NC GENERAL CONTRACTORS EXAM QUESTIONS
COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
1. According to NC General Statute 83A-13, what is the maximum
number of attached units for a family residence to be exempt from the
design professional seal requirement?
A) 4 units
B) 6 units
C) 8 units
D) 10 units
Correct Answer: C) 8 units
Rationale: NCGS 83A-13(c)(1) specifically exempts "A family residence,
up to eight units attached with grade level exit" from the requirement
for a licensed architect's seal. This provision recognizes that smaller
residential projects do not require the same level of professional
oversight as larger commercial structures .
2. A reference stake typically shows the horizontal measurement from
the hub to the centerline of the fill. This measurement is commonly
called the:
A) Stationing
B) Offset
C) Grade point
D) Benchmark
,Correct Answer: B) Offset
Rationale: The offset is the horizontal distance from the hub to the
centerline of the end of the fill or cut. It serves as a reference point that
remains protected from construction traffic while providing accurate
location data for equipment operators .
3. Which of the following building types is exempt from the design
professional seal requirement under NCGS 83A-13?
A) A church with 5,000 sq ft
B) A commercial building valued at $150,000
C) A farmer's building that does not involve public health or safety
D) A school with 2,500 sq ft
Correct Answer: C) A farmer's building that does not involve public
health or safety
Rationale: NCGS 83A-13(c)(2) exempts "A building upon any farm for
the use of any farmer, unless the building is of such nature and
intended for such use as to substantially involve the health or safety of
the public." The other options are incorrect because they either exceed
exemption thresholds or are specifically excluded from exemptions .
4. A slope is mathematically expressed as:
A) Run divided by Rise
B) Rise multiplied by Run
C) Rise divided by Run
D) Run minus Rise
Correct Answer: C) Rise divided by Run
Rationale: Slope represents the vertical change (rise) over the
horizontal distance (run). When expressed as a percentage, the formula
,is (Rise / Run) x 100. A 5% slope means a 5-foot vertical rise over 100
feet of horizontal distance .
5. What is the maximum total value threshold for a commercial
building to be exempt from the professional seal requirement?
A) $90,000
B) $150,000
C) $200,000
D) $250,000
**Correct Answer: C) $200,000**
Rationale: NCGS 83A-13(c)(3) exempts commercial buildings if they "do
not have a total value exceeding two hundred thousand dollars
($200,000)." Additionally, a commercial building with a total value of
less than $200,000 AND a total area of less than 3,000 sq ft is
specifically exempt under subsection (c1) .
6. When a grade stake reads "C 1.4," what action should the
equipment operator take?
A) Fill 1.4 feet of material
B) Excavate 1.4 feet of material
C) Grade to a 1.4% slope
D) Set the reference stake 1.4 feet away
Correct Answer: B) Excavate 1.4 feet of material
Rationale: The notation "C" indicates cut, meaning the existing ground
is higher than the proposed grade and material must be excavated
(removed) to reach grade. If the stake read "F 1.4," that would indicate
a fill where material must be added .
7. Which of the following inspections is typically performed before
concrete is poured for a foundation?
, A) Footing inspection
B) Under slab inspection
C) Rough-in inspection
D) Final inspection
Correct Answer: B) Under slab inspection
Rationale: The under slab inspection occurs before concrete is placed to
verify that vapor barriers, reinforcement, and any utilities running
beneath the slab are properly installed. This inspection sequence
ensures that any issues are caught before concrete placement makes
correction difficult or impossible.
8. What does "STA 1+50" indicate on a reference stake?
A) A slope of 1:50
B) A distance of 150 feet from the starting point
C) An elevation of 1.50 feet
D) An offset of 1.5 feet
Correct Answer: B) A distance of 150 feet from the starting point
Rationale: In stationing notation, "STA 1+50" means 150 feet from the
beginning point of the project. The number before the plus sign
represents hundreds of feet, while the number after represents tens
and individual feet .
9. A renovation project that does not alter the structural system,
egress pattern, or live/dead loads is:
A) Required to have a design professional seal
B) Exempt from the design professional seal requirement
C) Only exempt if under $90,000
D) Required to have both architect and engineer seals
COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
1. According to NC General Statute 83A-13, what is the maximum
number of attached units for a family residence to be exempt from the
design professional seal requirement?
