Virginia Home Improvement Contracting Qualified Individual Examination

Under 18VAC50-22-30, home improvement contracting (HIC) is the service that provides for which of the following?

• ANew construction of any detached single-family house on a vacant lot
• BRepairs or improvements to dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC, or structures…
• CRepair or improvement of any commercial, industrial, or institutional building
• DInstallation of electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and gas-fitting systems in dwellings

Which functions does the Virginia HIC specialty expressly not provide?

• ADrywall, finish carpentry, and interior painting
• BRoof covering repairs and masonry tuckpointing on a townhouse
• CElectrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas-fitting functions
• DInstallation of windows, flooring, and weather stripping on an existing dwelling

A client wants a contractor to build a new detached single-family house on a vacant lot. Which Virginia classification or specialty authorizes that new-house construction?

• AHome improvement contracting (HIC)
• BCommercial improvement contracting (CIC)
• CResidential building contractors (RBC)
• DPainting and wallcovering contracting (PTC)

An HIC contractor is asked to remodel the kitchen of an existing one-family dwelling, including cabinets, drywall, flooring, and paint, with no electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work in the contract. Is that work within HIC?

• ANo, because any kitchen remodel requires the RBC classification
• BYes, because it is a repair or improvement to an existing dwelling and the excluded trade…
• CNo, because finish carpentry and flooring are never HIC functions
• DYes, but only if the contractor also holds the ELE and PLB classifications

Which other Virginia Board for Contractors classification also provides the HIC function on dwellings and townhouses?

• ACommercial building contractors (CBC)
• BCommercial improvement contracting (CIC)
• CResidential building contractors (RBC)
• DHighway/heavy contractors (H/H)

A contractor with only the HIC specialty is asked to renovate an existing retail store that is not a dwelling or townhouse. Which statement is correct?

• AHIC covers the store because any existing building may be improved under HIC
• BThe work is commercial improvement contracting (CIC), which CBC also provides, not HIC
• CHIC covers the store if the contract is under the Class C dollar limit
• DHIC covers the store if no new square footage is added

A homeowner wants a new one-story detached storage shed with a 16-foot by 20-foot building area (320 square feet) and no Group F-1 or H occupancy. Under HIC and the USBC, which statement is correct?

• AHIC may build the shed because all residential sheds are utility out buildings within HIC
• BHIC may build the shed only if the owner pulls the building permit
• CThe shed exceeds the USBC 256-square-foot one-story detached accessory exemption, so it i…
• DNo permit is required for any detached shed in Virginia, so the shed is automatically wit…

Which new detached structure is within the HIC new-construction exception for utility out buildings?

• AA 10-foot by 12-foot one-story detached tool shed (120 square feet) that is not Group F-1…
• BA 24-foot by 24-foot detached garage that will require a building permit
• CA new two-story playhouse with 200 square feet per floor
• DA 300-square-foot one-story storage building

Which new outdoor structure attached to an existing dwelling may an HIC contractor build even though it is new construction beyond the existing building?

• AA new detached single-family house on the same lot
• BA new in-ground swimming pool, because pools are always home improvement
• CA new deck or patio serving the existing dwelling
• DA new two-story detached garage with living space above

A homeowner wants a 12-foot by 16-foot family-room addition framed onto an existing dwelling, with no electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas in the HIC contract. How should the HIC qualified individual treat the project?

• AAs prohibited new-house construction, because any added floor area requires RBC
• BAs an improvement to the existing dwelling structure, which is within HIC if the excluded…
• CAs CIC work, because any addition is treated as a new commercial building
• DAs allowed only if the addition is built as a detached structure more than 256 square feet

Which building is within HIC occupancy, assuming the work is repair or improvement and excludes electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and gas?

• AA three-story apartment building that is not a townhouse
• BAn existing townhouse as defined in the USBC
• CA downtown office building
• DA public school classroom wing

Under USBC Section 108.2, which ordinary repair generally does not require a building permit?

• ARemoval of a load-bearing partition
• BApplication of paint or wallpaper
• CInstallation of a new electrical service
• DConstruction of a new attached deck 8 feet above grade

When may replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering on a Group R-3 dwelling proceed as a USBC ordinary repair without a permit?

• AAlways, because all residential reroofs are exempt in every Virginia wind zone
• BWhen the building is Group R-3, R-4, or R-5 and is not in an area where the nominal desig…
• COnly when the replacement is 100 square feet or less, even on a single-family dwelling in…
• DNever; every shingle replacement in Virginia requires a building permit

A dwelling is in a locally designated historic district. The owner wants replacement windows of the same operation and opening dimensions. What additional USBC permit rule may apply?

