Contractor License Exam Prep
Contractor license exam prep, required books, online courses, and custom training for Virginia license classifications.
Exam Prep Overview
Contractor license exams reward more than trade experience. The right plan helps you understand the application sequence, organize approved references, practice open-book navigation, and choose the prep format that matches the license you are pursuing.
American Contractors Exam Services can help match your Virginia license path to seminars, online classes, required books, practice exams, or custom training so you are not guessing when it is time to apply, study, or schedule the exam.
State Licensing Overview
Find contractor license exam prep resources for Virginia, including Class A, B, C courses, required books, application support, and custom training options.
Virginia contractor licensing requirements depend on the license classification, project value, and trade. Use this page to match the license path you are pursuing with available seminars, required books, online classes, and application support.
State licensing rules change over time. Treat this page as a prep guide and verify application, exam, and renewal requirements with the licensing board before filing or bidding work.
License Classifications
Use these rows to jump into the matching prep path. Final classification scope should always be verified with the board before bidding or applying.
| Class | License Path | Typical Scope | Price | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RESIDENTIAL | Virginia Residential | Available imported products, books, or training paths for this license category. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| COMMERCIAL | Virginia Commercial | Available imported products, books, or training paths for this license category. | $445.00 | Prep options |
| ELECTRICAL | Virginia Electrical | Available imported products, books, or training paths for this license category. | $795.00 | Prep options |
| HVAC MECHANICAL | Virginia HVAC and Mechanical | Available imported products, books, or training paths for this license category. | $445.00 | Prep options |
| PLUMBING | Virginia Plumbing | Available imported products, books, or training paths for this license category. | $445.00 | Prep options |
| LOW VOLTAGE FIRE | Virginia Low Voltage and Fire | Available imported products, books, or training paths for this license category. | Custom | Prep options |
| SPECIALTY TRADES | Virginia Specialty Trades | Available imported products, books, or training paths for this license category. | $445.00 | Prep options |
Exam Details
Most contractor licensing exams test both business/law knowledge and trade-specific knowledge. Open-book exams reward fast reference navigation, tabs, index practice, and repeated timed drills.
| Business/Law | Commonly required for new contractor applicants |
|---|---|
| Trade exam | Depends on classification |
| Reference strategy | Use approved books only and practice finding answers quickly |
Application Walkthrough
Match your trade and project scope to the state classification before buying books or filing paperwork.
Most boards require experience, entity information, insurance, references, financial documentation, or a qualifying agent.
Choose a seminar, webinar, online course, books, or practice exams based on the approved reference list.
File with the board and wait for authorization or approval before scheduling if required.
Use the testing vendor named by the board and bring only approved materials.
Track renewal, monetary limits, insurance, and continuing education requirements after issuance.
Seminars
American Contractors Exam Services offers in-person classroom seminars and live instructor-led webinars for Virginia contractor license exams. In-person classes are the best fit when you want focused time away from the jobsite, direct instructor feedback, hands-on reference-book navigation, tabbing guidance, and timed practice before test day. Choose your license class below to review dates and register.
License Category
The A or B license sets the monetary limit for which you will be allowed to bid. It covers all specialty categories in which your job would be over $120,000.00 for class A, and $10,000.00 up to $120,000.00 for class B.The Building Technical exam is required for any new construction. Individual whose contracts include 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.
Home Improvement Contracting means that service which provides for repairs or improvements to one-family and two-family residential buildings or structures annexed to real property. The RBC classification also provides this function. The HIC specialty does not provide for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting functions. It does not include high rise buildings, buildings with more than two dwelling units, or new construction functions beyond the existing building structure other than decks, patios, driveways and utility out buildings.
Residential Building Contractor (RBC) means those individuals whose contracts include construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, or demolition on real property owned, controlled, or leased by another person of dwellings and townhouses, as defined in the USBC, including accessory buildings or structures on such property. The RBC classification does not provide for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting services and does not allow construction, repair, or improvement, to commercial, industrial, institutional, or governmental use structures outside of dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC. The residential building classification includes but is not limited to the functions carried out by the following specialties for contracts of dwellings and townhouses, as defined by the USBC, and related accessory use buildings or structures: Concrete contracting Masonry contracting, Home improvement contracting, Painting and Wallcovering contracting, Industrialized Building contracting, Roofing contracting, Landscape Service contracting, and Swimming Pool contracting.
