New Virginia Concrete Contractor Exam - Book Rental Package

Prepare for the Virginia Concrete Contractor examination with a complete rental package of technical reference books organized for open-book exam preparation. The New Virginia Concrete Contractor Exam - Book Rental Package includes seven highlighted and tabbed references covering OSHA construction safety, building-code requirements, structural concrete, concrete materials and mixtures, excavation, reinforcing steel, and concrete formwork.

This rental option is designed for candidates who need access to the books used throughout Virginia Concrete Contracting exam preparation without purchasing an entire permanent reference library. The books arrive highlighted and tabbed, helping candidates begin working with organized references instead of spending valuable preparation time creating a navigation system from scratch.

Virginia identifies Concrete Contracting by the specialty abbreviation CEM. The Virginia Board for Contractors regulates contractor licensing, while PSI administers the contractor specialty examination program. The Concrete Contracting specialty covers work associated with processing, proportioning, batching, mixing, conveying, and placing concrete, along with finishing, curing, repairing, testing, formwork, reinforcing steel, and other concrete-related activities.

Because Virginia contractor specialty examinations allow reference books, preparation should include both technical study and book navigation. Knowing concrete construction principles is important, but candidates should also learn where information is located within their references. Working repeatedly with the highlighted and tabbed rental books can help develop familiarity with chapter layouts, indexes, terminology, tables, code sections, and technical illustrations.

The rental package costs $1,395. An additional $900 refundable deposit applies. The deposit is refundable if the books are returned in similar condition within 6 months from the time they are received. The total initial cost is $2,295.

Book Preparation: All books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.

Please allow up to 15 business days for book & course rental package orders.

Exam Details

The Virginia Concrete Contracting examination is a contractor specialty examination associated with the CEM designation. Contractor licensing is administered by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors, and PSI is the examination vendor for Virginia contractor examinations.

Candidates pursuing a contractor specialty examination must obtain the applicable eligibility approval before testing. Virginia's current contractor specialty examination information states that candidates must satisfactorily complete the education and work-experience requirements established by the Board before applying for the examination. Once approved, examination eligibility is valid for one year.

• Specialty: Concrete Contracting
• Specialty Abbreviation: CEM
• Regulatory Authority: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors
• Exam Vendor: PSI
• Exam Delivery: Computer-administered examination
• Eligibility: Board approval is required before taking the specialty examination

The technical examination is part of the Qualified Individual process for applicable contractor specialties. Exam preparation should focus on the practical knowledge associated with concrete contracting while also building familiarity with technical codes, safety regulations, concrete standards, and trade references.

Open Book Test

The Virginia contractor specialty examination permits candidates to bring reference books. PSI's current examination rules state that reference books may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the exam. The books must otherwise remain unmarked, and candidates may not write in the references during the examination.

This makes highlighted and tabbed reference preparation especially useful. The books in this rental package are organized for exam preparation so candidates can spend more time learning how to use the references and less time manually preparing each book.

An open-book examination still requires a study strategy. Large references such as building codes, OSHA regulations, ACI standards, and technical construction manuals contain extensive information. Candidates who understand where subjects are located can navigate the books more efficiently than candidates who begin searching an unfamiliar reference during the test.

During preparation, practice identifying the main subject of each question before choosing a reference. A worker-safety question may direct you toward 29 CFR Part 1926. A structural concrete requirement may involve ACI 318-14. Questions about concrete ingredients, mixture properties, strength, curing, or durability may lead to Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures. Reinforcing-steel questions can involve Placing Reinforcing Bars, while formwork topics may direct you toward SP-4 Formwork for Concrete.

Repeated navigation practice helps candidates connect trade terminology with the appropriate reference. The highlighted sections and tabs can support this process, but candidates should still spend time using the indexes, tables of contents, chapter headings, tables, figures, and definitions in each book.

Licensing Steps

The Virginia Concrete Contractor specialty examination is one component of the contractor licensing process. Applicants should coordinate examination preparation with the license class, business requirements, Qualified Individual designation, and other requirements established by the Virginia Board for Contractors.

