Free Practice Questions for DC General Contractor

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Key Facts: DC General Contractor Exam

70%

Passing Score

State Board

80 Q

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

3 hrs

Exam Time

State Board

Not Accepted

NASCLA

State Board

3 years

Experience Required

State Board

District of Columbia requires general contractors to pass a state Business & Law exam. The exam covers DC licensing law, contract law, lien law, bonds, insurance, safety codes, and business management.

Sample DC General Contractor Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the DC General Contractor exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In the District of Columbia, which agency is responsible for issuing general contractor licenses?

A.DC Department of Transportation

B.DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)

C.DC Department of Employment Services

D.DC Office of Planning

Explanation: The DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), formerly the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), is responsible for issuing general contractor licenses in the District of Columbia. Contractors must obtain a Basic Business License (BBL) with the appropriate endorsement.

2How many years of documented construction experience are required to obtain a general contractor license in DC?

A.1 year

B.2 years

C.3 years

D.5 years

Explanation: The District of Columbia requires a minimum of 3 years of documented experience in the construction trade to qualify for a general contractor license. Applicants must provide a documented project history demonstrating their construction management experience.

3What passing score is required on the DC general contractor licensing examinations?

A.60%

B.65%

C.70%

D.75%

Explanation: Candidates must achieve a passing score of 70% on both the trade exam and the business and law exam to qualify for a DC general contractor license. The exams are administered by PSI and are open-book examinations.

4Which testing provider administers the DC general contractor licensing examinations?

A.Prometric

B.Pearson VUE

C.PSI

D.Professional Testing Inc.

Explanation: PSI (formerly Psychological Services Inc.) administers the general contractor licensing examinations in the District of Columbia. Candidates register online at psiexams.com and can schedule both the business and law exam and the trade exam through PSI's testing centers.

5What is the minimum surety bond amount required for a DC general contractor license?

A.$2,500

B.$5,000

C.$10,000

D.$25,000

Explanation: The District of Columbia requires general contractors to post a surety bond of at least $5,000. The bond protects consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.

6What is the total initial fee (application, examination, and license) to obtain a DC general contractor license?

A.$340

B.$540

C.$750

D.$1,000

Explanation: The total initial fees for obtaining a DC general contractor license are approximately $540, which includes the application fee, examination fees, and license issuance fee. These fees are set by the DLCP and may be updated periodically.

7How long is a Basic Business License (BBL) for a general contractor valid in the District of Columbia?

A.1 year

B.2 years or 4 years

C.3 years

D.5 years

Explanation: Basic Business Licenses in DC are valid for either 2 years or 4 years, depending on the license term selected by the customer at the time of application. Effective August 1, 2025, licenses are valid from the date of issuance until the last day of the same month of the renewal period.

8In DC, all subcontractors working in the District are required to:

A.Work under the general contractor's license without their own

B.Obtain their own Basic Business License (BBL)

C.Only register with the federal government

D.File paperwork with the DC Office of Planning

Explanation: In the District of Columbia, all subcontractors are required to obtain their own Basic Business License (BBL). The general contractor's license does not cover subcontractors working on their behalf. Each subcontractor must be independently licensed for their specific trade or construction activity.

9The DC general contractor business and law exam covers which of the following topics?

A.Only federal tax law

B.DC liens, OSHA safety, contracts, and business management

C.Only architectural design principles

D.Only electrical code requirements

Explanation: The DC business and law exam covers a broad range of topics including DC lien laws, OSHA safety regulations, contract law, employment law, and business management. The exam consists of approximately 75 questions with a 3.5-hour time limit and is administered as an open-book exam.

10What minimum general liability insurance coverage is required for DC general contractors?

A.$100,000 per occurrence

B.$300,000 per occurrence

C.$500,000 per occurrence

D.$1,000,000 per occurrence

Explanation: DC requires general contractors to maintain a minimum of $300,000 per occurrence in general liability insurance. This coverage must be maintained continuously while the license is active. Workers' compensation insurance is also required for all contractors with employees.

About the DC General Contractor Exam

The District of Columbia general contractor exam covers state licensing law, construction contract law, mechanics lien law, bonding and insurance requirements, OSHA safety, building codes, project management, and business practices.

Exam sponsor: DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

80 questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

$175

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 65%. estimated first-time pass rate This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs: official exam information

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30%

Business & Law

District of Columbia licensing statutes, contractor law, lien law, bonds, insurance, penalties

25%

Contract Law

Construction contracts, change orders, disputes, subcontractor agreements

20%

Safety & Codes

OSHA requirements, building codes, permits, inspections

15%

Project Management

Scheduling, estimating, supervision, quality control

10%

Financial

Accounting, taxes, payroll, financial statements, insurance

Preparing for the DC General Contractor Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Exam length: 80 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam / certification fees: $175 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
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DC General Contractor: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master District of Columbia's contractor licensing laws and regulations

2Study mechanics lien law — filing deadlines and requirements are heavily tested

3Know bond types: bid bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds

4Review OSHA safety requirements and penalties

5Understand construction contract terms and change order procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the District of Columbia general contractor exam cover?

The DC GC exam covers state contractor licensing law, construction contracts, mechanics lien law, bonding, insurance, OSHA safety, building codes, and business management.

What is the passing score for the DC GC exam?

A minimum score of 70% is required to pass the District of Columbia general contractor licensing exam.

Does District of Columbia accept the NASCLA exam?

District of Columbia does not currently accept the NASCLA accredited exam. You must take the DC-specific contractor licensing exam.

What experience is needed for a District of Columbia contractor license?

District of Columbia typically requires 3 years of verifiable construction experience before applying for a general contractor license.

Free Practice Questions for DC General Contractor

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More From This Family

Key Facts: DC General Contractor Exam

Sample DC General Contractor Practice Questions

About the DC General Contractor Exam

Our practice resources: topics covered

Preparing for the DC General Contractor Exam

What You Need to Know

Using Our Practice Resources

DC General Contractor: Suggested Study Strategy

Frequently Asked Questions