Virginia HIC Exam (Home Improvement
Contractor) – Practice Test & Study
Guide 2025/2026
The MINIMUN length drywall screw for installing 1/2 inch gypsum board to wood studs
is - correct answer1 1/4 inches
What is the MINIMUM breaking strength required of safety belt lanyards - correct
answer5,400 pounds
What is the MINIMUM clearance that combustible insulation MUST other heat-
producing devices - correct answer1 inch
What is the MAXIMUM flame spread index for insulation materials - correct answer25
The amount of water per sack of cement is what controls all EXCEPT - correct
answerWear resistance
The escape device for a trench over 4 feet deep MUST be within a MAXIMUM of -
correct answer25 feet of the worker
What is the correct sequence for installing a bi-fold door - correct answerTop track,
lower track, insert bottom pivot, insert upper pivot
What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail - correct answer34 inches
How MUST rafters be framed to each other - correct answerWith rectangular ties
The nailing holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are elongated to allow for - correct
answerExpansion and contraction
What are batter boards - correct answerstakes and ledger boards marking building lines
The first step that needs to be taken prior to starting any excavation work is - correct
answercontracting the local utility companies
What is the MAXIMUM distance horizontal reinforcement can be placed from the top of
a masonry partition wall - correct answer16 inches
,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 - correct answer48
inches on center
A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width exceeds - correct
answer30 inches
Unless otherwise specified, the standard guideline for spacing contraction joints is to
space them in feet - correct answer2 times the stab depth in inches
What is the MINIMUM lap of riveted horizontal lap siding - correct answer1 inches
For multiple-width masonry (mampostería de ancho múltiple) what is the MINIMUM
thickness of grout between masonry units and reinforcements? - correct answer1/4 inch
What is the MAXIMUM dimension of the ventilation coverings for under-floor space -
correct answer1/4 inch
The MOST specific information about the size and location of windows would be found
in a - correct answerFloor plan
What is the MINIMUM illumination for general constructions area lighting - correct
answer5 foot candles
in drywall 3 trim is used to - correct answerprovide a finish edge
What is the MINIMUM number of anchor bolts REQUIRED for anchoring a 12 foot
section of wood still plate to a foundation - correct answertwo bolts
What is the MINIMUM square footage of net clear opening area for an egress window in
a second floor sleeping area - correct answer5.70 square feet
Which window type consists of an upper and a lower sash that slide vertically in the side
jambs - correct answerDouble hung windows
Damp proofing on below-grade masonry foundation walls shall extend from the top of
the footing to - correct answer6 inches above the finished grade
Scaffolds MUST remain a MINIMUM of how many feet from a 50-kV power line - correct
answer10 feet
The REQUIREMENT for the thickness of masonry unit bed joints for the second course
shall be - correct answer3/8 inches
What is not REQUIRED in exterior non bearing walls - correct answera singles flat 2" x
4 member for opening up to 8 feet wide
, What is the typical exposure of 3-tab asphalt shingles - correct answer5 inches
A lengthwise grain separation between or through the growth rings of lumber is called a
- correct answerShake
What is the MINIMUM roof slope REQUIRED for modified biturmen roofing - correct
answer1/4 inch in 12
Flexible insulation placed in floor joists above an unheated crawl space should - correct
answerBe well supported between joists
When lumber dries in tends to shrink - correct answerMore in width than length
What is the MAXIMUM thickness for an 8 foot high hollow masonry foundation wall that
is 4 feet below finish grade on the exterior - correct answer8 inches
When MUST a saddle be installed on a chimney - correct answerWhen the chimney is
greater than 30 inches wide
What is the MAXIMUM recommended spacing for 5/8 inch drywall installed on a wall at
right angies to framing members - correct answer24 inches
increasing the slump of concrete - correct answerincreases the wetness
In a Vinyl soffit installation what type of accessory is used - correct answerJ & F Chanel
In a crawl space how far from the floor joints do you need to place vapor retarder -
correct answerTop Soil
What is the maximum lateral distance to egress when working in a trench? 10 - 15 - 25 -
correct answer25
What type of latex coating will not chalk when applied to exterior walls - correct
answerLatex
Employee brought his own tools to work, who's responsible for the tools safety
Employer or the employee - correct answeremployer
What is the maximum thickness of bed joint - correct answer3.8 joint
What is first step in finishing concrete - correct answerscreeding
Ice dam protection needs to be _________ from the edge of eaves - correct answer24