License Category
This license sets the monetary limit for which you will be allowed to bid and complete projects. It covers all specialty categories in which the job would be over $120,000.00 for class A, or for jobs $10,000.00 up to $120,000.00 for class B. This license covers many specialty categories excluding Building Construction.
Commercial Building Contractors (Abbr: CBC) means those individuals whose contracts include construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, or demolition on real property owned, controlled, or leased by another person of commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory use buildings or structures. The CBC classification does not provide for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting services and does not allow construction, repair, or improvement, of dwellings and townhouses as defined in the USBC. If the CBC contractor performs specialty services, other than those listed in this definition, all required specialty designations shall be obtained. The CBC contractor may act as a prime contractor and contract with subcontractors to perform work not permitted by the CBC license. The commercial building classification includes but is not limited to the functions carried out by the following specialties for contracts of commercial, institutional, governmental, and accessory use buildings or structures, including multi-family housing: Billboard/sign contracting, Marine facility contracting, Commercial improvement contracting, Masonry contracting, Concrete contracting, Painting and wall-covering contracting, Farm improvement contracting, Recreational facility contracting, Industrialized building contracting, Roofing contracting, Landscape service contracting, Swimming pool contracting.
Commercial Improvement Contracting (CIC) means that service which provides for the repair or improvement to nonresidential property and multifamily property as defined in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
License Category
Electrical license allows contracts including the construction, repair, maintenance, alteration, or the removal of electrical systems under the national electric code.
As a Master Electrician, you are able to develop and oversee wire system installations, acquire permits, and design the routing of circuits for installation. A master electrician also has the ability to serve as a supervisor to other journeymen or apprentices. Journeyman electricians have acquired the experience, knowledge, and training necessary to work independently, allowing them to gain even more experience and training in order to qualify for a master electrician license down the road. They work in commercial, industrial, and residential settings, where they are qualified to install, alter, add, and/or repair electrical systems, conductors, and associated materials and equipment. They have a full comprehension of the NEC and electrical theory. They often also supervise the work of apprentices. Electrical Apprenticeships are structured, regulated, and all-inclusive, consisting of at least 4-5 years of classroom study and on-the-job training (between 500 and 1,000 classroom hours and between 8,000 and 10,000 hours on-the-job). Although most apprenticeships include the classroom component, you may complete an electrician diploma or associate degree program beforehand, if desired, and satisfy all of the required classroom hours before beginning your apprenticeship.
License Category
This license allows contracts including the installation, repair, maintenance, and/or alteration of heating systems, boilers, process piping, and mechanical refrigeration systems, including tanks incidental to the system.
A Residential HVAC tradesman means a person who possesses the necessary ability, proficiency, and qualifications to perform HVAC work utilizing a working knowledge sufficient to comply with the pertinent provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code applicable to dwellings and townhouses, as those terms are defined in the Virginia Residential Code, or structures annexed to those dwellings or townhouses. It does not include commercial, industrial, institutional, or government-use structures outside of dwellings and townhouses.
License Category
There are three (3) classifications available, each with a Master and Journeyman Level: Master/Journeyman Gas Fitter is a tradesman who does gas fitting related work. This work includes the installation, repair, improvement or removal of LP or Natural Gas piping, tanks, and appliances annexed to real property. Master/Journeyman LP Gas Fitter is a tradesman whose work includes the installation, repair, improvement, alterations or removal of piping, LP gas tanks, and appliances. This does not include hot water heaters, boilers, and central heating systems that require a HVAC or Plumbing certificate. Master/Journeyman Natural Gas Fitter is a tradesman who repairs, tests, or removes Natural Gas piping or fittings annexed to real property, excluding new installation of gas piping for hot water heaters, boilers, central heating systems, or other Natural Gas equipment that requires HVAC or Plumbing certification.
This license allows contracts including the installation, maintenance, extension, alteration or removal of all piping, fixtures, appliances, appurtenances in connection with; boilers, backflow prevention devices, hot water heaters, hydronic systems, process piping, steam heating systems, venting systems related to plumbing, and others.
Residential plumber tradesman means a person who possesses the necessary ability, proficiency, and qualifications to perform plumbing work utilizing a working knowledge sufficient to comply with the pertinent provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code applicable to dwellings and townhouses, as those terms are defined in the Virginia Residential Code, or structures annexed to those dwellings or townhouses. It does not include commercial, industrial, institutional, or government-use structures outside of dwellings and townhouses.
