South Carolina Decorative Concrete
Installer Certification License Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate substrate preparation
method before applying decorative concrete overlays?
A. Painting the surface with latex primer
B. Mechanically profiling the concrete to an ICRI CSP 3–5 standard
C. Applying epoxy bonding agent without cleaning the surface
D. Dry sweeping and immediately overlaying
Proper substrate preparation for decorative concrete involves
mechanical profiling to achieve an ICRI CSP 3–5 texture, which
ensures adequate bond and removes laitance and contaminants.
2. What is the minimum compressive strength required for existing
concrete before applying a stamped overlay?
A. 800 psi
B. 1,500 psi
C. 2,500 psi
D. 4,000 psi
A minimum compressive strength of 2,500 psi is generally required to
ensure the existing slab is strong enough to accept and hold an
overlay without failure.
,3. Which joint type must be maintained and honored when installing
decorative concrete overlays to prevent random cracking?
A. Control joints
B. Expansion joints
C. Isolation joints
D. All of the above
All joint types—control, expansion, and isolation—must be
maintained to manage movement and prevent crack telegraphing
through the decorative overlay.
4. What is the primary function of a bonding agent in decorative
concrete installation?
A. To act as a sealant
B. To reduce water loss
C. To improve adhesion between the substrate and the new overlay
D. To change the surface color
Bonding agents are used to ensure strong adhesion between existing
concrete and overlay materials.
5. Which decorative concrete finish is achieved by applying a release
agent and stamping patterns into a fresh overlay?
A. Exposed aggregate
B. Trowel finish
C. Stamped concrete
D. Acid-etched finish
Stamped concrete uses release agents and stamping tools to impart
patterns and textures before the overlay sets.
6. What is the primary purpose of a waterproofer/sealer on decorative
concrete installations?
A. To create a high-gloss look only
B. To reduce friction
, C. To protect against moisture intrusion and staining
D. To increase curing time
Sealers protect decorative concrete from moisture intrusion, chemical
staining, and wear while enhancing appearance.
7. Which of the following is the LEAST suitable for coloring decorative
concrete?
A. Integral pigments
B. Stains
C. Dyes
D. Household food coloring
Household food coloring is not a standardized pigment for concrete
and will not provide durable, UV-stable color.
8. What is the correct order of operations when installing a decorative
overlay system?
A. Apply sealer → prepare substrate → mix overlay → place overlay
B. Prepare substrate → mix overlay → place overlay → finish and cure
C. Prepare substrate → apply bonding agent → mix and place overlay
→ finish and cure
D. Mix overlay → place overlay → prepare substrate → finish
Proper sequence ensures the surface is prepared, bonding is
promoted, overlay is placed correctly, and then finished and cured.
9. Which testing method is used to measure the moisture vapor
emission rate (MVER) of concrete before overlay installation?
A. Slump test
B. Calcium chloride test
C. pH strip test
D. Schmidt hammer test
The calcium chloride test measures moisture vapor emission from
concrete to determine suitability for overlay and sealer application.
Installer Certification License Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate substrate preparation
method before applying decorative concrete overlays?
A. Painting the surface with latex primer
B. Mechanically profiling the concrete to an ICRI CSP 3–5 standard
C. Applying epoxy bonding agent without cleaning the surface
D. Dry sweeping and immediately overlaying
Proper substrate preparation for decorative concrete involves
mechanical profiling to achieve an ICRI CSP 3–5 texture, which
ensures adequate bond and removes laitance and contaminants.
2. What is the minimum compressive strength required for existing
concrete before applying a stamped overlay?
A. 800 psi
B. 1,500 psi
C. 2,500 psi
D. 4,000 psi
A minimum compressive strength of 2,500 psi is generally required to
ensure the existing slab is strong enough to accept and hold an
overlay without failure.
,3. Which joint type must be maintained and honored when installing
decorative concrete overlays to prevent random cracking?
A. Control joints
B. Expansion joints
C. Isolation joints
D. All of the above
All joint types—control, expansion, and isolation—must be
maintained to manage movement and prevent crack telegraphing
through the decorative overlay.
4. What is the primary function of a bonding agent in decorative
concrete installation?
A. To act as a sealant
B. To reduce water loss
C. To improve adhesion between the substrate and the new overlay
D. To change the surface color
Bonding agents are used to ensure strong adhesion between existing
concrete and overlay materials.
5. Which decorative concrete finish is achieved by applying a release
agent and stamping patterns into a fresh overlay?
A. Exposed aggregate
B. Trowel finish
C. Stamped concrete
D. Acid-etched finish
Stamped concrete uses release agents and stamping tools to impart
patterns and textures before the overlay sets.
6. What is the primary purpose of a waterproofer/sealer on decorative
concrete installations?
A. To create a high-gloss look only
B. To reduce friction
, C. To protect against moisture intrusion and staining
D. To increase curing time
Sealers protect decorative concrete from moisture intrusion, chemical
staining, and wear while enhancing appearance.
7. Which of the following is the LEAST suitable for coloring decorative
concrete?
A. Integral pigments
B. Stains
C. Dyes
D. Household food coloring
Household food coloring is not a standardized pigment for concrete
and will not provide durable, UV-stable color.
8. What is the correct order of operations when installing a decorative
overlay system?
A. Apply sealer → prepare substrate → mix overlay → place overlay
B. Prepare substrate → mix overlay → place overlay → finish and cure
C. Prepare substrate → apply bonding agent → mix and place overlay
→ finish and cure
D. Mix overlay → place overlay → prepare substrate → finish
Proper sequence ensures the surface is prepared, bonding is
promoted, overlay is placed correctly, and then finished and cured.
9. Which testing method is used to measure the moisture vapor
emission rate (MVER) of concrete before overlay installation?
A. Slump test
B. Calcium chloride test
C. pH strip test
D. Schmidt hammer test
The calcium chloride test measures moisture vapor emission from
concrete to determine suitability for overlay and sealer application.
