Virginia Residential HVAC Exam: A Practical Study Guide
The Virginia Residential HVAC exam tests the rules and the reference books behind the work. This guide lays out the job: the key facts from the official bulletin, what the exam covers, the books you need, sample questions with answers, and how to get ready. PSI gives the exam.
The Virginia Residential HVAC Exam at a Glance
Here's the rundown from the official bulletin:
| Questions | 55 questions |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 39 correct answers out of 55 scored questions |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $100 |
On exam day
- You must present one valid, non-expired photo and signature identification whose first and last name match your registration.
- You should arrive at the examination site at least 30 minutes before your appointment.
- Candidates must bring their own bound, unmarked reference books, and although any edition of a reference may be used, Code questions are based only on the listed edition of the Code book.
- Highlighting, underlining and indexing before the exam are permitted, writing in references is not, and only permanent tabs may be used.
- Handheld calculators are prohibited items at the examination.
- Test center candidates receive an LCD writing tablet for notes, remote candidates may not have scratch paper, and personal items such as electronic devices, paper and writing devices are prohibited.
References you may bring
- Virginia Board for Contractors, Individual License and Certification Regulations
- International Mechanical Code 2021 (For Residental HVAC ONLY)
- Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (22nd edition)
- Manual J - Residential Load Calculation Manual J (ISBN 1892765012) (For Residental HVAC ONLY)
Scheduling, changes and retakes
- Candidates register and schedule either by calling PSI at (855) 340-3910 or online at https://test-takers.psiexams.com/vacon.
- You must be approved by the Board before testing, and your examination fee is valid for one year from the date of payment.
- You keep your fee only if PSI receives your cancellation notice two days before the exam date, made through the PSI website or by speaking with a representative at (855) 340-3910.
- Missing the appointment, arriving late, not being checked in by the start time, or lacking proper ID results in forfeiture of the examination fee.
- Your score appears on screen at the end of the exam and is emailed, with a diagnostic report included for failing candidates.
- You may not rebook on the same day you tested, but may be able to retest within two business days if space is available.
Source: Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Individual License and Certification Candidate Information Bulletin, 7/23/2026. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.
What the Virginia Residential HVAC Exam Covers
The official content outline breaks the exam into 20 topics:
| Topic | Questions | Share of the exam |
|---|---|---|
| Standards of Practice | 3 | 5% |
| Standards of Conduct | 2 | 4% |
| Renewal and Reinstatement | 1 | 2% |
| Definitions | 1 | 2% |
| Qualification for Licensure | 1 | 2% |
| Warm Air Heating | 8 | 15% |
| Ventilation Systems | 4 | 7% |
| Air Conditioning Systems | 6 | 11% |
| Duct Systems | 4 | 7% |
| Chimneys, Flues, and Vents | 4 | 7% |
| Hot Water Heaters | 3 | 5% |
| Hot Water Piping | 4 | 7% |
| Combustion Air | 2 | 4% |
| Controls/Low Voltage | 3 | 5% |
| Fuel Oil Piping and Storage | 1 | 2% |
| Insulation | 2 | 4% |
| Refrigerants | 2 | 4% |
| Refrigerant Piping | 2 | 4% |
| Chilled and Condenser Water Piping | 1 | 2% |
| Firestopping/Penetration Inspection | 1 | 2% |
How to Get Ready for the Virginia Residential HVAC Exam
Treat your reference books like your tools. On an open-book exam you don't need every rule memorized. You need to know which book holds it and where to find it.
Buy the books the bulletin lists, in the editions it names. An older or newer edition can put the answer on a different page, or change it.
Learn your way around each book before you study anything else. The table of contents and the index are your layout.
Highlight what you look up most. The exam facts above list the bulletin's rules on tabs and markings, so follow them exactly.
Do the big jobs first. Warm Air Heating and Air Conditioning Systems make up 25% of the exam.
Put in the reps with timed practice exams. The clock trains you to find answers at the pace the real exam needs: about 2 minutes 11 seconds per question.
Measure twice. When you miss a practice question, find the section in your book, read it and mark it. Keep at it until you pass practice exams consistently.
The Books for the Virginia Residential HVAC Exam
Under "HVAC only" the bulletin lists, marked "(For Residental HVAC ONLY)", the International Mechanical Code 2021 and Manual J - Residential Load Calculation, plus Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 22nd edition, and the Virginia Board for Contractors Individual License and Certification Regulations is the regulatory reference for all Tradesman Examinations; other entries in the HVAC section are marked "(For Journeyman/Master Plumber ONLY)".
