- The WV-RC trade exam has 60 questions, a 180-minute limit, and requires 42 correct answers (70%) to pass.
- Trade exam and Contractor Licensing Act exam are separate: $59.95 each, $119.90 combined.
- It's open book - only the listed IRC 2018, masonry/sitework guide, and carpentry study guide with permanent tabs and prior highlighting.
- Carpentry is the largest of the eight domains and deserves the most review time.
Quick Facts Snapshot
This cheat sheet compresses everything the West Virginia Residential Contractor Trade Exam (WV-RC) candidate bulletin covers into one scannable reference. It's meant to sit next to your codebooks during your last review pass, not replace deeper prep - for that, see the full WV-RC Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. Everything below reflects the candidate bulletin dated August 25, 2026, administered on behalf of the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board by Prov.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam name | WV Residential Contractor Trade Exam (WV-RC) |
| Administering body | West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board via Prov |
| Question count | 60 multiple-choice, four options each |
| Time allowed | 180 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% (42 of 60 correct) |
| Cost per attempt | $59.95 |
| Delivery | Computer-based; approved test centers or Examroom.ai remote proctoring |
| Reference material policy | Open book, limited to three named titles |
Domain-by-Domain Cheat Sheet
The trade exam blueprint spans eight domains. For the full breakdown of weighting and topic lists, bookmark WV-RC Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 8 Content Areas. Here's the condensed version for quick review.
Domain 1: Plan Reading
Interpreting residential plan sets, symbols, and specifications.
- Scale reading and dimension checks
- Cross-referencing plan notes with code requirements
Domain 2: Sitework
Site preparation, grading, drainage, and excavation basics for residential lots.
- Soil and grading considerations before foundation work
- Drainage placement relative to structure
Domain 3: Concrete
Footings, slabs, and foundation concrete practices.
- Reinforcement placement and curing basics
- Formwork and mix considerations
Domain 4: Masonry
Block, brick, and veneer work as it applies to residential structures.
- Coordinate with the Masonry and Sitework for the Residential Contractor guide
- Flashing and moisture control at masonry junctions
Domain 5: Carpentry
The largest domain on the exam - framing, rough carpentry, and finish carpentry fundamentals.
- Load paths, framing connections, and fastening schedules
- Rely heavily on the Study Guide for Residential Carpentry and Repair
Domain 6: Interior Finish
Drywall, trim, doors, and interior systems installed after rough-in.
- Sequencing of interior finish trades
- Common code-driven clearances and installation tolerances
Domain 7: Exterior Finish
Siding, roofing coverings, and weather-resistant exterior assemblies.
- Water-shedding details and flashing overlaps
- Material compatibility at exterior transitions
Domain 8: Safety OSHA
Job-site safety practices relevant to residential construction.
- Fall protection and site hazard awareness
- General safe-practice expectations on active job sites
Key Takeaway
Because Carpentry is the largest domain, allocate more review sessions to framing, fastening, and repair topics than to any single other domain - but don't skip the smaller domains, since every question still counts toward your 42-correct threshold.
Registration, Fees, and Timing
Each attempt of the trade exam costs $59.95, charged again in full for every retake - there is no discounted retake rate. Prov does not impose a mandatory waiting period or a cap on attempts, so you can schedule again as soon as you're ready, provided you're prepared to pay the fee again. For a full cost breakdown including the law exam, see WV-RC Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
- Trade exam: 60 questions, 180 minutes, $59.95
- Contractor Licensing Act exam: 90 questions, three hours, $59.95
- Combined total if both required: $119.90
Scheduling options include approved in-person test centers and Examroom.ai remote proctoring. If you're weighing whether the trade exam is manageable in one sitting, review How Hard Is the WV-RC Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 and the exact scoring threshold explained in WV-RC Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass.
Open-Book Materials and Testing Rules
The trade exam is open book, but only three specific titles are permitted:
- 2018 International Residential Code
- Masonry and Sitework for the Residential Contractor (2nd edition)
- Study Guide for Residential Carpentry and Repair (2nd edition, 2014)
Prior highlighting and permanent tabs in these books are allowed heading into test day. What's prohibited: handwritten notes, added loose papers, removable sticky notes, and any annotation made during the testing session itself. Treat your books as fixed references you prepare in advance - not workspaces you edit while testing.
A basic four-function calculator is permitted at physical test centers. If you're testing remotely through Examroom.ai, follow the separate equipment instructions provided for remote candidates rather than assuming test-center rules apply.
Key Takeaway
Tab your three approved books by domain before exam day - Carpentry and Masonry sections especially - since you cannot add notes or tabs once testing begins.
Who This Exam Is For
The trade exam pairs with licensing eligibility rules that require the examination qualifier to be part of responsible management or a full-time employee of the contracting business. Passing the trade exam and the Contractor Licensing Act exam does not, by itself, issue a contractor license - separate business registration, tax, insurance, and employment-compliance requirements still apply. Full eligibility details live in WV-RC Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Understanding how this credential fits into hiring and pay expectations helps frame your prep effort. If you're evaluating whether the process is worth pursuing, read Is the WV-RC Certification Worth It? Complete ROI Analysis 2026 and WV-RC Salary Guide 2026: Complete Earnings Analysis for context on how licensed residential contractors are positioned in the field.
Last-Week Review Plan
If you've already done your core studying and just need a final structured pass, use the domain weight (Carpentry largest, followed by the other seven) to sequence your last week.
Carpentry deep review
- Re-read tabbed carpentry sections in your study guide
- Drill framing, fastening, and repair scenario questions
Masonry, Concrete, Sitework
- Cross-check masonry/sitework guide tabs against IRC sections
- Review footing, grading, and drainage fundamentals
Plan Reading, Interior Finish, Exterior Finish
- Practice reading plan symbols and dimensions quickly
- Review finish sequencing and exterior water-shedding details
Safety OSHA and full mock run
- Review job-site safety basics
- Take a full-length timed practice run to rehearse the 180-minute pace
For a more detailed weekly build-out before you reach this final week, the WV-RC Study Guide lays out a longer runway, and practicing full-length timed sets on the main WV-RC practice test site helps you calibrate pacing against the real 60-question, 180-minute format.
After You Pass
Passing the trade exam is a milestone, not the finish line. You still need the Contractor Licensing Act exam if you haven't completed it, plus the separate business, tax, insurance, and employment-compliance steps required for actual licensure. Once licensed, ongoing compliance means maintaining the license through timely renewal - build that into your calendar so the credential doesn't lapse. If you're curious how testing volume and outcomes trend, WV-RC Pass Rate 2026: What the Data Shows covers what's publicly known, and WV-RC Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling covers how to plan around your test center or remote proctoring slot.
Running through timed practice on the WV-RC practice test platform one more time before your scheduled date is a low-cost way to confirm your pacing across all eight domains holds up under real exam pressure.
FAQ
The trade exam has 60 multiple-choice questions with a 180-minute time limit, giving you an average of three minutes per question if you pace evenly.
You need 70%, which is 42 correct answers out of 60. Missing up to 18 questions still results in a pass.
No. You may use the 2018 IRC, the Masonry and Sitework for the Residential Contractor guide, and the Study Guide for Residential Carpentry and Repair with prior highlighting and permanent tabs, but handwritten notes, loose papers, and any annotation during testing are prohibited.
No. They're separate exams with separate fees. The trade exam is 60 questions in 180 minutes; the Contractor Licensing Act exam is 90 questions in three hours. Each costs $59.95, totaling $119.90 for both.
There's no mandatory waiting period or attempt limit, but the full $59.95 fee applies again for each new attempt of the trade exam.