Important Virginia licensing fact: GLZ is the Glass and Glazing Contracting specialty. Class A, Class B, and Class C describe the financial level of the contractor business. Passing the GLZ exam qualifies the applicable individual for the specialty requirement, but it does not automatically issue the contractor business license.
What Is the Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Specialty?
Virginia defines Glass and Glazing Contracting, or GLZ, as work involving the installation, assembly, repair, improvement, or removal of glass, glass work, mirrored glass, and glass substitutes used for glazing.
The specialty also includes fabrication and glazing of frames, panels, sashes, and doors, or installation of those items in a structure. Standard methods of weatherproofing, caulking, glazing, sealants, and adhesives are included in the GLZ scope.
Virginia also recognizes that Residential Building Contractor, Commercial Building Contractor, Home Improvement, and Commercial Improvement can include glass and glazing functions within their broader scopes. GLZ is the focused specialty for businesses that want glass and glazing work specifically identified on the contractor license.
Virginia specialty: Glass and Glazing Contracting, GLZ.
Licensing authority: Virginia Board for Contractors / DPOR.
Testing provider: PSI.
Questions: 45.
Time: 100 minutes.
Passing score: 70%.
Format: computer based and open book.
QI requirement: pre-approval and successful completion of the GLZ specialty examination.
Class C QI experience: at least 1 year.
Class B QI experience: at least 3 years.
Class A QI experience: at least 5 years.
For the current 1 Exam Prep reference package, review the Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Exam Complete Book Package .
Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Licensing Path
Virginia contractor licensing combines the business license class with the GLZ specialty qualification. The Qualified Individual handles the technical specialty requirement, while the contractor business must satisfy the remaining Board requirements.
| Step | Requirement | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Select GLZ | Virginia Specialty | Confirm Glass and Glazing Contracting matches the work your business intends to perform |
| Select Class A, B, or C | Contractor License Class | Choose the class based on project value and annual contracting volume |
| Identify the Qualified Individual | QI | QI must be responsible management or a bona fide full-time employee and must meet specialty experience requirements |
| Document Experience | Experience Verification | Class C generally requires 1 year, Class B 3 years, and Class A 5 years in the specialty |
| Complete Pre-License Education | 8-Hour Course | New Class A, B, and C contractor license applicants must complete approved pre-license education |
| Receive QI Exam Approval | Virginia Board / PSI | GLZ requires the applicable pre-approval before the specialty examination is scheduled |
| Pass the GLZ Exam | Technical Specialty | 45 questions, 100 minutes, 70% passing, open book |
| Complete Business Exams | Class A / B | Class B uses Virginia and General portions; Class A adds Advanced |
| Submit Contractor Application | Virginia DPOR | Submit current application, business, QI, financial, exam, and fee documentation |
Virginia GLZ 2026 Exam and License Snapshot
Use current Virginia DPOR and PSI information as the final authority for eligibility, exam content, reference books, testing policies, fees, and application requirements.
| Verified Point | Authority | Current Result |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Virginia DPOR | Virginia Board for Contractors |
| Specialty abbreviation | Virginia Contractor Regulations | GLZ |
| Testing provider | Virginia DPOR | PSI |
| Questions | PSI GLZ Outline | 45 |
| Time | PSI GLZ Outline | 100 minutes |
| Passing score | PSI GLZ Outline | 70% |
| Exam format | PSI GLZ Outline | Open book |
| QI specialty exam fee | Virginia DPOR | $85, verify before scheduling |
| GLZ QI approval | Virginia DPOR | Pre-approval required for the specialty examination |
| Class C QI experience | Virginia DPOR | At least 1 year |
| Class B QI experience | Virginia DPOR | At least 3 years |
| Class A QI experience | Virginia DPOR | At least 5 years |
| Pre-license education | Virginia DPOR | 8 hours for new Class A, B, and C licenses |
| Class B business exam | Virginia DPOR / PSI | Virginia + General |
| Class A business exam | Virginia DPOR / PSI | Virginia + General + Advanced |
| 2026 technology fee | Virginia DPOR | Separate technology fee applies to certain transactions beginning July 1, 2026 |
Do not mix up the exams: the GLZ Qualified Individual examination tests glass and glazing trade knowledge. Class A and Class B business examinations are separate tests for the Designated Employee.
Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Exam Breakdown
The current GLZ content outline contains 45 questions across six subject areas. The largest area is General Glazing with 12 questions.
General Glazing can involve glass types, glazing terminology, glass handling, measurement, cutting, setting, glazing materials, installation methods, frames, doors, panels, hardware coordination, and common field practices.
Glass Systems contains 10 questions. Study storefronts, curtain-wall concepts, window systems, doors, framing relationships, glass-support systems, setting materials, weather seals, and how the components of an assembled glazing system work together.
Code Requirements also contains 10 questions. Candidates should be comfortable locating International Building Code requirements involving glass, safety glazing, hazardous locations, doors, guards, walls, openings, panels, and other conditions where glazing is regulated.
Safety contains 5 questions. Glass is heavy, fragile, sharp, and often installed at elevation, which is an impressive collection of reasons to take OSHA seriously.
Plastics and Acrylics and Sealant Installations contain 4 questions each. These areas cover glazing substitutes, material characteristics, joint preparation, compatibility, weatherproofing, application, and the proper role of sealants and adhesives.
Primary SEO Target Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Exam Prep
Virginia Specialty GLZ - Glass and Glazing Contracting
Licensing Authority Virginia Board for Contractors / DPOR
Testing Provider PSI
Questions 45
Time 100 minutes
Passing Score 70%
Format Computer based • Open book
General Glazing 12 questions
Glass Systems 10 questions
Code Requirements 10 questions
Safety 5 questions
Plastics / Acrylics 4 questions
Sealant Installations 4 questions
QI Exam Fee $85 • verify before scheduling
Class C QI Experience At least 1 year
Class B QI Experience At least 3 years
Class A QI Experience At least 5 years
Exam Prep View Virginia Glass & Glazing Exam Prep
How to Study for the Virginia Glass and Glazing Exam
Study the exam by subject and by reference. The open-book format rewards candidates who can quickly recognize what the question is testing and which book is most likely to contain the answer.
General Glazing: review glass types, measurement, handling, fabrication, setting, glazing compounds, gaskets, blocks, fasteners, doors, frames, mirrors, and common installation practices.
Glass Systems: review storefront systems, window walls, curtain-wall concepts, doors, frames, panels, supporting members, hardware, seals, and system coordination.
Code Requirements: practice IBC navigation for safety glazing, hazardous locations, doors, guards, walls, openings, panels, and other glazing conditions.
Safety: review OSHA requirements for PPE, fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, material handling, tools, access, and protection from glass-handling hazards.
Plastics and Acrylics: understand glazing substitutes, material properties, limitations, applications, and installation considerations.
Sealants: study substrate preparation, joint geometry, compatibility, backer materials, application, weatherproofing, adhesives, and sealant performance.
For an organized reference library, review the Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Exam Complete Book Package .
Glass Systems, Code, Sealant, and Safety Reference Strategy
The GLZ exam can move from glass selection to storefront installation, then into sealant compatibility, then safety glazing, then OSHA. The trick is to recognize the subject before opening a book. Searching the wrong reference very quickly is still searching the wrong reference.
Virginia GLZ preparation for glazing knowledge, glass systems, code navigation, sealant work, and construction safety.
