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100+ Free VA CBC QI Practice Questions

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Key Facts: VA CBC QI Exam

USD 85

PSI QI Specialty Fee

DPOR Board for Contractors / PSI Specialty CIB

Open Book

Book Policy

PSI Specialty CIB

CBC

Official Classification Abbreviation

18VAC50-22-20

QI exam required

Technical Examination

DPOR A501-27EXINFO 09/01/2025

Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor QI Examination is the official DPOR/PSI specialty exam for the CBC classification (18VAC50-22-20). PSI fee is USD 85. Official item count is on the PSI specialty outline.

Sample VA CBC QI Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your VA CBC QI exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Virginia Board for Contractors regulations, which work is within the Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) classification?
A.Construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, or demolition of commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings or structures
B.Construction and repair of dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC, including their accessory buildings
C.Installation of electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and gas-fitting systems in any occupancy
D.Highway, bridge, runway, and public-utility construction only
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-20 defines CBC contractors as those whose contracts include construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, or demolition of commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings or structures. That classification is the Board’s commercial building license, not a residential or trade-license substitute. Highway/heavy work is a separate H/H classification.
2A Virginia CBC contractor is building a two-story medical office. Which trade work is outside the CBC classification and requires a separate trade license?
A.Placing the building’s structural concrete foundations
B.Installing the low-slope roof membrane
C.Erecting the masonry exterior walls
D.Installing the building’s HVAC equipment and ductwork
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-20 states that CBC does not provide electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas-fitting services. Structural concrete, masonry, and roofing are among the specialty functions CBC includes on commercial buildings. The HVAC installation must be performed by a properly classified HVAC contractor.
3Which project is outside the Virginia CBC classification because of the USBC occupancy of the building?
A.A new warehouse on an industrial park site
B.Remodeling a county courthouse
C.Construction of a detached single-family dwelling as defined in the USBC
D.An addition to a public school classroom wing
Explanation: CBC does not allow construction, repair, or improvement of dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC. Those buildings are the RBC classification. Warehouses, governmental buildings, and institutional school buildings are within the CBC occupancy list of commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use structures.
4How does the Virginia RBC classification differ from CBC?
A.RBC covers dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC, including accessory buildings on that property, and does not cover commercial, industrial, institutional, or governmental structures outside those dwellings and townhouses
B.RBC and CBC are interchangeable; either license may build any occupancy
C.RBC covers only electrical and plumbing work in houses
D.RBC is limited to commercial tenant fit-outs and cannot touch dwellings
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-20 defines RBC as construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, or demolition of dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC, including accessory buildings on that property. RBC does not provide electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting and does not allow work on commercial, industrial, institutional, or governmental structures outside those dwellings and townhouses. CBC is the matching commercial classification and does not cover USBC dwellings and townhouses.
5A developer asks a Virginia CBC contractor to build a four-story apartment building with many dwelling units. Is that building within CBC?
A.No, any building with dwelling units requires only an RBC license
B.Yes, but only if each unit is sold as a townhouse
C.No, apartments may be built only by a Home Improvement Contracting (HIC) specialty
D.Yes, the CBC classification includes multifamily housing with its listed commercial specialty functions
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-20 states that the commercial building classification includes the listed specialty functions for commercial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings or structures, including multifamily housing. A four-story apartment building is typically a Group R-2 occupancy under the USBC/IBC family of codes, not a USBC dwelling or townhouse. HIC is a residential improvement specialty, not a new multifamily building license.
6A new 80-room hotel is proposed. Under the USBC occupancy system, how should a Virginia CBC candidate classify that building for licensing scope?
A.As a USBC dwelling, so only RBC may build it
B.As a home-improvement project under HIC
C.As an agricultural building that needs no contractor classification
D.As a transient residential occupancy (typically Group R-1), which is commercial/CBC work rather than a dwelling or townhouse
Explanation: Hotels and motels are transient residential occupancies, commonly Group R-1 in the IBC/USBC family. They are not dwellings or townhouses as defined for Virginia Residential Code / Group R-5 work. CBC covers commercial, institutional, and governmental buildings, so a hotel is a CBC project. HIC cannot construct a new hotel.
7A client wants a new three-story townhouse row built under the Virginia Residential Code. Which classification covers that work?
A.CBC, because any attached housing is multifamily commercial work
B.Highway/Heavy, because the units share party walls
C.CIC only, because townhouses are a commercial improvement
D.RBC, because townhouses as defined in the USBC are residential building work, not CBC
Explanation: Virginia’s USBC treats detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses, generally not more than three stories with a separate means of egress, as Group R-5 work under the Virginia Residential Code. 18VAC50-22-20 assigns dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC to RBC and expressly keeps them out of CBC. Attached townhouses are not the same as multifamily apartment buildings.
8Which USBC occupancy is a CBC building rather than an RBC dwelling or townhouse?
A.A detached two-family dwelling (duplex) under the Virginia Residential Code
B.An accessory garage serving only a single-family dwelling
C.A one-story townhouse with a separate means of egress
D.A Group B business occupancy such as a two-story professional office
Explanation: Group B business occupancies such as offices are commercial buildings and fall under CBC. Duplexes and townhouses under the Virginia Residential Code, and accessory buildings on dwelling property, are RBC work. Occupancy classification, not the number of stories alone, is what splits CBC from RBC.
9A firm holds only the Commercial Improvement Contracting (CIC) specialty, not CBC. Which project may that firm perform?
A.Construction of a new 10,000-square-foot retail building
B.Installation of a new HVAC system in a store
C.Construction of a new accessory storage building behind a warehouse
D.Repair and interior improvement of an existing office building that is not a USBC dwelling or townhouse
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-30 defines CIC as repair or improvement to structures not defined as dwellings and townhouses in the USBC. CBC also provides that function. CIC does not provide construction of new buildings or accessory buildings and does not provide electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work. A CIC-only firm may remodel the existing office but may not build the new retail building.
10A CBC contractor is installing a commercial industrialized building. Which related mechanical or electrical task is within the industrialized-building function that CBC includes?
A.Installing a new electric service meter for the building
B.Installing the outdoor condensing unit for the HVAC system
C.Completing internal tie-ins of the module’s plumbing, gas, electrical, and HVAC systems
D.Extending new gas piping to a future kitchen that is not part of the factory module tie-in
Explanation: The industrialized building specialty, which CBC also provides, covers installation or removal of an industrialized building, foundation work under the USBC, and internal tie-ins of plumbing, gas, electrical, and HVAC systems. It does not allow installing additional plumbing, gas, electrical, or HVAC work such as the service meter or the outdoor HVAC compressor. Extra site utilities still require the proper trade classification.

