Page 1 of 125
Virginia Commercial Building Contractor (CBC)
Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
Virginia Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) Exam
✅ Part 1: Summarized Exam Coverage
Exam Content Areas
The test content is divided into major categories of commercial construction :
1. Site Work (8-9 questions): Excavation, grading, erosion control (silt fences), utilities, paving.
2. Concrete (9 questions): Mix design, formwork, reinforcement (rebar), placement, curing.
3. Masonry (9 questions): Block/brick laying, mortar types, reinforcing, veneers.
4. Metals (9 questions): Structural steel (beams/columns), metal decking, welding, corrosion
protection.
5. Carpentry (9 questions): Wood and metal stud framing, formwork, finish carpentry, stair
building.
6. Thermal & Moisture Protection (8 questions): Insulation (R-values), roofing systems,
waterproofing, fireproofing.
7. Associated Trades (7 questions): Drywall installation, doors/windows/glazing, metal stud
framing.
8. Safety (7 questions): OSHA standards (Fall protection, Scaffolding, PPE, Trenching).
9. Estimating & Plan Reading (8 questions): Blueprint interpretation, quantity take-offs, cost
estimating, scheduling.
10. Virginia Business & Law (Separate): Contract law, mechanic's liens, insurance, workers' comp,
tax laws .
1. A general contractor wants to bid on a new construction of a large shopping center with a single
contract value
of 2,000,000.Whichlicenseclassisminimallyrequired?A)ClassCB)ClassBC)ClassAD)CommercialImprovemen
t(CIC)only∗Answer:C—
ClassAlicenseshavenomonetarylimitperproject,allowingthemtobidcontractsovertheClassBlimitof2,000,00
0.Whichlicenseclassisminimallyrequired?A)ClassCB)ClassBC)ClassAD)CommercialImprovement(CIC)only∗
Answer:C—
ClassAlicenseshavenomonetarylimitperproject,allowingthemtobidcontractsovertheClassBlimitof150,000 .
*
2. According to Virginia law, the "Qualified Individual" listed on a Class B contractor license must have at
least how many years of verifiable experience?
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A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C — Virginia law requires a QI to possess at least three years of experience in the trade for Class
B.
3. During an OSHA inspection on a commercial site, you are required to keep a log of work-related
injuries and illnesses. Which specific OSHA form is used for this purpose?
A) OSHA Form 300A (Summary)
B) OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses)
C) OSHA Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report)
D) OSHA Form 316 (Record of Inspections)
Answer: B — The OSHA 300 Log is the primary document used to record details of workplace injuries and
illnesses .
4. A masonry crew is laying concrete block for a retail store. They are using "Type N" mortar. Which
material composition defines Type N mortar?
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A) 1 part cement, 1 part lime, 6 parts sand
B) 1 part cement, 2 parts lime, 9 parts sand
C) 1 part cement, 0.5 parts lime, 4 parts sand
D) 1 part cement, 1 part lime, 3 parts sand
*Answer: A — Type N mortar is a medium-strength mortar (750 psi) composed of 1 part Portland
cement, 1 part lime, and 6 parts sand.*
5. A subcontractor supplied materials for a commercial project but has not been paid. Under the Virginia
Mechanics' Lien Law, within how many days after the last furnishing of materials must a subcontractor
generally file a lien?
A) 30 days
B) 60 days
C) 90 days
D) 180 days
Answer: C — Subcontractors and material suppliers generally have 90 days from the last date of
furnishing labor or materials to file a mechanics' lien .
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6. On a large commercial site, you are grading the soil for a foundation. According to the Virginia Erosion
and Sediment Control Regulations, what is the primary purpose of installing a "Silt Fence"?
A) To mark the perimeter of the property.
B) To trap sediment and prevent it from leaving the construction site.
C) To divert surface water away from the excavation.
D) To stabilize the sub-base for paving.
Answer: B — Silt fences are a Best Management Practice (BMP) designed to filter runoff and capture
sediment on-site .
7. A contractor is installing a built-up roofing (BUR) system. During installation, the asphalt is heated in a
kettle. The temperature must be monitored to prevent "scorching" or "blistering." What is the primary
risk if the asphalt is heated excessively?
A) It becomes harder to spread.
B) The oils in the asphalt will oxidize or vaporize, causing brittleness.
C) It will fail to adhere to the insulation.
D) It will freeze immediately.
Answer: B — Overheating breaks down the asphalt's oils, making it brittle and prone to cracking.
