Important project-scope rule: West Virginia lists Remodeling & Repair for general remodeling, additions, and repairs to existing structures, with work limited to projects costing no more than $40,000. The classification does not automatically authorize trades that require a separate license, such as electrical, plumbing, or HVAC. Always confirm the right classification with the Board.
This contractor classification covers general remodeling, additions, and repairs to existing structures. The work can include rough and finish carpentry, installing related hardware and accessories, and smaller repairs or replacements of premade items. The current state exam bulletin limits projects within this classification to a cost not exceeding $40,000.
Remodeling is different from constructing a completely new home. Instead of starting with empty land, you work around what is already there. That brings challenges such as matching new framing to old walls, repairing damaged surfaces, measuring irregular openings, protecting finished areas, and sequencing trades in occupied buildings.
Licensing authority: West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.
Testing provider: Prov.
Remodeling & Repair exam: 50 questions.
Time: 3 hours (180 minutes).
Passing score: 70%.
Format: Open book with authorized references.
Current project-cost limit: $40,000.
Separate Contractor Licensing Act exam: 90 questions, 3 hours.
Exam fee: $59.95 per test under the May 2026 Prov bulletin, verify when scheduling.
For trade-specific practice, review the West Virginia Remodeling & Repair Contractor Online Course.
Use the state classification, required exams, and contractor business application as your roadmap.
| Step | Requirement | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm Remodeling & Repair Scope | State Classification | Work on existing structures; verify that the project cost is no more than $40,000. |
| Choose Your Qualifying Individual | Board Relationship | Qualifier should be responsible management or a full-time employee. |
| Study Trade Subjects | Prov Trade Exam | Prepare for nine subject areas and 50 questions. |
| Organize Exam References | Prov Bulletin | Use IRC 2018, Masonry and Sitework, and Residential Carpentry and Repair. |
| Prepare the Law Examination | Contractor Licensing Act | Review contractor law, Board rules, contracts, and residential defect procedures. |
| Pass Required Exams | Prov | Trade exam and the applicable 90-question law exam, 70% passing. |
| Complete Business Records | Application | Review registration, insurance, taxes, and workforce documentation. |
| Check Specialty Restrictions | Separate Licensing | Confirm if electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or other work needs its own authorization. |
| Submit Contractor License Application | WVCLB | Use current Board forms, classification, and supporting evidence. |
These published details come from the May 7, 2026 West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board and Prov Candidate Information Bulletin.
| Verified Point | Authority | Current Result |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing Authority | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board |
| Testing Provider | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | Prov |
| Remodeling & Repair Questions | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | 50 |
| Trade Exam Time | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | 3 hours |
| Passing Score | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | 70% |
| Format | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | Open book |
| Published Project-Cost Limit | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | $40,000 maximum |
| Subject Areas | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | 9 |
| Trade Exam Fee | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | $59.95 under the May 7, 2026 bulletin |
| Main Code Reference | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | 2018 International Residential Code |
| Carpentry Category | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | 10 questions |
| Roofing, Siding & Insulation | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | 6 questions |
| Contractor Licensing Act | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | 90 questions, 3 hours |
| Qualifying Individual | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | Responsible management or full-time employee |
| Home-Based Proctoring | WVCLB / Prov 2026 Bulletin | Examroom option described by Prov |
Official-information reminder: Check the most recent Prov Candidate Information Bulletin for fees, references, exam-day rules, and eligibility before scheduling.
The trade examination contains 50 questions across nine subject areas. It covers more than the visible finish work. You must know how repairs fit into existing construction, how materials behave, and how to plan safe work before making the first cut.
Carpentry is the largest section with 10 questions, or 20% of the exam. Roofing, Siding & Insulation follows with 6 questions.
Planning and Estimating, Concrete, Masonry, Doors & Windows & Stairs, Finishes, and Safety each contain 5 questions. Sitework contains 4 questions.
Carpentry and Roofing, Siding & Insulation together account for 16 of 50 questions. Still, the other seven areas carry 34 questions, so a focused but balanced study plan works better than memorizing only framing and drywall.
Three hours gives you an average of 3 minutes and 36 seconds per question. Use your time to confirm the correct reference instead of flipping through every book like a mystery novel.
The smartest way to study is to connect each exam topic to the right reference. Spend extra time on carpentry, then cover the remaining categories with short practice sessions and clear notes made for studying, not for bringing into the test room.
Planning and Estimating: Review measurements, material quantities, basic project budgets, reading repair plans, and identifying existing-condition problems.
Sitework: Review grading, drainage, soil, excavation, and site protection around existing buildings.