1. Determine the appropriate Virginia contractor license class. Virginia contractor licenses are issued as Class A, Class B, or Class C.
2. Select the applicable specialty. Concrete Contracting is identified by the CEM specialty abbreviation.
3. Identify the Qualified Individual. A contractor business must identify a Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty listed on the license.
4. Meet applicable experience requirements. The Qualified Individual must satisfy the experience requirements associated with the requested license class and specialty.
5. Complete required pre-license education. New Virginia Class A, Class B, and Class C contractor license applicants must satisfy the state's eight-hour pre-license education requirement.
6. Obtain specialty examination eligibility. Candidates pursuing an examination-based specialty must receive the applicable approval before testing.
7. Schedule and complete the examination. Approved candidates schedule the contractor examination through PSI.
8. Complete the contractor license application. After meeting the applicable examination and licensing requirements, the contractor business completes the Virginia Board for Contractors application process.

Passing the Concrete Contracting technical examination does not by itself issue a Virginia contractor license. Licensing depends on satisfying all applicable requirements for the business, license class, Qualified Individual, and specialty.

State Requirements

The Virginia Board for Contractors licenses businesses engaged in construction, removal, repair, or improvement work on property owned by others. Virginia contractor licenses include two important components: the class of license and the classification or specialty. The license class determines the monetary level of contracting activity, while the classification or specialty determines the type of work the contractor is authorized to perform.

Concrete Contracting is identified as CEM. Virginia regulations define this specialty as work involving processing, proportioning, batching, mixing, conveying, and placing concrete composed of materials common to the concrete industry. The scope also includes finishing, coloring, curing, repairing, testing, sawing, grinding, grouting, film barriers, sealing, waterproofing, forms, molds, slipforms, pans, centering, and reinforcing steel.

Virginia requires eight hours of pre-license education for applicants seeking a new Class A, Class B, or Class C contractor license. For Class A and Class B applicants, the education must be completed by a member of Responsible Management or the Designated Employee. For Class C applicants, a member of Responsible Management must complete the education.

This pre-license education is a separate licensing requirement and is not the same as preparing for the Concrete Contracting technical examination. Candidates should account for both the business-related licensing requirements and the technical specialty requirements when planning their path toward licensure.

Reference Books

The New Virginia Concrete Contractor Exam - Book Rental Package includes the following highlighted and tabbed rental references:

• Included Rental Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This federal construction-safety reference covers OSHA requirements affecting construction operations. Topics include personal protective equipment, excavation, fall protection, tools, equipment, material handling, concrete and masonry construction, and other jobsite safety requirements.
• Included Rental Book: International Building Code, 2021
  The 2021 International Building Code provides building-code requirements affecting structural construction, foundations, materials, inspections, loads, building systems, and other construction topics. Its organization makes index and chapter-navigation practice an important part of exam study.
• Included Rental Book: ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  ACI 318-14 contains structural concrete requirements involving materials, reinforcement, durability, development and splicing, structural members, and construction provisions. It provides technical information for reinforced and structural concrete work.
• Included Rental Book: Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  This reference covers concrete ingredients, mixture proportioning, cementitious materials, aggregates, water, admixtures, batching, mixing, placement, curing, testing, strength, and durability. It supports broad preparation in concrete materials and performance.
• Included Rental Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This construction reference addresses excavation, trenching, earthwork, equipment, grades, layout, underground work, and related construction procedures. It supports preparation involving site and excavation knowledge relevant to concrete work.
• Included Rental Book: Placing Reinforcing Bars
  This reference focuses on reinforcing-steel field practices, including bar identification, supports, ties, placement, splices, tolerances, detailing concepts, and practical procedures associated with installing reinforcement in concrete construction.
• Included Rental Book: SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition
  This concrete formwork reference covers form materials, loads, pressures, wall and slab forms, shores, reshores, bracing, construction procedures, and practical formwork considerations.

The rental books are highlighted and tabbed before shipment. Please allow up to 15 business days for book & course rental package orders.