Virginia Commercial Building Contractor (CBC)
Exam QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
Virginia Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) Exam
✅ Part 1: Summarized Exam Coverage
Exam Content Areas
The test content is divided into major categories of commercial construction :
1. Site Work (8-9 questions): Excavation, grading, erosion control (silt fences), utilities, paving.
2. Concrete (9 questions): Mix design, formwork, reinforcement (rebar), placement, curing.
3. Masonry (9 questions): Block/brick laying, mortar types, reinforcing, veneers.
4. Metals (9 questions): Structural steel (beams/columns), metal decking, welding, corrosion
protection.
5. Carpentry (9 questions): Wood and metal stud framing, formwork, finish carpentry, stair
building.
6. Thermal & Moisture Protection (8 questions): Insulation (R-values), roofing systems,
waterproofing, fireproofing.
7. Associated Trades (7 questions): Drywall installation, doors/windows/glazing, metal stud
framing.
8. Safety (7 questions): OSHA standards (Fall protection, Scaffolding, PPE, Trenching).
9. Estimating & Plan Reading (8 questions): Blueprint interpretation, quantity take-offs, cost
estimating, scheduling.
10. Virginia Business & Law (Separate): Contract law, mechanic's liens, insurance, workers' comp,
tax laws .
1. A general contractor wants to bid on a new construction of a large shopping center with a single
contract value
of 2,000,000.Whichlicenseclassisminimallyrequired?A)ClassCB)ClassBC)ClassAD)CommercialImprovemen
t(CIC)only∗Answer:C—
ClassAlicenseshavenomonetarylimitperproject,allowingthemtobidcontractsovertheClassBlimitof2,000,00
0.Whichlicenseclassisminimallyrequired?A)ClassCB)ClassBC)ClassAD)CommercialImprovement(CIC)only∗
Answer:C—
ClassAlicenseshavenomonetarylimitperproject,allowingthemtobidcontractsovertheClassBlimitof150,000 .
*
2. According to Virginia law, the "Qualified Individual" listed on a Class B contractor license must have at
least how many years of verifiable experience?
, Page 2 of 125
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C — Virginia law requires a QI to possess at least three years of experience in the trade for Class
B.
3. During an OSHA inspection on a commercial site, you are required to keep a log of work-related
injuries and illnesses. Which specific OSHA form is used for this purpose?
A) OSHA Form 300A (Summary)
B) OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses)
C) OSHA Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report)
D) OSHA Form 316 (Record of Inspections)
Answer: B — The OSHA 300 Log is the primary document used to record details of workplace injuries and
illnesses .
4. A masonry crew is laying concrete block for a retail store. They are using "Type N" mortar. Which
material composition defines Type N mortar?
, Page 3 of 125
A) 1 part cement, 1 part lime, 6 parts sand
B) 1 part cement, 2 parts lime, 9 parts sand
C) 1 part cement, 0.5 parts lime, 4 parts sand
D) 1 part cement, 1 part lime, 3 parts sand
*Answer: A — Type N mortar is a medium-strength mortar (750 psi) composed of 1 part Portland
cement, 1 part lime, and 6 parts sand.*
5. A subcontractor supplied materials for a commercial project but has not been paid. Under the Virginia
Mechanics' Lien Law, within how many days after the last furnishing of materials must a subcontractor
generally file a lien?
A) 30 days
B) 60 days
C) 90 days
D) 180 days
Answer: C — Subcontractors and material suppliers generally have 90 days from the last date of
furnishing labor or materials to file a mechanics' lien .
, Page 4 of 125
6. On a large commercial site, you are grading the soil for a foundation. According to the Virginia Erosion
and Sediment Control Regulations, what is the primary purpose of installing a "Silt Fence"?
A) To mark the perimeter of the property.
B) To trap sediment and prevent it from leaving the construction site.
C) To divert surface water away from the excavation.
D) To stabilize the sub-base for paving.
Answer: B — Silt fences are a Best Management Practice (BMP) designed to filter runoff and capture
sediment on-site .
7. A contractor is installing a built-up roofing (BUR) system. During installation, the asphalt is heated in a
kettle. The temperature must be monitored to prevent "scorching" or "blistering." What is the primary
risk if the asphalt is heated excessively?
A) It becomes harder to spread.
B) The oils in the asphalt will oxidize or vaporize, causing brittleness.
C) It will fail to adhere to the insulation.
D) It will freeze immediately.
Answer: B — Overheating breaks down the asphalt's oils, making it brittle and prone to cracking.
