Virginia Residential HVAC Practice Exam

Standards of Practice 3 items

Our study plan for this topic: Prohibited acts and grounds for disciplinary action; License transfer prohibition; Adding or deleting trade designations; Change of address reporting requirements; Consequences of practicing with an expired license; Reinstatement status and continuous disciplinary authority; Monetary penalties and failure to pay assessed fees.

Standards of Conduct 2 items

Our study plan for this topic: Prohibited acts and grounds for disciplinary action; Disciplinary penalties (remedial education, monetary fines, suspension, revocation, refusal to renew); Mandatory reporting of convictions and out-of-state disciplinary actions within 30 days; Misrepresentation and false statements to the board; Aiding or abetting unlicensed contractors / allowing license use by unlicensed individuals; Non-transferability of license or certification; Practicing outside licensed classification or specialty; Board authority over reinstated regulants during lapsed license period.

Renewal and Reinstatement 1 item

Our study plan for this topic: License expiration periods for HVAC tradesmen; Continuing education requirements for HVAC license renewal; Renewal fees for tradesman licenses; Renewal notice procedures and regulant obligations; Reinstatement fees and timelines; Maximum reinstatement period and new application requirements; Grounds for denial of renewal.

Definitions 1 item

Our study plan for this topic: Air types: exhaust, makeup, outdoor, transfer, recirculated, supply, return, and ventilation air; HVAC system component definitions: ducts, plenums, air-handling units, condensers, evaporators, compressors, and condensing units; Refrigerant classifications: flammability classes, toxicity classes, and safety group designations; Combustion-related terms: combustion air, combustion products, excess air, theoretical air, draft types, and venting system components; Virginia-specific license and trade definitions: HVAC tradesman, residential HVAC tradesman, master, journeyman, and HVAC work scope; Building and space definitions: conditioned space, dwelling, dwelling unit, occupiable space, living space, and breathing zone; Heat transfer and refrigeration cycle terms: heat pump, heat exchanger, absorption system, direct vs. indirect refrigeration systems, and evaporative cooling; Approved, listed, and labeled equipment definitions and code applicability rules.

Qualification for Licensure 1 item

Our study plan for this topic: Education and experience requirements for residential HVAC tradesman licensure; Education and experience requirements for journeyman HVAC tradesman licensure; Experience requirements for master HVAC tradesman licensure; Application procedures and completion requirements; General eligibility requirements (age, address of record, identification); Criminal conviction and prior disciplinary action disclosure requirements; Exemptions from examination (apprenticeship completion, prior certifications); Out-of-jurisdiction license reciprocity and substantial equivalency.

Warm Air Heating 8 items

Our study plan for this topic: Gas furnace sequence of operation and component functions; Gas furnace efficiency ratings and categories (AFUE, mid-efficiency, high-efficiency/condensing); Gas furnace ignition systems (standing pilot, intermittent pilot, DSI, HSI); Gas furnace safety and limit controls (high-limit switch, rollout switch, pressure switch); Oil furnace components and sequence of operation; Electric heating systems and elements (furnaces, duct heaters, baseboard units, radiant heat); Heating and cooling load calculations (Manual J, U-values, R-values, design temperatures); Air distribution duct systems, sizing, and components (registers, dampers, duct types).

Ventilation Systems 4 items

Our study plan for this topic: Mechanical ventilation minimum outdoor airflow rates and calculation methods; Natural ventilation requirements and openable area calculations; Heat recovery ventilators (HRV) and energy recovery ventilators (ERV); Exhaust systems for kitchens, bathrooms, and clothes dryers; Duct system construction, materials, sealing, and insulation; Air changes per hour calculation and blower door testing; Indoor air quality pollutants, filtration, and MERV ratings; Ventilation load calculations for heating and cooling equipment sizing.

