Virginia Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting Exam Complete Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package

Prepare for the Virginia Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting examination with a complete highlighted and tabbed reference package designed to support faster navigation and more organized open-book exam preparation. This package covers ceramic tile, stone, hardwood flooring, resilient flooring, carpet installation, subfloor preparation, estimating, installation methods, and OSHA construction safety.

Virginia regulates Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors. The specialty is identified as FLR and includes installation, repair, improvement, or removal of materials commonly used in the flooring industry, including wood and wood-composite flooring, carpet securing products, vinyl, linoleum, ceramic, marble, stone, and other types of tile.

The FLR specialty also includes installation or replacement of subflooring, leveling products, and other materials necessary to facilitate installation of the flooring or floor covering. Structural floor joists and other structural components of the flooring system are outside the specific FLR specialty scope.

This package includes ANSI A108/A118/A136 August 2024, Code of Federal Regulations (OSHA) 29 Part 1926, Handbook for Ceramic Tile, 2017 Edition, Stanley Complete Flooring, Hardwood Floors: Laying, Sanding, and Finishing, Builder’s Guide to Floors, and Setting Tile.

The included ANSI A108/A118/A136 August 2024 is a newer edition than the ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017 edition identified in the PSI examination reference list. Candidates should understand that examination questions tied to this reference are based on the edition identified by PSI, even when a newer edition of the reference is brought to the examination.

The books in this package are prepared with highlighting and tabs to make important material easier to locate during study and exam preparation. Candidates still need to understand the trade, know which reference applies to a particular question, and practice locating information efficiently.

Please allow 15 business days for your books to be tabbed and highlighted.

Exam Details

The Virginia Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting examination is a technical specialty examination for Qualified Individuals seeking the FLR designation. Virginia identifies FLR as one of the specialties requiring pre-approval and successful completion of an approved technical examination.

The examination contains 50 scored questions, provides 120 minutes for completion, and requires a minimum passing score of 70%, or 35 correct answers.

The major examination areas include:

• Ceramic Floor Tile and Stone
• Resilient Flooring
• Wood Flooring
• Carpeting
• Estimating Materials
• Safety

Ceramic tile and stone make up a substantial part of the technical knowledge required for the FLR examination. Candidates should study recognized installation methods, substrates, mortars, adhesives, grout, movement accommodation, layout, cutting, setting procedures, and material requirements.

Wood-flooring preparation should include layout, substrate conditions, moisture considerations, fastening, installation techniques, sanding, and finishing. Carpet and resilient-flooring preparation should include surface preparation, measuring, layout, seams, adhesives, cushion, tack strips, and installation procedures.

Estimating is another important part of preparation. Candidates should be comfortable calculating square footage, determining material quantities, interpreting dimensions, and applying the information presented in trade scenarios.

Open Book Test

The Virginia Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting examination is an open book test. Candidates should bring the permitted references they intend to use and follow current PSI rules governing reference materials.

The testing period provides 120 minutes for 50 scored questions, which averages approximately two minutes and twenty-four seconds per question. Highlighted and tabbed books can make reference navigation more organized, but candidates should still practice locating information before exam day.

The package includes the August 2024 edition of ANSI A108/A118/A136. The PSI examination reference list identifies ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017 as the edition on which applicable exam questions are based. PSI permits newer editions of listed references, but candidates should study with awareness of the exam's identified 2017 reference edition.

Questions involving tile installation standards may direct attention toward the ANSI reference or the ceramic tile handbook. Practical tile-setting questions may also be supported by Setting Tile. Hardwood questions should direct attention toward Hardwood Floors: Laying, Sanding, and Finishing.

Broad flooring topics may be supported by Stanley Complete Flooring or Builder’s Guide to Floors. Construction safety questions should direct attention toward OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926.

The value of a highlighted and tabbed package is greatest when it is combined with active study. Candidates should know the terminology used in each reference, understand how the books are organized, and learn which reference is most likely to address a particular flooring question.

Licensing Steps

Virginia contractor licensing is administered by the Virginia Board for Contractors. Contractor licenses consist of a license class and a classification or specialty. Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting is identified by the specialty abbreviation FLR.

1. Determine the appropriate contractor license class. Virginia contractor licenses are issued as Class A, Class B, or Class C, with the class determining the monetary level of contracting work that may be performed.
2. Select the FLR specialty. Request Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting when the business intends to perform work within Virginia's defined flooring specialty.
3. Designate a Qualified Individual. The business must identify a Qualified Individual for each requested classification or specialty.
4. Meet the applicable experience requirements. The Qualified Individual must satisfy the experience standards associated with the applicable contractor license class.
5. Complete applicable pre-license requirements. New Virginia contractor applicants must satisfy the education and application requirements established by the Board.
6. Receive exam approval. FLR is identified by Virginia as a specialty requiring pre-approval and successful completion of a technical examination.
7. Prepare for the FLR technical exam. Study ceramic tile, stone, hardwood, resilient flooring, carpet, estimating, and safety.
8. Practice with the highlighted and tabbed references. Learn where important subjects are located and how the books relate to the exam categories.
9. Schedule the technical examination. Follow the approved examination registration and scheduling process.
10. Complete the remaining contractor licensing requirements. Submit the required application materials and satisfy all Board requirements for the requested license class and FLR specialty.

