Virginia Commercial Improvement Contracting Qualified Individual Examination

Under 18VAC50-22-30, what work does Virginia's Commercial Improvement Contracting (CIC) specialty authorize?

• ARepair or improvement to structures that are not dwellings or townhouses as defined in th…
• BConstruction of new commercial, industrial, and accessory buildings from a vacant lot
• CRepair or improvement only to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses
• DAny electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting work inside a commercial building

A CIC-only contractor is asked to construct a new 6,000-square-foot retail building on a vacant Richmond lot. What is the correct licensing conclusion?

• ACIC covers the project because the finished building will be commercial
• BCIC does not provide for construction of new buildings; a CBC classification is required
• CCIC covers the shell, but HIC is required for the interior finishes
• DCIC covers the project if no electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work is self-performed

Which Virginia contractor classification also provides the commercial improvement function that CIC covers?

• AResidential Building Contractor (RBC)
• BHome Improvement Contracting (HIC)
• CCommercial Building Contractor (CBC)
• DFarm Improvement Contracting (FIC)

An existing Norfolk office suite needs new nonstructural metal-stud partitions, drywall, paint, and carpet. The owner also wants a new rooftop HVAC unit. What may a CIC-only contractor perform?

• AThe partitions, drywall, paint, carpet, and the rooftop HVAC unit
• BOnly the drywall, because partitions and flooring require separate specialties
• CThe partitions, drywall, paint, and carpet, but not the HVAC work
• DNothing, because tenant improvements require a CBC classification

A client asks a CIC contractor to replace the water closet, lavatory, and supply piping in an existing Fairfax retail restroom. What is the correct response?

• AAccept the plumbing work because it is an improvement to an existing commercial building
• BDecline the plumbing work because CIC does not provide plumbing
• CAccept the fixture swap but decline only the supply-piping work
• DAccept the work if a Class A license is held, regardless of specialty

A homeowner wants kitchen cabinets, interior paint, and vinyl flooring replaced in a single-family dwelling in Henrico County. Which specialty is the correct fit?

• ACommercial Improvement Contracting (CIC)
• BCommercial Building Contractor (CBC)
• CHome Improvement Contracting (HIC)
• DFarm Improvement Contracting (FIC)

A townhouse association wants damaged siding and interior drywall repaired after a storm. Why is CIC the wrong specialty?

• ATownhouses are dwellings/townhouses under the USBC, so the work is HIC or RBC territory
• BStorm repairs are emergency work that requires no contractor specialty
• CSiding and drywall are electrical-related finishes reserved to the ELE classification
• DCIC can do the drywall but never exterior siding on any building type

Which of the following is expressly outside the CIC specialty under 18VAC50-22-30?

• APainting the interior of an existing warehouse
• BInstalling a new branch circuit and panelboard in an existing office
• CReplacing storefront glass in an existing retail space
• DRepairing the roof membrane on an existing school

A retail owner wants a new detached storage building constructed behind an existing store. The storage building will be an accessory-use structure. May a CIC-only contractor build it?

• AYes, because accessory buildings are included in the CIC definition
• BYes, if the storage building is smaller than 256 square feet
• CNo, because CIC does not provide for construction of new buildings or accessory buildings
• DNo, because accessory buildings may be built only under the HIC specialty

A four-story apartment building that is not a USBC dwelling or townhouse needs corridor carpet and paint. Which statement is correct?

• AOnly HIC may perform the work because people live in the building
• BCIC may perform the work because the building is not a dwelling or townhouse as defined i…
• COnly RBC may perform the work because the occupancy is residential
• DCIC is limited to offices and retail and may never work in multifamily buildings

Which project is within CIC but outside HIC?

• ARepainting a single-family house exterior
• BReplacing interior doors in a townhouse
• CReplacing damaged drywall and VCT in an existing county office
• DBuilding a new unpermitted storage shed at a dwelling

An existing warehouse will receive a 2,400-square-foot attached addition that is new building area, plus interior painting of the existing warehouse. What may a CIC-only contractor do?

• AConstruct the addition and paint the existing warehouse
• BPaint the existing warehouse but not construct the new addition
• CConstruct the addition only if it has no restrooms
• DConstruct the addition because it is attached to an existing building

A CIC contractor is remodeling an existing clinic. The owner also wants a new natural-gas line run to a sterilizer. How should the gas work be handled?

• AThe CIC contractor may run the gas line because the clinic is not a dwelling
• BThe CIC contractor may run the gas line if the pipe is 1 inch or smaller
• CThe gas line must be performed by a contractor holding a classification or specialty that…
• DNo license is required for gas piping inside an existing commercial building

Which package of work is entirely within CIC on an existing Alexandria office building?

