Virginia Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) Exam Prep Courses

Know exactly what to study, practice under real exam conditions, and walk into exam day confident you're preparing with the right material. Most candidates are ready to test in 4 weeks or less.

VIRGINIA CBC EXAM AT A GLANCE

Format Open-book · Computer-based at PSI

Length 80 questions · 180 minutes

Pass 70% or higher (56/80)

Cost $85 paid to PSI per attempt

Pre-Approval Board for Contractors (DPOR)

90%

First-time pass rate

Access-Until-You-Pass Guarantee

Success on your schedule

Pass Your Open-Book Virginia CBC Exam—Choose Your Study Style

Best Value

Full-Service

$1,899.97 $1,649.97

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Our self-paced online course and learning bootcamps, exam-ready reference materials, exam simulator, and more. Get everything you need to prepare for and pass the Virginia CBC exam!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Exam Prep Course
Practice Exam Simulator
Exam-Ready Tabbed and Highlighted Approved Book Set
On-Demand Access to Previous Live Class Recordings
Access to Biweekly Instructor Office Hours
On-Demand Access to Learning Bootcamps
Start-Up Consultation

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Access-Until-You-Pass Guarantee

We're all in on your success. If you don't pass your exam on the first try, we'll extend your course access and provide extra support to help you prepare for the next attempt—at no additional cost.

Free 6-month extensions available with proof of exam failure and an exam attempt within 6 months of purchase. $150 fee applies otherwise.

What's on the Virginia CBC Exam

The Virginia Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) exam is administered by PSI. It covers the trade knowledge required for commercial, industrial, institutional, and governmental building construction — including site work, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, thermal and moisture protection, safety, and code compliance. The exam is open book with 80 questions and a 3-hour time limit.

80 Total Questions

70% Passing Score

180 min Time Allowed

Open book Exam Format

PSI Administered by

EXAM CONTENT AREAS

Subject area	# of questions
Site Work	8
Concrete including Reinforcement	9
Masonry	9
Metals	9
Carpentry	9
Thermal and Moisture Protection	8
Associated Trades (Finishes, Metal Stud Framing, Insulation, Doors & Windows)	7
Safety	7
Estimating and Plan Reading	8
General Building Code Requirements	6
Total	80

RESOURCES & REQUIREMENTS

View Full License Requirements

For full details on registration, testing policies, and exam locations, refer to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

For a complete walkthrough of the licensing process, read our guide How to Earn Your Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) License in VA.

How We Help You Pass

Study the right material with exam-aligned content. Master the concepts and references tested on the CBC exam with focused lessons, practice questions, and study materials built around the current exam blueprint.
Practice like it's test day with realistic exam simulations. Build confidence and identify knowledge gaps with practice exams that mirror the format, timing, and pressure of the actual CBC exam.
Find answers faster using tabbed and highlighted references. Save valuable exam time with reference books organized for fast navigation. Whether you choose pre-tabbed and highlighted books or use our DIY tabbing and highlighting guides, you'll be equipped to locate key information quickly during the open-book exam.
Follow a proven study plan designed for busy professionals. Know exactly what to study and when. Our step-by-step study plan helps you stay on track, maximize your study time, and prepare efficiently around work and life commitments.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) is licensed to build new commercial structures from the ground up and perform improvement and repair work on commercial properties. A Commercial Improvement Contractor (CIC) is limited to improvement and repair work on existing commercial buildings. CBC contractors must pass both the CBC trade exam and the Business Law exam through Virginia DPOR (Class C exempt).
CBC contractors are licensed to work on commercial, industrial, institutional, and governmental buildings and structures — including new construction, renovation, repair, improvement, removal, and demolition projects in those sectors. A separate residential contractor classification is required for residential work.
Yes. You can bring approved reference materials into the testing center. But with 80 questions in 180 minutes, knowing how to find answers fast matters just as much as knowing the material. Our pre-tabbed books are built for exactly that.
You need to answer at least 56 out of 80 questions correctly — a score of 70% - to pass the Virginia CBC exam. The exam is administered by PSI and covers commercial construction topics including site work, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, and building code requirements.
Yes. Virginia requires all contractor license applicants to pass the Business Law exam in addition to the CBC trade exam (Class C exempt).

What Our Students Say

“

I would encourage anyone looking to get a contractor's license to invest their time with Contractor Training Center.

CTC Student

“

The exam covers a lot of material. The course sifted through all of that content and highlighted the relevant information I needed. It takes time and commitment to get through it, but it's worth it.

CTC Student

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I highly recommend taking advantage of instructor office hours. That's where the course really started to click for me.

CTC Student

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