Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package

Prepare for the Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination with an Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package built around the technical references, structured online study support, exam-focused book preparation, and licensing assistance used by candidates pursuing the Virginia Commercial Building Contractor classification.

The Virginia Commercial Building Contractor classification is identified by the abbreviation CBC. It applies to qualifying construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, and demolition work involving commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings or structures. The classification covers a broad range of commercial construction activity while excluding electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and gas-fitting work that requires separate licensing authority.

The CBC technical examination covers site work, concrete and reinforcing steel, masonry, metals, carpentry, thermal and moisture protection, associated trades and finishes, OSHA construction safety, estimating, plan reading, accessibility, life safety, fire protection, and general building-code requirements. Because the examination is open book, candidates need both technical knowledge and the ability to navigate a large group of approved references efficiently.

This Ultimate package combines the rental books listed for the Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination with 1 year of course access and Application Service. Some book(s) are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation, helping candidates organize important information and develop stronger reference-navigation habits before test day.

Package Price: $1,695
Refundable Deposit: $800
Total Due Today: $2,495

The $800 deposit is refundable when the books are returned in similar condition within 1 year from the date received.

Exam Details

The Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination is administered through PSI as part of the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors examination program.

The CBC technical examination contains 80 questions. Candidates have 180 minutes to complete the examination and must earn a minimum passing score of 70%, equal to 56 correct answers.

The examination content is organized into 10 major areas:

• Site Work: 8 questions
• Concrete Including Reinforcement: 9 questions
• Masonry: 9 questions
• Metals: 9 questions
• Carpentry: 9 questions
• Thermal and Moisture Protection: 8 questions
• Associated Trades and Finishes: 7 questions
• Safety: 7 questions
• Estimating and Plan Reading: 8 questions
• General Building Code Requirements: 6 questions

Concrete, masonry, metals, and carpentry are among the largest individual portions of the examination, with nine questions assigned to each. Site Work, Thermal and Moisture Protection, and Estimating and Plan Reading each account for eight questions, making balanced preparation important.

The Associated Trades and Finishes section includes topics such as drywall, metal stud framing, insulation and moisture control, doors, windows, and glazing. General Building Code Requirements include life safety and egress, accessibility, fire protection requirements, and general code provisions.

Open Book Test

The Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination is an open-book test. Candidates may bring approved reference materials into the testing center subject to PSI reference-material rules.

Approved books may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. Permanent tabs are permitted. Removable tabs and temporary flags are not allowed. Reference materials containing written notes are not permitted, and candidates may not write in their references during the examination.

Open-book testing makes book familiarity especially important. With 80 questions spread across a wide range of commercial construction subjects, candidates can lose valuable time if they are unfamiliar with the organization of their references. Studying should therefore include repeated practice identifying which book is most likely to contain the answer to a particular type of question.

For example, a life-safety, occupancy, fire-protection, or egress question may require the International Building Code. Accessibility questions can lead to ICC A117.1-2017, while OSHA construction safety questions may require 29 CFR Part 1926. Reinforcing-steel questions may point toward Placing Reinforcing Bars, while concrete questions may require The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction.

Some book(s) in this package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. These tools support faster navigation, but candidates should still practice using indexes, chapters, tables, diagrams, code sections, and technical illustrations before examination day.

Licensing Steps

Virginia contractor licensing is administered by the Virginia Board for Contractors within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. A contractor license includes both a license class and one or more classifications or specialties.

1. Determine the appropriate license class. Virginia issues Class A, Class B, and Class C contractor licenses based primarily on project and annual contract values.
2. Select the Commercial Building Contractor classification. Virginia identifies this classification with the abbreviation CBC.
3. Identify the Qualified Individual. The contractor business must designate a Qualified Individual who qualifies the company for the CBC classification.
4. Meet the applicable experience requirement. The Qualified Individual must document the experience required for the license class being requested.
5. Complete required Pre-License Education. New Virginia contractor applicants must complete the Board-approved eight-hour Pre-License Education requirement.
6. Complete applicable Business examination requirements. Class A and Class B firms must also have a Designated Employee who satisfies the business examination requirements for the applicable license class.
7. Obtain approval for the CBC technical examination. The CBC classification requires pre-approval and successful completion of the technical examination.
8. Take the examination through PSI. After eligibility is established, the candidate may schedule the technical examination.
9. Complete the contractor license application. The contractor business must submit the required application and supporting documentation to the Virginia Board for Contractors.