inch
Contractor) – Practice Test & Study
Guide 2025/2026
The MINIMUN length drywall screw for installing 1/2 inch gypsum board to wood studs
is - correct answer1 1/4 inches
What is the MINIMUM breaking strength required of safety belt lanyards - correct
answer5,400 pounds
What is the MINIMUM clearance that combustible insulation MUST other heat-
producing devices - correct answer1 inch
What is the MAXIMUM flame spread index for insulation materials - correct answer25
The amount of water per sack of cement is what controls all EXCEPT - correct
answerWear resistance
The escape device for a trench over 4 feet deep MUST be within a MAXIMUM of -
correct answer25 feet of the worker
What is the correct sequence for installing a bi-fold door - correct answerTop track,
lower track, insert bottom pivot, insert upper pivot
What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail - correct answer34 inches
How MUST rafters be framed to each other - correct answerWith rectangular ties
The nailing holes in aluminum and vinyl siding are elongated to allow for - correct
answerExpansion and contraction
What are batter boards - correct answerstakes and ledger boards marking building lines
The first step that needs to be taken prior to starting any excavation work is - correct
answercontracting the local utility companies
What is the MAXIMUM distance horizontal reinforcement can be placed from the top of
a masonry partition wall - correct answer16 inches
,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 - correct answer48
inches on center
A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width exceeds - correct
answer30 inches
Unless otherwise specified, the standard guideline for spacing contraction joints is to
space them in feet - correct answer2 times the stab depth in inches
What is the MINIMUM lap of riveted horizontal lap siding - correct answer1 inches
For multiple-width masonry (mampostería de ancho múltiple) what is the MINIMUM
thickness of grout between masonry units and reinforcements? - correct answer1/4 inch
What is the MAXIMUM dimension of the ventilation coverings for under-floor space -
correct answer1/4 inch
The MOST specific information about the size and location of windows would be found
in a - correct answerFloor plan
What is the MINIMUM illumination for general constructions area lighting - correct
answer5 foot candles
in drywall 3 trim is used to - correct answerprovide a finish edge
What is the MINIMUM number of anchor bolts REQUIRED for anchoring a 12 foot
section of wood still plate to a foundation - correct answertwo bolts
What is the MINIMUM square footage of net clear opening area for an egress window in
a second floor sleeping area - correct answer5.70 square feet
Which window type consists of an upper and a lower sash that slide vertically in the side
jambs - correct answerDouble hung windows
Damp proofing on below-grade masonry foundation walls shall extend from the top of
the footing to - correct answer6 inches above the finished grade
Scaffolds MUST remain a MINIMUM of how many feet from a 50-kV power line - correct
answer10 feet
The REQUIREMENT for the thickness of masonry unit bed joints for the second course
shall be - correct answer3/8 inches
What is not REQUIRED in exterior non bearing walls - correct answera singles flat 2" x
4 member for opening up to 8 feet wide
, What is the typical exposure of 3-tab asphalt shingles - correct answer5 inches
A lengthwise grain separation between or through the growth rings of lumber is called a
- correct answerShake
What is the MINIMUM roof slope REQUIRED for modified biturmen roofing - correct
answer1/4 inch in 12
Flexible insulation placed in floor joists above an unheated crawl space should - correct
answerBe well supported between joists
When lumber dries in tends to shrink - correct answerMore in width than length
What is the MAXIMUM thickness for an 8 foot high hollow masonry foundation wall that
is 4 feet below finish grade on the exterior - correct answer8 inches
When MUST a saddle be installed on a chimney - correct answerWhen the chimney is
greater than 30 inches wide
What is the MAXIMUM recommended spacing for 5/8 inch drywall installed on a wall at
right angies to framing members - correct answer24 inches
increasing the slump of concrete - correct answerincreases the wetness
In a Vinyl soffit installation what type of accessory is used - correct answerJ & F Chanel
In a crawl space how far from the floor joints do you need to place vapor retarder -
correct answerTop Soil
What is the maximum lateral distance to egress when working in a trench? 10 - 15 - 25 -
correct answer25
What type of latex coating will not chalk when applied to exterior walls - correct
answerLatex
Employee brought his own tools to work, who's responsible for the tools safety
Employer or the employee - correct answeremployer
What is the maximum thickness of bed joint - correct answer3.8 joint
What is first step in finishing concrete - correct answerscreeding
Ice dam protection needs to be _________ from the edge of eaves - correct answer24
inch