Test Information and Study Materials

A strong open-book preparation strategy combines trade knowledge with repeated reference navigation. Begin by learning the purpose of each book. Understanding which reference covers a particular subject helps reduce unnecessary searching and allows candidates to create a more organized study routine.

For general concrete knowledge, focus on the materials used to make concrete and how those materials affect performance. Review cementitious materials, aggregates, water, admixtures, mixture proportioning, batching, mixing, placing, consolidation, finishing, curing, testing, strength, and durability.

For structural concrete and reinforcing steel, become familiar with reinforcement terminology, bar placement, supports, ties, splices, development concepts, construction requirements, and field practices. Using ACI 318-14 together with Placing Reinforcing Bars can help candidates connect code provisions with practical reinforcing work.

Formwork preparation should include form materials, loads, pressures, shores, reshores, bracing, wall forms, slab forms, and construction methods. SP-4 Formwork for Concrete provides a focused technical reference for these subjects.

Excavation preparation can include trenching, earthwork, grades, equipment, site layout, and underground construction procedures. Safety should be studied alongside these subjects because construction operations are also governed by OSHA requirements contained in 29 CFR Part 1926.

Practice questions are most useful when they become reference-navigation exercises. Read the question, identify the central keyword, select the likely reference, use the index or table of contents, locate the relevant section, and confirm the answer. Repeating this process can help candidates develop a reliable method for working with multiple books.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Virginia Concrete Contractor candidates approach exam preparation with an organized study structure. The highlighted and tabbed rental package provides the technical references needed for focused study while reducing the amount of manual book preparation candidates must complete before beginning their review.

Reference navigation is an important part of contractor exam preparation. Candidates can use the rental books to practice locating information, become familiar with terminology, identify major chapters and sections, and develop a consistent process for moving between references.

Trade-focused review can help candidates connect topics such as concrete materials, reinforcing steel, formwork, excavation, structural requirements, building-code provisions, and construction safety. Instead of treating each book as an isolated resource, candidates can study related subjects together and learn which references are most useful for each type of question.

Practice-oriented preparation also helps candidates identify areas that need additional attention. When a question is difficult, candidates can locate the supporting information in the reference, review the surrounding material, and reinforce the underlying concept rather than simply memorizing an answer.

The goal is to help candidates build a practical preparation routine centered on organized books, repeated navigation, and stronger trade knowledge. The rental format provides access to the highlighted and tabbed references for up to six months while giving candidates a structured way to work toward the Virginia Concrete Contracting examination.

FAQ Section

What is included in the Virginia Concrete Contractor Book Rental Package?

The package includes seven highlighted and tabbed rental references covering OSHA construction safety, the 2021 International Building Code, ACI structural concrete requirements, concrete mixtures, excavation, reinforcing steel, and formwork.

How much does the Virginia Concrete Contractor Book Rental Package cost?

The rental package costs $1,395. A $900 refundable deposit is added, bringing the total initial cost to $2,295.

Is the $900 deposit refundable?

Yes. The $900 deposit is refundable if the books are returned in similar condition within 6 months from the time they are received.

Are the rental books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. All books in this rental package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation and reference navigation.

How long should I allow for the book order?

Please allow up to 15 business days for book & course rental package orders.

What is the Virginia Concrete Contracting specialty code?

The Virginia Board for Contractors identifies Concrete Contracting with the specialty abbreviation CEM.

Who administers the Virginia contractor specialty examination?

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

Is the Virginia Concrete Contractor examination open book?

Yes. Candidates may bring permitted reference books. PSI allows reference books to be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination, but they must otherwise remain unmarked.

Does the rental package replace Virginia's required pre-license education?

No. Virginia's eight-hour pre-license education requirement is separate from technical preparation for the Concrete Contracting specialty examination.

Does renting these books guarantee that I will pass the exam or receive a Virginia contractor license?

No. The rental package provides organized technical references for preparation. Examination results and contractor licensing approval depend on meeting the applicable Virginia requirements.