Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) exam prep

The Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) exam is the technical portion of the license for that classification. A Class A or B firm usually also needs the business and law portion, and every applicant needs the 8-hour pre-license course.

• Virginia issues contractor licenses in three classes. Class C covers single jobs of $1,000 to under $10,000 and under $150,000 a year; Class B covers single jobs of $10,000 to under $120,000 and under $750,000 a year; Class A has no upper limit.
• Every applicant completes 8 hours of pre-license education before the license is issued.
• Class A and B firms name a designated employee or member of responsible management who passes the exams. PSI runs them, and the fee is $40 for one portion, $72 for two and $85 for three.
• The exams are open book. You bring your own references, which may be highlighted and permanently tabbed; removable flags and loose notes are not allowed.

Which Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) option should I choose?

The Pre-Printed Tabs at $99.99 is the lightest way into the Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) exam: pre-printed permanent tabs for the reference books, allowed in the exam room. Highlighted and Tabbed Books at $1,795 are the biggest time saver on an open-book test, because the references arrive ready for the exam room. The Online Exam Prep Course at $295 adds timed practice you can run on a phone between jobs. Live Virtual Training at $595 suits people who learn better with an instructor and a fixed schedule. The The 1 Package (all-inclusive) at $3,510 is the most complete option: everything: exam prep, books, licensing paperwork and business setup.