The 1 Package: All-Inclusive Virginia Masonry Contractor Exam, Licensing & Business Setup Solution

Take a more complete approach to becoming a Virginia Masonry Contractor with The 1 Package, an all-inclusive solution that brings together exam preparation, rental reference books, contractor licensing support, Application Service, and business setup assistance. This package is designed for candidates pursuing the Virginia Masonry Contracting specialty, commonly identified as BRK, who want one organized path covering preparation for the technical examination and important steps involved in establishing their contracting business.

The Virginia Masonry Contractor licensing process involves more than preparing for a trade examination. Candidates may need to coordinate technical exam requirements, contractor business requirements, Qualified Individual qualifications, state application procedures, business formation, tax identification, and compliance considerations. The 1 Package is structured to bring these areas together so candidates can work through the process with an organized preparation plan.

The package includes rental reference materials covering masonry construction, safety, building codes, stone, restoration, Virginia contractor business and law, and Virginia building regulations. Candidates also receive 1 year of course access, giving them an extended period to review technical subjects, work with the books, practice reference navigation, and strengthen weaker study areas.

Application Service is included with The 1 Package. Business setup assistance is also included to help customers establish the business foundation needed to operate professionally as a Virginia masonry contractor. This includes Business Formation, EIN Filing with the IRS, and Contractor Compliance Guidance.

The included references are the Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), the 2021 International Building Code, Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone by Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition, the Indiana Limestone Handbook, 22nd Edition, 2007, and Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings by Robert C. Mack and John P. Speweik, October 1998.

The package also includes the NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Virginia 11th Edition and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2021 Edition, USBC. These additional resources support broader Virginia contractor preparation alongside the masonry-specific technical references.

The refundable deposit applies to the rental book portion of the package according to the rental return terms.

Please allow up to 15 business days for The 1 Package book orders.

The 1 Package is designed for candidates who want to coordinate exam preparation and business setup instead of treating each part as a separate project. The included one-year course access gives students time to study with the references, while Application Service and business setup assistance support the broader process of preparing the contracting business.

Exam Details

The Virginia Masonry Contracting specialty is identified as BRK. Virginia contractor licenses consist of a license class together with one or more classifications or specialties. The specialty determines the type of contracting work the licensed business is authorized to perform.

Masonry Contracting involves work associated with masonry materials and construction methods, including brick, concrete block, stone, marble, slate, and other products commonly used in masonry construction. Candidates preparing for the BRK specialty examination should understand both practical masonry methods and the technical information found in the applicable reference materials.

Important areas of preparation include estimating and plan reading, unit masonry, mortar and grout, accessories and specialties, stone, tools, restoration and cleaning, reinforced masonry, and construction safety. Each of these subjects represents a different part of the knowledge expected from a professional masonry contractor.

Exam preparation should combine trade understanding with reference-navigation practice. Candidates should know which reference applies to a particular subject and become familiar with the organization, terminology, index, chapters, tables, and sections of each book.

Virginia requires successful completion of applicable contractor examinations before applying for licensure. BRK Masonry is among the specialty designations requiring the Qualified Individual to receive pre-approval and successfully complete the appropriate technical examination.

Open Book Test

The Virginia Masonry Contracting technical examination is open book. Candidates must bring their own permitted reference materials and follow the testing provider’s current rules regarding the preparation and use of those references.

An open-book examination should not be approached as an opportunity to search every reference from beginning to end while testing. Candidates can use their time more efficiently by learning the books before exam day. A good study routine includes identifying the subject of a question, selecting the correct reference, finding the applicable section, and confirming the answer.

Some book(s) included with The 1 Package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. Highlighting can make important material easier to recognize, while tabs help organize sections for faster navigation. Candidates should still work directly with the books throughout the course-access period so they understand where information is located.

For example, construction-safety questions may require 29 CFR Part 1926. Building-code topics may direct the candidate toward the 2021 International Building Code. General masonry construction information may be found in Modern Masonry, while natural stone subjects may require the Indiana Limestone Handbook. Restoration questions involving historic mortar joints may call for the publication on repointing historic masonry buildings.

