Tennessee Skilled Trades & Construction
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the Tennessee contractor licensing system?
A. To eliminate competition between contractors
B. To protect the public by establishing minimum competency and regulatory
requirements
C. To guarantee contractors a minimum profit
D. To provide free construction materials
Answer: To protect the public by establishing minimum competency and
regulatory requirements
Rationale: Contractor licensing is intended to protect consumers and the public
by requiring appropriate qualifications, financial responsibility, and compliance
with applicable laws and regulations.
2. Which document generally describes the scope of work, materials, and
conditions under which a construction project will be performed?
A. Payroll register
B. Construction contract
C. Employee handbook
D. Equipment inventory
Answer: Construction contract
,Rationale: A construction contract establishes the parties' obligations, scope of
work, payment terms, schedules, and other project requirements.
3. What is the safest first step before beginning excavation work?
A. Start digging with a backhoe
B. Contact the appropriate utility locating service
C. Remove the soil by hand
D. Install drywall
Answer: Contact the appropriate utility locating service
Rationale: Underground utilities must be located before excavation to reduce
the risk of electrocution, gas release, water-main damage, and other hazards.
4. Which OSHA principle is most directly associated with protecting workers
from falls?
A. Fall protection
B. Noise reduction
C. Respiratory labeling
D. Material recycling
Answer: Fall protection
Rationale: Fall protection systems such as guardrails, safety nets, and personal
fall-arrest systems help protect workers from elevated falls.
5. What is the purpose of a building permit?
A. To establish a contractor's profit margin
B. To authorize regulated construction and allow code compliance to be verified
C. To replace the construction contract
D. To determine employee wages
Answer: To authorize regulated construction and allow code compliance to be
verified
,Rationale: Permits allow authorities to review and inspect regulated
construction for compliance with applicable building and safety requirements.
6. Which tool is commonly used to verify that a surface is level?
A. Chalk line
B. Spirit level
C. Pipe wrench
D. Tin snips
Answer: Spirit level
Rationale: A spirit level uses a bubble vial to determine whether a surface is
level or plumb.
7. What does a plumb surface mean?
A. Perfectly horizontal
B. Perfectly vertical
C. Roughly circular
D. Completely finished
Answer: Perfectly vertical
Rationale: In construction, plumb means vertically aligned with gravity.
8. What is the purpose of a GFCI?
A. Increase circuit voltage
B. Protect people from electric shock caused by ground faults
C. Increase water pressure
D. Reduce concrete shrinkage
Answer: Protect people from electric shock caused by ground faults
Rationale: A ground-fault circuit interrupter rapidly interrupts power when it
detects an imbalance indicating current may be flowing through an unintended
path.
, 9. Which material is commonly used as reinforcement in concrete?
A. Rebar
B. PVC foam
C. Roofing felt
D. Gypsum board
Answer: Rebar
Rationale: Reinforcing steel, commonly called rebar, improves concrete's ability
to resist tensile stresses.
10.What is the main purpose of concrete curing?
A. To immediately dry the concrete
B. To maintain conditions that allow proper hydration and strength development
C. To remove reinforcement
D. To prevent all surface finishing
Answer: To maintain conditions that allow proper hydration and strength
development
Rationale: Proper curing maintains adequate moisture and temperature so
cement hydration can continue and the concrete can develop its intended
properties.
11.What is the approximate composition of standard Portland cement
concrete?
A. Cement, aggregate, and water
B. Steel, glass, and asphalt
C. Gypsum, wood, and sand only
D. Brick, mortar, and steel only
Answer: Cement, aggregate, and water
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of the Tennessee contractor licensing system?
A. To eliminate competition between contractors
B. To protect the public by establishing minimum competency and regulatory
requirements
C. To guarantee contractors a minimum profit
D. To provide free construction materials
Answer: To protect the public by establishing minimum competency and
regulatory requirements
Rationale: Contractor licensing is intended to protect consumers and the public
by requiring appropriate qualifications, financial responsibility, and compliance
with applicable laws and regulations.
2. Which document generally describes the scope of work, materials, and
conditions under which a construction project will be performed?
A. Payroll register
B. Construction contract
C. Employee handbook
D. Equipment inventory
Answer: Construction contract
,Rationale: A construction contract establishes the parties' obligations, scope of
work, payment terms, schedules, and other project requirements.
3. What is the safest first step before beginning excavation work?
A. Start digging with a backhoe
B. Contact the appropriate utility locating service
C. Remove the soil by hand
D. Install drywall
Answer: Contact the appropriate utility locating service
Rationale: Underground utilities must be located before excavation to reduce
the risk of electrocution, gas release, water-main damage, and other hazards.
4. Which OSHA principle is most directly associated with protecting workers
from falls?
A. Fall protection
B. Noise reduction
C. Respiratory labeling
D. Material recycling
Answer: Fall protection
Rationale: Fall protection systems such as guardrails, safety nets, and personal
fall-arrest systems help protect workers from elevated falls.
5. What is the purpose of a building permit?
A. To establish a contractor's profit margin
B. To authorize regulated construction and allow code compliance to be verified
C. To replace the construction contract
D. To determine employee wages
Answer: To authorize regulated construction and allow code compliance to be
verified
,Rationale: Permits allow authorities to review and inspect regulated
construction for compliance with applicable building and safety requirements.
6. Which tool is commonly used to verify that a surface is level?
A. Chalk line
B. Spirit level
C. Pipe wrench
D. Tin snips
Answer: Spirit level
Rationale: A spirit level uses a bubble vial to determine whether a surface is
level or plumb.
7. What does a plumb surface mean?
A. Perfectly horizontal
B. Perfectly vertical
C. Roughly circular
D. Completely finished
Answer: Perfectly vertical
Rationale: In construction, plumb means vertically aligned with gravity.
8. What is the purpose of a GFCI?
A. Increase circuit voltage
B. Protect people from electric shock caused by ground faults
C. Increase water pressure
D. Reduce concrete shrinkage
Answer: Protect people from electric shock caused by ground faults
Rationale: A ground-fault circuit interrupter rapidly interrupts power when it
detects an imbalance indicating current may be flowing through an unintended
path.
, 9. Which material is commonly used as reinforcement in concrete?
A. Rebar
B. PVC foam
C. Roofing felt
D. Gypsum board
Answer: Rebar
Rationale: Reinforcing steel, commonly called rebar, improves concrete's ability
to resist tensile stresses.
10.What is the main purpose of concrete curing?
A. To immediately dry the concrete
B. To maintain conditions that allow proper hydration and strength development
C. To remove reinforcement
D. To prevent all surface finishing
Answer: To maintain conditions that allow proper hydration and strength
development
Rationale: Proper curing maintains adequate moisture and temperature so
cement hydration can continue and the concrete can develop its intended
properties.
11.What is the approximate composition of standard Portland cement
concrete?
A. Cement, aggregate, and water
B. Steel, glass, and asphalt
C. Gypsum, wood, and sand only
D. Brick, mortar, and steel only
Answer: Cement, aggregate, and water
