000 psi at 28 days. The
contractor's supplier offers a mix design that achieves 4,500 psi at 28 days but has a higher slump
that may affect workability. The contractor is concerned about meeting the specification. Which of
the following actions is most appropriate?
Page 2
,A. Use the supplier's mix as is because it exceeds the strength requirement
B. Request a substitution from the owner's engineer before bidding
C. Include a contingency in the bid for potential noncompliance
D. Use the mix but adjust the water content on site to reduce slump
Answer: B
Rationale: If a contractor anticipates that a specified material may not be suitable or available as
specified, it is prudent to request a substitution or clarification before bidding. This ensures the bid is
based on an approved alternative and avoids noncompliance. Simply using a mix that may not meet
workability requirements (A) could lead to rejection. Including a contingency (C) does not address the
specification issue. Adjusting water content on site (D) may compromise strength and is not permissible
without approval.
6. A contractor discovers that a building permit issued by a Virginia locality contains an error in
the allowable square footage, which is less than what the contractor planned to build. The
contractor has already begun foundation work based on the original plans. Which of the following
is the most appropriate course of action?
A. Continue construction because the permit was issued and the contractor relied on it
B. Stop work immediately and request a corrected permit from the building official
C. Proceed with the original plans and seek a variance after completion
D. Ignore the error because the permit is the responsibility of the owner
Answer: B
Rationale: When a permit contains an error, the contractor must stop work and obtain a corrected permit
to avoid violations. Continuing construction (A) risks stop-work orders and penalties. Seeking a
variance after completion (C) is not standard; variances are typically obtained before construction. The
contractor shares responsibility for permit compliance (D) and cannot rely on owner responsibility
alone.
7. A Virginia contractor is required to provide a warranty for a new residential home. Under
Virginia law, what is the minimum statutory warranty period for major structural defects?
A. 1 year
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. 15 years
Answer: C
Rationale: Virginia's statutory warranty for new homes includes a 10-year warranty for major structural
defects. This is established under the Virginia Property Owners' Association Act and related statutes.
One year (A) is typical for workmanship and materials. Five years (B) is for systems like plumbing and
electrical. Fifteen years (D) exceeds the statutory requirement.
8. A contractor is bidding on a project that requires a performance bond and a payment bond. The
contractor's surety company requires an indemnity agreement. Which of the following is the most
likely consequence if the contractor defaults and the surety pays the obligee?
A. The surety has no recourse against the contractor because the bond is a guarantee
Page 3
, B. The surety can seek reimbursement from the contractor under the indemnity agreement
C. The surety must absorb the loss as a cost of doing business
D. The surety can only recover from the contractor if the contractor acted fraudulently
Answer: B
Rationale: Indemnity agreements require the contractor to reimburse the surety for any losses paid under
the bond. This is a standard condition. The surety's payment does not absolve the contractor of liability.
Option A is incorrect because the bond is not a guarantee without recourse. Option C is false; the surety
has contractual rights. Option D is too narrow; fraud is not required.
9. A contractor's employee is exposed to silica dust while cutting concrete without proper
ventilation. The contractor failed to provide respiratory protection. Which federal agency is
primarily responsible for enforcing standards related to silica exposure on construction sites?
A. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
D. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA enforces workplace safety standards, including the silica standard for construction. The
EPA (A) regulates environmental emissions, not worker exposure. NIOSH (C) conducts research and
recommends standards but does not enforce. MSHA (D) applies to mining, not general construction.
10. A contractor enters into a contract with a homeowner to remodel a kitchen. The contract
includes a provision that any disputes must be resolved by binding arbitration. After the work is
completed, the homeowner is dissatisfied and files a lawsuit in court. The contractor moves to
compel arbitration. Under Virginia law, which of the following is most likely?
A. The court will deny the motion because arbitration clauses are unenforceable in residential contracts
B. The court will grant the motion and dismiss the lawsuit because the arbitration clause is valid
C. The court will allow the lawsuit to proceed because the homeowner can waive arbitration
D. The court will require mediation before arbitration
Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia law generally enforces arbitration agreements under the Virginia Uniform
Arbitration Act. If a valid arbitration clause exists, the court will compel arbitration and dismiss or stay
the lawsuit. Option A is false; arbitration clauses are enforceable. Option C is incorrect because a party
cannot unilaterally waive arbitration after a dispute arises; the clause is binding. Option D is not
required unless the contract specifies mediation first.
11. A general contractor in Virginia is evaluating a subcontractor's safety record for a project
involving high-risk excavation. The subcontractor has a 3-year rolling average total recordable
incident rate (TRIR) of 4.2, while the industry average for excavation work is 3.8. Additionally, the
subcontractor's experience modification rate (EMR) is 1.15. Based on Virginia's construction
safety regulations and typical insurer underwriting criteria, which of the following is the most
appropriate assessment of this subcontractor's safety performance?
