PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

100+ Free VA STL QI Practice Questions

Prepare for the Virginia Steel Erection Qualified Individual Examination exam with instant access — no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
100+ Questions
100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Virginia Board for Contractors Examinations

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

Virginia Alternative Energy Systems Qualified Individual Examination

Practice Questions

Virginia Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating Qualified Individual Examination

Practice Questions

Virginia Billboard/Sign Contracting Qualified Individual Examination

Practice Questions

Virginia Class A Designated Employee Examination

Practice Questions

Virginia Class B Designated Employee Examination

Practice Questions

Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor Qualified Individual Examination

Practice Questions
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: VA STL QI Exam

USD 85

PSI QI Specialty Fee

DPOR Board for Contractors / PSI Specialty CIB

Open Book

Book Policy

PSI Specialty CIB

STL

Official Specialty Abbreviation

18VAC50-22-30

QI exam required

Technical Examination

DPOR A501-27EXINFO 09/01/2025

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

Sample VA STL QI Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your VA STL 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 steel erection contracting specialty (STL) authorize?
A.Fabrication and erection of structural steel shapes and plates used as structural members or tanks, including related riveting, welding, and rigging, plus rebar and post-tensioning to reinforce concrete
B.Only shop fabrication of ornamental iron, handrails, and miscellaneous metals with no field erection
C.Installation of electrical service, plumbing, and HVAC systems that attach to a steel frame
D.Excavation, forming, and finishing of cast-in-place concrete only, with no steel handling
Explanation: 18VAC50-22-30 defines STL as fabrication and erection of structural steel shapes and plates, regardless of shape or size, to be used as structural members, or tanks, including any related riveting, welding, and rigging. The specialty also includes fabrication, placement, and tying of steel reinforcing bars (rods) and post-tensioning to reinforce concrete buildings and structures.
2What official abbreviation does 18VAC50-22-30 assign to steel erection contracting?
A.SEC
B.IRO
C.STL
D.STR
Explanation: The Board for Contractors regulation writes the specialty as "Steel erection contracting" (Abbr: STL). Candidates should match the abbreviation printed on a Virginia contractor license to this definition.
3Besides an STL specialty, which Virginia license classifications and specialties also provide steel erection functions under 18VAC50-22-30?
A.ELE, PLB, and HVA only
B.CBC, RBC, and H/H classifications, and the HIC and CIC specialties
C.ASB, LAC, and DLR only
D.WWP and ADS only
Explanation: The STL definition states that the CBC, RBC, and H/H classifications and the HIC and CIC specialties also provide this function. A firm holding one of those broader classifications or specialties may perform steel erection work without a separate STL designation.
4Does the Virginia STL specialty include fabrication, placement, and tying of steel reinforcing bars?
A.No; rebar work is exclusive to the masonry (BRK) specialty
B.Only if the bars are stainless steel
C.Only shop cutting of bars, never field placement
D.Yes; 18VAC50-22-30 expressly includes fabrication, placement, and tying of steel reinforcing bars (rods)
Explanation: The STL definition states that the specialty includes the fabrication, placement and tying of steel reinforcing bars (rods). Rebar for concrete buildings and structures is therefore inside the Qualified Individual's STL scope, along with structural steel and tanks.
5A Virginia STL contractor is asked to install and stress post-tensioning tendons in a concrete parking structure. Is that work inside the STL specialty?
A.No; post-tensioning is reserved to licensed professional engineers only
B.Yes; 18VAC50-22-30 includes post-tensioning to reinforce concrete buildings and structures
C.Only if the tendons are unbonded; bonded systems are outside STL
D.Only if no hydraulic jack is used
Explanation: The STL specialty expressly includes post-tensioning to reinforce concrete buildings and structures. The Qualified Individual is expected to know PT layout, stressing, and safety as part of the trade exam, even though design of the system remains the engineer's responsibility.
6Which of the following is inside Virginia STL scope under 18VAC50-22-30?
A.Erection of welded steel storage tanks from structural plates
B.Installation of a new electrical service meter
C.Interior finish painting of drywall
D.Construction of a conventional septic drainfield
Explanation: STL covers fabrication and erection of structural steel shapes and plates used as structural members or tanks, including related welding and rigging. A welded steel storage tank is therefore within specialty scope. Electrical service, drywall finishing, and sewage systems belong to other classifications.
7Which activity is outside the Virginia STL specialty even when it occurs on a steel-framed building?
A.Field welding of a column splice
B.Rigging a wide-flange beam into place
C.Installing and connecting the building's plumbing waste and vent system
D.Tying Grade 60 reinforcing bars in a concrete slab on metal deck
Explanation: STL includes related welding, rigging, and rebar, but it does not confer plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or gas-fitting authority. Installing a waste-and-vent system requires the plumbing classification even if the building is a steel frame.
8What fee does the Virginia Board for Contractors list for a Qualified Individual specialty examination, including Steel Erection (STL), paid to PSI?
A.USD 40
B.USD 72
C.USD 85
D.USD 250
Explanation: DPOR's Board for Contractors exam-fee table lists USD 85 for a QI specialty examination. The same USD 85 figure also applies to a three-portion exam sitting; one portion is USD 40 and two portions are USD 72. The fee is paid directly to PSI, not to DPOR with the license application.
9A firm already holds a Virginia Class A commercial building contractor (CBC) license. Does that firm still need a separate STL specialty to fabricate and erect structural steel?
A.Yes; STL is exclusive and no other classification may erect steel
B.No; 18VAC50-22-30 states that the CBC classification also provides the steel erection function
C.Only if the project is a single-story warehouse
D.Only if the steel is imported
Explanation: The STL definition ends by stating that the CBC, RBC, and H/H classifications and the HIC and CIC specialties also provide this function. A CBC licensee may therefore perform steel erection without adding STL, although a firm that only holds STL may not perform the broader building work reserved to CBC.
10Under 18VAC50-22-30, which related operations are included when an STL contractor fabricates and erects structural steel or tanks?
A.Only shop painting and galvanizing
B.Only delivery of steel to the curb
C.Related riveting, welding, and rigging
D.Only rental of a mobile crane to another trade
Explanation: The definition includes any related riveting, welding, and rigging with the fabrication and erection of structural steel shapes, plates, and tanks. Those support operations stay inside STL when they serve the steel or tank work.

