Virginia contractor exam prep for every license
Exam prep for 60 Virginia licenses: contractor classes A, B and C, tradesman licenses for electricians, plumbers, HVAC and gas fitters, and ICC inspector and plans examiner certifications. Pick your license to compare its packages, from online courses to The 1 Package, then check out in one click.
Contractor license classes
Board for Contractors trade classifications for a Class A, B or C license. The designated employee or qualified individual for the firm passes the exam for the classification.
- NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor7 optionsfrom $395
- Commercial Building Contractor (CBC)8 optionsfrom $99.99
- Commercial Improvement Contractor (CIC)8 optionsfrom $79.99
- Residential Building Contractor (RBC)7 optionsfrom $49.99
- Home Improvement Contractor (HIC)8 optionsfrom $99.99
- Concrete Contractor8 optionsfrom $99.99
- Masonry Contractor8 optionsfrom $74.99
- Roofing Contractor8 optionsfrom $89.99
- Floor and Floor Covering Contractor7 optionsfrom $295
- Painting and Wall Covering Contractor7 optionsfrom $39.99
- Tile, Marble, Ceramic and Terrazzo Contractor7 optionsfrom $295
- Swimming Pool Construction Contractor8 optionsfrom $99.99
- Refrigeration Contractor7 optionsfrom $295
- Fire Alarm Systems Contractor2 optionsfrom $545
- Framing Contractor1 optionfrom $595
- Finish Carpentry Contractor2 optionsfrom $145
- Insulation and Weather Stripping Contractor1 optionfrom $1,495
- Marine Facility Contractor2 optionsfrom $795
- Alternative Energy Systems Contractor1 optionfrom $545
- Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating Contractor2 optionsfrom $795
- Billboard Sign Contractor1 optionfrom $195
- Farm Improvement Contractor1 optionfrom $1,545
- Landscape Service Contractor1 optionfrom $695
- Steel Erection Contractor1 optionfrom $695
- Underground Utility and Excavating Contractor1 optionfrom $1,195
- Vessel Contractor1 optionfrom $1,895
Business and law, pre-license and paperwork
The business and law exam, the 8-hour pre-license course, and help with the application and the company filing.
Tradesman licenses
Journeyman and master licenses for electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians and gas fitters, issued through the Board for Contractors tradesman program.
- NASCLA Electrical Contractor9 optionsfrom $295
- Journeyman Electrician33 optionsfrom $39.99
- Master Electrician24 optionsfrom $39.99
- Residential Plumber Tradesman2 optionsfrom $195
- Journeyman Plumber12 optionsfrom $29.99
- Master Plumber7 optionsfrom $29.99
- Residential HVAC Tradesman2 optionsfrom $745
- Journeyman HVAC3 optionsfrom $495
- Master HVAC5 optionsfrom $65
- Journeyman Natural Gas Fitter5 optionsfrom $295
- Master Natural Gas Fitter7 optionsfrom $79.99
- Journeyman Gas Fitter (LP)7 optionsfrom $39.99
- Master Gas Fitter (LP)8 optionsfrom $39.99
Building officials: inspectors and plans examiners
ICC certification exams for code officials. ICC exams are national, so a few Ohio and West Virginia editions are listed with the Virginia ones.
- Residential Energy Inspector / Plans Examiner6 optionsfrom $129
- Commercial Energy Inspector2 optionsfrom $245
- Commercial Energy Plans Examiner1 optionfrom $540
- Building Plans Examiner (B3)6 optionsfrom $295
- Residential Plans Examiner (R3)5 optionsfrom $199
- Electrical Plans Examiner (E3)7 optionsfrom $225
- Mechanical Plans Examiner (M3)5 optionsfrom $295
- Plumbing Plans Examiner (P3)6 optionsfrom $295
- Fire Plans Examiner1 optionfrom $945
- Fire Inspector II1 optionfrom $595
- Commercial Building Inspector (B2)6 optionsfrom $295
- Residential Building Inspector (B1)4 optionsfrom $199
- Commercial Electrical Inspector (E2)7 optionsfrom $225
- Residential Electrical Inspector (E1)3 optionsfrom $295
- Commercial Mechanical Inspector (M2)7 optionsfrom $295
- Commercial Plumbing Inspector (P2)5 optionsfrom $295
- Residential Plumbing Inspector (P1)7 optionsfrom $199
Code books and code courses
Reference books and short courses on the codes the exams are written to.
How do Virginia contractor license classes work?
The class decides how large a job your firm may take. The trade classification on the license decides what kind of work it may do, and each classification has its own exam.
| Class | Single contract | Total in 12 months | Exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class C | $1,000 to under $10,000 | Under $150,000 | 8-hour pre-license course; no PSI exam for most classifications |
| Class B | $10,000 to under $120,000 | $150,000 to under $750,000 | Virginia and general business portions plus the trade exam |
| Class A | $120,000 or more | $750,000 or more | Virginia, general and advanced business portions plus the trade exam |
Limits from section 54.1-1100 of the Code of Virginia. Check the Board for Contractors before applying, since limits and exam requirements change.