• AHistoric-district designation automatically forbids any window replacement
• BThe building official may require a permit application for replacement siding, roofing, a…
• CUSBC ordinary-repair exemptions always override local historic-district designation
• DOnly a CIC contractor may replace windows in a historic district

A 12-foot by 16-foot concrete patio will be placed 4 inches thick. What is the concrete volume in cubic yards, with no waste factor?

• A1.8 cubic yards
• B2.4 cubic yards
• C3.6 cubic yards
• D6.4 cubic yards

A 10-foot by 40-foot concrete driveway will be 4 inches thick. What is the concrete volume, to the nearest 0.1 cubic yard, with no waste factor?

• A3.3 cubic yards
• B4.0 cubic yards
• C4.9 cubic yards
• D13.3 cubic yards

Why is air-entrained concrete specified for exterior residential patios, walks, and driveways in freeze-thaw climates?

• AEntrapped air is a defect, so air-entraining admixture is never used outdoors
• BMicroscopic air voids give water a place to expand during freezing, improving freeze-thaw…
• CAir entrainment is used only to increase compressive strength above 5,000 psi
• DAir-entrained concrete is required only for interior basement slabs

Ready-mixed concrete for a driveway arrives stiffer than the crew prefers. What is the correct action?

• AAdd water until the slump looks like soup so the concrete will self-level
• BDo not add water beyond the approved mix water; extra water raises the water-cement ratio…
• CAdd extra portland cement bags to the drum without adjusting water
• DDischarge the load and use leftover dry bag mix to stretch it

A 3-foot by 4-foot by 4-inch landing pad will be mixed from 80-pound bags that each yield 0.60 cubic feet. How many bags are required if you round up to the next whole bag and add no extra waste?

• A4 bags
• B5 bags
• C7 bags
• D12 bags

Where a new concrete patio meets the existing dwelling foundation, what joint is used so the slab can move independently?

• AA tooled contraction joint cut 1/8 inch deep across the middle of the patio only
• BAn isolation (expansion) joint against the foundation so the slab is not bonded to the ho…
• CA welded connection of the slab reinforcing into the foundation wall
• DNo joint; the patio should be monolithically bonded to the foundation

Under IRC Table R402.2, which residential concrete location is specified at a higher minimum compressive strength than a protected interior slab on grade when the site is in a moderate or severe weathering region?

• AAny interior basement slab that is never exposed to weather
• BPorches, carport slabs and steps exposed to the weather, and garage floor slabs
• CAll concrete, which the table sets at the same strength regardless of exposure
• DOnly decorative interior overlay toppings

A 4-inch concrete patio will receive saw-cut contraction joints. To the common one-quarter-depth rule, how deep should those joints be cut?

• A1/4 inch
• B1/2 inch
• C1 inch
• D2 inches

A new deck will be attached to a frost-protected dwelling. What frost-protection rule applies to the deck footings?

• ADeck footings may always stop at 6 inches below grade because decks are exempt from frost
• BBecause the deck is attached to a frost-protected structure, the footings must be frost-p…
• CVirginia uses one statewide frost depth of 42 inches for every county
• DOnly helical piles are permitted for residential decks in Virginia

How should finish grade at a new patio or landing next to a dwelling be sloped?

• AToward the foundation so splash-back keeps the wall clean
• BDead level so water ponds and evaporates evenly
• CTo drain surface water away from the foundation, not toward the wall
• DAt a 2:12 roof pitch so the patio can be shingled

Welded wire reinforcement in a 4-inch patio slab should be placed so that it is:

• ALying on the soil or vapor retarder so the concrete can be poured over it
• BHeld up on chairs or dobies in the upper half of the slab, not on the ground
• CBent up out of the slab to act as a toeboard
• DOmitted whenever air-entrained concrete is used, because air replaces steel

What is the IRC minimum thickness for a concrete slab-on-ground floor?

• A2 inches
• B3-1/2 inches
• C6 inches for every residential patio, with no exception
• D8 inches

A deck walking surface is 49 inches above grade at the stair. Using the Virginia Residential Code maximum riser of 8-1/4 inches, what is the smallest number of risers that will meet the maximum-height rule?

• A5 risers
• B6 risers
• C7 risers
• D10 risers

A residential deck requires a guard when the walking surface is more than how far above the floor or grade below?

• A12 inches
• B18 inches
• C30 inches
• D60 inches

What are the IRC residential requirements for a required deck guard?

• A24 inches high with openings that pass an 8-inch sphere
• BNot less than 36 inches high, with openings that do not allow a 4-inch sphere to pass
• C42 inches high only, because OSHA and the IRC use the same finished-guard height
• DAny decorative railing is acceptable if it is nailed to the decking

A deck ledger is being attached to a house with brick veneer over wood framing. What does the IRC require?

