New Virginia Concrete Contractor Exam Book Package

Prepare for the Virginia Concrete Contractor examination with a focused collection of technical reference books covering concrete construction, estimating, excavation, formwork, reinforcing steel, concrete materials, structural concrete requirements, building codes, and construction safety. The New Virginia Concrete Contractor Exam Book Package brings together seven important references for candidates preparing for the Virginia Concrete Contracting specialty examination.

The Virginia Concrete Contractor exam tests knowledge across several major areas of concrete construction. Candidates are expected to work with subjects including estimating and plan reading, layout and excavation, formwork, reinforcing steel, general concrete practices, and safety. Because the examination is open book, knowing the material is only one part of preparation. Candidates also benefit from becoming familiar with where information is located within their references and how to find it efficiently under exam conditions.

This book package supports that preparation by giving candidates access to technical resources covering OSHA construction safety requirements, the 2021 International Building Code, structural concrete requirements, concrete mixture design and control, excavation practices, reinforcing-bar placement, and concrete formwork. Together, these books provide a strong technical foundation for studying the major knowledge areas represented on the Virginia Concrete Contractor exam.

Open-book contractor examinations reward candidates who know how their books are organized. Rather than waiting until test day to search unfamiliar references, candidates can use these books during preparation to learn chapter organization, indexes, terminology, tables, illustrations, requirements, and common construction concepts. Regular practice with the references can make it easier to recognize which book is most likely to contain the information needed for a particular question.

The Virginia Concrete Contracting specialty is identified as CEM by the Virginia Board for Contractors. A Qualified Individual associated with this specialty is required to satisfy the applicable experience and examination requirements established by the Board. This book package is intended for candidates preparing for the technical Concrete Contractor examination and for contractors who want a practical collection of concrete-related reference materials for structured study.

Exam Details

The Virginia Concrete Contractor examination is administered by PSI for the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors. The current examination format includes 60 questions with 150 minutes allowed for completion. Candidates must earn a minimum score of 70%, which equals 42 correct answers.

• Examination: Virginia Concrete Contractor
• Virginia Specialty: Concrete Contracting
• Specialty Code: CEM
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Number of Questions: 60
• Time Allowed: 150 minutes
• Minimum Passing Score: 70%, or 42 correct answers
• Exam Type: Open book

The current examination content outline is divided into six subject areas:

• Estimating and Plan Reading: 10 questions
• Layout and Excavation: 12 questions
• Formwork: 8 questions
• Reinforcing Steel: 8 questions
• General Concrete: 16 questions
• Safety: 6 questions

General Concrete is the largest single content area, but the exam requires broad preparation. Estimating, excavation, formwork, reinforcing steel, and safety together account for most of the remaining questions. Candidates should therefore avoid concentrating on only one reference or one construction subject.

Open Book Test

The Virginia Concrete Contractor examination is open book. PSI allows approved reference materials into the examination center, and candidates are responsible for bringing their own books. The references are not supplied at the testing location.

Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. They must otherwise remain unmarked and may not contain additional loose or attached papers. Permanent tabs may be used to organize and index the books, while temporary tabs such as removable flags or Post-it notes are not permitted.

The open-book format makes reference preparation especially important. With 60 questions and 150 minutes available, candidates have an average of two and a half minutes per question. Searching unfamiliar books from beginning to end can quickly consume valuable examination time. Learning the indexes, tables of contents, major chapters, common definitions, and high-use sections before test day can make the books much more useful.

A practical approach is to study each subject while keeping the related reference nearby. When reviewing formwork, become comfortable with the organization of the formwork reference. When studying reinforcing steel, practice locating bar-placement and reinforcing information. For excavation and safety questions, become familiar with the excavation and OSHA materials. This connects technical knowledge with the book-navigation skills needed for an open-book examination.

Licensing Steps

Virginia contractor licensing is administered through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors. The Concrete Contracting specialty is one part of the licensing process, and applicants must satisfy the requirements that apply to their intended license class, specialty, business, and Qualified Individual.