Concrete and Masonry: Study cracks, repairs, slabs, footings, masonry materials, mortar, flashing, and foundation interfaces.
Carpentry: Practice wall, floor, and roof framing, structural repairs, fastening, lumber selection, layout, and safe demolition.
Roofing, Siding & Insulation: Review roof covering details, moisture protection, insulation, siding installation, and ventilation.
Doors, Windows and Stairs: Learn rough openings, trim, fastening, weather protection, stairs, landings, and dimensional code rules.
Finishes and Safety: Review drywall, interior and exterior finish methods, ladders, falls, PPE, dust, and jobsite tools.
Use the West Virginia Remodeling & Repair online course to practice a repeatable process for finding answers without wasting exam time.
Remodeling questions can jump from a roof repair to a concrete patch, then to a stair detail or an OSHA rule. A well-organized candidate notices which kind of problem is being asked before reaching for a reference.
Focus on remodeling existing structures, code requirements, carpentry, materials, and safe repairs.
Follow each licensing stage in order, from choosing the classification to your final application.
Check that your projects concern existing structures and fit the current $40,000 classification limit.
Confirm the appropriate responsible management or full-time employment relationship.
Organize IRC 2018, Masonry and Sitework, and Residential Carpentry and Repair.
Study all nine categories, including 10 carpentry questions and six roofing, siding and insulation questions.
Learn licensing law, Board regulations, written contracts, and residential defect procedures.
Follow Prov identification, testing, permitted materials, and scoring rules.
Prepare company, tax, insurance, qualifier, and workforce documentation as applicable.
Submit the current application and comply with scope limits and any separate trade licenses.
Bars compare each category to Carpentry, the largest 10-question topic.
Highest weight: Carpentry has 10 questions and Roofing, Siding & Insulation has six. Together they represent 16 of the 50 trade questions. The other seven categories still make up most of the test.
The current May 7, 2026 Prov bulletin lists three references for this trade exam.
| Reference | Bulletin Share | Primary Study Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code, 2018 | 56% | Residential code rules, framing, roof and wall assemblies, stairs, openings, insulation, materials, tables, and code navigation. |
| Masonry and Sitework for the Residential Contractor, 2nd Edition | 6% | Concrete, foundations, masonry, grading, drainage, and sitework. |
| Study Guide for Residential Carpentry and Repair, 2nd Edition, 2014 | 36% | Carpentry methods, framing repairs, tools, materials, remodeling practices, and related construction knowledge. |
Reference-share note: The bulletin prints 56%, 6%, and 36% for the three books, totaling 98%. Those are the published figures; do not adjust them to force a 100% total.
Permitted-reference rule: Although Prov generally prohibits unauthorized test-preparation guides, the specifically listed Study Guide for Residential Carpentry and Repair is an approved named reference for this examination.
Prov rules: Permitted preparation includes highlighting and permanent tabs. Handwritten notes, moveable tabs, Post-it notes, photocopied references, and unauthorized study guides are not allowed.
This classification allows general remodeling, additions, and repairs to existing structures. It includes rough and finish carpentry, related hardware and accessories, and minor repairs or replacements of premade items. The official definition restricts the work to projects where the cost does not exceed $40,000.
Possible projects include fitting new doors and windows, replacing damaged trim, repairing sections of framing, updating finishes, and making certain roof or siding repairs within the classification and applicable codes. However, the exact permitted scope is controlled by the state classification and other licensing rules, not by a project name on a customer invoice.
Before a project starts, assess the full scope, budget, permits, special trade requirements, and structural condition. A minor-looking repair can reveal much larger problems after demolition. That is why careful planning and estimating matter on the exam and on the job.
Scope warning: Do not assume this classification authorizes new-home construction, higher-cost projects, or work requiring separate electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or other trade licenses. Ask the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board when unsure.
Choose the classification that matches your projects, not just a similar-sounding name.
| Classification | Main Scope | Trade Exam | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remodeling & Repair Contractor | General remodeling, additions, and repair of existing structures | 50 questions / 3 hours | Listed $40,000 project-cost limit |
| Residential Contractor | Broader construction, repair, and improvement of residential real property | 60 questions / 3 hours | Broader residential construction classification |
| General Building Contractor | Larger or commercial building-construction scope | 80 questions / 3 hours | Broader building classification |
| Specialty Trade Contractor | Specific work such as electrical, HVAC, or plumbing | Depends on specialty | Separate approvals may be required even on repair projects |
Qualifying individual: Prov states that the trade exam qualifier must be part of responsible management or a full-time employee of the contractor entity.
Build practical repair knowledge, residential code skills, reference speed, and contractor-law readiness.
