Exam Practice Questions And Correct

West Virginia Residential Contractor Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which of the following is required before starting residential

construction in West Virginia?

• Permit from local building department
• Liability insurance
• Federal contractor license
• None of the above
• Permit from local building department

Rationale: Local building permits are mandatory to ensure

compliance with codes and regulations before beginning construction. 1 / 4

• When must a contractor in West Virginia provide a written contract?
• For projects costing more than $500
• For projects costing more than $1,000
• Only for commercial projects
• Written contracts are optional
• For projects costing more than $1,000

Rationale: WV law requires written contracts for residential

construction over $1,000 to protect both parties.

• What is the minimum insurance coverage a residential contractor

must maintain in WV?

A. $50,000

B. $100,000

C. $300,000

D. $500,000

C. $300,000

Rationale: WV requires residential contractors to carry at least

$300,000 in liability insurance for protection against claims.

• A contractor notices water damage during a pre-construction

inspection. What is the best first step?

• Ignore it
• Notify the homeowner and document the issue
• Start construction anyway
• Repair it without homeowner consent 2 / 4

• Notify the homeowner and document the issue

Rationale: Contractors must inform the homeowner of pre-existing

conditions to avoid liability.

• What is the typical duration for retaining construction records in WV?
• 1 year
• 3 years
• 5 years
• 10 years
• 5 years

Rationale: Retaining records for at least five years ensures

documentation is available for disputes or audits.

• Which type of foundation is most common in WV residential

construction?

• Pier and beam
• Slab-on-grade
• Crawl space
• Basement
• Basement

Rationale: Basements are commonly used in WV due to regional

climate and building practices.

• A contractor finds that the soil at a job site is unstable. What is the

proper action?

• Continue building 3 / 4

• Reinforce foundation per engineering recommendations
• Ignore the issue
• Fill the soil with water
• Reinforce foundation per engineering recommendations

Rationale: Unsafe soil conditions require engineered solutions to

prevent structural failures.

• Which West Virginia agency oversees contractor licensing?
• WV Department of Commerce
• WV Division of Labor
• WV Contractors Board
• WV Department of Revenue
• WV Division of Labor

Rationale: The WV Division of Labor regulates contractor licensing

and enforcement.

• How often must a WV residential contractor renew their license?
• Annually
• Every 2 years
• Every 3 years
• Every 5 years
• Every 2 years

Rationale: Contractor licenses in WV must be renewed biennially to

maintain active status.

• / 4