- Identify the subject first: decide whether the question belongs to general glazing, glass systems, plastics, sealants, code, or safety
- Choose the reference: use the IBC for code questions, OSHA for construction safety, and the glazing references for trade practices and systems
- Practice safety-glazing lookups: hazardous locations, doors, adjacent panels, guards, and similar code conditions deserve repeated practice
- Know glazing terminology: setting blocks, gaskets, bites, clearances, edges, frames, mullions, sashes, sealants, and related terms should feel familiar
- Separate sealant from glass questions: joint preparation, compatibility, backing, weatherproofing, and application details may point to a different section than glass selection
- Practice OSHA: glass handling, PPE, ladders, scaffolds, falls, and tools can create both exam questions and very real jobsite problems
- Practice full timing: 100 minutes for 45 scored questions gives roughly 2 minutes 13 seconds per question
Your Virginia GLZ Contractor Licensing Roadmap
Move from license class to Qualified Individual approval, GLZ examination, business testing when required, and final Virginia contractor application.
1
Confirm GLZ matches your work
Review the Virginia Glass and Glazing Contracting definition and make sure it matches the glass, glazing, frames, doors, panels, weatherproofing, sealant, and related work your business plans to perform.
2
Choose Class A, B, or C
Choose the contractor license class based on the value of individual contracts and the company's expected annual contracting volume.
3
Identify your Qualified Individual
The QI must meet Virginia's relationship requirements and have the specialty experience required for the selected license class.
4
Complete the required pre-license education
New Class A, B, and C contractor license applicants must complete the approved eight-hour Virginia pre-license course.
5
Receive approval for the GLZ examination
Submit the current QI and experience information required for pre-approval before scheduling the specialty exam with PSI.
6
Pass the Glass and Glazing examination
Complete the 45-question, 100-minute, open-book technical examination and earn at least 70 percent.
7
Complete Class A or B business testing when applicable
Class B uses the Virginia and General portions. Class A adds the Advanced portion.
8
Submit the contractor business application
Provide the current DPOR application, business records, QI documentation, financial documentation, exam results, and applicable fees.
Virginia Glass and Glazing Exam Topic Weighting
The current content outline contains 45 questions. The bars below compare each category with the largest 12-question General Glazing category.
General Glazing 12 questions
Glass Systems 10 questions
Code Requirements 10 questions
Safety 5 questions
Plastics / Acrylics 4 questions
Sealant Installations 4 questions
Biggest study target: General Glazing, Glass Systems, and Code Requirements combine for 32 of the 45 questions. That is more than 71 percent of the scored examination.
Virginia Glass and Glazing Exam References
The GLZ examination is open book. Use the newest PSI outline as the final authority for exact reference titles, editions, book condition, tabs, and examination-room rules.
| Reference | Primary Study Use | Preparation Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 | Construction safety, PPE, ladders, scaffolds, fall protection, tools, material handling, and other jobsite hazards | Safety |
| International Building Code, 2021 | Glass and glazing provisions, safety glazing, hazardous locations, doors, guards, openings, walls, panels, and building-code compliance | Code Requirements |
| Glass Association of North America Glazing Manual, 2019 | Glass products, glazing methods, installation practices, design considerations, framing, seals, and trade knowledge | General Glazing and Glass Systems |
| Guide to Glass & Glazing Requirements of the Model Building Codes, 5th Edition, 2016 | Specialized code requirements affecting glass and glazing installations | Safety glazing and code-based applications |
Reference note: the current 1 Exam Prep Virginia GLZ package lists OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, the 2021 International Building Code, the 2019 GANA Glazing Manual, and the 2016 Guide to Glass & Glazing Requirements of the Model Building Codes. Verify the official PSI list before your scheduled exam.
How to Prepare for the Open-Book Virginia GLZ Exam
Build these exam-prep habits
- Practice with the exact approved references you plan to bring
- Learn the IBC glass and glazing organization
- Know where safety-glazing requirements live
- Use permanent tabs when permitted
- Highlight and underline before exam day when allowed
- Practice deciding which reference owns the answer before opening a book
- Complete timed 45-question practice sessions
- Review every missed question in the controlling reference
Avoid these exam-prep mistakes
- Assuming open book means no studying
- Using temporary or removable tabs
- Adding handwritten notes that violate PSI rules
- Bringing loose or unbound materials
- Studying glass types but ignoring code requirements
- Ignoring OSHA because you already work safely
- Skipping sealants and plastics because they have fewer questions
- Waiting until exam day to learn the GANA manual
Current PSI reference rules: references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the exam. Permanent tabs are allowed. Removable tabs are not. References must otherwise remain unmarked, and candidates may not write in the books during testing.