License Category
Fire Suppression Contracting (Abbr: FSP) means that service which provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of fire suppression systems including but not limited to halon and other gas systems; dry chemical systems; and carbon dioxide systems annexed to real property. No other classification provides for this function. The FSP specialty does not provide for the installation, repair, or maintenance of water sprinkler systems.
License Category
Alternative Energy System Contracting means that service which provides for the installation, repair or improvement, from the customers meter, of alternative energy generation systems, supplemental energy systems and associated equipment annexed to rel property. This service does not include the installation of emergency generators powered by fossil fuels. No other classification or specialty service provides for this function. This specialty does NOT provide for Electrical, Plumbing, Gas fitting or HVAC functions.
Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating Contracting means that service which provides for the installation of asphalt paving and/or sealcoating on subdivision streets and adjacent intersections, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, running tracks, and play areas, using materials and accessories common to the industry. This includes height adjustments of existing sewer manholes, storm drains, water valves, sewer cleanouts and drain grates, and all necessary excavation and grading. The H/H classification also provides for this function.
A Class C Contractor is any contractor that has single contracts from $1,000 or more but less than $10,000 or contracts totaling less than $150,000 over a one-year period. The following specialty trades are recognized under the Class A, B, and C licenses: • Alarm/security systems • Alternative energy system • Asbestos • Asphalt paving and sealcoating • Billboard, sign • Blast, explosive • Commercial improvement • Concrete • Electronic /communication service • Elevator /escalator • Environmental monitoring well • Environmental specialties • Equipment /machinery • Farm improvement • Fire alarm systems • Fire sprinkler • Fire suppression • Gas fitting • Home improvement • Landscape irrigation • Landscape service • Lead abatement • Liquefied petroleum gas • Marine facility • Masonry • Modular/ mobile/ manufactured building • Natural gas • Painting and wall covering • Radon mitigation • Recreational facility • Refrigeration • Roofing • Sewage disposal systems • Swimming pool construction • Vessel construction • Water well/ pump Virginia does not require Continuing Education for the Class C Contractor classification. Effective August 21, 2006, the Designated Employee or a member of Responsible Management of all contractors applying for initial licensure (for an entity that is not currently licensed) must successfully complete an eight hour business class approved by the Board for Contractors.
Concrete Contracting (CEM) means that service which provides for all work in connection with the processing, proportioning, batching, mixing, Conveying and placing of concrete composed of materials common to the concrete industry.
Electronic/Communication Service Contracting (ESC) means that service which provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of electronic or communications systems annexed to real property including telephone wiring, computer cabling, sound systems, data links, data and network installation, television and cable TV wiring, antenna wiring, and fiber optics installation, all of which operate at 50 volts or less.
Equipment/Machinery Contracting means that service which provides for the installation or removal of equipment or machinery including but not limited to conveyors ir heavy machinery. Boilers exempted by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code but regulated by the Department of Labor and Industry are also included in this specialty. This specialty does not provide for any Electrical, Plumbing, Process Piping or HVAC functions.
Farm Improvement Contracting means that service which provides for the installation, repair or improvement of a non-residential farm building or structure, or non-residential farm accessory-use structure, or additions thereto. The BLD classification also provides for this function. The FIC specialty does not provide for any Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC or gas fitting functions.
Virginia Finish Carpentry Contracting (FIN) means the service that provides for the installation, repair, and finishing of cabinets, sash casing, door casing, wooden flooring, baseboards, countertops, and other millwork. Finish carpentry does not include the installation of ceramic tile, marble, and artificial or cultured stone. The RBC and CBC classifications and the HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this function.
Fire Alarm Systems Contracting means that service which provides for the installation, repair, or improvement of fire alarm systems which operate at 50 volts or less. The ELE classification also provides for this function. A firm with an FAS license is responsible for meeting all the applicable tradesman licensure standards.
Virginia Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor
Highway/Heavy Contractors (H/H) means those individuals whose contracts include construction, repair, improvement, or demolition of the following: bridges, dams, drainage systems, foundations, parking lots, public transit systems, railroads, roads, runways, street, structural signs and lights, and tanks.
Industrial Buildling Contracting means that service that provides for the installation or removal of an industrialized building as defined in the Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations. This classification covers foundation work in accordance with the provisions of the USBC and allows the license to complete internal tie-ins of plumbing, gas, electrical, and HVAC systems. It does not allow for installing additional plumbing, gas, electrical, or HVAC work such as installing the service meter, or installing the outside compressor for the HVAC system. The BLD classification also provides for this function.
