767 Ohio Home Improvement Contractor
Practice Exam 2026/2027
DESCRIPTION
The 767 Ohio Home Improvement Contractor exam is an open-book, technical
assessment required by various Ohio municipalities (such as Columbus) for
contractors specializing in residential renovations and repairs. It validates a contractor's
knowledge of the International Residential Code (IRC) as applied to one-, two-, and
three-family dwellings.
Core Exam Domains
The exam focuses on the structural and safety integrity of home improvements:
Framing (55%): Floor, wall, and roof systems, including headers, joists, and
structural load paths.
Foundations & Footings (12%): Concrete strength, frost-line depth (typically 36" in
Ohio), and soil bearing.
Safety & Egress (13%): Exit door requirements, emergency escape windows, and
stairway/handrail safety.
Masonry & Roofing (15%): Fireplace construction, chimney clearances, and
weatherproofing/shingle application.
Administrative (5%): Building permits, inspections, and contractor responsibilities
Ohio 767 Home Improvement Practice Exam
1. What is the minimum required width for a primary egress door in a residential
dwelling?
A. 30 inches
2026 Question And ANSWER Latest Update
, B. 32 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 42 inches
Answer: B
Rationale: The IRC requires a clear width of not less than 32 inches when the
door is open 90 degrees. A 36-inch door is typically installed to achieve this
clearance.
2. In Ohio residential construction, what is the minimum depth for a footing below
the undisturbed ground surface (frost line)?
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 30 inches
D. 36 inches (varies by local Ohio jurisdiction)
Answer: D
Rationale: Most Ohio building departments require footings to be at least 36
inches deep to stay below the frost line and prevent heaving.
3. What is the maximum rise of a single step in a residential stairway?
A. 7 inches
B. 7 ¾ inches
C. 8 ¼ inches
D. 9 inches
Answer: B
Rationale: Per IRC Section R311.7, the maximum riser height is 7 ¾ inches to
ensure stair safety.
4. When framing a floor, what is the maximum allowed "notching" at the end of a
solid lumber joist?
A. 1/6 the depth of the joist
B. 1/4 the depth of the joist
C. 1/3 the depth of the joist
2026 Question And ANSWER Latest Update
, D. Notching is not allowed at the ends
Answer: B
Rationale: End notches cannot exceed one-fourth of the joist depth. Notches in
the outer thirds cannot exceed one-sixth, and no notches are allowed in the
middle third.
5. A sleeping room (bedroom) must have at least one emergency escape and
rescue opening with a minimum net clear opening of:
A. 4.0 square feet
B. 5.0 square feet
C. 5.7 square feet
D. 7.0 square feet
Answer: C
Rationale: The IRC requires 5.7 sq. ft. for egress windows (reduced to 5.0 sq. ft.
for grade-floor openings) to allow for firefighter access and occupant escape.
6. What is the minimum headroom required in all parts of a stairway?
A. 6 feet 4 inches
B. 6 feet 6 inches
C. 6 feet 8 inches
D. 7 feet 0 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: 6'8" is the standard minimum vertical clearance measured from the
sloped line of the tread nosings.
7. When installing asphalt shingles, what is the minimum roof slope required for
standard application?
A. 1:12
B. 2:12
C. 4:12
D. 6:12
Answer: B
2026 Question And ANSWER Latest Update
, Rationale: Asphalt shingles can be used on slopes as low as 2:12, but double
underlayment is required for slopes between 2:12 and 4:12.
8. Vapor retarders (polyethylene) are typically installed on which side of the wall
in Ohio?
A. The exterior (cold side)
B. The interior (warm-in-winter side)
C. Both sides
D. In the middle of the fiberglass batts
Answer: B
Rationale: In Ohio's climate, the vapor retarder goes on the interior to prevent
warm, moist air from migrating into the wall cavity and condensing.
9. What is the minimum thickness for a concrete slab-on-ground floor in a
residential basement?
A. 2.5 inches
B. 3.5 inches
C. 4 inches
D. 6 inches
Answer: B
Rationale: Per the IRC, the minimum thickness for a residential concrete floor
slab is 3 ½ inches.
10. "Fireblocking" is required in wood-frame walls at intervals not exceeding:
A. 5 feet horizontally
B. 8 feet vertically
C. 10 feet vertically
D. 12 feet horizontally
Answer: C
Rationale: Fireblocking must be provided in concealed spaces of stud walls at
the ceiling and floor levels, and at 10-foot intervals vertically.