The Application Service included with this Ultimate package provides additional support with the contractor licensing application process while candidates prepare for the CBC technical examination.

State Requirements

Virginia defines Commercial Building Contractors as contractors whose work includes construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, or demolition involving commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings or structures owned, controlled, or leased by another person.

The CBC classification includes a broad range of commercial construction functions and also encompasses several specialties when the work involves qualifying commercial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings or structures, including applicable multi-family housing.

The CBC classification does not authorize electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas-fitting services. Contractors performing those types of work must hold the appropriate classification or specialty authority.

The classification also does not authorize construction, repair, or improvement of dwellings and townhouses as defined by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

Virginia currently defines Class A contractors as contractors performing or managing construction, removal, repair, or improvements when a single contract or project is valued at $150,000 or more, or when the total value of applicable work performed within a 12-month period is $1 million or more.

Class B contractors perform or manage qualifying work when a single contract or project is valued at $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, or when the applicable total work within a 12-month period is $250,000 or more but less than $1 million.

For Class A, the Qualified Individual generally must have at least five years of experience in the classification or specialty being requested. For Class B, the Qualified Individual generally must have at least three years of applicable experience.

New contractor applicants must also satisfy Virginia's eight-hour Pre-License Education requirement. For Class A and Class B applicants, the course must be completed by a member of responsible management or the Designated Employee. This education requirement is separate from the CBC technical examination.

Reference Books

• Included Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  A construction-safety reference covering federal requirements for fall protection, excavation, scaffolding, ladders, personal protective equipment, tools, electrical safety, material handling, and other construction hazards.
• Included Book: International Building Code, 2021
  A commercial building-code reference covering occupancy, construction types, means of egress, fire protection, materials, structural provisions, life safety, and other general building requirements.
• Included Book: ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  An accessibility reference covering accessible routes, entrances, doors, circulation spaces, clearances, building elements, and other accessibility criteria.
• Included Book: Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition
  A structural steel reference addressing handling, placement, erection, stability, and field practices associated with steel joists and joist girders.
• Included Book: Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  A construction reference covering framing, layout, floors, walls, roofs, materials, tools, and practical carpentry and building methods.
• Included Book: Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
  A reference covering gypsum products, wall and ceiling systems, framing, installation, finishing, and related construction practices.
• Included Book: Placing Reinforcing Bars
  A technical reference addressing reinforcing steel placement, supports, handling, detailing concepts, and installation practices used in reinforced concrete construction.
• Included Book: The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition
  A concrete construction reference covering concrete materials, placement, finishing, curing, quality practices, and related construction procedures.
• Included Book: Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  A roofing reference covering roof systems, materials, installation techniques, measurements, quantity calculations, and estimating concepts.
• Included Book: Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  A masonry reference addressing brick, block, stone, mortar, layout, tools, materials, and practical masonry construction methods.
• Included Book: SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  A technical reference covering steel-deck handling, placement, attachment, openings, construction details, and field installation practices.
• Included Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  A construction reference supporting study of excavation, trenching, grading, underground construction, equipment, and related site-work activities.

Exam Room Approved Books

The Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination is open book. The exam references represented in this Ultimate package include:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
• International Building Code, 2021
• ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
• Carpentry and Building Construction
• Gypsum Construction Handbook
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction
• Roofing Construction and Estimating
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone
• SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting

Candidates should make sure the books they bring to the testing center comply with PSI rules. Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, indexed, and permanently tabbed before the examination, but written notes, removable tabs, and temporary flags are not permitted.

Test Information and Study Materials

A strong CBC study plan should follow the official examination outline rather than focusing on only one construction trade. Concrete, masonry, metals, and carpentry each contain nine questions, while site work, thermal and moisture protection, and estimating and plan reading each contain eight.