1. Select the appropriate contractor license class and specialty. Virginia contractor licenses include a license class and one or more classifications or specialty designations. Concrete Contracting is identified by the CEM specialty code.
2. Complete Virginia pre-license education. Applicants for a new Class A, Class B, or Class C contractor license must complete eight hours of Board-approved pre-license education through the appropriate member of the business.
3. Designate a Qualified Individual. A business must identify a Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty on the contractor license. The Qualified Individual must satisfy the experience and prerequisite requirements associated with the designation.
4. Obtain approval for the specialty examination. Concrete is among the Virginia contractor specialties that require pre-approval and successful completion of a Board-approved technical examination.
5. Prepare for and take the Concrete Contractor examination. Once the applicable eligibility requirements have been satisfied, the candidate can complete the required technical examination through PSI.
6. Complete the contractor license application. The business must submit the required licensing documentation and satisfy the requirements associated with its selected Virginia contractor license class.

The technical Concrete Contractor examination is only one part of the Virginia contractor licensing process. Depending on the license class and the role of the individuals associated with the business, other examinations, experience documentation, education, and application requirements may apply.

State Requirements

The Virginia Board for Contractors licenses contractor businesses rather than simply issuing a trade license to an individual. Virginia contractor licenses are divided into Class A, Class B, and Class C. The selected license class determines the level of contracting activity the business may perform, while the classification or specialty identifies the type of construction work the business is authorized to perform.

Every contractor business must identify the appropriate Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty designation. Concrete Contracting is one of the specialties that requires an approved technical examination. Applicants seeking the CEM designation should ensure that the Qualified Individual satisfies the experience and documentation requirements associated with the license class being pursued.

Virginia also requires eight hours of approved pre-license education for new contractor license applicants. This education is a business-focused requirement and is separate from preparation for the Concrete Contractor technical exam. Candidates should account for both requirements as they organize their path toward contractor licensing.

Reference Books

This Virginia Concrete Contractor Exam Book Package includes the following seven books supplied for technical study and exam preparation:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This construction-safety reference covers federal OSHA requirements affecting construction operations. It is useful for studying workplace safety subjects involving excavation, personal protective equipment, fall protection, material handling, concrete and masonry work, tools, equipment, and other jobsite hazards. Safety accounts for six questions on the current Virginia Concrete Contractor examination.
• International Building Code, 2021
  The 2021 International Building Code contains construction requirements for commercial and other buildings regulated under the IBC. Concrete candidates can use it to become familiar with code provisions involving structural construction, foundations, materials, inspections, loads, concrete-related requirements, and other building-code topics represented in contractor work.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  ACI 318 is a major structural concrete standard covering requirements for reinforced and structural concrete. Topics include materials, durability, reinforcement, development and splicing, structural members, construction requirements, and other principles that support safe concrete construction. The current PSI reference list permits ACI 318-11 or ACI 318-14 for this examination.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  This reference focuses on the materials and methods used to produce quality concrete. It provides valuable study material involving cementitious materials, aggregates, water, admixtures, proportioning, mixing, placing, curing, testing, strength, durability, and the behavior of fresh and hardened concrete. These subjects support preparation for the General Concrete portion of the examination.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This construction reference covers practical excavation and underground-work concepts. It supports preparation for the Layout and Excavation portion of the exam by providing information related to excavation operations, trenches, earthwork, equipment, site conditions, grades, layout, and construction procedures.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  This reinforcing-steel reference focuses on field practices for placing reinforcement in concrete construction. Candidates can use it to study bar identification, reinforcing arrangements, supports, ties, placement practices, splices, tolerances, detailing concepts, and other reinforcement-related subjects. Reinforcing Steel represents eight questions on the examination.
• SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition
  This American Concrete Institute reference focuses on concrete formwork systems and practices. It addresses form materials, pressures, loads, wall and slab forms, shores, reshores, bracing, construction methods, design considerations, and jobsite procedures. Formwork accounts for eight questions on the current exam.

The current PSI Concrete Contractor reference list also identifies the 2021 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings as an allowed examination reference. That title is not listed among the seven books included in this package.

Test Information and Study Materials

Effective preparation begins by organizing the books around the six exam content areas. For Estimating and Plan Reading, practice interpreting dimensions, quantities, construction drawings, material requirements, and common estimating calculations. Ten questions are assigned to this portion of the examination, making it an important area for both calculation practice and plan-reading skills.