Licensing Steps

Virginia contractor licensing is administered by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation through the Board for Contractors. Contractor licenses are issued to business entities and sole proprietors rather than functioning only as personal trade credentials.

1. Select the appropriate license class. Virginia contractor licenses are available as Class A, Class B, or Class C licenses.
2. Select the Masonry Contracting specialty. Masonry Contracting is identified by the BRK specialty designation.
3. Establish the business structure. The 1 Package includes Business Formation assistance for an LLC or Corporation to help establish the customer’s contracting business entity.
4. Obtain an EIN. EIN Filing with the IRS is included to help establish the federal tax identification used for important business functions.
5. Identify the Qualified Individual. Virginia requires a Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty requested on the contractor application.
6. Meet the experience requirement. The Qualified Individual must satisfy the minimum experience requirement associated with the selected license class.
7. Complete required pre-license education. New Virginia Class A, Class B, and Class C contractor applicants must complete eight hours of approved pre-license education.
8. Obtain exam approval. BRK Masonry requires pre-approval for the applicable Qualified Individual specialty examination.
9. Prepare for and complete the required examination. Candidates should use the technical references and course materials to prepare for the required masonry examination.
10. Complete the contractor license application. Application Service is included with The 1 Package to support the application stage.
11. Address ongoing contractor compliance. Contractor Compliance Guidance is included to help customers understand important compliance considerations associated with operating the business.

State Requirements

Virginia contractor licenses contain two important components: the license class and the classification or specialty. The class determines the level of contracting activity authorized, while the classification or specialty identifies the type of contracting work the business can perform.

Each contractor business must provide a Qualified Individual for every classification or specialty requested. The Qualified Individual must be a member of Responsible Management or a qualifying full-time employee of the business.

The minimum experience requirement depends on the contractor license class. Virginia currently requires at least one year of applicable experience for a Class C Qualified Individual, three years for Class B, and five years for Class A.

BRK Masonry is one of the specialty designations requiring pre-approval and successful completion of the applicable examination. An Experience Verification Form is required for a Qualified Individual requesting a designation that requires examination pre-approval.

Virginia also requires eight hours of approved pre-license education for new Class A, Class B, and Class C contractor licenses. The pre-license course is a general business course covering regulations, statutes, and requirements applicable to contractor business owners. It is separate from the technical BRK Masonry examination.

Class A and Class B businesses also have Designated Employee examination requirements. The business examination covers general business knowledge and Virginia contractor laws and regulations, with the applicable examination structure depending on the license class.

Reference Books

• Included Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This federal construction-safety reference contains OSHA standards applicable to construction workplaces. It supports study involving personal protective equipment, scaffolds, ladders, fall protection, tools, material handling, and other construction-safety topics.
• Included Book: International Building Code, 2021
  The 2021 International Building Code contains building requirements applicable to regulated construction. Candidates should become familiar with its organization, definitions, chapters, sections, tables, index, and masonry-related provisions.
• Included Book: Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  This trade-focused reference addresses brick, block, stone, mortar, grout, masonry tools, layout, wall construction, reinforcing, and practical masonry methods.
• Included Book: Indiana Limestone Handbook, 22nd Edition, 2007
  This specialized reference provides information associated with Indiana limestone, including material characteristics, detailing, joints, fabrication, anchorage, handling, and installation.
• Included Book: Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings, Robert C. Mack and John P. Speweik, October 1998
  This preservation reference addresses repair of deteriorated mortar joints in historic masonry, including mortar selection, joint preparation, repointing procedures, tooling, curing, and cleaning.
• Included Book: NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Virginia 11th Edition
  This Virginia contractor reference addresses business, law, and project management topics useful for broader contractor licensing and business preparation.
• Included Book: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2021 Edition, USBC
  This Virginia-specific code reference provides material related to the Uniform Statewide Building Code and supports familiarity with Virginia building requirements.

Book Preparation: Some book(s) included with The 1 Package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. Preparation may vary by reference, and candidates should become familiar with every book before testing.

Test Information and Study Materials

An effective Virginia Masonry Contractor study plan should combine technical review, book navigation, and repeated practice. Candidates should divide the material into specific subject areas instead of attempting to study the entire reference collection at once.