Virginia Insulation and Weather Stripping Contractor
Landscape Irrigation Contracting means that service which provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal or irrigation sprinkler systems or outdoor sprinkler systems. The PLB and H/H classifications also provide for this function. This specialty may installl backflow prevention devices incendental to work in this specialty when the installer has received formal vocational training approved by the Board that included instruction in the installation of backflow prevention devices.
Landscape Service Contracting (LSC) means that service which provides for the alteration or improvement of a land area not related to any other classification or service activity by means of excavation, clearing, grading, construction of retaining walls for landscaping purposes, or placement of landscaping timbers.
Masonry Contracting (BRK) means that service which includes the installation of brick, concrete block, stone, marble, slate or other units and products common to the masonry industry, including mortarless type masonry products. This includes installation of grout, caulking, tuck pointing, sand blasting, mortar washing, parging and cleaning and welding of reinforcement steel related to masonry construction. The CBC and RBC classifications and the HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this function.
Painting and Wall Covering Contracting (Abbr: PTC) means that service that provides for the application of materials common to the painting and decorating industry for protective or decorative purposes, the installation of surface coverings such as vinyls, wall papers, and cloth fabrics. This includes surface preparation, caulking, sanding and cleaning preparatory to painting or coverings and includes both interior and exterior surfaces. The CBC and RBC classifications and the HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this function.
Recreational Facility Contracting means that which service provides for the construction, repair, or improvement of any recreational facility, Excluding Paving and the construction of Buildings, Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC functions. The BLD classification also provides for this function.
Refrigeration Contracting (REF) means that service which provides for installation, repair, or removal of any refrigeration equipment (excluding HVAC equipment). No electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, or HVAC functions are provided by this specialty.
Swimming Pool Construction Contracting means that service which provides for the service, repair, construction, improvement or removal of in-ground swimming pools. The RBC and CBC classifications and the RFC specialty also provide for this function. No trade related Plumbing, Electrical, Backflow or HVAC work is included in the specialty.
Virginia Tile, Marble, Ceramic and Terrazzo Contracting
Virginia Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor
Vessel Construction Contracting means that which service which provides for the construction, repair, improvement, or removal of nonresidential vessels, tanks or piping that hold or convey fluids other than sanitary water, storm, waste, or potable water supplies. The H/H classification also provides for this function.
Study Materials
These required-reference bundles are tied to Virginia contractor exam paths. Review every matching bundle below, then open the bundle page to confirm included books, editions, pricing, and add-all ordering.
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Virginia Class A or Class B w/ Residential Building Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Home Improvement Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Residential Building Contractor seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Virginia Class A or Class B Contractor Review seminar
Required books for Virginia Commercial Building Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Commercial Improvement Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Steel Erection Contractor seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Virginia Electrical seminar
Required books for Washington D.C. Master/Journeyman Electrician seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Virginia HVAC seminar
Required books for Virginia Residential HVAC seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Virginia Gasfitter seminar
Required books for Virginia Plumbing seminar
Required books for Virginia Residential Plumber seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Virginia Fire Suppression Contractor seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Virginia Alternative Energy System Contracting seminar
Required books for Virginia Asphalt Paving & Sealcoating Contracting seminar
Required books for Virginia Billboard/Sign Contracting seminar
Required books for Virginia Concrete Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Drywall Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Electronic/Communication Service Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Equipment/Machinery Contracting seminar
Required books for Virginia Farm Improvement Contracting seminar
Required books for Virginia Finish Carpentry Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Fire Alarm Systems Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Framing Subcontractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Highway / Heavy Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Industrialized Building Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Insulation and Weather Stripping Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Landscaping Irrigation Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Landscaping Service Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Marine Facility Contracting seminar
Required books for Virginia Masonry Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Painting and Wall Covering Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Recreational Facility Contracting seminar
Required books for Virginia Refrigeration Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Roofing Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Swimming Pool Construction Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Tile, Marble, Ceramic and Terrazzo Contracting seminar
Required books for Virginia Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor seminar
Required books for Virginia Vessel Contracting seminar
Book Bundle Category
Required books for Virginia 8-Hour Pre-Licensing Course seminar
Reciprocity and NASCLA
Reciprocity usually means a trade exam waiver, not permission to operate with another state license. Verify the exact waiver rules with the board before relying on an out-of-state license.
FAQ