State Requirements

Virginia defines Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting as installation, repair, improvement, or removal of materials commonly used in the flooring industry.

The FLR specialty includes wood and wood-composite flooring, tack strips and other products used to secure carpet, vinyl and linoleum, ceramic, marble, stone, and other types of tile.

Virginia's definition also includes installation or replacement of subflooring, leveling products, and other materials necessary to facilitate installation of flooring or floor coverings.

The specialty does not include installation, repair, or removal of floor joists or other structural components of the flooring system. Structural work beyond the FLR scope requires the appropriate contractor authorization.

The Virginia Board for Contractors licenses the business entity. The contractor license class establishes the monetary level of work the business may undertake, while the classification or specialty determines the type of work the contractor is authorized to perform.

Virginia identifies FLR as one of the specialties for which Qualified Individuals must successfully complete an approved technical examination in addition to meeting applicable experience requirements.

Passing the FLR examination is only one part of obtaining the contractor license. Applicants must complete the full Board licensing process before performing work that requires a Virginia contractor license.

Reference Books

• ANSI A108/A118/A136 August 2024
  Included Book: Highlighted and tabbed reference containing tile installation standards and specifications addressing installation methods, setting materials, mortars, adhesives, grouts, and related ceramic tile products. The package includes the August 2024 edition, while PSI identifies the 2017 edition for the examination basis.
• Code of Federal Regulations (OSHA) 29 Part 1926
  Included Book: Highlighted and tabbed construction-safety reference covering personal protective equipment, hand and power tools, electrical hazards, ladders, material handling, housekeeping, and other OSHA requirements applicable to construction work.
• Handbook for Ceramic Tile, 2017 Edition
  Included Book: Highlighted and tabbed tile-industry reference covering recognized methods for ceramic tile assemblies, substrates, setting systems, preparation, movement considerations, and installation details.
• Stanley Complete Flooring
  Included Book: Highlighted and tabbed practical flooring guide covering multiple flooring materials, surface preparation, layout, installation, repair, and general flooring techniques.
• Hardwood Floors: Laying, Sanding, and Finishing
  Included Book: Highlighted and tabbed hardwood-flooring reference covering installation, laying, fastening, sanding, finishing, preparation, and practical wood-floor techniques.
• Builder’s Guide to Floors
  Included Book: Highlighted and tabbed reference addressing floor systems, substrates, materials, construction methods, preparation, and general flooring concepts useful for installation and estimating preparation.
• Setting Tile
  Included Book: Highlighted and tabbed practical tile-setting resource covering surface preparation, layout, cutting, setting, grouting, tools, materials, and installation techniques.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin preparation with ceramic tile and stone. This subject requires both practical installation knowledge and familiarity with industry standards. Use the ANSI reference with the ceramic tile handbook and Setting Tile so technical requirements can be connected with real-world installation methods.

Study substrate conditions before focusing only on the finished material. Flooring systems depend on a suitable supporting surface, and candidates should understand preparation, flatness, stability, moisture-related concerns, leveling, and compatibility with the selected installation system.

For ceramic tile, review layout, setting materials, mortars, adhesives, grout, joints, movement accommodation, cutting, and installation methods. Learn the organization of the ANSI reference so individual provisions can be located efficiently.

Because this package contains the August 2024 ANSI edition, candidates should remember that the examination's listed reference basis is the 2017 edition. Use the newer book as the included reference while keeping the exam edition distinction in mind during preparation.

The Handbook for Ceramic Tile supports study of recognized tile installation methods. Learn how the handbook organizes assemblies according to substrate, location, and installation conditions so you can quickly narrow a question to the relevant method.

Setting Tile reinforces practical skills such as surface preparation, layout, cutting, setting, and grouting. Practical trade knowledge can help candidates interpret technical exam questions more efficiently.

For wood flooring, study moisture considerations, substrate conditions, layout, installation direction, fastening, sanding, and finishing. Wood can change dimension as environmental conditions change, so moisture awareness is an important part of proper installation.

Use Hardwood Floors: Laying, Sanding, and Finishing to review the complete sequence of hardwood work. Understand how preparation, installation, sanding, and finishing affect the performance and appearance of the completed floor.

For resilient flooring, focus on surface preparation, adhesives, layout, cutting, seams, and installation techniques. The finished appearance of resilient flooring can be strongly affected by substrate irregularities and poor preparation.

