Virginia Contractor Building Technical Exam

Requirements to Obtaining your License

The Virginia Building Technical Exam is required to be passed if you are applying for the Building clasification.

• The Virginia Contractor Building Technical examination is required for anyone who wants to perform framing work on new construction.
• In addition, an 8 Hour Pre-Licensing Course is required to be completed to become licensed as a contractor.
• A Virginia Class A, B, or C license is required to be obtained along with passing this exam.
• Those perform work on home improvement, commercial improvement, and/or farm improvement are not required to pass this exam.
  

Work that can be Done Under this License

This type of contractor includes construction on real property owned, controlled or leased by another person of commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, residential (single-family,two-family, or multi-family) and accessory use buildings or structures. This license also allows remodeling, repair, improvement or demolition of these buildings & structures.

Applying to get your License

Applications for licensure can be obtained from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation State Board for Contractors by calling 1-804-367-8511.

Reciprocity Agreements

As of this time, there is no reciprocal licensing.

Continuing Education

There are no continuing education requirements as of this time.

Exam Details

• The Building Technical exam has 80 questions and a time limit of 160 minutes.
• A 70% is required to pass.
• Fees for the exams are $35 for the 1st portion, $65 for 2 portions, $75 for 3 portions, or $85 if you are taking 4 portions. For example, to obtain a Class B license, you would have to sit for 2 portions and the building technical exam would add a 3rd portion.
• Topics on the Examination include layout; excavation; foundations; framing; insulation; ventilation; windows, doors and skylights; exterior; decks, walks and ramps; finishing; masonry; swimming pools and hot tubs; prints, plans, and specifications; safety and employee protection; construction debris; cleanup and disposal.
• To schedule your exam, contact PSI at 1-800-733-9267.

Books and References for the Exam

The following references are permitted to be taken into the examination. These references may be tabbed (with a permanent index tab) and highlighted. They are available for purchase from our online contractor’s bookstore.

• 2009 International Residential Code
• Carpentry and Building Construction
• OSHA Code of Federal Regulations Part 1926

Exam Review, Training, Education

We offer review for the Virginia Building Contractor Technical Examination in a home study/online course format. The fee for the online class is $149. The program takes you through each one of the reference books that the exam is based on showing you exactly what to highlight. After your highlighting is completed with each book, you have the option take an online practice test to reinforce concepts presented. Also, there is an extensive math and plans analysis portion. The program narrated and animated. For more information, or to order, contact our office at 1-800-952-0910.