Page 1 of 143
Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST
RELEASED
Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam – Summarized Topics
• Virginia Licensing & Business – Classifications (CBC, RBC, Specialty), Board for Contractors
(DPOR), license application requirements, business structures (LLC, corp, sole prop, partnership),
contract types (fixed-price, cost-plus, T&M)
• Project Management & Estimating – Critical path method (CPM), take-offs, material estimating
(bricks per SF, mortar volume, wastage), detailed vs. conceptual estimates, bidding strategy
• Masonry Materials & Properties – Clay brick (ASTM C62, C216), hollow brick (ASTM C652),
concrete masonry units (CMU, ASTM C90), firebrick, glass block, stone types (granite, limestone,
marble, sandstone, fieldstone), ashlar vs. rubble
• Mortar & Grout – Types (M, S, N, O, K), mix ratios, ASTM C270, admixtures, cold weather
procedures, tooling, pointing
• Wall Construction & Bond Patterns – Running bond, Flemish bond, stack bond, load-bearing vs.
veneer, cavity walls, wall ties, flashing, weep holes, control joints, expansion joints
• Reinforcement & Structural Details – Rebar placement, vertical/horizontal reinforcement,
grouted cells, ladder wire, lintels, shelf angles, foundation walls (VCC), thickness requirements,
pier spacing
• Blueprint Reading & Specifications – Plan views, elevations, sections, details, symbols (columns,
openings), specification sections (masonry section), section cut lines
• Safety & OSHA – Fall protection (harness, lanyard, guardrails), silica dust (29 CFR 1926.1153),
confined spaces, electrical safety (29 CFR 1910.305), PPE, scaffolding, fire extinguishers (CO2 for
electrical)
• Environmental & Site Management – Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), erosion
control, material storage, waste disposal, weather considerations
• Special Masonry Applications – Glass block installation, veneer stone, refractory
brick/fireplaces, masonry arches (centering, voussoirs), repointing, brick replacement
• Virginia Code References – Virginia Construction Code (VCC), Virginia Residential Code (VRC),
ASTM standards, masonry below-grade waterproofing
, Page 2 of 143
1. A masonry contractor in Virginia wants to form a business that separates personal assets from
business liabilities and allows pass-through taxation. Which structure should they choose?
A) Sole Proprietorship
B) General Partnership
C) Limited Liability Company (LLC)
D) C Corporation
Answer: C – An LLC provides limited liability protection for owners while allowing pass-through taxation,
making it the most common choice among contractors .
2. You are preparing to take the Virginia Masonry Contractor exam through PSI. Which Virginia agency
oversees contractor licensing and will issue your license upon passing?
A) Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
B) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
C) Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
D) Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH)
Answer: B – DPOR administers contractor licensing in Virginia through the Board for Contractors .
, Page 3 of 143
3. A masonry contractor bids on a commercial building project. Under Virginia classification rules, which
license classification allows masonry work on commercial structures?
A) RBC (Residential Building Contractor)
B) CBC (Commercial Building Contractor)
C) Class C Residential Specialty
D) Home Improvement Contractor (HIC)
Answer: B – The CBC classification specifically includes masonry contracting for commercial, industrial,
institutional, and governmental buildings .
4. When signing a contract for a large masonry project where material costs are uncertain, which
contract type allows reimbursement of actual costs plus an agreed profit percentage?
A) Fixed-price contract
B) Lump-sum contract
C) Cost-plus contract
D) Unit price contract
, Page 4 of 143
Answer: C – A cost-plus contract reimburses the contractor for actual costs incurred plus an additional
fee for overhead and profit, offering flexibility for cost uncertainty .
5. You are estimating the number of standard bricks (8"×2¼"×3¾") needed for a running bond wall with
3/8-inch mortar joints. Approximately how many bricks are required per square foot?
A) 4.5 bricks
B) 5.5 bricks
C) 6.8 bricks
D) 8.0 bricks
Answer: C – Including mortar joints, approximately 6.8 standard bricks are needed per square foot of
wall; the exact number varies with joint thickness and brick dimensions .
6. During a masonry take-off, you calculate the gross wall area and then subtract openings. What should
you add to account for waste and breakage?