About the VA STL QI Exam

The Virginia Steel Erection Qualified Individual Examination is the official PSI technical examination for the STL specialty. 18VAC50-22-30 defines the specialty as fabrication and erection of structural steel shapes and plates used as structural members or tanks, including riveting, welding, and rigging, plus fabrication, placement, and tying of reinforcing bars and post-tensioning. 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 STL specialty. Official 18VAC50-22-30 scope: fabrication and erection of structural steel shapes and plates used as structural members or tanks, including riveting, welding, and rigging, plus fabrication, placement, and tying of reinforcing bars and post-tensioning.

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 STL QI Exam Content Outline

study

STL Scope

STL Scope within the official STL specialty definition

study

Structural Steel

Structural Steel within the official STL specialty definition

study

Reinforcing Steel

Reinforcing Steel within the official STL specialty definition

study

Tanks and Rigging

Tanks and Rigging within the official STL specialty definition

study

Jobsite Safety

Jobsite Safety within the official STL specialty definition

How to Pass the VA STL 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 STL specialty. Official 18VAC50-22-30 scope: fabrication and erection of structural steel shapes and plates used as structural members or tanks, including riveting, welding, and rigging, plus fabrication, placement, and tying of reinforcing bars and post-tensioning.
  • 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 STL QI Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study the official 18VAC50-22-30 STL 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 STL 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 STL 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 STL specialty cover?

18VAC50-22-30 defines this specialty as fabrication and erection of structural steel shapes and plates used as structural members or tanks, including riveting, welding, and rigging, plus fabrication, placement, and tying of reinforcing bars and post-tensioning.

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.