About the VA CBC QI Exam

The Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor Qualified Individual Examination is the official PSI technical examination for the CBC classification. 18VAC50-22-20 defines CBC as contracts for commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings. The PSI specialty examination fee is USD 85. The examination is open book. Official scored item count, time, and passing score appear on the PSI specialty content outline. This bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation. It does not replace required trade experience, pre-license education, board approval, or the official examination.

Assessment

Computer-based open-book multiple-choice Qualified Individual examination for the Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) classification. Official 18VAC50-22-20 scope: commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings. CBC does not provide electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting and does not cover dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC.

Time Limit

180 minutes

Passing Score

70% (56 of 80 correct)

Exam Fee

USD 85 (PSI Services (for the Virginia Board for Contractors / DPOR))

VA CBC QI Exam Content Outline

study

CBC Scope and USBC

Official CBC classification limits versus RBC and specialty-only licenses

study

Structural Systems

Commercial foundations, concrete, masonry, and steel concepts

study

Building Envelope

Commercial roofing, waterproofing, and exterior assemblies

study

Interior Improvement

CIC-type commercial finish and improvement work included in CBC

study

Sitework

Commercial site, accessibility concepts, and related civil work

study

Jobsite Safety

OSHA 29 CFR 1926 practices for commercial building work

How to Pass the VA CBC QI Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% (56 of 80 correct)
  • Assessment: Computer-based open-book multiple-choice Qualified Individual examination for the Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) classification. Official 18VAC50-22-20 scope: commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings. CBC does not provide electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting and does not cover dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC.
  • Time limit: 180 minutes
  • Exam fee: USD 85

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VA CBC QI Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study the official 18VAC50-22-20 CBC classification definition and its included specialties
2Use the PSI specialty content outline and listed references, including the Virginia USBC
3Permanent tabs are allowed in listed code books; study guides are not permitted in the PSI center
4This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Virginia CBC Qualified Individual exam?

The DPOR-approved PSI specialty content outline lists 80 scored questions, 180 minutes, and a minimum passing score of 70% (56 of 80 correct). PSI may also administer 5 to 10 unscored experimental items. Those numbers are published on the individual specialty content outline linked from the Contractor Specialty Examination CIB, not in the main bulletin.

How much does the Virginia CBC QI exam cost?

PSI charges USD 85 for a Qualified Individual specialty examination (DPOR Board for Contractors page and PSI Specialty CIB).

What work does a Virginia CBC classification cover?

18VAC50-22-20 defines commercial building contractors as those whose contracts include construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, or demolition of commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings. CBC does not include electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting and does not cover dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC.

Is this practice bank the official PSI exam?

No. This is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation. It is not an official translation, format simulation, or substitute for the PSI examination or required field experience.