What Can a Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Do?
The GLZ specialty covers installation, assembly, repair, improvement, and removal of glass, glass work, mirrored glass, and glass substitutes used for glazing.
It also covers fabrication and glazing of frames, panels, sashes, and doors, plus installation of those items in structures. The specialty includes standard weatherproofing, caulking, glazing, sealants, and adhesives used as part of glass and glazing work.
That can include work involving windows, doors, storefront assemblies, glass panels, mirrors, framing systems, and related glazing components, provided the work remains inside the Virginia specialty definition and applicable code requirements.
Scope warning: GLZ does not automatically replace every other contractor classification or specialty. Review the current Virginia regulations when the project includes structural, electrical, mechanical, or other separately regulated work.
Virginia Class A, Class B, and Class C GLZ Comparison
GLZ identifies the type of work. Class A, B, or C identifies the financial level of contracting the licensed business may perform.
| License Level | Contract / Volume Range | QI Experience | Business Exam Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class C | Generally over $1,000 but under $30,000 per contract and under $250,000 in a twelve-month period | At least 1 year | No Class A/B Designated Employee business-exam structure, but GLZ exam and other license requirements apply |
| Class B | Generally $30,000 to under $150,000 per contract or $250,000 to under $1 million in a twelve-month period | At least 3 years | Virginia + General |
| Class A | Generally $150,000 or more per contract or $1 million or more in a twelve-month period | At least 5 years | Virginia + General + Advanced |
| GLZ Specialty | Glass and glazing specialty scope | Depends on selected A, B, or C class | GLZ technical exam is separate from Class A/B business exams |
Virginia GLZ Experience, Examination, and Business Requirements
Qualified Individual
Experience + GLZ Qualification
- Class C generally requires at least 1 year of specialty experience
- Class B generally requires at least 3 years
- Class A generally requires at least 5 years
- QI must meet Virginia relationship requirements with the business
- GLZ requires specialty exam approval and successful testing
GLZ Technical Exam
Glazing + Code + Safety
- 45-question PSI examination
- 100-minute time limit
- 70% passing requirement
- Open-book format
- General Glazing
- Glass Systems
- Code Requirements
- Safety, plastics, acrylics, and sealants
Contractor Business License
Separate Virginia Requirements
- Choose Class A, B, or C
- Complete 8-hour pre-license education
- Identify Responsible Management
- Identify Qualified Individual
- Class A/B financial qualification requirements
- Class A/B business examinations when applicable
- Submit current DPOR application and fees
Relationship requirement: Virginia requires the Qualified Individual to be either a member of Responsible Management or a bona fide full-time employee of the contractor business. Use the current application instructions for documentation details.
Six-Week Virginia Glass and Glazing Exam Prep Plan
Build trade knowledge, code-navigation speed, sealant familiarity, safety awareness, and timed open-book confidence.
Week 1
Exam Map + General Glazing
- Verify current references
- Organize the book set
- Study glass types and terminology
- Review handling and installation basics
- Take a baseline practice test
Week 2
Glass Systems
- Storefront systems
- Frames and sashes
- Doors and panels
- Window-wall and curtain-wall concepts
- Setting materials and system components
Week 3
IBC Code Requirements
- Safety glazing
- Hazardous locations
- Doors and adjacent glazing
- Guards and wall conditions
- Chapter navigation drills
Week 4
Sealants + Plastics
- Sealant compatibility
- Joint preparation
- Weatherproofing
- Adhesives
- Plastics and acrylic glazing substitutes
Week 5
OSHA Safety
- PPE
- Fall protection
- Ladders and scaffolds
- Glass handling and storage
- Tools and elevated work
Week 6
Full GLZ Simulation
- 45-question practice exam
- 100-minute timer
- Mixed-reference drills
- Repair weak subjects
- Review Virginia licensing path
How Hard Is the Virginia Glass and Glazing Exam?
