Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Demolition Class B
Contractor Practice Exam — 200 Questions
with Answers & Detailed Explanations (2026
Edition)
SECTION 1: LICENSE SCOPE & DEFINITIONS
1. What defines a "Major Building" according to A-1001.1 of the Philadelphia
Administrative Code?
• A) Buildings taller than 5 stories
• B) Buildings with a total area of more than 20,000 square feet
• C) Buildings that are more than 3 stories high, more than 40 feet tall, or
cover 10,000 square feet or more
• D) All buildings in the commercial district
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Major Building is specifically defined as exceeding 3 stories, 40 feet in
height, OR 10,000 square feet of lot space. Meeting any one of these thresholds
classifies the structure as Major, which generally requires a Class A license.
2. Which Philadelphia agency issues the Demolition Class B contractor license?
• A) Philadelphia Department of Public Health
• B) Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
• C) Philadelphia City Council
• D) Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) is responsible for
issuing demolition contractor licenses and enforcing the Philadelphia Code.
3. What is the maximum height for a building to qualify for Class B demolition if
not classified as a Major Building?
• A) 30 feet
• B) 40 feet
• C) 50 feet
• D) 60 feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Buildings not designated as Major Buildings must be no more than 40
feet in height for Class B demolition. The 40-foot demarcation is a key threshold
between Class B and Class A licensing.
4. What is the maximum number of stories for a building to qualify for Class B
demolition?
• A) 2 stories
• B) 3 stories
• C) 4 stories
• D) 5 stories
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Class B demolition license authorizes work on buildings up to three
stories in height.
5. A client requests a bid to demolish a single-story warehouse that is 35 feet tall
and covers 9,500 square feet. Is this within Class B scope?
• A) No, because it is a commercial building
• B) Yes, because it is under 40 feet tall and under 10,000 square feet
, • C) No, because it exceeds 5,000 square feet
• D) Yes, because it is only one story
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The building is under 3 stories (1), under 40 feet (35), and under 10,000
sq ft (9,500). All three criteria are within Class B limits.
6. A building is 2 stories high, 38 feet tall, and covers 9,900 sq ft. Can a Class B
contractor demolish it?
• A) Yes, because all three criteria are within Class B limits
• B) No, because the square footage is too close to 10,000
• C) No, because the height exceeds 35 feet
• D) Yes, but only if a structural engineer approves
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The building is under 3 stories (2), under 40 feet (38), and under 10,000
sq ft (9,900). It qualifies for Class B work.
7. A building is 2 stories tall, 35 feet high, and occupies 8,000 sq ft. Which license
is required?
• A) Class A only
• B) Class B only
• C) Either Class A or Class B
• D) No license required
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This building falls under the Class B threshold: under 3 stories (2), under
40 feet (35), and under 10,000 sq ft (8,000). A Class B license is sufficient.
8. The demolition of a structure exactly 40 feet tall and exactly 10,000 sq ft
requires what contractor oversight?
• A) Class B only
, • B) Class A only (as it meets the threshold)
• C) Either license
• D) No license required
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Meeting any one threshold classifies it as a Major Building, requiring
Class A oversight.
9. How is "lot space" defined in the demolition context?
• A) The total area covered by the building's footprint
• B) The total area of the surrounding neighborhood
• C) The area of adjacent properties
• D) The area of all buildings on the lot
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Lot space" refers to the total area covered by the building's footprint
for classification purposes.
10. Which Philadelphia Code Title outlines demolition requirements for non-
Major Buildings?
• A) Title 4 of the Philadelphia Building and Occupancy Code
• B) International Building Code (IBC)
• C) Uniform Building Code (UBC)
• D) National Electrical Code (NEC)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Title 4 of the Philadelphia Building and Occupancy Code outlines
demolition requirements.
11. Which Philadelphia Code chapter contains the definition for "Major
Building"?