2026 Question And ANSWER Latest Update
Practice Exam 2026/2027
DESCRIPTION
The 767 Ohio Home Improvement Contractor exam is an open-book, technical
assessment required by various Ohio municipalities (such as Columbus) for
contractors specializing in residential renovations and repairs. It validates a contractor's
knowledge of the International Residential Code (IRC) as applied to one-, two-, and
three-family dwellings.
Core Exam Domains
The exam focuses on the structural and safety integrity of home improvements:
Framing (55%): Floor, wall, and roof systems, including headers, joists, and
structural load paths.
Foundations & Footings (12%): Concrete strength, frost-line depth (typically 36" in
Ohio), and soil bearing.
Safety & Egress (13%): Exit door requirements, emergency escape windows, and
stairway/handrail safety.
Masonry & Roofing (15%): Fireplace construction, chimney clearances, and
weatherproofing/shingle application.
Administrative (5%): Building permits, inspections, and contractor responsibilities
Ohio 767 Home Improvement Practice Exam
1. What is the minimum required width for a primary egress door in a residential
dwelling?
A. 30 inches
2026 Question And ANSWER Latest Update
, B. 32 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 42 inches
Answer: B
Rationale: The IRC requires a clear width of not less than 32 inches when the
door is open 90 degrees. A 36-inch door is typically installed to achieve this
clearance.
2. In Ohio residential construction, what is the minimum depth for a footing below
the undisturbed ground surface (frost line)?
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 30 inches
D. 36 inches (varies by local Ohio jurisdiction)
Answer: D
Rationale: Most Ohio building departments require footings to be at least 36
inches deep to stay below the frost line and prevent heaving.
3. What is the maximum rise of a single step in a residential stairway?
A. 7 inches
B. 7 ¾ inches
C. 8 ¼ inches
D. 9 inches
Answer: B
Rationale: Per IRC Section R311.7, the maximum riser height is 7 ¾ inches to
ensure stair safety.
4. When framing a floor, what is the maximum allowed "notching" at the end of a
solid lumber joist?
A. 1/6 the depth of the joist
B. 1/4 the depth of the joist
C. 1/3 the depth of the joist
2026 Question And ANSWER Latest Update
, D. Notching is not allowed at the ends
Answer: B
Rationale: End notches cannot exceed one-fourth of the joist depth. Notches in
the outer thirds cannot exceed one-sixth, and no notches are allowed in the
middle third.
5. A sleeping room (bedroom) must have at least one emergency escape and
rescue opening with a minimum net clear opening of:
A. 4.0 square feet
B. 5.0 square feet
C. 5.7 square feet
D. 7.0 square feet
Answer: C
Rationale: The IRC requires 5.7 sq. ft. for egress windows (reduced to 5.0 sq. ft.
for grade-floor openings) to allow for firefighter access and occupant escape.
6. What is the minimum headroom required in all parts of a stairway?
A. 6 feet 4 inches
B. 6 feet 6 inches
C. 6 feet 8 inches
D. 7 feet 0 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: 6'8" is the standard minimum vertical clearance measured from the
sloped line of the tread nosings.
7. When installing asphalt shingles, what is the minimum roof slope required for
standard application?
A. 1:12
B. 2:12
C. 4:12
D. 6:12
Answer: B
2026 Question And ANSWER Latest Update
, Rationale: Asphalt shingles can be used on slopes as low as 2:12, but double
underlayment is required for slopes between 2:12 and 4:12.
8. Vapor retarders (polyethylene) are typically installed on which side of the wall
in Ohio?
A. The exterior (cold side)
B. The interior (warm-in-winter side)
C. Both sides
D. In the middle of the fiberglass batts
Answer: B
Rationale: In Ohio's climate, the vapor retarder goes on the interior to prevent
warm, moist air from migrating into the wall cavity and condensing.
9. What is the minimum thickness for a concrete slab-on-ground floor in a
residential basement?
A. 2.5 inches
B. 3.5 inches
C. 4 inches
D. 6 inches
Answer: B
Rationale: Per the IRC, the minimum thickness for a residential concrete floor
slab is 3 ½ inches.
10. "Fireblocking" is required in wood-frame walls at intervals not exceeding:
A. 5 feet horizontally
B. 8 feet vertically
C. 10 feet vertically
D. 12 feet horizontally
Answer: C
Rationale: Fireblocking must be provided in concealed spaces of stud walls at
the ceiling and floor levels, and at 10-foot intervals vertically.
2026 Question And ANSWER Latest Update