The Virginia GLZ exam is focused, but it expects both hands-on glazing knowledge and the ability to locate code and safety requirements quickly.
Candidates receive 100 minutes for 45 questions. That averages roughly 2 minutes and 13 seconds per question.
Field experience can help with glass handling, frames, doors, sealants, and installation methods, but code-based questions may depend on wording and conditions that are easier to verify in the IBC.
The three largest categories General Glazing, Glass Systems, and Code Requirements make up 32 questions. Weakness in any one of those areas can follow you through a large part of the test.
The open-book format helps candidates who have practiced. It slows down candidates who meet their books for the first time in the testing center. Your references should feel like familiar tools, not strangers wearing permanent tabs.
Virginia Glass and Glazing Exam Day Checklist
Do this
- Confirm your PSI appointment
- Bring the required identification
- Bring only currently permitted references
- Use approved permanent tabs
- Complete allowed highlighting and underlining before testing
- Know which reference covers code, glazing practice, and OSHA
- Practice safety-glazing lookups
- Keep an average pace near 2:13 per scored question
- Flag difficult questions and return when time remains
- Use the current PSI instructions as the final exam-room rulebook
Do not do this
- Bring removable Post-it-style tabs
- Bring loose or unbound reference pages
- Add handwritten notes that violate PSI rules
- Plan to write inside references during the exam
- Search the IBC for every trade-practice question
- Search the glazing manual for every code question
- Ignore OSHA safety
- Spend eight minutes proving one answer
- Assume passing GLZ automatically issues a contractor license
Current PSI rule: references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before testing, but must otherwise remain unmarked. Permanent tabs are allowed; removable tabs are not.
Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Exam Prep Options
Virginia GLZ Exam Prep Collection
Trade-Focused Virginia Preparation
- Virginia Glass and Glazing specialty focus
- General glazing review
- Glass systems review
- Code-navigation strategy
- Sealants and glazing materials
- Construction safety review
- Reference and exam-prep resources
Complete GLZ Book Package
Current Reference Library
- OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926
- 2021 International Building Code
- 2019 GANA Glazing Manual
- 2016 model-code glazing guide
- Code and trade coverage
- Open-book study library
- Virginia GLZ exam focus
Virginia Contractor Support
Exam + Licensing Resources
- Virginia contractor exam prep
- Class A/B business exam resources
- Pre-license education options
- Application support
- Licensing guidance
- Reference preparation
- Contractor business resources
Need the technical books? The Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Exam Complete Book Package brings the current reference set together in one place.
Need the full GLZ collection? Browse the Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor collection for current 1 Exam Prep options.
Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Exam Prep
This Virginia-specific 1 Exam Prep image is directly related to the Glass and Glazing Contractor exam-preparation topic.
• Virginia GLZ specialty examination
• 45 scored questions
• 100-minute testing period
• 70% passing requirement
• Open-book preparation
• General Glazing
• Glass Systems
• Code Requirements
• Plastics and Acrylics
• Sealant Installations
• OSHA construction safety
GLZ success is a mix of trade knowledge and fast reference work. Know the glass, know the system, know the code condition, and know which book should be open before you start searching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Virginia GLZ Licensing
GLZ is the Virginia Board for Contractors abbreviation for Glass and Glazing Contracting.
Virginia contractor licensing is administered by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation through the Board for Contractors.
Yes. GLZ is one of the Virginia specialties that requires the applicable Qualified Individual pre-approval before the specialty examination is scheduled.
Virginia generally requires at least 1 year of specialty experience for a Class C QI, 3 years for Class B, and 5 years for Class A.
GLZ Exam Basics
The current PSI content outline lists 45 questions.
Candidates currently receive 100 minutes.
The current minimum passing score is 70 percent.
Yes. The current GLZ examination is open book, and candidates must bring their own permitted references.
PSI administers the Virginia contractor specialty examinations.