This trade examination covers many parts of an existing building. The next question might ask about framing, a roof repair, a masonry patch, a stair detail, estimating, or safety. It is like opening a toolbox and discovering the measuring tape, level, and hammer all want a turn.
You have 180 minutes for 50 questions, which averages 3 minutes and 36 seconds per question. That may sound generous, until a tough code lookup asks you to chase three cross-references and a table.
Carpentry is the biggest topic with 10 questions, but the other eight categories are important too. Use the subject breakdown to set priorities and the listed book percentages to understand which references are most frequently used.
The separate contractor-law exam adds licensing, business compliance, written contracts, and Board rules to your preparation. Knowing how to repair a wall does not tell you everything about running a compliant contracting business.
Practice with timed exams, learn which book answers each subject, and review your missed questions. A prepared reference is useful only if you know how to navigate it.
Exam-day priority: The current Prov bulletin controls approved references, ID, calculator rules, scheduling, and test-center procedures.
Need only tabs? See West Virginia Remodeling and Repair Pre-Printed Tabs.
Want licensing and business-setup support? Review the All-Inclusive Remodeling & Repair Package.
Preparing for business law separately? See West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act Online Course.

This matching 1 Exam Prep remodeling contractor course image is specific to the West Virginia Prov licensing examination.
• West Virginia Remodeling & Repair trade classification
• Prov-administered contractor examination
• 50 trade questions in 3 hours
• 70% passing requirement
• 2018 International Residential Code
• Carpentry and repair methods
• Roofing, siding, and insulation
• Sitework, concrete, and masonry
• Doors, windows, stairs, finishes, and safety
• Separate Contractor Licensing Act study
Good remodeling preparation starts with a plan, builds from the existing structure, and finishes with solid knowledge of the reference books. The exam rewards the same attention to detail as a carefully repaired house.
Licensing and Work Scope
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board oversees contractor licensing, with assistance from the Division of Labor.
It covers general remodeling, additions, and repairs to existing structures, including rough and finish carpentry and certain minor replacements.
The May 7, 2026 Prov bulletin limits work in this classification to projects whose cost does not exceed $40,000.
The published Remodeling & Repair classification describes existing-structure work. Check with the Board about a Residential or other classification for new construction.
Not when another law or local rule requires a separate trade license. Confirm each specialty before contracting.
Trade Exam
The current Prov outline lists 50 questions.
Three hours, or 180 minutes.
The published passing standard is 70%.
Yes, with only the references and preparations allowed by Prov.
The May 7, 2026 bulletin lists $59.95 for each examination. Confirm current fees when booking.
Subject Areas
Carpentry is the largest category, with 10 questions.
Six questions.
Yes. Planning and Estimating includes five questions.
Yes. The Safety section contains five questions.
Yes. Doors & Windows & Stairs has five questions.
Each is a separate five-question category.
Approved References and Rules
International Residential Code, 2018.
Masonry and Sitework for the Residential Contractor, 2nd Edition, and Study Guide for Residential Carpentry and Repair, 2nd Edition, 2014.
Prov allows permanent tabs and highlighting in authorized references.
No. Prov does not permit movable tabs, Post-it notes, or handwritten notes in the approved references.
No. Only listed authorized exam references may be used, under Prov rules.
Contractor Law and 1 Exam Prep
Contractor applicants must pass that separate exam in addition to applicable trade exams.
90 questions with a three-hour limit.
Yes. 1 Exam Prep offers a West Virginia Remodeling and Repair Contractor Online Exam Prep Course for Prov.
Yes. 1 Exam Prep lists highlighted and tabbed trade books, pre-printed tabs, and book rental options.
No. The business must still satisfy state application and licensing requirements.
This topic-specific 1 Exam Prep video is featured on the West Virginia Remodeling & Repair book-package page. Watch it for an introduction, then use the nine-category exam outline and three approved references to guide your practice.
Study tip: After the video, complete a timed 50-question session emphasizing carpentry, roofing and siding, safety, estimation, and quick reference navigation.
Combine official West Virginia licensing and Prov materials with 1 Exam Prep courses, reference books, prepared tabs, rental sets, and Contractor Licensing Act study options.
Verify before testing: Use the newest Board and Prov information for exam outlines, reference editions, permitted book markings, fees, and official license requirements.
Build confidence with carpentry, roof and siding repairs, concrete, masonry, planning, estimating, doors, windows, stairs, finishes, safety, and the 2018 residential code. Add preparation for the separate West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act examination and keep your project scope aligned with current state rules.
Questions? Call 877-775-9400 or email sales@1examprep.com.
West Virginia Remodeling & Repair Contractor Exam Prep