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298+ Free VA Plumber Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: VA Plumber Exam

75%

Passing Score

PSI: 60 of 80

80

Exam Items

PSI Candidate Information Bulletin

210 min

Time Limit

PSI Candidate Information Bulletin

2021 IPC

Code Reference

PSI Candidate Information Bulletin

Plan for an 80-item, 210-minute open-book PSI examination. A passing score is 60 correct answers (75%). The official outline contains 13 domains: six Virginia licensing-regulation domains and seven technical domains covering DWV, water supply, backflow, storm drainage, fixtures, general regulations, and interceptors and traps.

Sample VA Plumber Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your VA Plumber exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 298+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Virginia tradesman regulations, how soon must a licensed plumber notify the Board for Contractors of a change of address?
A.Within 30 days
B.Within 10 days
C.Within 60 days
D.Only at the next renewal
Explanation: 18VAC50-30-160 requires a licensee to report an address change to the Board in writing within 30 days. Keeping the Board's records current is a licensee responsibility.
2Which code is the technical basis for plumbing questions on the current Virginia journeyman plumber examination?
A.2021 Uniform Plumbing Code
B.2018 International Plumbing Code
C.A stand-alone DPOR plumbing code
D.2021 International Plumbing Code
Explanation: The current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin lists the 2021 International Plumbing Code as the examination reference. Virginia's Construction Code, Part I of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, incorporates the IPC plumbing provisions with Virginia amendments.
3Which statement correctly describes a Virginia tradesman license?
A.It can be transferred to a new employer
B.It can be loaned to another worker on the same project
C.It is not transferable
D.It automatically transfers when a business is sold
Explanation: 18VAC50-30-170 states that no license issued under the tradesman regulations is transferable. The credential belongs to the individual licensee.
4Per the IPC as adopted in Virginia, what is the minimum slope for a 4-inch horizontal drainage pipe?
A.1/16 inch per foot
B.1/2 inch per foot
C.1/4 inch per foot
D.1/8 inch per foot
Explanation: A 4-inch horizontal drainage pipe requires a minimum slope of 1/8 inch per foot. The reduced 1/16-inch-per-foot slope applies only to horizontal drainage piping 8 inches and larger.
5What is the DFU value for a bathtub without a shower per the IPC?
A.2 DFU
B.1 DFU
C.3 DFU
D.4 DFU
Explanation: Per the IPC, a bathtub without a shower has a DFU value of 2. This value is used for sizing drainage and vent piping. A bathtub with a shower attachment typically has the same DFU value.
6Per the IPC, what is the minimum size cleanout required on a 4-inch building drain?
A.2 inches
B.3 inches
C.4 inches (same size as the drain)
D.6 inches
Explanation: The IPC requires cleanouts to be the same nominal size as the pipe they serve, up to 4 inches. For pipes larger than 4 inches, the cleanout must be at least 4 inches. Therefore, a 4-inch building drain requires a 4-inch cleanout.
7For a building sewer smaller than 8 inches, what is the maximum permitted spacing between cleanouts?
A.50 feet
B.75 feet
C.100 feet
D.150 feet
Explanation: A building sewer smaller than 8 inches requires cleanouts at intervals not exceeding 100 feet. For building sewers 8 inches and larger, manholes are required: the first must be within 200 feet of the building-drain/building-sewer junction, with later manholes at intervals not exceeding 400 feet.
8Under IPC Table 710.1(2), what is the maximum fixture-unit load for a 2-inch drainage stack serving more than three branch intervals?
A.10 DFU
B.16 DFU
C.20 DFU
D.24 DFU
Explanation: IPC Table 710.1(2) permits a 2-inch stack serving more than three branch intervals to carry 24 drainage fixture units. The table separately limits a 2-inch stack serving three branch intervals or fewer to 10 DFU.
9Which fitting is permitted for connecting a horizontal drainage branch to a horizontal building drain?
A.A sanitary tee on its back
B.A short-radius quarter bend
C.A vent tee
D.A wye or combination wye-and-eighth bend
Explanation: A horizontal drainage branch entering another horizontal drainage pipe must use a wye, combination wye-and-eighth bend, or another fitting of equivalent sweep. A sanitary tee is not laid on its back for this drainage connection.
10What is the minimum building-drain size for two private flush-tank water closets and two lavatories?
A.3 inches
B.2 inches
C.4 inches
D.6 inches
Explanation: The two private flush-tank water closets contribute 3 DFU each and the two lavatories contribute 1 DFU each, for 8 DFU. More importantly, a drain receiving a water closet cannot be smaller than 3 inches, so a 3-inch building drain is the minimum.