A) 4 units
B) 6 units
C) 8 units
D) 10 units
Correct Answer: C) 8 units
Rationale: NCGS 83A-13(c)(1) specifically exempts "A family residence,
up to eight units attached with grade level exit" from the requirement
for a licensed architect's seal. This provision recognizes that smaller
residential projects do not require the same level of professional
oversight as larger commercial structures .
2. A reference stake typically shows the horizontal measurement from
the hub to the centerline of the fill. This measurement is commonly
called the:
A) Stationing
B) Offset
C) Grade point
D) Benchmark
,Correct Answer: B) Offset
Rationale: The offset is the horizontal distance from the hub to the
centerline of the end of the fill or cut. It serves as a reference point that
remains protected from construction traffic while providing accurate
location data for equipment operators .
3. Which of the following building types is exempt from the design
professional seal requirement under NCGS 83A-13?
A) A church with 5,000 sq ft
B) A commercial building valued at $150,000
C) A farmer's building that does not involve public health or safety
D) A school with 2,500 sq ft
Correct Answer: C) A farmer's building that does not involve public
health or safety
Rationale: NCGS 83A-13(c)(2) exempts "A building upon any farm for
the use of any farmer, unless the building is of such nature and
intended for such use as to substantially involve the health or safety of
the public." The other options are incorrect because they either exceed
exemption thresholds or are specifically excluded from exemptions .
4. A slope is mathematically expressed as:
A) Run divided by Rise
B) Rise multiplied by Run
C) Rise divided by Run
D) Run minus Rise
Correct Answer: C) Rise divided by Run
Rationale: Slope represents the vertical change (rise) over the
horizontal distance (run). When expressed as a percentage, the formula
,is (Rise / Run) x 100. A 5% slope means a 5-foot vertical rise over 100
feet of horizontal distance .
5. What is the maximum total value threshold for a commercial
building to be exempt from the professional seal requirement?
A) $90,000
B) $150,000
C) $200,000
D) $250,000
**Correct Answer: C) $200,000**
Rationale: NCGS 83A-13(c)(3) exempts commercial buildings if they "do
not have a total value exceeding two hundred thousand dollars
($200,000)." Additionally, a commercial building with a total value of
less than $200,000 AND a total area of less than 3,000 sq ft is
specifically exempt under subsection (c1) .
6. When a grade stake reads "C 1.4," what action should the
equipment operator take?
A) Fill 1.4 feet of material
B) Excavate 1.4 feet of material
C) Grade to a 1.4% slope
D) Set the reference stake 1.4 feet away
Correct Answer: B) Excavate 1.4 feet of material
Rationale: The notation "C" indicates cut, meaning the existing ground
is higher than the proposed grade and material must be excavated
(removed) to reach grade. If the stake read "F 1.4," that would indicate
a fill where material must be added .
7. Which of the following inspections is typically performed before
concrete is poured for a foundation?
, A) Footing inspection
B) Under slab inspection
C) Rough-in inspection
D) Final inspection
Correct Answer: B) Under slab inspection
Rationale: The under slab inspection occurs before concrete is placed to
verify that vapor barriers, reinforcement, and any utilities running
beneath the slab are properly installed. This inspection sequence
ensures that any issues are caught before concrete placement makes
correction difficult or impossible.
8. What does "STA 1+50" indicate on a reference stake?
A) A slope of 1:50
B) A distance of 150 feet from the starting point
C) An elevation of 1.50 feet
D) An offset of 1.5 feet
Correct Answer: B) A distance of 150 feet from the starting point
Rationale: In stationing notation, "STA 1+50" means 150 feet from the
beginning point of the project. The number before the plus sign
represents hundreds of feet, while the number after represents tens
and individual feet .
9. A renovation project that does not alter the structural system,
egress pattern, or live/dead loads is:
A) Required to have a design professional seal
B) Exempt from the design professional seal requirement
C) Only exempt if under $90,000
D) Required to have both architect and engineer seals
