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Virginia Contractor General Portion

Virginia

Verified, not estimated. Every figure below is drawn from the official exam structure we maintain — question counts, passing standard and topic weighting. Practice questions are grounded in the source law with statute citations. We omit any figure we can't verify rather than guess at it.

Total questions

Passing score

70%

Exam time

100 min

Format

Reference materials allowed

Virginia State Portion 50 questions

Business Organization 2 Q · 4%

Types of business structures and their key characteristics (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC)Liability exposure by business structure typeTaxation methods by business structure (pass-through vs. double taxation)Formation documents and Virginia Corporation Commission registration requirementsAdvantages and disadvantages of each business structureJoint ventures and Virginia contractor licensing requirements for joint venturesNaming a business and registering fictitious or assumed names in VirginiaBusiness plan purpose, elements, and functions (planning, loan, benchmarking)

Estimating and Bidding 10 Q · 20%

Bid documents and bid package componentsEthics in bidding: bid shopping, bid peddling, and bid riggingQuantity take-off estimating methodLabor cost calculation and labor burdenMaterials cost determination and equipment cost estimationProject overhead vs. company overhead and markup calculationEstimating pitfalls and common errorsJob cost recording system and cost code structure

Contract Management 10 Q · 20%

Required elements of a legally binding contract (offer, acceptance, consideration, competent parties, legal purpose)Virginia written contract requirements for residential projectsContract price and payment structures (lump-sum, unit-price, cost-plus)Progress payments, retainage, and final payment proceduresBreach of contract types, liquidated damages, and statute of limitationsChange orders and contract modificationsAlternative dispute resolution methods (negotiation, mediation, collaborative law, arbitration)Subcontracting requirements and obligations

Project Management 7 Q · 14%

Scheduling methods: calendar, bar chart/Gantt, and critical path method (CPM)Scheduling process: sequence of tasks, activity duration, contingency time, and float timeScheduling and cash flow managementProject manager and supervisory team roles (superintendent, foreman, materials expediter)Project life cycle phases: pre-construction, construction, and closeoutBudget and cost controls: tracking, cost overruns, and materials management (JIT, purchase orders)Quality assurance: specifications, shop drawings, internal inspections, and customer satisfaction surveysCustomer communication, change order handling, and negotiation basics

Risk Management 3 Q · 6%

Risk assessment principles and probability of loss evaluationProperty insurance types for contractors (builders risk, inland marine, equipment floater)Liability insurance types (CGL, umbrella, completed operations, professional liability)Employment-related insurance (workers' compensation Virginia requirements, unemployment insurance, SUTA dumping)Surety bond types (bid, performance, payment, maintenance, fidelity, lien bonds)Qualifying for a bond and surety underwriting processFederal and Virginia bonding laws (Miller Act, Virginia Public Procurement Act)Insurance coverage verification for subcontractors and indemnification clauses

Safety 5 Q · 10%

Fall protection systems requirements and trigger heights (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest)Guardrail system specifications and performance criteriaPersonal fall arrest system components, anchorage, and arresting force limitsLadder safety requirements (portable, fixed, and job-made ladders)Stairway requirements and stairrail/handrail specificationsFire protection and prevention programs, extinguisher placement, and flammable liquid storagePersonal protective equipment selection, provision, and employer payment obligationsOSHA recordkeeping, injury reporting, and employer responsibilities under VOSH

Labor Laws 3 Q · 6%

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) minimum wage and overtime requirementsEmployee classification: exempt vs. non-exempt status under FLSAForm I-9 employment eligibility verification and documentationHiring minors: restricted hours, prohibited tasks, and penaltiesVirginia new hire reporting requirements and proceduresAmericans with Disabilities Act (ADA) employer obligations and reasonable accommodationVirginia workers' compensation coverage requirements and employer responsibilitiesVirginia unemployment insurance tax liability, reporting, and SUTA dumping

Financial Management 5 Q · 10%

Bookkeeping best practices and the accounting cycleFinancial statements (balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flows)Financial ratio analysis (liquidity, quick, activity, debt, profitability ratios)Cash and accrual methods of accountingContract accounting methods (completed contract, percentage of completion, cost comparison)Cash flow management, progress payments, and accounts receivable collectionEquipment depreciation methods (straight-line and accelerated/MACRS)Payroll accounting (gross pay, tax deductions, net pay, payroll journal)

Federal and State Taxes 4 Q · 8%

Employer Identification Number (EIN) requirements and how to obtainFederal business tax types by entity (income tax, self-employment tax, employment taxes)Federal employment tax withholding and deposit schedules (FICA, FUTA, Form 941)Federal tax forms by business entity type (1040, 1065, 1120, Schedule C, Schedule SE)Information returns and 1099-MISC reporting requirementsFederal and Virginia tax penalties and interestVirginia withholding tax registration, filing frequency, and forms (VA-4, VA-5, VA-6)Virginia corporate income tax, sales and use tax, and business license tax

Lien Laws 1 Q · 2%

Who is entitled to a mechanics' lien (general contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, materialmen)Memorandum of lien requirements and filing deadlinesNotice to mechanics' lien agent for one- and two-family residential dwellingsSubcontractor and sub-subcontractor lien perfection requirements and claim limitsLien priorities among contractors, subcontractors, and materialmenEnforcement and foreclosure of mechanics' liensPenalties for misuse of funds, lien waiver forgery, and false statementsWaiver and forfeiture of lien rights

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