1|Page
Virginia HIC Exam 2025/2026 – Actual Exam
Questions with Verified Correct Answers
How should ceiling insulation be installed? - CORRECT
ANSWER=Ceiling insulation should not extend over the top of the plate
of the outside wall.
What should be installed at the eave of every joist in a cathedral ceiling?
- CORRECT ANSWER=Ventilation baffle
What could happen if too much loose fill cellulose is installed in an
attic? - CORRECT ANSWER=The ceiling will sag.
For 2X6 framed walls to achieve an R-value of R-20, pneumatically
applied insulation must be at least __. - CORRECT ANSWER=Find
section for Sidewalls, R-20 = 5.5 inches.
Building address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical
letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of high with a minimum stroke
width of - CORRECT ANSWER=4 inches, 1/2 inch
What is the hinge size for an inside door measuring 1 3/8"? -
CORRECT ANSWER=3-1/2" x 3-1/2"
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All emergency escape and rescue openings must have a minimum net
clear opening height of inches. - CORRECT ANSWER=24
According to Carpentry & Building Construction, what is the standard
height of an interior door? - CORRECT ANSWER=6'-8"
The MOST specific information about the size and location of windows
would be found in a - CORRECT ANSWER=Floor plan
What direction does heat flow? - CORRECT ANSWER=Hot to cold
What are batter boards - CORRECT ANSWER=stakes and ledger
boards marking building lines
What is the MAXIMUM distance between a ventilating opening in an
under-floor space and each corner of the building? - CORRECT
ANSWER=3 feet
What is NOT required in exterior nonbearing walls? - CORRECT
ANSWER=Load-bearing headers
A lengthwise grain separation between or through the growth rings of
lumber is called a - CORRECT ANSWER=Shake (c 326)
,3|Page
What is directly affected by the surface and subsurface conditions of the
building site? - CORRECT ANSWER=Foundations - While the type
and size of a structure will partly determine the type of foundation, the
foundation itself is very much affected by the surface and subsurface
conditions of the building site.
What term is used to describe the act of removing air pockets from
setting concrete? - CORRECT ANSWER=Vibrating Concrete -
Consolidation is a process that removes air pockets and forces the
concrete into all parts of the forms.
Which of the following is not a part of a masonry arch? - CORRECT
ANSWER=Radius
Anchor bolts should be spaced no more than __' apart and no more than
__" from the ends of any plate section or wall corner. Each bolt must
extend at least __" into the concrete. - CORRECT ANSWER=6, 12, 7
In Southern Coastal areas, where should the vapor barrier be placed? -
CORRECT ANSWER=The exterior of the wall.
If butt joints occur when applying gypsum panels to wood and steel
framing stagger and locate them as far from the ___ of walls and ceilings
as possible. - CORRECT ANSWER=Center
, 4|Page
A minimum temperature of ___ should be maintained during gypsum
board application. - CORRECT ANSWER=50°F
What is the maximum allowable span for cold-formed steel joists size
800S162-43 loaded with a live load of 40 PSF and spaced 16 inches
OC? - CORRECT ANSWER=13′-5″
What is the recommended spacing at all panel edge and end joints when
positioning plywood subfloor? - CORRECT ANSWER=1/8"
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of wall sheathing? -
CORRECT ANSWER=It helps distribute structural loads that do not fall
directly over studs.
What is the minimum clearance between the stopping point of a built-up
girder and the masonry pocket? - CORRECT ANSWER=1/2"
A deck attached to the back of a house is framed with southern pine
2x10s. The joists are 16 inches OC. What is the maximum allowable
clear span for the joists supporting this deck? - CORRECT
ANSWER=14 feet 0 inches
Openings which provide access to all under-floor spaces through a
perimeter wall shall be not less than inches. - CORRECT ANSWER=16
X 24
Virginia HIC Exam 2025/2026 – Actual Exam
Questions with Verified Correct Answers
How should ceiling insulation be installed? - CORRECT
ANSWER=Ceiling insulation should not extend over the top of the plate
of the outside wall.
What should be installed at the eave of every joist in a cathedral ceiling?
- CORRECT ANSWER=Ventilation baffle
What could happen if too much loose fill cellulose is installed in an
attic? - CORRECT ANSWER=The ceiling will sag.
For 2X6 framed walls to achieve an R-value of R-20, pneumatically
applied insulation must be at least __. - CORRECT ANSWER=Find
section for Sidewalls, R-20 = 5.5 inches.
Building address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical
letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of high with a minimum stroke
width of - CORRECT ANSWER=4 inches, 1/2 inch
What is the hinge size for an inside door measuring 1 3/8"? -
CORRECT ANSWER=3-1/2" x 3-1/2"
,2|Page
All emergency escape and rescue openings must have a minimum net
clear opening height of inches. - CORRECT ANSWER=24
According to Carpentry & Building Construction, what is the standard
height of an interior door? - CORRECT ANSWER=6'-8"
The MOST specific information about the size and location of windows
would be found in a - CORRECT ANSWER=Floor plan
What direction does heat flow? - CORRECT ANSWER=Hot to cold
What are batter boards - CORRECT ANSWER=stakes and ledger
boards marking building lines
What is the MAXIMUM distance between a ventilating opening in an
under-floor space and each corner of the building? - CORRECT
ANSWER=3 feet
What is NOT required in exterior nonbearing walls? - CORRECT
ANSWER=Load-bearing headers
A lengthwise grain separation between or through the growth rings of
lumber is called a - CORRECT ANSWER=Shake (c 326)
,3|Page
What is directly affected by the surface and subsurface conditions of the
building site? - CORRECT ANSWER=Foundations - While the type
and size of a structure will partly determine the type of foundation, the
foundation itself is very much affected by the surface and subsurface
conditions of the building site.
What term is used to describe the act of removing air pockets from
setting concrete? - CORRECT ANSWER=Vibrating Concrete -
Consolidation is a process that removes air pockets and forces the
concrete into all parts of the forms.
Which of the following is not a part of a masonry arch? - CORRECT
ANSWER=Radius
Anchor bolts should be spaced no more than __' apart and no more than
__" from the ends of any plate section or wall corner. Each bolt must
extend at least __" into the concrete. - CORRECT ANSWER=6, 12, 7
In Southern Coastal areas, where should the vapor barrier be placed? -
CORRECT ANSWER=The exterior of the wall.
If butt joints occur when applying gypsum panels to wood and steel
framing stagger and locate them as far from the ___ of walls and ceilings
as possible. - CORRECT ANSWER=Center
, 4|Page
A minimum temperature of ___ should be maintained during gypsum
board application. - CORRECT ANSWER=50°F
What is the maximum allowable span for cold-formed steel joists size
800S162-43 loaded with a live load of 40 PSF and spaced 16 inches
OC? - CORRECT ANSWER=13′-5″
What is the recommended spacing at all panel edge and end joints when
positioning plywood subfloor? - CORRECT ANSWER=1/8"
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of wall sheathing? -
CORRECT ANSWER=It helps distribute structural loads that do not fall
directly over studs.
What is the minimum clearance between the stopping point of a built-up
girder and the masonry pocket? - CORRECT ANSWER=1/2"
A deck attached to the back of a house is framed with southern pine
2x10s. The joists are 16 inches OC. What is the maximum allowable
clear span for the joists supporting this deck? - CORRECT
ANSWER=14 feet 0 inches
Openings which provide access to all under-floor spaces through a
perimeter wall shall be not less than inches. - CORRECT ANSWER=16
X 24