Page 4
2026/2027 | Verified Questions & Correct Answers
with Rationales | Graded A+ | Comprehensive Virginia
Contractor License Exam Prep
1. A contractor enters into a lump sum contract for a commercial building. During excavation,
unforeseen rock formations are encountered that were not indicated in the geotechnical report
provided by the owner. The contractor incurs additional costs for rock removal. Under Virginia
law, which legal doctrine is most likely to provide a basis for the contractor to recover these extra
costs?
A. The doctrine of substantial performance
B. The doctrine of impossibility of performance
C. The doctrine of differing site conditions
D. The doctrine of constructive change
Answer: C
Rationale: The differing site conditions clause allows a contractor to recover additional costs when
subsurface conditions differ materially from those indicated in the contract documents. Virginia courts
recognize this doctrine even without an express clause, as it is implied to prevent inequity. Impossibility
(B) requires objective impracticability, which is not the case here. Substantial performance (A) relates to
payment for completed work. Constructive change (D) involves owner directives, not differing
conditions.
2. A Class A contractor in Virginia is required to have a qualified individual responsible for
supervision on the job site. Which of the following best describes the minimum qualification for
this individual as per Virginia regulations?
A. Must hold a journeyman license in the applicable trade
B. Must have at least 5 years of experience in the trade
C. Must be listed as a member of the board of directors of the contracting company
D. Must be designated as the qualifying party for the contractor's license
Answer: D
Rationale: Virginia law requires that each licensed contractor have a designated qualifying party who is
responsible for supervision and compliance. This individual must have passed the licensing exam and is
listed on the license. While experience is relevant, the specific requirement is designation as the
qualifying party. A journeyman license (A) is not equivalent. Board membership (C) is not required. Five
years experience (B) is a common requirement for the qualifying party but not the sole criterion.
Page 1
,3. A contractor performs work under a time-and-materials contract with a not-to-exceed price.
The contractor completes the work under budget and within the scope. The owner refuses to pay
the full amount of the time-and-materials invoices, arguing that the actual cost was less than the
not-to-exceed price. Which of the following is most accurate regarding the contractor's right to
payment?
A. The contractor is entitled to the full amount of the invoices because the not-to-exceed price is a cap, not a
target
B. The contractor is only entitled to the actual costs incurred plus a reasonable profit as determined by the owner
C. The contractor is entitled to the full amount only if the contract includes a cost-plus-percentage-of-cost
provision
D. The contractor is not entitled to any profit because the work was completed under budget
Answer: A
Rationale: In a time-and-materials contract with a not-to-exceed price, the contractor is entitled to
payment for actual time and materials up to the cap. The cap is a maximum, not a guaranteed minimum
or target. The owner cannot unilaterally reduce payment because the contractor was efficient. Option B
is incorrect because the owner does not determine profit. Option C is irrelevant;
cost-plus-percentage-of-cost is a different arrangement. Option D is false; profit is earned regardless of
being under budget.
4. A general contractor hires a subcontractor to perform roofing work. The subcontractor's
employee is injured on the job due to a fall from a ladder that was not properly secured. The
subcontractor has workers' compensation insurance. The injured employee sues the general
contractor for negligence. Under Virginia law, which of the following is the most likely outcome?
A. The general contractor is immune from suit because the subcontractor's employee is covered by workers'
compensation
B. The general contractor may be held liable if it retained control over the means and methods of the roofing
work
C. The general contractor is strictly liable because it is the prime contractor on the project
D. The general contractor is not liable because the subcontractor is an independent contractor and the injury
occurred off the general's premises
Answer: B
Rationale: Under Virginia law, a general contractor may be liable for injuries to a subcontractor's
employee if the general contractor retains control over the work's means and methods. The general
contractor's control creates a duty of care. Workers' compensation does not bar suits against third
parties like the general contractor if they are found negligent. Option A is incorrect because workers'
compensation only bars suits against the direct employer. Strict liability (C) does not apply. Independent
contractor status (D) is not a complete defense if control is retained.
5. A contractor is preparing a bid for a public school project in Virginia. The project specifications
require that all concrete meet a minimum compressive strength of 4,000 psi at 28 days. The
contractor's supplier offers a mix design that achieves 4,500 psi at 28 days but has a higher slump
that may affect workability. The contractor is concerned about meeting the specification. Which of
the following actions is most appropriate?
