VA CONTRACTORS GENERAL VA ADVANCED
CLASS A EXAM 2026/2027 Actual Exam Complete
Questions and Answers Detailed Rationales Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | VA Business & Licensing Law | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Construction Contracts & Liens | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Safety, OSHA & Environmental | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Project Management & Estimating | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Building Codes, Plan Reading & Trade Practices | Q41 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 80% in 90 minutes.
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: VA BUSINESS & LICENSING LAW Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 42-year-old builder wants to bid a $2.8 million school renovation in Richmond. He
currently holds a Class B license and has a net worth of $35,000. He asks his
bookkeeper what he needs to bid this project legally.
A. Upgrade to a Class A license and demonstrate a net worth of at least $45,000 or
obtain a $45,000 surety bond ✓ CORRECT
B. Maintain his Class B license because the project can be broken into three separate
contracts under $120,000 each
C. Form a joint venture with a Class A contractor and operate under the partner's license
number
D. Increase his general liability insurance to $2 million and retain his Class B
classification
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Virginia requires a Class A license for single contracts exceeding $120,000,
and applicants must show a net worth of $45,000 or secure an equivalent bond.
Breaking a single project into multiple contracts to evade license limits constitutes
license splitting, which DPOR treats as a violation. Many contractors mistakenly believe
higher insurance alone satisfies the classification requirement.
Question 2 of 50
A 38-year-old owner of a Class A corporation employs a project manager to run daily
operations while he focuses on sales. DPOR audits the license and finds the owner is
rarely on site.
A. The owner must personally supervise every job site because he is the license holder
B. The company must designate a full-time responsible manager or employee who
meets DPOR's experience and age requirements and is actively involved ✓ CORRECT
C. The company can list the bookkeeper as the designated employee because she
handles payroll
D. The owner can hold multiple Class A licenses as long as he is a 25% owner in each
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia requires licensed contractors to designate a responsible manager or
full-time employee who is at least 18 years old and actively manages the business; the
owner need not be the one performing this role if the designee is properly qualified.
Listing an administrative employee who lacks trade experience does not satisfy the
requirement. DPOR routinely audits for proper designation during license renewal.
Question 3 of 50
A 45-year-old Class A contractor in Virginia Beach renewed his license two years ago.
He receives a renewal notice from DPOR and realizes he has not attended any training
since his last renewal.
,A. He must complete 16 hours of continuing education because his license is Class A
B. He is exempt from continuing education because he has held the license for more
than 10 years
C. He must complete 8 hours of Board-approved continuing education before renewing
his Class A license ✓ CORRECT
D. He must retake the full Class A trade examination to renew
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Virginia mandates 8 hours of continuing education for Class A and Class B
contractors during each two-year renewal cycle. There is no grandfather exemption
based on years licensed, and retaking the full examination is only required after license
expiration or disciplinary action. Contractors who wait until the last week often find
approved courses fully booked.
Question 4 of 50
A 36-year-old contractor forms an LLC called "Blue Ridge Builders, LLC" but advertises
on his trucks and website as "Blue Ridge Construction." A competitor files a complaint
with DPOR.
A. Trade names are unregulated in Virginia as long as the LLC is registered with the SCC
B. He must register the trade name with the local commissioner of the revenue
C. He can use any trade name provided it includes "LLC" somewhere in small print
D. He must register the trade name with DPOR and ensure it does not mislead the public
or conflict with existing names ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Virginia requires any trade name used by a licensed contractor to be
registered with DPOR and to accurately reflect the licensed entity so consumers can
verify credentials. Simply registering with the State Corporation Commission does not
authorize use of an unregistered trade name in contracting. DPOR can issue citations
for unlicensed or misleading trade name usage.
, Question 5 of 50
A 34-year-old residential contractor in Fairfax has two full-time carpenters and uses
three independent subcontractors regularly. He carries general liability but no workers'
compensation.
A. He likely needs workers' compensation insurance because he regularly employs three
or more workers, including subcontractors who may be reclassified as employees ✓
CORRECT
B. He is exempt because all workers are independent subcontractors with their own
insurance
C. He is exempt because residential contractors are not subject to Virginia workers'
compensation requirements
D. He only needs workers' compensation after he hires a fifth employee
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Virginia generally requires workers' compensation coverage when a
contractor regularly employs three or more workers, and subcontractors who lack their
own coverage may be counted toward that threshold. The residential exemption does
not eliminate this requirement, and waiting until a fifth employee exposes the contractor
to stop-work orders. The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission aggressively
audits construction firms for misclassification.
Question 6 of 50
A 40-year-old site superintendent on a Norfolk commercial project sees an imminent
danger hazard: an unsupported trench with workers inside. He calls the federal OSHA
hotline.