For carpeting, review measuring, layout, cushion, tack strips, seams, stretching, trimming, and installation methods. Understanding material dimensions and room layout also supports estimating questions.

Estimating Materials requires comfort with common flooring calculations. Practice calculating floor area, tile quantities, material requirements, and other measurements using consistent units.

Read each estimating question carefully. Dimensions, waste requirements, layout conditions, or material sizes can affect the final quantity. Organize calculations before selecting an answer.

Use Stanley Complete Flooring for broad practical review across flooring categories. Builder’s Guide to Floors can reinforce knowledge of floors, substrates, construction systems, and general installation considerations.

For Safety, study OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926. Flooring contractors may work with saws, grinders, portable electrical tools, adhesives, cutting equipment, ladders, and construction materials while operating around other trades.

Review personal protective equipment, hand and power tools, electrical safety, housekeeping, and material-handling requirements. Candidates should understand both safe work practices and how to locate applicable OSHA provisions quickly.

Highlighted sections and tabs can reduce the amount of time spent searching, but they do not replace understanding. During practice, first identify whether the question concerns tile, hardwood, resilient flooring, carpet, estimating, or safety. Then select the most appropriate reference.

A productive open-book method is to answer familiar questions directly and use the references for technical details, standards, calculations, or provisions that require confirmation. Avoid searching multiple books when the subject clearly belongs to one reference.

Practice under timed conditions. With 120 minutes for 50 scored questions, candidates average approximately two minutes and twenty-four seconds per question. Time spent learning book navigation before test day can make the examination more manageable.

When reviewing missed questions, identify the underlying reason. A mistake may come from selecting the wrong tile method, misunderstanding a substrate requirement, making a measurement error, confusing flooring materials, or failing to locate the applicable OSHA provision.

A strong preparation routine combines technical reading, trade knowledge, calculation practice, OSHA review, and repeated use of the highlighted and tabbed references.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Virginia Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting candidates with an organized highlighted and tabbed book package covering the principal technical areas associated with the FLR examination.

The included references support trade-focused preparation for ceramic tile and stone, hardwood flooring, resilient flooring, carpeting, substrates, setting materials, floor construction, estimating, and OSHA construction safety.

Highlighting and tabbing can help candidates locate important sections more efficiently during study. The preparation is especially useful for candidates who want a more organized reference set instead of beginning with unmarked books.

1 Exam Prep also emphasizes reference navigation. Candidates should practice identifying the type of question, selecting the correct book, and locating the appropriate subject efficiently. This skill is particularly important when working with several references during an open-book examination.

The package is designed to support structured study and confidence-building preparation without guaranteeing a passing examination score, contractor license, or approval from the Virginia Board for Contractors.

Please allow 15 business days for your books to be tabbed and highlighted.

What is the Virginia Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting specialty?

The Virginia FLR specialty covers installation, repair, improvement, or removal of flooring materials including wood, wood composites, carpet securing products, vinyl, linoleum, ceramic tile, marble, stone, and other tile products.

How many questions are on the Virginia FLR exam?

The examination contains 50 scored questions.

How much time is allowed for the FLR exam?

Candidates have 120 minutes to complete the examination.

What score is required to pass?

The minimum passing score is 70%, or 35 correct answers out of 50 scored questions.

Is the Virginia Flooring and Floor Covering exam open book?

Yes. The Virginia FLR technical examination is an open book test, subject to current PSI rules for allowable references.

Are the books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. The books in this package are highlighted and tabbed to support organized studying and faster navigation of important reference material.

How long does highlighting and tabbing take?

Please allow 15 business days for your books to be tabbed and highlighted.

Which ANSI edition is included?

This package includes ANSI A108/A118/A136 August 2024.

Which ANSI edition is the exam based on?

The PSI examination reference list identifies ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017 as the examination reference edition. This package includes the newer August 2024 edition.

Does the package include OSHA?

Yes. The package includes Code of Federal Regulations (OSHA) 29 Part 1926, highlighted and tabbed for easier navigation.

Does the exam cover ceramic tile and stone?

Yes. Ceramic tile and stone are major technical subjects for the Virginia Flooring and Floor Covering Contracting examination.

Does the exam cover hardwood flooring?

Yes. Candidates should prepare for hardwood-floor installation, preparation, sanding, finishing, and related wood-flooring subjects.

Does FLR include subflooring?

Yes. Virginia's FLR specialty includes installation or replacement of subflooring, leveling products, and other materials needed to facilitate flooring installation. Structural floor joists are outside the FLR specialty scope.

Does passing the FLR exam automatically issue a contractor license?

No. Passing the technical examination is one part of the Virginia contractor licensing process. The business must complete the other applicable requirements of the Virginia Board for Contractors.

Why choose the highlighted and tabbed complete book package?

The package brings together the flooring, tile, hardwood, floor-construction, and OSHA references used for organized FLR preparation while adding highlighting and tabs to make key material easier to navigate during study.