Where to get them:
Working the Exam on Test Day
Work the exam in two passes. On the first pass, answer everything you know and bookmark the rest. Every exam lets you come back to bookmarked questions. On the second pass, go back to your bookmarks and take them one at a time.
Don't get hung up on one question. You have 2 hours for 55 questions, which is about 2 minutes 11 seconds per question. Before you finish, make sure nothing is left blank.
Study Tips
On an open-book exam, work through every question once: answer the ones you know and skip the ones you don't. Then go back to the ones you flagged. You can bookmark questions for later review, just like on our exams — and don't sink too much time into any single question. The clock is still running.
Give yourself at least three to six weeks. Use your exam's candidate bulletin as your roadmap for what's tested, and spend your time on finding-it-fast skills over rote memorization. In practice, aim for three clean passes at 80% or higher — setting your practice bar above the real cut score gives you a comfortable margin on test day.
Our practice exam is specifically designed to mimic the testing conditions at all exam centers. While untimed PDF study guides might help with studying, they don’t prepare you for the challenge of managing your time during an actual test.
Before reading the answer choices, try to predict the correct answer based solely on the question. Your thinking is sharpest at this moment, before distractors cloud your judgment. Then scan the choices for your prediction—if it's there, you're likely right. A quick check of the remaining options is still worthwhile, but trust your instinct.
Every exam you take will be different from the last. New questions, new order, but always based on the exam bulletin in terms of topics, questions and time.
Sample Virginia Residential HVAC Questions
These come from our practice question bank, each with its answer and the reference behind it.
Sample 1 — Duct Systems
Question: When supply-side duct leakage exceeds return-side duct leakage in a system running through unconditioned space, what pressure condition results in the conditioned space?
- A. Negative pressure with increased infiltration
- B. Positive pressure with increased infiltration
- C. Neutral pressure with no infiltration change
- D. Positive pressure with increased exfiltration
Correct Answer: A
Per Section 23 (Duct Load Procedures), when the supply-side leakage rate exceeds the return-side leakage rate, more air is lost from the supply than is drawn in through the return leaks. This causes a negative pressure in the conditioned space, which increases infiltration from outdoors and increases the central equipment load.
Reference: Manual J, Section 23 (Duct Load Procedures)
Sample 2 — Chimneys, Flues, and Vents
Question: While checking combustion efficiency on an oil-fired furnace, you record the flue gas temperature in the flue pipe. Stack temperatures for oil furnaces normally fall within which range?
- A. 900°F to 1,500°F
- B. 100°F to 300°F
- C. 1,200°F to 2,000°F
- D. 300°F to 900°F
Correct Answer: D
Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (22nd ed.), Chapter 34, states that stack temperatures vary from 300°F to 900°F (150°C to 500°C), and that measured values should be compared to the manufacturer's average stack temperature for the equipment.
Reference: Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (22nd ed.), Page 795
Sample 3 — Hot Water Piping
Question: A mixing valve is piped at the boiler outlet so it monitors supply water temperature. What is a common temperature setting for this type of supply water installation?
- A. 140°F (60°C)
- B. 120°F (49°C)
- C. 160°F (71°C)
- D. 180°F (82°C)
Correct Answer: C
Per Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (22nd ed.), Section 38.1.4, common mixing valve settings are 140°F (60°C) for return water installations and 160°F (71°C) for supply water installations. The 140°F value applies to a valve mounted at the boiler inlet, not the outlet.
Reference: Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (22nd ed.), Page 896
Sample 4 — Standards of Practice
Question: A licensed HVAC tradesman lets an unlicensed acquaintance use his license number to pull permits and perform installations for the acquaintance's own customers. Which prohibited act does this conduct describe?
- A. Furnishing inaccurate information to the board
- B. Negligence in the practice of the profession
- C. Aiding or abetting an unlicensed contractor
- D. Practicing in a classification for which not licensed
Correct Answer: C
Per 18 VAC 50-30-190(8), aiding or abetting an unlicensed contractor, acting as agent/partner/associate for an unlicensed contractor, or allowing one's license or certification to be used by an unlicensed or uncertified individual is a prohibited act that may result in disciplinary action under 18 VAC 50-30-185.
Reference: Virginia Board for Contractors Regulations (18 VAC 50-30), Pages 26 to 27
Why Practice Online Instead of With a PDF
A PDF is like reading about a job instead of doing it. Our practice exams are timed and on a screen, so you practice finding answers with the clock running. Each attempt draws a new set of questions from our bank, and your results break your score down by topic so you know where to put in more work.
Get Started
Take the free Virginia Residential HVAC practice exam to see where you stand, then put your time into the topics that need it. For the official rules, read the exam bulletin, and see the licensing board's website.