A) 1-2%
B) 5-10%
Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST
RELEASED
Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam – Summarized Topics
• Virginia Licensing & Business – Classifications (CBC, RBC, Specialty), Board for Contractors
(DPOR), license application requirements, business structures (LLC, corp, sole prop, partnership),
contract types (fixed-price, cost-plus, T&M)
• Project Management & Estimating – Critical path method (CPM), take-offs, material estimating
(bricks per SF, mortar volume, wastage), detailed vs. conceptual estimates, bidding strategy
• Masonry Materials & Properties – Clay brick (ASTM C62, C216), hollow brick (ASTM C652),
concrete masonry units (CMU, ASTM C90), firebrick, glass block, stone types (granite, limestone,
marble, sandstone, fieldstone), ashlar vs. rubble
• Mortar & Grout – Types (M, S, N, O, K), mix ratios, ASTM C270, admixtures, cold weather
procedures, tooling, pointing
• Wall Construction & Bond Patterns – Running bond, Flemish bond, stack bond, load-bearing vs.
veneer, cavity walls, wall ties, flashing, weep holes, control joints, expansion joints
• Reinforcement & Structural Details – Rebar placement, vertical/horizontal reinforcement,
grouted cells, ladder wire, lintels, shelf angles, foundation walls (VCC), thickness requirements,
pier spacing
• Blueprint Reading & Specifications – Plan views, elevations, sections, details, symbols (columns,
openings), specification sections (masonry section), section cut lines
• Safety & OSHA – Fall protection (harness, lanyard, guardrails), silica dust (29 CFR 1926.1153),
confined spaces, electrical safety (29 CFR 1910.305), PPE, scaffolding, fire extinguishers (CO2 for
electrical)
• Environmental & Site Management – Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), erosion
control, material storage, waste disposal, weather considerations
• Special Masonry Applications – Glass block installation, veneer stone, refractory
brick/fireplaces, masonry arches (centering, voussoirs), repointing, brick replacement
• Virginia Code References – Virginia Construction Code (VCC), Virginia Residential Code (VRC),
ASTM standards, masonry below-grade waterproofing
, Page 2 of 143
1. A masonry contractor in Virginia wants to form a business that separates personal assets from
business liabilities and allows pass-through taxation. Which structure should they choose?
A) Sole Proprietorship
B) General Partnership
C) Limited Liability Company (LLC)
D) C Corporation
Answer: C – An LLC provides limited liability protection for owners while allowing pass-through taxation,
making it the most common choice among contractors .
2. You are preparing to take the Virginia Masonry Contractor exam through PSI. Which Virginia agency
oversees contractor licensing and will issue your license upon passing?
A) Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
B) Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)
C) Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
D) Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH)
Answer: B – DPOR administers contractor licensing in Virginia through the Board for Contractors .
, Page 3 of 143
3. A masonry contractor bids on a commercial building project. Under Virginia classification rules, which
license classification allows masonry work on commercial structures?
A) RBC (Residential Building Contractor)
B) CBC (Commercial Building Contractor)
C) Class C Residential Specialty
D) Home Improvement Contractor (HIC)
Answer: B – The CBC classification specifically includes masonry contracting for commercial, industrial,
institutional, and governmental buildings .
4. When signing a contract for a large masonry project where material costs are uncertain, which
contract type allows reimbursement of actual costs plus an agreed profit percentage?
A) Fixed-price contract
B) Lump-sum contract
C) Cost-plus contract
D) Unit price contract
, Page 4 of 143
Answer: C – A cost-plus contract reimburses the contractor for actual costs incurred plus an additional
fee for overhead and profit, offering flexibility for cost uncertainty .
5. You are estimating the number of standard bricks (8"×2¼"×3¾") needed for a running bond wall with
3/8-inch mortar joints. Approximately how many bricks are required per square foot?
A) 4.5 bricks
B) 5.5 bricks
C) 6.8 bricks
D) 8.0 bricks
Answer: C – Including mortar joints, approximately 6.8 standard bricks are needed per square foot of
wall; the exact number varies with joint thickness and brick dimensions .
6. During a masonry take-off, you calculate the gross wall area and then subtract openings. What should
you add to account for waste and breakage?
A) 1-2%
B) 5-10%
