Page 1 of 112
Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam
Summary of High-Yield Exam Topics
Based on Virginia DPOR requirements and PSI exam content outlines, the following topics are most
relevant for the Virginia Masonry Contractor licensing examination:
• Virginia Codes & Standards – Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021
International Building Code (IBC), 2018 & 2015 Virginia Construction Code amendments, Virginia
Residential Code (VRC)
• Masonry Materials – Clay brick classifications (ASTM C62, C216, C652), concrete masonry units
(ASTM C90), stone types (granite, limestone, marble, sandstone), glass block
• Mortar & Grout – Mortar types (M, S, N, O, K): compositions, compressive strengths,
proportions, ASTM C270 requirements; grout proportions and placement
• Wall Construction – Load-bearing vs. non-load-bearing walls, cavity wall construction, veneer
systems, reinforced masonry, anchored veneer
• Reinforcement – Steel rebar placement in grouted cells, ladder-type wire reinforcement in
horizontal joints, seismic reinforcement requirements
• Foundation Walls – 4-inch minimum thickness for load-bearing masonry foundation walls, 4-
foot maximum height requirements, unbalanced fill limitations (24 inches for solid masonry, 12
inches for hollow masonry)
• Movement Joints – Control joints, expansion joints, construction joints: placement, spacing,
materials, purposes
• Moisture Protection – Flashing types and installation, weep holes (purpose and placement),
cavity drainage, water repellents
• Structural Masonry – Pier and curtain wall foundations, unsupported height limitations (10
times least dimension for masonry piers), grouting requirements for hollow units
• Estimating & Takeoffs – Brick quantity calculations per square foot, mortar volume estimation,
CMU block counts, waste factors
• Plan Reading – Elevations, sections, details, plan views (for brick coursing, openings, joint
dimensions)
• Safety – OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (silica standard 29 CFR 1910.1000, electrical safety 29 CFR 1910.305,
fall protection, scaffolding, confined spaces)
, Page 2 of 112
• Business & Law – Virginia business license requirements, LLC formation (articles of
organization), Class A/B/C contractor license classifications, bidding, estimating, project
management, contract types (fixed-price, cost-plus)
• Historic Masonry – Repointing, compatible mortar selection, preservation techniques
1. Which drawing most directly indicates the location of brick coursing, openings, and joint dimensions?
A) Elevation
B) Section
C) Plan
D) Detail
Answer: C – The floor plan shows the horizontal layout of walls, including brick courses, door and
window openings, and the spacing of joints .
2. In a typical masonry specification, the term "M-type mortar" refers to which characteristic?
A) High compressive strength for structural walls
B) Medium strength suitable for non-load-bearing veneer
C) Low strength used for interior partitions only
D) Mortar with a high lime content for flexibility
Answer: B – M-type mortar is a medium-strength mortar (usually 1500–2500 psi) used where moderate
strength and good workability are required, such as in brick veneer .
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3. When performing a take-off for brick units, how many standard 8-in. × 2-in. × 2-in. bricks are needed
per square foot of wall with a ¾-in. joint?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
Answer: D – One square foot of wall with ¾-in. joints contains about 8 standard bricks, calculated from
brick area plus mortar .
4. The mortar mix ratio 1:½:9 (cement:lime:sand) by volume is most appropriate for which mortar type?
A) Type O
B) Type N
C) Type S
D) Type M
Answer: A – Type O mortar, a low-strength mix for non-structural applications, commonly uses a 1:½:9
ratio .
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5. Which of the following is the primary function of wall ties in cavity wall construction?
A) Provide thermal insulation
B) Transfer loads from the veneer to the backing wall
C) Prevent water penetration through the cavity
D) Act as a vapor barrier
Answer: B – Wall ties mechanically connect the veneer to the structural backing wall, transferring loads
and maintaining cavity integrity .
6. A masonry wall is required to have an air space of at least 1 inch behind a brick veneer. What is the
main purpose of this air space?
A) To accommodate thermal expansion of bricks
B) To provide a drainage plane for moisture control
C) To improve acoustic insulation
D) To allow for electrical conduit placement
Answer: B – The air space acts as a drainage plane, allowing any infiltrated water to drain away from the
veneer .
Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam
Summary of High-Yield Exam Topics
Based on Virginia DPOR requirements and PSI exam content outlines, the following topics are most
relevant for the Virginia Masonry Contractor licensing examination:
• Virginia Codes & Standards – Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021
International Building Code (IBC), 2018 & 2015 Virginia Construction Code amendments, Virginia
Residential Code (VRC)
• Masonry Materials – Clay brick classifications (ASTM C62, C216, C652), concrete masonry units
(ASTM C90), stone types (granite, limestone, marble, sandstone), glass block
• Mortar & Grout – Mortar types (M, S, N, O, K): compositions, compressive strengths,
proportions, ASTM C270 requirements; grout proportions and placement
• Wall Construction – Load-bearing vs. non-load-bearing walls, cavity wall construction, veneer
systems, reinforced masonry, anchored veneer
• Reinforcement – Steel rebar placement in grouted cells, ladder-type wire reinforcement in
horizontal joints, seismic reinforcement requirements
• Foundation Walls – 4-inch minimum thickness for load-bearing masonry foundation walls, 4-
foot maximum height requirements, unbalanced fill limitations (24 inches for solid masonry, 12
inches for hollow masonry)
• Movement Joints – Control joints, expansion joints, construction joints: placement, spacing,
materials, purposes
• Moisture Protection – Flashing types and installation, weep holes (purpose and placement),
cavity drainage, water repellents
• Structural Masonry – Pier and curtain wall foundations, unsupported height limitations (10
times least dimension for masonry piers), grouting requirements for hollow units
• Estimating & Takeoffs – Brick quantity calculations per square foot, mortar volume estimation,
CMU block counts, waste factors
• Plan Reading – Elevations, sections, details, plan views (for brick coursing, openings, joint
dimensions)
• Safety – OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (silica standard 29 CFR 1910.1000, electrical safety 29 CFR 1910.305,
fall protection, scaffolding, confined spaces)
, Page 2 of 112
• Business & Law – Virginia business license requirements, LLC formation (articles of
organization), Class A/B/C contractor license classifications, bidding, estimating, project
management, contract types (fixed-price, cost-plus)
• Historic Masonry – Repointing, compatible mortar selection, preservation techniques
1. Which drawing most directly indicates the location of brick coursing, openings, and joint dimensions?
A) Elevation
B) Section
C) Plan
D) Detail
Answer: C – The floor plan shows the horizontal layout of walls, including brick courses, door and
window openings, and the spacing of joints .
2. In a typical masonry specification, the term "M-type mortar" refers to which characteristic?
A) High compressive strength for structural walls
B) Medium strength suitable for non-load-bearing veneer
C) Low strength used for interior partitions only
D) Mortar with a high lime content for flexibility
Answer: B – M-type mortar is a medium-strength mortar (usually 1500–2500 psi) used where moderate
strength and good workability are required, such as in brick veneer .
, Page 3 of 112
3. When performing a take-off for brick units, how many standard 8-in. × 2-in. × 2-in. bricks are needed
per square foot of wall with a ¾-in. joint?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
Answer: D – One square foot of wall with ¾-in. joints contains about 8 standard bricks, calculated from
brick area plus mortar .
4. The mortar mix ratio 1:½:9 (cement:lime:sand) by volume is most appropriate for which mortar type?
A) Type O
B) Type N
C) Type S
D) Type M
Answer: A – Type O mortar, a low-strength mix for non-structural applications, commonly uses a 1:½:9
ratio .
, Page 4 of 112
5. Which of the following is the primary function of wall ties in cavity wall construction?
A) Provide thermal insulation
B) Transfer loads from the veneer to the backing wall
C) Prevent water penetration through the cavity
D) Act as a vapor barrier
Answer: B – Wall ties mechanically connect the veneer to the structural backing wall, transferring loads
and maintaining cavity integrity .
6. A masonry wall is required to have an air space of at least 1 inch behind a brick veneer. What is the
main purpose of this air space?
A) To accommodate thermal expansion of bricks
B) To provide a drainage plane for moisture control
C) To improve acoustic insulation
D) To allow for electrical conduit placement
Answer: B – The air space acts as a drainage plane, allowing any infiltrated water to drain away from the
veneer .