• ANew building shell, new electrical service, and interior paint
• BStorefront glass replacement, interior painting, and a roof-membrane repair
• CSingle-family porch reconstruction and townhouse siding
• DNew detached accessory warehouse and a new gas-fired rooftop unit

Under the IBC means-of-egress door rules adopted through the Virginia USBC, what is the minimum clear opening width generally required at a swinging egress door?

• A28 inches, measured to the face of the closed door
• B32 inches, measured between the face of the door and the stop with the door open 90 degre…
• C36 inches of nominal door leaf width, regardless of clear opening
• D48 inches of clear opening for every commercial door

What is the general IBC minimum clear opening height for a means-of-egress door?

• A76 inches
• B78 inches
• C80 inches
• D84 inches

A pair of swinging egress doors has no mullion. How is the IBC 32-inch clear-opening rule applied?

• AThe two leaves together must provide 32 inches when both are open
• BEach leaf must provide a 48-inch clear opening
• COne leaf must provide a minimum 32-inch clear opening by itself
• DClear width is measured with both leaves closed

When flashing a flanged replacement window in an existing commercial wall, what is the correct weatherboard (shingle-fashion) sequence?

• AHead flashing first, then jambs, then the sill
• BJamb flashing first, then the head, with no sill flashing
• CSill or sill-pan flashing first, then jambs, then the head
• DA single bead of sealant behind the nailing flange with no flashing laps

After setting a new commercial window with a sill containing factory weep holes, what should the installer do with those weeps?

• ALeave them open and unobstructed so incidental water can drain out
• BFill them with sealant to complete the air barrier
• CCover them with exterior casing so they are hidden from view
• DPack them with backer rod to keep insects out of the frame

A swinging office entry door will receive a glazed lite. Under IBC hazardous-location rules, what glazing is generally required in that door?

• AOrdinary annealed glass, because the door is not a shower enclosure
• BSafety glazing, because glazing in swinging-door panels is a hazardous location
• CWired glass only, because all commercial doors are fire doors
• DAny glass thicker than 1/4 inch, regardless of tempering or lamination

A replacement window unit measures 48 inches wide by 60 inches high. The manufacturer requires a rough opening 1/2 inch larger than the unit in both width and height. What rough opening should be framed?

• A47-1/2 inches wide by 59-1/2 inches high
• B48 inches wide by 60 inches high
• C48-1/2 inches wide by 60-1/2 inches high
• D49 inches wide by 61 inches high

Where should shims be placed when setting a flanged commercial replacement window?

• AOnly at midspan of the head so the frame crowns upward
• BAt the manufacturer's designated points, typically near the corners and meeting rails, wi…
• CContinuously along every edge with no gaps for insulation or sealant
• DOnly at the sill center so the unit can rock into a weathertight seat

During an office remodel, a labeled 90-minute fire door closer is removed so the door will stay open for furniture moving, and the crew plans to leave it off. What is the correct action?

• ALeave the closer off; fire doors in remodeled offices no longer need closers
• BReplace the closer with a surface bolt so the door can be locked open
• CReinstall a listed self-closing and self-latching device so the labeled door can close an…
• DSwap the fire door for an unlabeled wood door of the same size

When replacing an accessible commercial entry door, what is the general IBC maximum threshold height, and how must a higher change in level be treated?

• A1 inch, left square-edged
• B1/2 inch, with any rise above 1/4 inch beveled
• C3/4 inch for all swinging doors, left square-edged
• D2 inches if a recessed mat is provided at the interior

A new interior egress door is being installed in an existing corridor wall. What landing condition is generally required?

• AA floor or landing on each side of the door, essentially at the same elevation
• BA 6-inch step down on the swing side to shed cleaning water
• CNo landing if the door swings in the direction of egress
• DA landing only on the exterior side of interior doors

A fixed sidelight is installed next to a closed office door. The nearest vertical glass edge is 18 inches from the door edge, and the bottom of the glass is 42 inches above the floor. Is safety glazing required under IBC 2406.4.2?

• ANo, because the glass is not in the door leaf itself
• BNo, because the bottom of the glass is more than 36 inches above the floor
• CYes, because the glass is within 24 inches of the door and the bottom is less than 60 inc…
• DYes, but only if the sidelight is operable

For a typical nonstructural interior partition in a commercial tenant improvement, which metal-stud material is commonly specified?

• A12-gauge structural steel studs designed as load-bearing columns
• B25-gauge (about 18-mil) nonstructural steel studs conforming to ASTM C645
• CStructural glue-laminated timber posts at 48 inches on center
• DCast-in-place concrete pilasters in place of studs

What are the two most common on-center spacings for nonstructural commercial partition studs supporting gypsum board?

• A8 inches or 10 inches
• B16 inches or 24 inches
• C30 inches or 36 inches
• D48 inches or 60 inches

How should a nonstructural metal-stud partition typically be anchored at the floor and ceiling?

