Couldn't load pickup availability
CALL TO ASK ABOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Prepare for the Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination with a comprehensive collection of technical references covering the principal construction subjects tested for the Virginia Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) classification. This book package brings together references for building code requirements, accessibility, site work, concrete, reinforcing steel, masonry, structural steel, carpentry, roofing, gypsum construction, excavation, steel decking, estimating, plan reading, and OSHA construction safety.
Virginia defines a Commercial Building Contractor as a contractor whose work includes construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, or demolition of commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings or structures. The Virginia classification abbreviation is CBC.
The Virginia CBC classification covers a broad range of construction activities and incorporates knowledge from multiple building trades. Candidates preparing for the technical examination must therefore be ready to work across many subject areas rather than concentrating on only one trade. The examination includes questions involving site work, concrete and reinforcement, masonry, metals, carpentry, thermal and moisture protection, associated trade finishes, safety, estimating, plan reading, accessibility, life safety, egress, fire protection, and general building code provisions.
This Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor Book Package includes Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), International Building Code 2021, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, Technical Digest No. 9 ā Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, Carpentry and Building Construction 2016 (Student Edition), Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition, Placing Reinforcing Bars, 10th Edition, The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition, Roofing Construction & Estimating, Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, 10th Edition, SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck, 2016, 3rd Edition, and Pipe and Excavation Contracting, 2011.
Because the Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination is an open-book exam, candidates should study not only the technical information in these references but also how each book is organized. Becoming familiar with indexes, tables of contents, chapter headings, diagrams, tables, code sections, and terminology can make reference navigation more efficient during a timed examination.
The complete package provides candidates with references that address the broad technical knowledge required for commercial building construction. The books can be used together to organize study around structural systems, construction materials, building envelope systems, site development, accessibility, code requirements, workplace safety, and practical construction methods.
The Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination is administered through PSI for the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Board for Contractors. The examination is associated with the Commercial Building Contractor classification, abbreviated CBC.
The examination contains 80 scored questions. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%, or 56 correct answers. The examination provides 180 minutes for completion. The examination program may also include experimental questions that are not scored.
The official content outline divides the scored examination into the following areas:
Associated trades and finishes include subjects involving drywall, metal stud framing, insulation and moisture control, doors, windows, and glazing. General building code requirements include life safety and egress, accessibility, fire protection requirements, and general code provisions.
The exam covers a wide range of commercial construction knowledge. Candidates should avoid relying on a single reference or subject area and instead build familiarity with the complete collection of technical books.
The Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination is an open book test. Candidates must bring their permitted references because books are not provided at the examination site.
The open-book format makes book navigation an important part of preparation. Candidates should know which reference is most appropriate for each major subject. Code questions may point toward the International Building Code 2021, while accessibility questions may require the Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities reference. OSHA questions should direct candidates toward 29 CFR Part 1926.
Questions involving concrete and reinforcing steel may require familiarity with Placing Reinforcing Bars and The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction. Masonry questions can be supported by Modern Masonry, while steel joist and steel deck questions can direct candidates to Technical Digest No. 9 and the SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck.
With a large number of technical subjects represented on the examination, candidates should practice identifying a question's category before searching a reference. This approach can help reduce unnecessary page turning and improve efficiency during timed preparation.
Virginia contractor licensing is administered by the Virginia Board for Contractors within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The CBC technical examination is a Qualified Individual examination associated with the Commercial Building Contractor classification.
The Virginia Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) classification includes construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, and demolition involving commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings or structures.
The CBC classification does not provide authorization for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas-fitting services. Contractors performing those services must have the appropriate licensing or specialty authority required by Virginia.
The CBC classification also does not provide for construction, repair, or improvement of dwellings and townhouses as those structures are defined under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
The Commercial Building classification incorporates a broad range of construction functions, which is reflected in the technical examination. A CBC candidate must be prepared to demonstrate knowledge across structural systems, building materials, site work, finishes, roofing, safety, estimating, plans, accessibility, and building code requirements.
Virginia requires a Qualified Individual for the Commercial Building classification, and the Qualified Individual must successfully complete the approved technical examination in addition to satisfying applicable experience requirements.
A productive CBC exam study plan should follow the official subject weighting. Concrete, masonry, metals, and carpentry each account for 9 questions, making these four categories important areas for focused preparation.