Unit masonry preparation should cover terminology, brick and concrete masonry units, layout, bonding concepts, walls, openings, materials, and installation practices. Understanding trade terminology is especially helpful during an open-book exam because the correct terminology can lead directly to useful index entries and reference sections.

Mortar and grout preparation should include their properties, functions, mixing and placement concepts, joints, curing, and use within masonry construction. Reinforced masonry should also receive dedicated study because reinforcement introduces additional construction considerations and technical requirements.

Safety preparation should include direct use of 29 CFR Part 1926. Candidates should learn how OSHA’s construction standards are organized and practice locating information related to common construction hazards and work practices.

Building-code study should include frequent navigation of the 2021 International Building Code. Practice moving between the index, definitions, chapters, tables, sections, and cross-references. Familiarity with the structure of the code can make reference-based questions easier to approach.

Stone preparation should incorporate the Indiana Limestone Handbook, while restoration study should include Repointing Mortar Joints in Historic Masonry Buildings. These specialized references should become familiar enough that candidates know when to use them.

The package also contains Virginia-specific business, law, project-management, and building-code resources. These materials support the broader contractor licensing process and help candidates understand that technical masonry qualification is only one component of operating a licensed contracting business.

With 1 year of course access, candidates have time to revisit difficult subjects, work repeatedly with the rental references, strengthen trade knowledge, and build a consistent study routine. Regular practice over time can be more useful than attempting to absorb all of the technical material immediately before the exam.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Virginia Masonry Contractor candidates organize the different parts of exam preparation, licensing, and business setup into a more structured process. The 1 Package combines rental references, course access, Application Service, Business Formation assistance, EIN Filing, and Contractor Compliance Guidance.

Trade-focused review helps students work through masonry topics such as brick, block, mortar, grout, stone, tools, reinforced masonry, estimating, plan reading, restoration, and safety. Practice-oriented preparation encourages candidates to apply technical concepts and identify areas that need additional attention.

Reference navigation is an important part of preparation for an open-book examination. Candidates can work directly with the included books, become familiar with their structure, and practice locating information instead of relying entirely on memorization.

The business setup services add another level of support. Business Formation assistance helps establish an LLC or Corporation, while EIN Filing helps obtain the federal Employer Identification Number used for business banking, tax administration, hiring employees when applicable, and other business functions. Contractor Compliance Guidance supports a clearer understanding of requirements relevant to operating a contracting business.

Application Service is included to support the licensing application stage. Together, these services are intended to create an organized pathway from exam preparation through business setup and licensing support without guaranteeing an examination result, license approval, or business outcome.

Is the Virginia Masonry Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The Virginia Masonry Contracting technical examination is open book. Candidates must bring permitted reference materials and follow current testing rules for preparing and using those books.

How long is course access included?

The 1 Package includes 1 year of course access.

Is Application Service included?

Yes. Application Service is included with The 1 Package.

Does The 1 Package include business formation?

Yes. Business Formation assistance for an LLC or Corporation is included to help establish the customer’s business entity.

Does the package include EIN filing?

Yes. EIN Filing with the IRS is included. An EIN can be used for business banking, tax administration, hiring employees when applicable, and other business activities.

Is contractor compliance guidance included?

Yes. Contractor Compliance Guidance is included to help customers understand important compliance requirements associated with operating their contracting business.

Are the books purchased or rented?

The listed books are included as part of the rental book portion of The 1 Package. The refundable deposit applies according to the rental return terms.

What is the package price?

The package price is $2,210. The refundable rental-book deposit is $300, making the total due today $2,510.

Are the books highlighted and tabbed?

Some book(s) are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. Preparation may vary by reference.

How long should I allow for The 1 Package book order?

Please allow up to 15 business days for The 1 Package book orders.

What does BRK mean in Virginia contractor licensing?

BRK is the specialty designation for Masonry Contracting under the Virginia Board for Contractors.

Does Virginia require experience for the Qualified Individual?

Yes. The current minimum experience requirements are one year for Class C, three years for Class B, and five years for Class A in the applicable classification or specialty.

Is Virginia pre-license education included in the Masonry technical exam?

No. Virginia’s eight-hour contractor pre-license education requirement is separate from the BRK Masonry technical examination.