For site work, review excavation, trenching, grading, earthwork, site preparation, and equipment concepts. Pipe and Excavation Contracting is a key study reference for this category.

For concrete and reinforcement, review concrete materials, placement, finishing, curing, reinforcing bars, support systems, and installation practices. The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction and Placing Reinforcing Bars work together for this portion of the exam.

For masonry, become familiar with brick, block, stone, mortar, layout, tools, and construction techniques. Modern Masonry provides focused coverage of these subjects.

For metals, study steel joists, joist girders, steel decking, handling, erection, fastening, and related construction practices. The steel joist technical digest and SDI manual support this subject area.

For carpentry, review framing, structural components, floors, walls, roofs, materials, layout, and common building methods. These skills can also support estimating and plan-reading questions.

For thermal and moisture protection, focus on roofing systems, moisture protection, insulation, and building-envelope concepts. Roofing Construction and Estimating supports both technical and estimating preparation.

Safety preparation should include repeated use of 29 CFR Part 1926. Rather than trying to memorize every regulation, candidates should learn how to locate requirements involving common jobsite hazards quickly.

General Building Code Requirements include accessibility, fire protection, life safety, means of egress, and general code provisions. Candidates should become comfortable moving between the International Building Code and ICC A117.1-2017.

Timed practice is valuable because the examination provides 180 minutes for 80 questions. Candidates should learn to answer familiar questions efficiently and use the books strategically when a code provision or technical detail needs to be confirmed.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps candidates organize the Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor preparation process around the construction subjects, approved references, and study methods that matter for the CBC technical examination.

Trade-focused review can help students work through site work, concrete, reinforcement, masonry, metals, carpentry, roofing, gypsum construction, accessibility, estimating, plan reading, OSHA safety, and general building-code requirements in a more structured way.

Because the examination is open book, reference navigation is a central part of preparation. Students can practice identifying the correct reference for a question and locating the applicable information through indexes, chapters, tables, diagrams, technical sections, and permanent tabs.

Some book(s) are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation, helping candidates organize frequently used material. Book preparation works best when combined with repeated practice so students understand not only where information is located but also why a particular section applies.

The Ultimate package includes 1 year of course access, providing time to establish a consistent study schedule, revisit challenging construction subjects, and continue practicing technical questions and book navigation. Application Service is also included to provide support with the Virginia contractor licensing application process.

The objective is to create a more organized path through technical review, practice, reference navigation, and licensing preparation. Consistent study and familiarity with the permitted books can help candidates approach the Virginia CBC examination with stronger preparation and greater confidence.

What is the Virginia Commercial Building Contractor classification?

The CBC classification covers qualifying construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, and demolition work involving commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings or structures.

How many questions are on the Virginia CBC technical exam?

The examination contains 80 questions.

How much time is allowed for the CBC exam?

Candidates have 180 minutes to complete the examination.

What score is required to pass?

The minimum passing score is 70%, equal to 56 correct answers.

Is the Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The CBC examination is open book and allows approved references subject to PSI testing rules.

Can the books be highlighted and tabbed?

Approved books may be highlighted, underlined, indexed, and permanently tabbed before the exam. Removable tabs and written notes are not permitted. Some book(s) in this package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.

What subjects are tested?

The exam covers site work, concrete and reinforcement, masonry, metals, carpentry, thermal and moisture protection, associated trades and finishes, safety, estimating and plan reading, and general building-code requirements.

Does this package include the International Building Code?

Yes. The package includes the International Building Code, 2021.

Does the package include OSHA reference material?

Yes. Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 is included for construction safety preparation.

Does this Ultimate package include course access?

Yes. The package includes 1 year of course access.

Is Application Service included?

Yes. Application Service is included with this Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package.

What is the package price?

The package price is $1,695. The refundable deposit is $800, making the total due today $2,495.

When is the deposit refundable?

The $800 deposit is refundable when the rental books are returned in similar condition within 1 year from the date received.

How long does Ultimate book package processing take?

Please allow up to 15 business days for Ultimate book package orders.