• AStand the studs on the finish carpet with no track
• BSet studs in floor and ceiling runner tracks fastened to the supporting structure
• CToe-nail each stud only to the adjacent gypsum board
• DWedge the partition in place with shims and rely on paint to hold it

Why is fireblocking required in concealed spaces of combustible construction during a commercial remodel?

• ATo increase the wall's sound rating only
• BTo cut off hidden draft openings so fire cannot spread vertically or horizontally through…
• CTo replace the need for gypsum board on either face of the wall
• DTo allow larger unsealed penetrations for future cables

At a door opening in a 25-gauge nonstructural metal-stud wall, what framing upgrade is commonly required?

• ANo change; 25-gauge studs are adequate for all door jambs
• BHeavier-gauge studs or a listed door-frame/stud kit so the opening can carry the door and…
• CRemoval of the head track so the door can float with the slab
• DWood 4x4 posts grouted to the slab with no connection to the wall

While opening a commercial interior wall, the crew finds a beam bearing on the studs they planned to remove. What is the correct CIC action?

• ARemove the studs because CIC includes all framing, including load-bearing members
• BStop and have the load path evaluated; do not cut a load-bearing member without a proper…
• CSister a 1x4 to one stud and continue demolition
• DReplace the beam with two layers of 1/2-inch drywall

A straight nonbearing partition is 32 feet long and will be framed at 16 inches on center with a stud at each end and no openings. How many studs are required?

• A16
• B24
• C25
• D32

What is the primary purpose of installing batt insulation in a nonstructural office partition that is not an exterior wall?

• ATo make the partition load-bearing
• BTo provide sound control between rooms, when specified
• CTo replace required fireblocking at every story
• DTo eliminate the need for gypsum board on one face

Why are bridging, strapping, or other stud bracing used on taller nonstructural metal-stud partitions?

• ATo increase the studs' weak-axis stiffness and keep them from twisting before the gypsum…
• BTo create a rated floor-ceiling assembly without board
• CTo allow stud spacing of 48 inches on center
• DTo permanently replace the ceiling runner track

A nonbearing metal-stud partition needs a 3-foot door. Which statement about the head of that opening is correct?

• ABecause the wall is nonbearing, the head track can be omitted entirely
• BA structural glue-laminated beam is required over every nonbearing door
• CThe opening still needs a framed head, typically a section of track or a specified header…
• DThe door may be hung from the gypsum board with no framed opening

The floor runner for a new office partition will sit on existing VCT. What is the preferred anchorage approach?

• AFasten the track through the finish into the supporting slab or structure at the specifie…
• BGlue the track only to the waxed VCT surface
• CSet the track on top of the carpet pad with no fasteners
• DHold the track with a few finish nails into the vinyl only

A 1-hour fire-resistance-rated tenant demising wall is being rebuilt. After the board is installed, several unsealed cable holes remain at the top track. What is required?

• ANothing; holes above 6 feet do not affect the rating
• BPaint the holes so the wall looks finished
• CSeal the penetrations with an approved firestop system so the rated assembly remains cont…
• DCover the holes with ordinary duct tape until the next tenant

How many square feet does one standard 4-foot by 8-foot gypsum board cover?

• A16 square feet
• B24 square feet
• C32 square feet
• D48 square feet

Which gypsum panel is the baseline product defined in ASTM C1396 for a one-hour wood-stud partition test assembly?

• A1/4-inch flexible gypsum board
• B3/8-inch regular gypsum board
• C5/8-inch Type X gypsum board
• D1-inch foil-faced polyisocyanurate foam

Which screws are generally used to attach gypsum board to steel studs versus wood studs?

• AType S screws to steel and Type W screws to wood
• BType W screws to steel and Type S screws to wood
• CRoofing nails to both steel and wood
• DDrywall nails only, because screws are not permitted on commercial jobs

When hanging gypsum board on opposite faces of a fire-rated or ordinary partition, how should the joints be arranged?

• AAlign all joints on both faces so fasteners share the same studs only at joints
• BStagger joints from face to face and from layer to layer so seams do not line up
• CLeave all vertical edges unsupported so they can move independently
• DButt factory edges only at midspan between studs

A conference room will receive a dark, non-flat paint under strong sidelighting. Per GA-214, which gypsum finish level is the most appropriate?

• ALevel 0, because paint will hide all board joints
• BLevel 1, fire-tape only
• CLevel 4, which is recommended for all sheens and critical lighting
• DLevel 5, which adds a skim coat over a Level 4 finish to reduce joint photographing

A tenant-improvement office is 30 feet by 20 feet with 8-foot ceilings. Deduct one 3-foot by 7-foot door. Using 4-foot by 8-foot sheets and no waste factor, how many sheets are needed for the walls only?

• A21
• B24
• C25
• D32