Page 2
,A. Use the supplier's mix as is because it exceeds the strength requirement
B. Request a substitution from the owner's engineer before bidding
C. Include a contingency in the bid for potential noncompliance
D. Use the mix but adjust the water content on site to reduce slump
Answer: B
Rationale: If a contractor anticipates that a specified material may not be suitable or available as
specified, it is prudent to request a substitution or clarification before bidding. This ensures the bid is
based on an approved alternative and avoids noncompliance. Simply using a mix that may not meet
workability requirements (A) could lead to rejection. Including a contingency (C) does not address the
specification issue. Adjusting water content on site (D) may compromise strength and is not permissible
without approval.
6. A contractor discovers that a building permit issued by a Virginia locality contains an error in
the allowable square footage, which is less than what the contractor planned to build. The
contractor has already begun foundation work based on the original plans. Which of the following
is the most appropriate course of action?
A. Continue construction because the permit was issued and the contractor relied on it
B. Stop work immediately and request a corrected permit from the building official
C. Proceed with the original plans and seek a variance after completion
D. Ignore the error because the permit is the responsibility of the owner
Answer: B
Rationale: When a permit contains an error, the contractor must stop work and obtain a corrected permit
to avoid violations. Continuing construction (A) risks stop-work orders and penalties. Seeking a
variance after completion (C) is not standard; variances are typically obtained before construction. The
contractor shares responsibility for permit compliance (D) and cannot rely on owner responsibility
alone.
7. A Virginia contractor is required to provide a warranty for a new residential home. Under
Virginia law, what is the minimum statutory warranty period for major structural defects?
A. 1 year
B. 5 years
C. 10 years
D. 15 years
Answer: C
Rationale: Virginia's statutory warranty for new homes includes a 10-year warranty for major structural
defects. This is established under the Virginia Property Owners' Association Act and related statutes.
One year (A) is typical for workmanship and materials. Five years (B) is for systems like plumbing and
electrical. Fifteen years (D) exceeds the statutory requirement.
8. A contractor is bidding on a project that requires a performance bond and a payment bond. The
contractor's surety company requires an indemnity agreement. Which of the following is the most
likely consequence if the contractor defaults and the surety pays the obligee?
A. The surety has no recourse against the contractor because the bond is a guarantee
Page 3
, B. The surety can seek reimbursement from the contractor under the indemnity agreement
C. The surety must absorb the loss as a cost of doing business
D. The surety can only recover from the contractor if the contractor acted fraudulently
Answer: B
Rationale: Indemnity agreements require the contractor to reimburse the surety for any losses paid under
the bond. This is a standard condition. The surety's payment does not absolve the contractor of liability.
Option A is incorrect because the bond is not a guarantee without recourse. Option C is false; the surety
has contractual rights. Option D is too narrow; fraud is not required.
9. A contractor's employee is exposed to silica dust while cutting concrete without proper
ventilation. The contractor failed to provide respiratory protection. Which federal agency is
primarily responsible for enforcing standards related to silica exposure on construction sites?
A. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
D. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
Answer: B
Rationale: OSHA enforces workplace safety standards, including the silica standard for construction. The
EPA (A) regulates environmental emissions, not worker exposure. NIOSH (C) conducts research and
recommends standards but does not enforce. MSHA (D) applies to mining, not general construction.
10. A contractor enters into a contract with a homeowner to remodel a kitchen. The contract
includes a provision that any disputes must be resolved by binding arbitration. After the work is
completed, the homeowner is dissatisfied and files a lawsuit in court. The contractor moves to
compel arbitration. Under Virginia law, which of the following is most likely?
A. The court will deny the motion because arbitration clauses are unenforceable in residential contracts
B. The court will grant the motion and dismiss the lawsuit because the arbitration clause is valid
C. The court will allow the lawsuit to proceed because the homeowner can waive arbitration
D. The court will require mediation before arbitration
Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia law generally enforces arbitration agreements under the Virginia Uniform
Arbitration Act. If a valid arbitration clause exists, the court will compel arbitration and dismiss or stay
the lawsuit. Option A is false; arbitration clauses are enforceable. Option C is incorrect because a party
cannot unilaterally waive arbitration after a dispute arises; the clause is binding. Option D is not
required unless the contract specifies mediation first.
11. A general contractor in Virginia is evaluating a subcontractor's safety record for a project
involving high-risk excavation. The subcontractor has a 3-year rolling average total recordable
incident rate (TRIR) of 4.2, while the industry average for excavation work is 3.8. Additionally, the
subcontractor's experience modification rate (EMR) is 1.15. Based on Virginia's construction
safety regulations and typical insurer underwriting criteria, which of the following is the most
appropriate assessment of this subcontractor's safety performance?
Page 4