Air Conditioning Systems 6 items

Our study plan for this topic: Vapor-compression refrigeration cycle fundamentals (high side vs. low side, compressor, condenser, metering device, evaporator); Types of residential split systems (central ducted, mini-split, multi-split, VRF/ductless); Self-contained and packaged AC systems (room air conditioners, PTACs, portable units, packaged rooftop units); Compressor types and protection devices (reciprocating, rotary, scroll, thermal overloads, pressure switches); Metering devices (capillary tube, fixed orifice, TXV, EEV) and their applications; Air-source heat pump operation and components (reversing valve, accumulator, biflow metering devices, heating/cooling modes); Thermostat and comfort cooling controls (low-voltage thermostats, programmable/wireless thermostats, zoned systems, safety controls); Heating and cooling load calculations (Manual J, heat gain/loss, U-values, R-values, design temperatures).

Duct Systems 4 items

Our study plan for this topic: Duct system types and configurations (radial, extended plenum, reducing trunk, perimeter loop); Duct materials and construction (sheet metal, fiberglass ductboard, flexible ducts); Duct sizing using ACCA Manual D (friction rate, total effective length, available static pressure); Registers, diffusers, grilles, and dampers (types, installation, and adjustment); Fire and smoke dampers (ratings, locations, actuation requirements per IMC); Duct sealing, insulation, and leakage testing (mastic, metal tape, duct blaster testing); Duct load calculations (conduction losses, leakage effects, insulation R-values per Manual J); Duct system balancing, airflow measurement, and maintenance (flow hoods, balancing procedures, duct cleaning).

Chimneys, Flues, and Vents 4 items

Our study plan for this topic: Chimney and vent types (masonry, factory-built, Type L, pellet vent); Vent application and appliance compatibility requirements; Connector sizing, construction materials, and installation requirements; Vent termination heights and clearance requirements; Direct-vent, integral-vent, and mechanical draft systems; Gas furnace venting categories (Category I through IV) and vent pipe materials; Oil furnace venting, draft testing, and draft regulator operation; Chimney connector pass-through systems and clearances to combustibles.

Hot Water Heaters 3 items

Our study plan for this topic: Water heater listing, labeling, and standards compliance (UL 174, UL 1453, UL 732, UL 2523); Combination potable water heating and space heating systems, including sizing and temperature limitation (ASSE 1017, 140°F maximum); Safety and pressure relief valve installation and discharge requirements; Expansion tank types, sizing, and installation requirements for hot water systems; Boiler and water heater clearances, mounting, and access requirements; Hydronic piping materials, fittings, and joint methods for hot water systems; Shutoff valve placement requirements in hydronic piping systems; Hydrostatic testing of hydronic piping systems.

Hot Water Piping 4 items

Our study plan for this topic: Hydronic pipe material standards and approved piping types (copper, PEX, CPVC, steel, etc.); Joint types and connection methods by pipe material (brazing, soldering, solvent cement, heat fusion, mechanical); Pipe insulation requirements for hydronic systems; Shutoff valve placement requirements in hydronic piping systems; Hydrostatic testing requirements for hydronic piping systems; Hot water piping heat loss calculation (pipe loss factors, temperature difference, pipe length, location); Embedded piping requirements for radiant panel systems; Piping installation requirements (pipe penetrations, clearance to combustibles, expansion/contraction, pipe support, water hammer).

Combustion Air 2 items

Our study plan for this topic: Primary air, secondary air, and excess air requirements for complete combustion; Combustion air supply methods: ambient air vs. outdoor direct-venting systems; Makeup air units and prevention of negative pressure in structures; Dampered combustion air openings and interlock requirements; Combustion air requirements by appliance type: gas-fired, oil-fired, and solid-fuel appliances; Flammability limits and fuel-air mixture ratios for natural gas and LP gas; Effects of inadequate combustion air on flame characteristics and carbon monoxide production; Gas-Fired Heating Systems.

Controls/Low Voltage 3 items

Our study plan for this topic: Thermostat types, sensing elements, and switching devices; Low-voltage control circuits and 24V systems; Relays: current, potential, solid-state, and PTC types; Pressure motor controls: high-pressure, low-pressure, and safety controls; Motor protection devices: fuses, circuit breakers, and bimetal overloads; Direct digital control (DDC) systems: sensors, controllers, and actuators; Control system fundamentals: range and differential adjustment; Zoned system controls and damper operation.