Layout and Excavation contains 12 questions. Preparation should include excavation practices, grade and layout concepts, trench conditions, earthwork, equipment considerations, and applicable safety requirements. Candidates can benefit from studying Pipe and Excavation Contracting together with the OSHA reference because technical excavation practices and safety requirements can overlap.

Formwork and Reinforcing Steel each account for eight questions. SP-4 Formwork for Concrete can support review of form systems, pressures, supports, shoring, bracing, construction loads, and formwork procedures. Placing Reinforcing Bars provides a focused source for learning bar-placement practices, supports, ties, splices, identification, and related reinforcing concepts.

General Concrete represents 16 questions, making it the largest subject area. Candidates should understand concrete ingredients, proportioning, water-cement relationships, batching, mixing, transportation, placement, consolidation, finishing, curing, strength development, testing, durability, and common construction practices. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures can be especially useful for building knowledge in this area, while ACI 318 provides structural concrete requirements and related technical provisions.

Safety represents six questions and should not be treated as an afterthought. Familiarity with 29 CFR Part 1926 can help candidates locate construction safety requirements efficiently. Instead of trying to memorize every OSHA provision, practice identifying keywords and finding the applicable subpart or section quickly.

As you prepare, use practice questions to develop a repeatable search method. Read the question, identify the subject, select the most likely reference, locate the relevant chapter or index entry, and confirm the answer. Repeating this process helps turn a large group of technical books into an organized exam-day resource.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports contractor candidates by helping them approach trade examination preparation with organization and purpose. Contractor exams can involve a large amount of technical information, and open-book exams add the challenge of knowing how to work efficiently with multiple references.

Using the Virginia Concrete Contractor Exam Book Package as part of a structured study routine allows candidates to become familiar with the books associated with concrete construction topics before examination day. Candidates can build knowledge in concrete materials, excavation, formwork, reinforcing steel, structural requirements, building codes, estimating, and safety while practicing the reference-navigation skills that are important in an open-book testing environment.

1 Exam Prep emphasizes trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, organized study guidance, and efficient reference navigation when applicable. Instead of treating each book as an isolated resource, candidates can connect individual references with the examination subjects they support. This creates a more manageable study process and helps candidates identify which areas deserve additional review.

Consistent preparation can also improve confidence. Knowing where important information is located, understanding the terminology used in the references, and practicing how to move between books gives candidates a clearer strategy for approaching exam questions. The goal is to develop a practical study structure that supports progress toward completing the Virginia Concrete Contractor examination and the broader contractor licensing process.

FAQ Section

What books are included in the Virginia Concrete Contractor Exam Book Package?

The package includes Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), International Building Code 2021, ACI 318-14, Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures 17th Edition, Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Placing Reinforcing Bars, and SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition.

Is the Virginia Concrete Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The Virginia Concrete Contractor examination is open book. Candidates are responsible for bringing permitted references to the examination center.

How many questions are on the Virginia Concrete Contractor exam?

The current Virginia Concrete Contractor examination contains 60 questions. Candidates are allowed 150 minutes to complete the exam.

What score is required to pass the Virginia Concrete Contractor exam?

The minimum passing score is 70%, which equals 42 correct answers out of 60 questions.

What subjects are covered on the Concrete Contractor exam?

The current content outline includes Estimating and Plan Reading, Layout and Excavation, Formwork, Reinforcing Steel, General Concrete, and Safety.

Can I highlight the books before the exam?

Yes. Permitted reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. They must otherwise remain unmarked and cannot contain loose or attached papers.

Can I use tabs in my Virginia Concrete Contractor exam books?

PSI permits permanent tabs or indexing. Temporary removable tabs, including Post-it notes and similar flags, are not permitted in the examination center.

Does PSI provide the reference books at the testing center?

No. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own permitted reference materials to the examination center.

Who administers the Virginia Concrete Contractor exam?

PSI administers the examination for the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors.

Does passing the Concrete Contractor exam automatically give me a Virginia contractor license?

No. The technical examination is one component of the licensing process. Applicants must also satisfy the applicable Virginia contractor license, Qualified Individual, experience, pre-license education, and application requirements.