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100+ Free VA CIC QI Practice Questions

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Key Facts: VA CIC QI Exam

USD 85

PSI QI Specialty Fee

DPOR Board for Contractors / PSI Specialty CIB

Open Book

Book Policy

PSI Specialty CIB

CIC

Official Specialty Abbreviation

18VAC50-22-30

QI exam required

Technical Examination

DPOR A501-27EXINFO 09/01/2025

Virginia Commercial Improvement Contracting Qualified Individual Examination is the official DPOR/PSI specialty exam for the CIC specialty (18VAC50-22-30). PSI fee is USD 85. Official item count is on the PSI specialty outline.

Sample VA CIC QI Practice Questions

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

1Under 18VAC50-22-30, what work does Virginia's Commercial Improvement Contracting (CIC) specialty authorize?
A.Repair or improvement to structures that are not dwellings or townhouses as defined in the USBC
B.Construction of new commercial, industrial, and accessory buildings from a vacant lot
C.Repair or improvement only to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses
D.Any electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting work inside a commercial building
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-30 defines CIC as the service that provides for repair or improvement to structures not defined as dwellings and townhouses in the USBC. The CBC classification also provides that function. CIC is an improvement specialty on existing non-dwelling structures, not a new-building classification.
2A 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?
A.CIC covers the project because the finished building will be commercial
B.CIC does not provide for construction of new buildings; a CBC classification is required
C.CIC covers the shell, but HIC is required for the interior finishes
D.CIC covers the project if no electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work is self-performed
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-30 states that the CIC specialty does not provide for the construction of new buildings or accessory buildings. Building type alone does not convert new construction into improvement work. New commercial building construction is a CBC function.
3Which Virginia contractor classification also provides the commercial improvement function that CIC covers?
A.Residential Building Contractor (RBC)
B.Home Improvement Contracting (HIC)
C.Commercial Building Contractor (CBC)
D.Farm Improvement Contracting (FIC)
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-30 states that the CBC classification also provides for the CIC function. CBC is the broader commercial building classification and includes remodeling and improvement of commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings. RBC and HIC are dwelling/townhouse classifications, not commercial improvement substitutes.
4An 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?
A.The partitions, drywall, paint, carpet, and the rooftop HVAC unit
B.Only the drywall, because partitions and flooring require separate specialties
C.The partitions, drywall, paint, and carpet, but not the HVAC work
D.Nothing, because tenant improvements require a CBC classification
Explanation: CIC may repair or improve existing commercial structures, and 18VAC50-22-30 lists drywall, framing, painting, and flooring as functions also provided by CIC. HVAC is expressly excluded from CIC. The project is an improvement of an existing office, so CBC is not required for the architectural finish work.
5A 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?
A.Accept the plumbing work because it is an improvement to an existing commercial building
B.Decline the plumbing work because CIC does not provide plumbing
C.Accept the fixture swap but decline only the supply-piping work
D.Accept the work if a Class A license is held, regardless of specialty
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-30 states that CIC does not provide for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work. The commercial-improvement setting does not expand CIC into the plumbing classification. Fixture replacement and supply piping are plumbing functions that require a properly classified plumbing contractor.
6A homeowner wants kitchen cabinets, interior paint, and vinyl flooring replaced in a single-family dwelling in Henrico County. Which specialty is the correct fit?
A.Commercial Improvement Contracting (CIC)
B.Commercial Building Contractor (CBC)
C.Home Improvement Contracting (HIC)
D.Farm Improvement Contracting (FIC)
Explanation: HIC provides repairs or improvements to dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC, or structures annexed to those dwellings or townhouses. CIC and CBC do not cover dwelling and townhouse improvement. A single-family kitchen remodel is a classic HIC (or RBC) project.
7A townhouse association wants damaged siding and interior drywall repaired after a storm. Why is CIC the wrong specialty?
A.Townhouses are dwellings/townhouses under the USBC, so the work is HIC or RBC territory
B.Storm repairs are emergency work that requires no contractor specialty
C.Siding and drywall are electrical-related finishes reserved to the ELE classification
D.CIC can do the drywall but never exterior siding on any building type
Explanation: CIC applies to structures that are not dwellings or townhouses as defined in the USBC. HIC expressly covers repairs or improvements to dwellings and townhouses, and RBC also provides that function. The building type, not the storm cause, controls the specialty.
8Which of the following is expressly outside the CIC specialty under 18VAC50-22-30?
A.Painting the interior of an existing warehouse
B.Installing a new branch circuit and panelboard in an existing office
C.Replacing storefront glass in an existing retail space
D.Repairing the roof membrane on an existing school
Explanation: CIC does not provide electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work. Painting, glass and glazing, and roofing are functions that 18VAC50-22-30 also assigns to CIC on eligible existing structures. A new branch circuit and panelboard are electrical work reserved to the ELE classification.
9A 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?
A.Yes, because accessory buildings are included in the CIC definition
B.Yes, if the storage building is smaller than 256 square feet
C.No, because CIC does not provide for construction of new buildings or accessory buildings
D.No, because accessory buildings may be built only under the HIC specialty
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-30 states that CIC does not provide for the construction of new buildings or accessory buildings. A new detached storage building is new construction, even if it serves an existing store. CBC is the classification that includes accessory-use commercial buildings.
10A four-story apartment building that is not a USBC dwelling or townhouse needs corridor carpet and paint. Which statement is correct?
A.Only HIC may perform the work because people live in the building
B.CIC may perform the work because the building is not a dwelling or townhouse as defined in the USBC
C.Only RBC may perform the work because the occupancy is residential
D.CIC is limited to offices and retail and may never work in multifamily buildings
Explanation: CIC covers repair or improvement to structures not defined as dwellings and townhouses in the USBC. One- and two-family dwellings and townhouses are the HIC/RBC building types. 18VAC50-22-20 lists multifamily housing among the commercial-building functions CBC also covers, which is consistent with treating a multifamily apartment building as a non-dwelling/townhouse structure for CIC improvement work.

