West Virginia Contractor License Exam — All Questions
422 questions
Which body licenses and regulates contractors in West Virginia?
- a.The West Virginia State Tax Department
- b.Each county's building department, with no statewide board
- c.The West Virginia Secretary of State
- d.The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board, within the Division of Labor✓
West Virginia licenses contractors through the Contractor Licensing Board, which operates within the Division of Labor under the Contractor Licensing Act (WV Code Chapter 30, Article 42 — recodified from the former Chapter 21, Article 11 by 2021 HB2006). Licensing is statewide.WV Code §30-42
Who administers the West Virginia contractor examinations as of September 1, 2024?
- a.The county clerk's office
- b.Prometric
- c.ProV✓
- d.PSI
Since September 1, 2024, West Virginia's contractor examinations are administered by ProV, which replaced the prior testing provider. Candidates schedule and sit the Contractor Licensing Act exam and any trade exam through ProV.WV Contractor Licensing Board — testing provider
How is West Virginia's Contractor Licensing Act (business and law) examination structured?
- a.90 questions, 180 minutes, open book, 70% to pass✓
- b.115 questions, 330 minutes, open book, 81 to pass
- c.50 questions, 90 minutes, closed book, 75% to pass
- d.An oral interview before the board
West Virginia's Contractor Licensing Act exam (formerly called the business and law exam) is 90 questions, 180 minutes, open book, and requires 70% to pass. The trade portion is a separate classification exam.WV Contractor Licensing Act exam specifications
In addition to the Contractor Licensing Act exam, what does a West Virginia General Building applicant generally need on the examination side?
- a.The West Virginia bar examination
- b.Nothing further; the Licensing Act exam alone covers everything
- c.A separate trade/technical exam for the classification (for example the General Building trade exam), unless satisfied by an accepted alternative✓
- d.A closed-book essay on ethics
West Virginia requires a separate trade/technical exam for the classification in addition to the Contractor Licensing Act exam. For General Building, the trade exam is 80 questions over 180 minutes at 70%, unless the requirement is met by an accepted alternative such as NASCLA.WV Contractor Licensing Board — trade exam
Which of the following is a recognized West Virginia contractor license classification?
- a.Groups I through V
- b.GB-98 and GB-2
- c.General Building✓
- d.Class A / Class B / Class C only
West Virginia issues licenses in classifications such as General Building, General Engineering, Residential, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Multi-family, and various Specialty categories. (Class A/B/C is Hawaii; GB-98/GB-2 is New Mexico; Groups I-V is South Carolina.)WV Contractor Licensing Board — classifications
A candidate has passed the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor exam. How has West Virginia historically treated that result?
- a.It has historically been accepted for the General Building/General Engineering trade portion, but the Contractor Licensing Act exam is still required (confirm current acceptance)✓
- b.It is never accepted for any purpose in West Virginia
- c.It waives the workers' compensation requirement
- d.It fully licenses the candidate with no West Virginia exam
West Virginia has historically accepted the NASCLA exam for the General Building/General Engineering trade portion, but the state Contractor Licensing Act exam is still required. Candidates should confirm current acceptance with the board before relying on it.WV Contractor Licensing Board — NASCLA acceptance
How does West Virginia treat qualifying individuals on a contractor license?
- a.Only one qualifier is ever permitted, with two required backups
- b.Every field employee must be a qualifier
- c.A license may list multiple qualifying individuals, but no backup qualifiers are allowed✓
- d.No qualifying individual is needed at all
West Virginia allows a license to list multiple qualifying individuals, but it does not permit backup qualifiers. The qualifying individuals carry the examinations that support the classifications on the license.WV Contractor Licensing Board — qualifiers
How should a candidate prepare for the reference-material aspect of the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act exam?