Which kind of package should you choose?
Most licenses offer the same building blocks. Prices vary by license because the reference lists differ.
| Package | What you get | Price range | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Practice Exams | timed practice questions online, with explanations | $59.95 to $125 | 6 |
| Online Exam Prep Course | an online course with practice exams you can take on a phone or laptop | $89 to $395 | 44 |
| Pre-Printed Tabs | pre-printed permanent tabs for the reference books, allowed in the exam room | $19.95 to $99.99 | 17 |
| Study Guide and Online Course | the study guide plus the online course | $119.99 | 1 |
| Study Guide and Flash Cards | the study guide with practice exams plus flash cards | $99.95 | 2 |
| Study Guide | the printed study guide with practice exams | $59.95 to $59.99 | 5 |
| Code Book | the printed code book | $19.99 to $65 | 3 |
| Book Package | the reference books the exam is written to, new and unmarked | $129 to $2,244 | 51 |
| Study Guide + NEC with Tabs | the study guide, the National Electrical Code and pre-printed tabs | $249.95 | 4 |
| Study Guide + Calculations + NEC | the study guide, the calculations guide and the National Electrical Code | $279.95 | 4 |
| Super Combo | study guide, calculations guide, flash cards, the NEC and tabs | $349.95 | 4 |
| Jump Start Package | a starter set of books and online practice | $350 to $360 | 7 |
| Complete Package | the books, tabs and course together | $344.99 to $350 | 5 |
| Ultimate Combo | the full study set plus the online test kit | $399.95 | 4 |
| Highlighted and Tabbed Books | the reference books already highlighted and permanently tabbed, ready for the exam room | $225 to $3,094 | 57 |
| Study Package with NEC Course | the study package plus an instructor-led NEC course | $499.95 | 4 |
| Live Virtual Training | live virtual classes with an instructor plus self-study material | $495 to $595 | 23 |
| Books and Courses Rental | the reference books on rental plus the online course, returned after your exam | $325 to $3,684 | 51 |
| Ultimate Rental Package | highlighted and tabbed rental books, the online course and live training | $895 to $4,109 | 21 |
| Licensing Service | help preparing and filing the license application | $295 to $995 | 4 |
| The 1 Package (all-inclusive) | everything: exam prep, books, licensing paperwork and business setup | $2,410 to $4,674 | 16 |
How does buying work?
Find your license
Every license page lists its packages, what each one includes and the price, plus how that exam works.
Pick a package
Start with an online course, get the reference books highlighted and tabbed, or take The 1 Package with the paperwork done for you.
Check out in one click
Buy now opens secure checkout at 1 Exam Prep. Books ship from the fulfillment center and online courses arrive by email.
What do people ask before buying?
Which Virginia license do I need?
The right license depends on the work and the size of the jobs. Contractor firms need a Class A, B or C license with a classification for each trade they perform; individual electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians and gas fitters need a tradesman license; and building inspectors and plans examiners need DHCD certification.
Are the Virginia contractor exams open book?
Yes. The exams PSI runs for the Board for Contractors are open book. You bring your own references, which may be highlighted and permanently tabbed; removable flags and loose notes are not allowed.
Do I need the 8-hour pre-license course?
Yes, for any Class A, B or C contractor license. The course is 8 hours and is taken by a member of responsible management or, for Class A and B, the designated employee.
What do the exams cost?
Contractor exams cost $40 for one portion, $72 for two and $85 for three. Tradesman exams cost $100 for journeyman and $125 for master. Fees are paid to PSI, separately from the board's application fee.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Licensing exam questions are confidential. The courses and practice exams here are original material written to the same subjects and format, with explanations.
Does buying a package register me for the exam?
No. The Board for Contractors, or DHCD for code officials, approves you first; PSI or ICC then schedules the exam. A package gets you ready for the test itself.
How do orders arrive?
Books ship from our fulfillment center, 1 Exam Prep; online courses and practice exams arrive by email after purchase. Rental books go back after your exam.
What is The 1 Package?
The 1 Package is the all-inclusive option for a contractor classification: the exam prep, the reference books, help with the license application and the business setup, in one order.
Sources
- Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)
- Code of Virginia, section 54.1-1100: license classes
- PSI candidate bulletin for the Virginia contractor exams
- DHCD: earn a code official certification
- DPOR Tradesmen program
Licensing facts checked against these pages; last updated . Rules change, so confirm with the board before you apply.
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Find your license above, choose how much help you want, and check out in one click. Books ship from our fulfillment center, 1 Exam Prep, and online courses arrive by email, so you can start the same day. Questions first? Call (877) 775-9400.
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