Fuel Oil Piping and Storage 1 item

Our study plan for this topic: Fuel oil grades and characteristics (heating value, viscosity, flash point, pour point, ash content); Fuel oil storage tank installation requirements (aboveground, underground, and indoor tanks); Piping materials, fittings, and joint types for fuel oil systems; Fill piping, vent piping, and oil gauging requirements; Fuel oil supply and return line sizing, configuration, and shutoff valve placement; One-pipe vs. two-pipe fuel delivery systems and oil deaerators; Combustion efficiency testing (CO2 test, stack temperature test, draft test, smoke test); Oil furnace service, maintenance, and troubleshooting (nozzle replacement, bleeding fuel lines, flame failure causes).

Insulation 2 items

Our study plan for this topic: Thermal resistance (R-value) and its relationship to insulation effectiveness; Thermal transmittance (U-value) calculation for composite building assemblies; Insulation types and installed R-values for walls, ceilings, and floors; R-value compression adjustment for batt and blanket insulation; Duct insulation requirements including surface temperature limits and vapor retarders; Flame spread and smoke-developed index requirements for duct coverings and linings; R-value identification and labeling requirements for external duct insulation; Whole-panel U-value calculation methods for framed, masonry, and slab assemblies.

Refrigerants 2 items

Our study plan for this topic: Refrigerant classification by chemical type (CFC, HCFC, HFC, HFO, HC); Environmental regulations and refrigerant phaseout (Montreal Protocol, Kigali Amendment, AIM Act, Clean Air Act Section 608); Refrigerant safety classifications (ASHRAE Standard 34 toxicity and flammability ratings); Refrigerant identification by numbering system and cylinder color coding; Azeotropic and zeotropic refrigerant blends (fractionation, temperature glide, bubble/dew point); Refrigerant properties and pressure-temperature relationships (P/T charts, pressure-enthalpy diagrams, subcooling, superheat); Refrigeration lubricant types and compatibility with refrigerants (MO, POE, AB, PAG); IMC refrigerant quantity limits, occupancy classifications, and machinery room requirements.

Refrigerant Piping 2 items

Our study plan for this topic: Refrigerant piping materials and standards (copper ACR tubing types, steel pipe, aluminum tubing); Tubing cutting, bending, and preparation techniques; Brazed and flared joint connections for refrigerant lines; Refrigerant line installation requirements (supports, slope, insulation, penetrations, clearances); Leak detection methods (bubble solution, electronic detector, fluorescent dye, ultrasonic); Pressure testing refrigerant piping with inert gas (nitrogen); Refrigerant piping code requirements per IMC Chapter 11 (prohibited locations, height requirements, access port protection); Filter-driers, sight glasses, and vibration absorbers in refrigerant line installation.

Chilled and Condenser Water Piping 1 item

Our study plan for this topic: Chilled water system piping materials and applicable standards; Condenser water piping materials and applicable standards; Piping joint types and connection methods for hydronic systems; Shutoff valve placement requirements in chilled and condenser water systems; Pipe insulation requirements for chilled water piping; Hydrostatic pressure testing of hydronic piping systems; Water-cooled condenser types and condenser water circuit design; Cooling tower water circuit configurations and operational considerations.

Firestopping/Penetration Inspection 1 item

Our study plan for this topic: Fire and smoke damper installation requirements at duct penetrations of fire-resistance-rated assemblies; Fire damper and smoke damper ratings (UL 555, UL 555S) and actuation temperatures; Damper access, inspection clearances, and identification labeling requirements; Protection of duct penetrations through fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, and smoke barriers; Ceiling radiation damper requirements at floor/ceiling and roof/ceiling assembly penetrations; Fireblocking requirements for stud cavity and joist space plenums; Duct covering prohibition from penetrating fire-resistance-rated or fireblocked assemblies (IMC 604.6); Penetration protection requirements for non-fire-resistance-rated floor assemblies.