About the VA Plumber Exam

Virginia's journeyman plumber examination is delivered by PSI after Board for Contractors approval. The current open-book examination contains 80 items, allows 210 minutes and requires 60 correct answers. Technical questions use the 2021 International Plumbing Code together with Virginia's adopted plumbing-code framework and amendments.

Questions

80 scored questions

Time Limit

210 minutes (3.5 hours)

Passing Score

75% (60 of 80)

Exam Fee

$100 (Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR), with testing delivered by PSI)

VA Plumber Exam Content Outline

3 items (3.75%)

Standards of Practice

Virginia license responsibilities, designation changes, address records and nontransferability

2 items (2.5%)

Standards of Conduct

Prohibited acts, permit and inspection duties, reporting obligations and license use

2 items (2.5%)

Renewal and Reinstatement

Three-year renewal, plumbing continuing education, late renewal and reinstatement

1 item (1.25%)

Definitions

Virginia regulatory definitions for journeyman, master and related license terms

1 item (1.25%)

Qualification for Licensure

Education-and-experience pathways and examination eligibility

1 item (1.25%)

Revocation of Licensure

Grounds for discipline and authorized Board remedies

24 items (30%)

Drainage, Waste and Vents

Fixture units, pipe sizing, slopes, cleanouts, drainage fittings, traps, vent sizing and vent termination

10 items (12.5%)

Water Supply Systems

Water-service and distribution sizing, pressure, materials, hot water and water-heater safety

10 items (12.5%)

Backflow Prevention

Cross-connections, air gaps, vacuum breakers, testable assemblies and high-hazard protection

10 items (12.5%)

Storm Drainage Systems

Roof area, rainfall sizing, conductors, secondary systems, scuppers and controlled-flow drainage

7 items (8.75%)

Plumbing Fixtures

Fixture counts, clearances, accessibility, flow limits, temperature control and installation

5 items (6.25%)

General Regulations

2021 IPC references, materials, support, joints and water-heater protection

4 items (5%)

Interceptors and Traps

Trap seals, fixture traps, floor drains and interceptors

How to Pass the VA Plumber Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% (60 of 80)
  • Exam length: 80 questions
  • Time limit: 210 minutes (3.5 hours)
  • Exam fee: $100

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VA Plumber Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use the current PSI outline: Drainage, Waste and Vents is the largest domain at 24 of 80 items
2Practice navigating the 2021 IPC quickly because the examination is open-book but time-limited
3Do not ignore licensing law: the six Virginia regulation domains account for 10 of 80 items
4Master the separate water-supply, backflow and storm-drainage tables and Virginia amendments
5Check every permitted reference and tabbing rule against the latest PSI Candidate Information Bulletin
6Simulate the real pace with 80 questions in 210 minutes and target comfortably above 60 correct answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current Virginia journeyman plumber exam format?

The July 23, 2026 PSI Candidate Information Bulletin lists 80 items, 210 minutes and a passing score of 60 correct answers (75%).

What plumbing code does the Virginia exam use?

The current PSI bulletin lists the 2021 International Plumbing Code. In practice, candidates should also understand the Virginia Plumbing Code and its state amendments and should use only references allowed by the current bulletin.

How much does the Virginia plumber exam cost?

PSI lists a $100 fee for the journeyman plumber examination. That is separate from the DPOR application and license fee, which the Virginia application effective July 1, 2026 lists as $171.75 including the technology fee.

Is the Virginia plumber exam open-book?

Yes. The PSI bulletin allows specified reference materials. Permanent tabs are allowed, but written notes and study guides are not allowed in the testing area; always review the current bulletin before testing.