A. Federal OSHA will respond within 24 hours because Virginia has no state safety
program
B. He should contact Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) / VOSH because
Virginia operates an OSHA-approved state plan with jurisdiction over private employers
✓ CORRECT
CLASS A EXAM 2026/2027 Actual Exam Complete
Questions and Answers Detailed Rationales Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | VA Business & Licensing Law | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Construction Contracts & Liens | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Safety, OSHA & Environmental | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Project Management & Estimating | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Building Codes, Plan Reading & Trade Practices | Q41 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 80% in 90 minutes.
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: VA BUSINESS & LICENSING LAW Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 42-year-old builder wants to bid a $2.8 million school renovation in Richmond. He
currently holds a Class B license and has a net worth of $35,000. He asks his
bookkeeper what he needs to bid this project legally.
A. Upgrade to a Class A license and demonstrate a net worth of at least $45,000 or
obtain a $45,000 surety bond ✓ CORRECT
B. Maintain his Class B license because the project can be broken into three separate
contracts under $120,000 each
C. Form a joint venture with a Class A contractor and operate under the partner's license
number
D. Increase his general liability insurance to $2 million and retain his Class B
classification
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Virginia requires a Class A license for single contracts exceeding $120,000,
and applicants must show a net worth of $45,000 or secure an equivalent bond.
Breaking a single project into multiple contracts to evade license limits constitutes
license splitting, which DPOR treats as a violation. Many contractors mistakenly believe
higher insurance alone satisfies the classification requirement.
Question 2 of 50
A 38-year-old owner of a Class A corporation employs a project manager to run daily
operations while he focuses on sales. DPOR audits the license and finds the owner is
rarely on site.
A. The owner must personally supervise every job site because he is the license holder
B. The company must designate a full-time responsible manager or employee who
meets DPOR's experience and age requirements and is actively involved ✓ CORRECT
C. The company can list the bookkeeper as the designated employee because she
handles payroll
D. The owner can hold multiple Class A licenses as long as he is a 25% owner in each
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Virginia requires licensed contractors to designate a responsible manager or
full-time employee who is at least 18 years old and actively manages the business; the
owner need not be the one performing this role if the designee is properly qualified.
Listing an administrative employee who lacks trade experience does not satisfy the
requirement. DPOR routinely audits for proper designation during license renewal.
Question 3 of 50
A 45-year-old Class A contractor in Virginia Beach renewed his license two years ago.
He receives a renewal notice from DPOR and realizes he has not attended any training
since his last renewal.
,A. He must complete 16 hours of continuing education because his license is Class A
B. He is exempt from continuing education because he has held the license for more
than 10 years
C. He must complete 8 hours of Board-approved continuing education before renewing
his Class A license ✓ CORRECT
D. He must retake the full Class A trade examination to renew
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Virginia mandates 8 hours of continuing education for Class A and Class B
contractors during each two-year renewal cycle. There is no grandfather exemption
based on years licensed, and retaking the full examination is only required after license
expiration or disciplinary action. Contractors who wait until the last week often find
approved courses fully booked.
Question 4 of 50
A 36-year-old contractor forms an LLC called "Blue Ridge Builders, LLC" but advertises
on his trucks and website as "Blue Ridge Construction." A competitor files a complaint
with DPOR.
A. Trade names are unregulated in Virginia as long as the LLC is registered with the SCC
B. He must register the trade name with the local commissioner of the revenue
C. He can use any trade name provided it includes "LLC" somewhere in small print
D. He must register the trade name with DPOR and ensure it does not mislead the public
or conflict with existing names ✓ CORRECT
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Virginia requires any trade name used by a licensed contractor to be
registered with DPOR and to accurately reflect the licensed entity so consumers can
verify credentials. Simply registering with the State Corporation Commission does not
authorize use of an unregistered trade name in contracting. DPOR can issue citations
for unlicensed or misleading trade name usage.
, Question 5 of 50
A 34-year-old residential contractor in Fairfax has two full-time carpenters and uses
three independent subcontractors regularly. He carries general liability but no workers'
compensation.
A. He likely needs workers' compensation insurance because he regularly employs three
or more workers, including subcontractors who may be reclassified as employees ✓
CORRECT
B. He is exempt because all workers are independent subcontractors with their own
insurance
C. He is exempt because residential contractors are not subject to Virginia workers'
compensation requirements
D. He only needs workers' compensation after he hires a fifth employee
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Virginia generally requires workers' compensation coverage when a
contractor regularly employs three or more workers, and subcontractors who lack their
own coverage may be counted toward that threshold. The residential exemption does
not eliminate this requirement, and waiting until a fifth employee exposes the contractor
to stop-work orders. The Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission aggressively
audits construction firms for misclassification.
Question 6 of 50
A 40-year-old site superintendent on a Norfolk commercial project sees an imminent
danger hazard: an unsupported trench with workers inside. He calls the federal OSHA
hotline.
A. Federal OSHA will respond within 24 hours because Virginia has no state safety
program
B. He should contact Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) / VOSH because
Virginia operates an OSHA-approved state plan with jurisdiction over private employers
✓ CORRECT