Exam Topics
General Glazing is the largest category with 12 questions.
Glass Systems contains 10 questions.
Code Requirements contains 10 questions.
Yes. Safety contains 5 questions, and OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 is part of the current reference set.
Yes. Sealant Installations contains 4 questions.
Yes. Plastics and Acrylics contains 4 questions.
Books and Open-Book Rules
The current Virginia GLZ exam information points candidates to the 2021 International Building Code for the current ICC code cycle. Always verify the current PSI outline before your scheduled exam.
Yes. OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, or the permitted PSI selection when applicable, is used for construction safety preparation.
Yes. PSI permits approved references to be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination, subject to the current testing rules.
Permanent tabs are permitted under the current GLZ rules. Removable tabs and temporary flags are not.
Current PSI rules require the references to remain otherwise unmarked. Written notes are not permitted, and candidates may not write in the books during the exam.
Scope of Work
Yes. Virginia's GLZ definition specifically includes mirrored glass within the specialty scope.
Yes. The specialty includes fabrication and glazing of frames, panels, sashes, and doors, or installation of those items in structures.
Yes. Standard methods of weatherproofing, caulking, glazing, sealants, and adhesives are included in the Virginia GLZ specialty.
Virginia's regulations state that the Residential Building Contractor and Commercial Building Contractor classifications also provide for the glass and glazing function within their broader scopes.
Virginia's regulations also state that the HIC and CIC specialties provide for the glass and glazing function within their authorized scopes.
Virginia Contractor Classes
No. GLZ describes the type of specialty work. Class A describes the financial level of the contractor license.
Yes. The Class B Designated Employee business exam includes the Virginia and General portions.
Yes. Class A uses the Virginia, General, and Advanced business examination portions.
Yes. Virginia requires eight hours of approved pre-license education for new Class A, B, and C contractor licenses.
1 Exam Prep
Yes. 1 Exam Prep has a Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor collection with topic-specific preparation and reference options.
Yes. 1 Exam Prep offers a Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Exam Complete Book Package built around the current glazing, code, and safety reference library.
The current package lists OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, the 2021 International Building Code, the 2019 GANA Glazing Manual, and the 2016 Guide to Glass & Glazing Requirements of the Model Building Codes.
Yes. 1 Exam Prep has a topic-specific video titled How to Pass the VA Glass & Glazing Contractor Exam.
Watch: How to Pass the VA Glass & Glazing Contractor Exam
Watch this topic-specific 1 Exam Prep Virginia GLZ video for guidance on exam expectations, open-book preparation, reference navigation, glass and glazing subjects, highlighting and tabbing, practice-test strategy, and exam-day preparation.
Virginia GLZ study tip: use the video to reinforce your exam strategy, then practice the official six content areas separately. The exam rewards people who can identify whether a question is about trade practice, glass systems, sealants, plastics, code, or safety before they start flipping pages.
Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Exam Prep Resources
Combine current Virginia DPOR and PSI information with focused 1 Exam Prep glass and glazing references, Virginia contractor resources, pre-license education, and business exam preparation.
Virginia Glass & Glazing Exam Prep Collection Virginia GLZ Complete Book Package Virginia Contractor License Exam Prep Virginia Business Management & Law Virginia 8-Hour Pre-License Course Virginia Board for Contractors Virginia QI Exam Information PSI Testing Contact 1 Exam Prep
Final verification rule: use the current PSI specialty outline for exam questions, time, passing score, reference books, tabs, and testing-room rules. Use current Virginia DPOR information for GLZ scope, QI eligibility, experience, license class, pre-license education, fees, and application requirements.
Ready for Virginia Glass and Glazing Contractor Exam Prep?
Build stronger glazing knowledge, faster reference navigation, better code-location skills, confidence with glass systems, sealants, plastics, safety glazing, OSHA requirements, and a clearer understanding of how the GLZ Qualified Individual examination fits into the Virginia Class A, B, or C contractor licensing process.
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Virginia Glass & Glazing Contractor Exam Prep
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