About the VA CIC QI Exam

The Virginia Commercial Improvement Contracting Qualified Individual Examination is the official PSI technical examination for the CIC specialty. 18VAC50-22-30 defines the specialty as repair or improvement to structures not defined as dwellings and townhouses in the USBC. CIC does not provide for construction of new buildings, accessory buildings, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work. 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 CIC specialty. Official 18VAC50-22-30 scope: repair or improvement to structures not defined as dwellings and townhouses in the USBC. CIC does not provide for construction of new buildings, accessory buildings, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work.

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

70% (35 of 50 correct)

Exam Fee

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

VA CIC QI Exam Content Outline

study

CIC Scope

CIC Scope within the official CIC specialty definition

study

Commercial Finishes

Commercial Finishes within the official CIC specialty definition

study

Windows and Doors

Windows and Doors within the official CIC specialty definition

study

Envelope Repairs

Envelope Repairs within the official CIC specialty definition

study

Jobsite Safety

Jobsite Safety within the official CIC specialty definition

How to Pass the VA CIC QI Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% (35 of 50 correct)
  • Assessment: Computer-based open-book multiple-choice Qualified Individual examination for the CIC specialty. Official 18VAC50-22-30 scope: repair or improvement to structures not defined as dwellings and townhouses in the USBC. CIC does not provide for construction of new buildings, accessory buildings, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work.
  • Time limit: 120 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 CIC QI Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study the official 18VAC50-22-30 CIC specialty definition
2Use the PSI specialty content outline and listed references
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 CIC Qualified Individual exam?

The DPOR-approved PSI specialty content outline lists 50 scored questions, 120 minutes, and a minimum passing score of 70% (35 of 50 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 CIC 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 CIC specialty cover?

18VAC50-22-30 defines this specialty as repair or improvement to structures not defined as dwellings and townhouses in the USBC. CIC does not provide for construction of new buildings, accessory buildings, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work.

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.