- a.Assume the exam is oral and requires no study
- b.Practice navigating the allowed references, because the exam is open book at a 70% passing score✓
- c.Memorize everything, because the exam is closed book
- d.Bring no materials, because references are banned
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act exam is open book with a 70% passing score. Candidates should practice quickly locating provisions of the Contractor Licensing Act and the administrative rules in the allowed references.WV Contractor Licensing Act exam format
What are the format figures for West Virginia's General Building trade examination?
- a.50 questions, 90 minutes, 75%
- b.40 questions, 60 minutes, 60%
- c.80 questions, 180 minutes, 70%✓
- d.115 questions, 330 minutes, 81 correct
West Virginia's General Building trade exam is 80 questions over 180 minutes at a 70% passing score. It is separate from the 90-question Contractor Licensing Act exam.WV General Building trade exam
Under the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act, at what project cost does a contractor license become required?
- a.$600 or more
- b.$2,500 or more (labor and materials combined)✓
- c.$1,000 or more
- d.$10,000 or more
West Virginia requires a contractor license when the cost of the work — labor and materials combined — is $2,500 or more (WV Code §30-42-6; the $2,500 figure comes from the definition of "contractor" in §30-42-3). Once a single project meets or exceeds $2,500, the person doing it for compensation must be licensed.WV Code §30-42-6
An unlicensed operator performs $40,000 of work in West Virginia and then sues the owner to enforce the contract. Under West Virginia law, what is the likely outcome of that action?
- a.That the owner failed to pull a permit
- b.Only that the work exceeded $2,500
- c.Nothing bars it; any contractor may sue regardless of licensure
- d.West Virginia courts generally will not enforce a contract for work the contractor was required to be licensed to perform — so an unlicensed contractor generally cannot maintain the suit to collect✓
West Virginia licensing law (the Contractor Licensing Act, WV Code Chapter 30, Article 42) requires a license for construction work of $2,500 or more, and courts generally will not enforce a contract made for work the contractor was required to be licensed to perform. An unlicensed contractor therefore generally cannot maintain a suit to collect, which is the strongest civil deterrent to unlicensed work.WV Code Chapter 30, Article 42 (Contractor Licensing Act)
Under the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act, where must a West Virginia contractor display its license number?
- a.Only on the physical license posted in the office
- b.On all bids, contracts, and advertisements✓
- c.Only on the final invoice
- d.Nowhere; display is optional
West Virginia requires the license number to appear on all contracting advertisements and fully executed contracts (WV Code §30-42-6) and on bid submissions (WV Code §30-42-12). This lets consumers and the state verify that the contractor is licensed and helps identify unlicensed operators.WV Code §30-42-6 & §30-42-12
Under West Virginia's mechanics' lien law (WV Code Chapter 38, Article 2), within what time after ceasing work must a general contractor record the lien?
- a.Within 30 days
- b.Within 10 days
- c.Within one year
- d.Within 100 days✓
West Virginia generally requires a general contractor to record the mechanics' lien within 100 days after ceasing to furnish labor or materials on the project (WV Code Chapter 38, Article 2). Missing the deadline defeats the lien.WV Code Ch. 38, Art. 2 (mechanics' liens)
After recording a mechanics' lien in West Virginia, within what time must the claimant bring suit to enforce it?
- a.Within six months of recording✓
- b.Within five years of recording
- c.Within 30 days of recording
- d.There is no deadline to enforce
West Virginia generally requires the lien claimant to bring suit to enforce the mechanics' lien within six months of recording (WV Code Chapter 38, Article 2). If no enforcement action is filed in time, the lien expires.WV Code Ch. 38, Art. 2 (lien enforcement)
A worker takes a single paid remodeling job in West Virginia with a total labor-and-materials cost of $1,800. What is the licensing consequence?
- a.A commercial general contractor license is required
- b.The worker must obtain a NASCLA certificate first
- c.A license is always required for any paid work, regardless of amount
- d.The job is under the $2,500 threshold, so it may fall outside the contractor-license requirement✓
Because West Virginia's threshold is $2,500 (WV Code §30-42-6), a single job with a total cost of $1,800 falls below the line and may not, by itself, require a contractor license. As soon as a project reaches $2,500, licensure is required.WV Code §30-42-6 (threshold application)
West Virginia's administrative rules on contractor conduct include requirements about which of the following?