For concrete and reinforcement, candidates should understand concrete construction procedures, reinforcement placement, forming, placement, finishing, curing, and common field practices. Use the concrete guide together with Placing Reinforcing Bars to connect concrete construction concepts with reinforcement requirements.
For masonry, review brick, block, stone, mortar, masonry layout, walls, openings, materials, tools, and construction procedures using Modern Masonry.
The Metals portion requires familiarity with steel construction. The steel joist technical digest and steel deck manual provide focused resources for subjects involving structural steel joists, joist girders, deck installation, handling, erection, and construction practices.
Carpentry preparation should include structural framing, construction terminology, layout, materials, tools, floor systems, walls, roofs, openings, and general building practices. Carpentry and Building Construction is particularly useful for strengthening practical construction knowledge in this category.
Thermal and Moisture Protection accounts for 8 questions. Candidates should understand roofing and building-envelope concepts, moisture protection, insulation, weather protection, and related construction methods.
Site Work also contains 8 questions. Use Pipe and Excavation Contracting to review excavation, grading, trenching, site preparation, and earthwork principles.
Estimating and Plan Reading contains 8 questions. Candidates should practice interpreting drawings, dimensions, construction information, and material quantities. Plan-reading questions often require both construction knowledge and careful interpretation of the information presented.
Safety accounts for 7 questions. Candidates should become familiar with the structure of OSHA's construction regulations and practice locating requirements in 29 CFR Part 1926. Safety preparation may involve fall protection, excavation, scaffolding, ladders, personal protective equipment, tools, electrical hazards, material handling, and other construction operations.
General Building Code Requirements include life safety, egress, accessibility, fire protection, and general code provisions. Candidates should learn how the International Building Code 2021 is organized and practice locating information using chapter titles, tables, section numbers, and the index.
Accessibility deserves dedicated preparation as well. Become familiar with terminology and requirements in Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, particularly the organization of provisions governing accessible routes, clearances, doors, circulation, and building elements.
Open-book practice should be timed. Candidates can select a construction question, identify its subject, choose the appropriate reference, and locate the relevant information. Repeating this process helps develop faster book selection and reference navigation.
When reviewing missed practice questions, determine whether the problem came from technical knowledge, code interpretation, calculation, plan reading, or choosing the wrong reference. This method turns practice questions into a guide for future study.
Contractor Exam Prep supports Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor candidates with organized, trade-focused preparation centered on the subjects found throughout the CBC examination.
The broad nature of commercial construction makes structured preparation especially important. Candidates can organize study by site work, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, building-envelope systems, associated finishes, safety, estimating, plan reading, accessibility, and code requirements.
Contractor Exam Prep encourages candidates to combine technical review with repeated reference navigation. Reading the books builds construction knowledge, while working directly with indexes, chapters, code sections, diagrams, and tables builds the skills needed for an open-book examination.
Practice-oriented preparation also helps candidates identify weaker areas before test day. A candidate who is strong in carpentry but less familiar with steel deck, accessibility, concrete reinforcement, or code navigation can direct additional study toward those subjects.
The goal is to support stronger commercial construction knowledge, organized study habits, efficient reference navigation, and greater confidence while preparing for the Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination.
The Virginia CBC classification applies to qualifying construction, remodeling, repair, improvement, removal, or demolition work involving commercial, industrial, institutional, governmental, and accessory-use buildings or structures.
The examination contains 80 scored questions.
Candidates must earn a minimum score of 70%, or 56 correct answers out of 80 scored questions.
The examination provides 180 minutes for completion.
Yes. The Virginia Commercial Building Technical Contractor examination is an open book test. Candidates must bring their permitted reference materials because books are not supplied at the testing center.
The examination is administered through PSI as part of the Virginia Board for Contractors examination program.
Yes. General building code requirements are included in the examination, and this package contains the International Building Code 2021.
Yes. Accessibility is included within the general building code requirements portion of the examination, and the package contains Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities.
Yes. Safety accounts for 7 questions, and the package includes Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA) with the latest available amendments.
Yes. Concrete including reinforcement contains 9 questions, and Masonry contains 9 questions.
Yes. Metals is an official examination category with 9 questions. This package includes references addressing steel joists, joist girders, and steel deck construction.
Yes. Estimating and Plan Reading accounts for 8 questions on the examination.
No. The Virginia CBC classification does not provide authorization for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas-fitting services.
The package brings together the commercial construction references needed to prepare across the CBC examination's broad range of subjects, including building codes, accessibility, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, roofing, excavation, finishes, safety, estimating, and plan reading.