• A) Chapter 10 – Work Site Public Safety, Worker Training, and Signage
Contractor Practice Exam — 200 Questions
with Answers & Detailed Explanations (2026
Edition)
SECTION 1: LICENSE SCOPE & DEFINITIONS
1. What defines a "Major Building" according to A-1001.1 of the Philadelphia
Administrative Code?
• A) Buildings taller than 5 stories
• B) Buildings with a total area of more than 20,000 square feet
• C) Buildings that are more than 3 stories high, more than 40 feet tall, or
cover 10,000 square feet or more
• D) All buildings in the commercial district
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Major Building is specifically defined as exceeding 3 stories, 40 feet in
height, OR 10,000 square feet of lot space. Meeting any one of these thresholds
classifies the structure as Major, which generally requires a Class A license.
2. Which Philadelphia agency issues the Demolition Class B contractor license?
• A) Philadelphia Department of Public Health
• B) Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
• C) Philadelphia City Council
• D) Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) is responsible for
issuing demolition contractor licenses and enforcing the Philadelphia Code.
3. What is the maximum height for a building to qualify for Class B demolition if
not classified as a Major Building?
• A) 30 feet
• B) 40 feet
• C) 50 feet
• D) 60 feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Buildings not designated as Major Buildings must be no more than 40
feet in height for Class B demolition. The 40-foot demarcation is a key threshold
between Class B and Class A licensing.
4. What is the maximum number of stories for a building to qualify for Class B
demolition?
• A) 2 stories
• B) 3 stories
• C) 4 stories
• D) 5 stories
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Class B demolition license authorizes work on buildings up to three
stories in height.
5. A client requests a bid to demolish a single-story warehouse that is 35 feet tall
and covers 9,500 square feet. Is this within Class B scope?
• A) No, because it is a commercial building
• B) Yes, because it is under 40 feet tall and under 10,000 square feet
, • C) No, because it exceeds 5,000 square feet
• D) Yes, because it is only one story
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The building is under 3 stories (1), under 40 feet (35), and under 10,000
sq ft (9,500). All three criteria are within Class B limits.
6. A building is 2 stories high, 38 feet tall, and covers 9,900 sq ft. Can a Class B
contractor demolish it?
• A) Yes, because all three criteria are within Class B limits
• B) No, because the square footage is too close to 10,000
• C) No, because the height exceeds 35 feet
• D) Yes, but only if a structural engineer approves
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The building is under 3 stories (2), under 40 feet (38), and under 10,000
sq ft (9,900). It qualifies for Class B work.
7. A building is 2 stories tall, 35 feet high, and occupies 8,000 sq ft. Which license
is required?
• A) Class A only
• B) Class B only
• C) Either Class A or Class B
• D) No license required
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This building falls under the Class B threshold: under 3 stories (2), under
40 feet (35), and under 10,000 sq ft (8,000). A Class B license is sufficient.
8. The demolition of a structure exactly 40 feet tall and exactly 10,000 sq ft
requires what contractor oversight?
• A) Class B only
, • B) Class A only (as it meets the threshold)
• C) Either license
• D) No license required
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Meeting any one threshold classifies it as a Major Building, requiring
Class A oversight.
9. How is "lot space" defined in the demolition context?
• A) The total area covered by the building's footprint
• B) The total area of the surrounding neighborhood
• C) The area of adjacent properties
• D) The area of all buildings on the lot
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Lot space" refers to the total area covered by the building's footprint
for classification purposes.
10. Which Philadelphia Code Title outlines demolition requirements for non-
Major Buildings?
• A) Title 4 of the Philadelphia Building and Occupancy Code
• B) International Building Code (IBC)
• C) Uniform Building Code (UBC)
• D) National Electrical Code (NEC)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Title 4 of the Philadelphia Building and Occupancy Code outlines
demolition requirements.
11. Which Philadelphia Code chapter contains the definition for "Major
Building"?
• A) Chapter 10 – Work Site Public Safety, Worker Training, and Signage