- a.Written-contract and construction-defect provisions that a licensed contractor must follow✓
- b.Requiring contractors to advertise on television
- c.Setting a maximum profit margin on every job
- d.Banning the use of any subcontractors
The Division of Labor's administrative rules and West Virginia law address written contracts and construction-defect obligations, which the Contractor Licensing Act exam covers. These consumer-protection rules govern how a licensed contractor documents and stands behind its work.WV Division of Labor rules (written contracts)
Why is holding a valid West Virginia license important to a contractor's ability to be paid?
- a.It has no effect on payment rights
- b.It only lowers the contractor's tax rate
- c.Because an unlicensed contractor cannot maintain an action to enforce a contract, licensure is a precondition to suing for payment or pursuing a lien✓
- d.It merely speeds up permit approval
Because West Virginia courts generally will not enforce a contract for work that required a license the contractor did not hold, an unlicensed contractor generally cannot maintain an action to enforce the contract. Being licensed is therefore a precondition to suing for payment and, practically, to pursuing lien remedies (Contractor Licensing Act, WV Code Chapter 30, Article 42). Licensure protects the contractor's collection tools.WV Code Chapter 30, Article 42 (effect of licensure)
Before the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board issues a license, what coverage must an applicant with employees show?
- a.No coverage of any kind
- b.Workers' compensation coverage and unemployment compensation registration in good standing✓
- c.Only a personal life-insurance policy
- d.Flood insurance on the applicant's home
West Virginia requires an applicant to be in good standing with the state's coverage systems before licensure — including workers' compensation coverage for employees and unemployment compensation registration with WorkForce West Virginia. These protect workers before the contractor takes on jobs.WV Code §30-42 (coverage prerequisites)
What tax registration must a West Virginia contractor obtain before doing business and receiving a license?
- a.No registration, because construction is tax-exempt
- b.A retail sales-tax exemption card only
- c.A federal-only excise account with the IRS
- d.A Business Registration Certificate from the West Virginia State Tax Department✓
A West Virginia contractor must obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the State Tax Department and be in good standing on state taxes before receiving and keeping a contractor license. This ties the contractor into the state tax system.WV State Tax Department (Business Registration Certificate)
Which statement about the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act exam is correct?
- a.It is open book, 90 questions, 180 minutes, requires 70%, and is administered by ProV since September 1, 2024✓
- b.It is a 50-question, 90-minute test
- c.It is administered by PSI
- d.It is closed book and requires 75% to pass
The West Virginia Contractor Licensing Act exam is open book, 90 questions, 180 minutes, 70% to pass, and has been administered by ProV since September 1, 2024. A separate trade exam applies to the classification.WV Contractor Licensing Act exam format
A contractor plans several West Virginia jobs. Which job first triggers the license requirement?
- a.A $500 job
- b.None; West Virginia never requires a license
- c.A $2,500 job, because that meets the licensing threshold✓
- d.Only a job over $50,000
West Virginia's licensing threshold is $2,500 in total labor-and-materials cost (WV Code §30-42-6). A $2,500 job meets the threshold and requires a license, while a $500 job falls below it.WV Code §30-42-6 (threshold recap)
As a condition of operating and maintaining its license, where must a West Virginia contractor keep displaying its license number?
- a.On all bids, contracts, and advertisements✓
- b.Only on the annual tax return
- c.Nowhere; display is not required once licensed
- d.Only on the truck, and nowhere else
West Virginia requires the license number to appear on all bids, contracts, and advertisements (WV Code §30-42-6 and §30-42-12). Keeping coverage and tax registration current, and displaying the license number, are conditions of maintaining the license through each renewal.WV Code §30-42-6 & §30-42-12 (license number display)