• ALag the ledger through the brick veneer only, because veneer is a structural wall
• BDo not support the deck ledger on stone or masonry veneer; transfer the load to the band…
• CNail the ledger to the brick with masonry nails at 24 inches on center
• DRest the ledger on the brick rowlock without fasteners

When a residential deck uses the IRC hold-down tension-device method for lateral load connection, what is required?

• AOne 200-pound strap anywhere on the deck
• BNot less than two hold-down tension devices, each with an allowable stress design capacit…
• CNo lateral connection if the ledger has lag screws
• DA single 500-pound hurricane clip on the center joist

A 12-foot-wide deck will be decked with boards that have a 5-1/2-inch actual face width. Boards run the full 16-foot length, and no gap is included in the takeoff. How many boards are required?

• A22 boards
• B24 boards
• C27 boards
• D32 boards

Which lumber is appropriate for an exterior deck joist that will be exposed to weather?

• AUntreated interior-grade spruce used for drywall backing
• BPressure-preservative-treated lumber or approved naturally durable wood of the required g…
• CParticleboard underlayment left over from a kitchen floor
• DPainted OSB rated only for interior walls

When is a graspable handrail required on a residential stair, and what is the IRC height range?

• AOn every single-riser step, mounted 24 inches above the nosing
• BOn at least one side of each continuous run of treads or flight with four or more risers,…
• COnly on commercial stairs, never on a dwelling deck stair
• DOnly when the total rise exceeds 10 feet, at any height the owner prefers

Which set of residential stair dimensions complies with the Virginia Residential Code used with the Virginia USBC?

• A8-1/2-inch risers, 9-inch treads, 1-inch variation in the flight
• BMaximum 8-1/4-inch risers, minimum 9-inch treads, and not more than 3/8 inch variation be…
• C6-inch risers and 8-inch treads with no consistency requirement
• DAny rise-run combination if the sum equals 20 inches

What is the IRC minimum clear width of a residential stairway above the permitted handrail height?

• A24 inches
• B30 inches
• C36 inches
• D44 inches, the same as most commercial exit stairs

Why must corrosion-resistant flashing be installed at a deck ledger attached to a wood-framed dwelling?

• AFlashing is only decorative and may be omitted if the ledger is treated lumber
• BTo prevent water from reaching the house band joist and wall cavity behind the ledger
• CFlashing replaces the need for lag screws or through-bolts
• DFlashing is required only on roofs, never at decks

The total rise from finished grade to a deck walking surface is 52.5 inches. If the stair is built with 7 risers, what is the unit riser height?

• A6.50 inches
• B7.25 inches
• C7.50 inches
• D8.75 inches

A rectangular room is 12 feet by 16 feet with 8-foot walls. Ignoring openings and waste, how many 4-foot by 8-foot drywall sheets are needed for the walls only?

• A8 sheets
• B12 sheets
• C14 sheets
• D24 sheets

In a standard room, which drywall is hung first?

• AThe walls, so the ceiling panels can rest on the wall panels
• BThe ceiling, then the walls, so wall panels support the ceiling edges
• COnly the window wall, because light reveals joints first
• DThe floor, using drywall as underlayment

For a typical single-layer residential drywall job on wood framing, what fastener spacing is consistent with GA-216 practice?

• AScrews at 36 inches on center everywhere, because fewer fasteners hide better
• BAbout 12 inches on center on ceilings and 16 inches on center on walls for screws, unless…
• COne screw in the center of each sheet is enough if construction adhesive is used
• DNails at 24 inches on center on ceilings only

What is Type X gypsum board?

• AA 1/4-inch flexible board used only on curved walls
• BA fire-resistant gypsum panel, commonly 5/8 inch thick, used where a fire-resistance rati…
• CA cement board used as a tile substrate in showers
• DA foil-faced roofing underlayment

Which substrate should be used behind ceramic tile on a shower wall?

• AStandard paper-faced gypsum wallboard
• BMoisture-resistant (green) gypsum board as the sole wet-area tile backer
• CCement board or another tile backer approved for wet areas
• DUntreated plywood with no membrane

A living-room wall will receive a flat latex paint in normal lighting. A hallway with critical side lighting will receive a semi-gloss. Which GA-214 finish levels are the usual match?

• ALevel 1 for the living room and Level 2 for the hallway
• BLevel 4 for typical flat paint in the living room and Level 5 where gloss and critical li…
• CLevel 0 for both rooms if the drywall is Type X
• DLevel 5 is never used in dwellings

A drywall screw is driven correctly when the head is:

• ALeft 1/8 inch above the paper so it can be found later
• BDimpled just below the surface without breaking the face paper
• CDriven until the paper is torn and the gypsum core is pulverized
• DCountersunk through the board into the cavity