CALIFORNIA STEEL STRUCTURAL
CONTRACTOR LICENSE EXAM ACTUAL 2026
VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
COMPREHENSIVE & RATIONALE
1. What is the primary purpose of structural steel framing in
buildings?
A. Decorative aesthetics
B. Electrical grounding
C. Load resistance and structural support
D. Plumbing support
Answer: C
Rationale: Structural steel framing is primarily designed to resist loads
such as dead loads, live loads, wind, and seismic forces, ensuring
overall building stability.
2. Which ASTM specification commonly covers structural steel
shapes?
A. ASTM A36
B. ASTM C90
C. ASTM D1785
D. ASTM F1554
Answer: A
Rationale: ASTM A36 is one of the most widely used specifications for
structural steel shapes, plates, and bars.
3. What is the function of a gusset plate?
1
,A. Waterproofing joints
B. Connecting structural members at joints
C. Painting steel members
D. Insulating steel beams
Answer: B
Rationale: Gusset plates are used to connect beams, columns, and
bracing members at joints, typically in trusses and braced frames.
4. What type of load is caused by occupants and furniture?
A. Dead load
B. Live load
C. Seismic load
D. Thermal load
Answer: B
Rationale: Live loads are temporary or movable loads such as people,
furniture, and equipment.
5. What is the primary purpose of fireproofing structural steel?
A. Improve aesthetics
B. Prevent corrosion
C. Increase fire resistance rating
D. Increase tensile strength
Answer: C
Rationale: Fireproofing delays steel temperature rise during a fire,
preserving structural integrity longer.
6. What does AISC stand for?
2
,A. American Iron and Steel Code
B. American Institute of Steel Construction
C. Association of Industrial Steel Contractors
D. Allied Iron Steel Committee
Answer: B
Rationale: AISC is the governing body providing design standards for
steel structures in the U.S.
7. What is a moment connection designed to resist?
A. Only axial loads
B. Only shear loads
C. Bending and rotational forces
D. Thermal expansion only
Answer: C
Rationale: Moment connections resist bending forces and transfer
rotational loads between members.
8. What is the purpose of a base plate in steel columns?
A. Decorate foundation
B. Distribute load to concrete footing
C. Prevent rust only
D. Increase column height
Answer: B
Rationale: Base plates distribute concentrated column loads evenly to
the foundation.
9. Which welding process uses a continuously fed wire electrode?
3
, A. SMAW
B. GTAW
C. GMAW
D. Oxy-fuel welding
Answer: C
Rationale: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) uses a continuous wire
feed and shielding gas.
10. What is the main purpose of bracing in steel structures?
A. Improve appearance
B. Resist lateral forces
C. Increase floor area
D. Reduce material cost
Answer: B
Rationale: Bracing systems resist lateral loads such as wind and
seismic forces.
11. What does yield strength refer to?
A. Maximum load before failure
B. Stress at which permanent deformation begins
C. Weight of steel
D. Elastic recovery point
Answer: B
Rationale: Yield strength is the stress level where steel begins to
deform plastically.
12. What is the standard shape designation “W” in steel sections?
4
CONTRACTOR LICENSE EXAM ACTUAL 2026
VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
COMPREHENSIVE & RATIONALE
1. What is the primary purpose of structural steel framing in
buildings?
A. Decorative aesthetics
B. Electrical grounding
C. Load resistance and structural support
D. Plumbing support
Answer: C
Rationale: Structural steel framing is primarily designed to resist loads
such as dead loads, live loads, wind, and seismic forces, ensuring
overall building stability.
2. Which ASTM specification commonly covers structural steel
shapes?
A. ASTM A36
B. ASTM C90
C. ASTM D1785
D. ASTM F1554
Answer: A
Rationale: ASTM A36 is one of the most widely used specifications for
structural steel shapes, plates, and bars.
3. What is the function of a gusset plate?
1
,A. Waterproofing joints
B. Connecting structural members at joints
C. Painting steel members
D. Insulating steel beams
Answer: B
Rationale: Gusset plates are used to connect beams, columns, and
bracing members at joints, typically in trusses and braced frames.
4. What type of load is caused by occupants and furniture?
A. Dead load
B. Live load
C. Seismic load
D. Thermal load
Answer: B
Rationale: Live loads are temporary or movable loads such as people,
furniture, and equipment.
5. What is the primary purpose of fireproofing structural steel?
A. Improve aesthetics
B. Prevent corrosion
C. Increase fire resistance rating
D. Increase tensile strength
Answer: C
Rationale: Fireproofing delays steel temperature rise during a fire,
preserving structural integrity longer.
6. What does AISC stand for?
2
,A. American Iron and Steel Code
B. American Institute of Steel Construction
C. Association of Industrial Steel Contractors
D. Allied Iron Steel Committee
Answer: B
Rationale: AISC is the governing body providing design standards for
steel structures in the U.S.
7. What is a moment connection designed to resist?
A. Only axial loads
B. Only shear loads
C. Bending and rotational forces
D. Thermal expansion only
Answer: C
Rationale: Moment connections resist bending forces and transfer
rotational loads between members.
8. What is the purpose of a base plate in steel columns?
A. Decorate foundation
B. Distribute load to concrete footing
C. Prevent rust only
D. Increase column height
Answer: B
Rationale: Base plates distribute concentrated column loads evenly to
the foundation.
9. Which welding process uses a continuously fed wire electrode?
3
, A. SMAW
B. GTAW
C. GMAW
D. Oxy-fuel welding
Answer: C
Rationale: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) uses a continuous wire
feed and shielding gas.
10. What is the main purpose of bracing in steel structures?
A. Improve appearance
B. Resist lateral forces
C. Increase floor area
D. Reduce material cost
Answer: B
Rationale: Bracing systems resist lateral loads such as wind and
seismic forces.
11. What does yield strength refer to?
A. Maximum load before failure
B. Stress at which permanent deformation begins
C. Weight of steel
D. Elastic recovery point
Answer: B
Rationale: Yield strength is the stress level where steel begins to
deform plastically.
12. What is the standard shape designation “W” in steel sections?
4
