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NORTH CAROLINA BUILDING CONTRACTOR
EXAMINATION 2026 COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
BUILDING
Prepare for the North Carolina Building Contractor Examination with this
comprehensive practice resource designed to support your licensing exam
preparation. It features exam-style questions covering construction methods, building
codes, project management, safety regulations, estimating, contracts, and North
Carolina contractor requirements. Use it to reinforce essential concepts, assess your
knowledge, and build confidence before test day. An excellent study aid for
candidates preparing for the North Carolina Building Contractor Examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
NC LICENSING, LAWS & REGULATIONS (Questions 1–20)
Question 1: The geometric formula for the area of a triangle is:
A. (1/2)bh
B. πr²
C. 2πr
D. l × w
Correct answer: A. (1/2)bh
Rationale: The area of a triangle is calculated using (1/2) × base × height.
Question 2: A North Carolina "Building Contractor" (General Contractor)
license is required for a single project when the contract price exceeds:
A. $10,000
B. $30,000
C. $40,000
D. $50,000
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**Correct answer: C. $40,000**
**Rationale:** A General Contractor license is required in NC when the cost
of the undertaking is $40,000 or more.
Question 3: Which of the following is a correct license classification limit in
NC?
A. Limited: $500,000; Intermediate: $1,000,000; Unlimited: No limit
B. Limited: $500,000; Intermediate: $1,500,000; Unlimited: No limit
C. Limited: $750,000; Intermediate: $1,000,000; Unlimited: No limit
D. Limited: $750,000; Intermediate: $1,500,000; Unlimited: No limit
Correct answer: D. Limited: $750,000; Intermediate: $1,500,000;
Unlimited: No limit
Rationale: Under NC law, the holder of an intermediate license can contract
for projects up to $1,500,000, and a limited license up to $750,000, excluding
land costs.
Question 4: A licensed NC General Contractor's qualifier ceases
employment. What is the grace period to replace the qualifier before the
license is invalidated?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days
Correct answer: C. 90 days
Rationale: If the qualifier ceases to be connected with the licensee, the
license remains in full force for 90 days. After 90 days, the license is
invalidated.
Question 5: What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a North
Carolina General Contractor license?
A. 16 years old
B. 18 years old
C. 21 years old
D. 25 years old
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Correct answer: B. 18 years old
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Question 6: The NC General Contractors Licensing Board may require an
applicant to submit to a:
A. Drug test
B. Criminal background check
C. Credit check
D. Psychological evaluation
Correct answer: B. Criminal background check
Rationale: In determining qualifications, the Board may utilize a criminal
background check.
Question 7: The examination for a General Contractor license is administered
by:
A. The NC General Contractors Licensing Board
B. PSI
C. NC Department of Insurance
D. NC Department of Labor
Correct answer: B. PSI
Rationale: The PSI testing service administers the NC General Contractor
exam; applicants must schedule with PSI.
Question 8: An applicant for an NC General Contractor license must submit
their application at least how many days before the scheduled examination
date?
A. 10 days
B. 15 days
C. 20 days
D. 30 days
Correct answer: D. 30 days
Rationale: Applications must be filed at least 30 days before any regular or
special meeting of the Board.
Question 9: What is the fee for a Limited license application?
A. $75
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B. $100
C. $125
D. $150
**Correct answer: A. $75**
**Rationale:** The application fee for a limited license is $75.
Question 10: A General Contractor's license must be renewed by which date
before it becomes invalid?
A. March 1
B. June 1
C. October 1
D. January 1
Correct answer: D. January 1
Rationale: A license expires on January 1 following its issuance or renewal
and becomes invalid 60 days from that date unless renewed.
Question 11: If a license has been invalid for how many years, is it deemed
archived and cannot be renewed?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Correct answer: C. 4 years
Rationale: After a license has been invalid for four years, it is deemed
archived, and the licensee must fulfill all requirements of a new applicant.
Question 12: What is the total amount of time allowed for the Building
Contractor exam?
A. 120 minutes
B. 160 minutes
C. 200 minutes
D. 240 minutes
Correct answer: C. 200 minutes
Rationale: The exam has 90 questions and a time limit of 200 minutes.
NORTH CAROLINA BUILDING CONTRACTOR
EXAMINATION 2026 COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
BUILDING
Prepare for the North Carolina Building Contractor Examination with this
comprehensive practice resource designed to support your licensing exam
preparation. It features exam-style questions covering construction methods, building
codes, project management, safety regulations, estimating, contracts, and North
Carolina contractor requirements. Use it to reinforce essential concepts, assess your
knowledge, and build confidence before test day. An excellent study aid for
candidates preparing for the North Carolina Building Contractor Examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
NC LICENSING, LAWS & REGULATIONS (Questions 1–20)
Question 1: The geometric formula for the area of a triangle is:
A. (1/2)bh
B. πr²
C. 2πr
D. l × w
Correct answer: A. (1/2)bh
Rationale: The area of a triangle is calculated using (1/2) × base × height.
Question 2: A North Carolina "Building Contractor" (General Contractor)
license is required for a single project when the contract price exceeds:
A. $10,000
B. $30,000
C. $40,000
D. $50,000
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**Correct answer: C. $40,000**
**Rationale:** A General Contractor license is required in NC when the cost
of the undertaking is $40,000 or more.
Question 3: Which of the following is a correct license classification limit in
NC?
A. Limited: $500,000; Intermediate: $1,000,000; Unlimited: No limit
B. Limited: $500,000; Intermediate: $1,500,000; Unlimited: No limit
C. Limited: $750,000; Intermediate: $1,000,000; Unlimited: No limit
D. Limited: $750,000; Intermediate: $1,500,000; Unlimited: No limit
Correct answer: D. Limited: $750,000; Intermediate: $1,500,000;
Unlimited: No limit
Rationale: Under NC law, the holder of an intermediate license can contract
for projects up to $1,500,000, and a limited license up to $750,000, excluding
land costs.
Question 4: A licensed NC General Contractor's qualifier ceases
employment. What is the grace period to replace the qualifier before the
license is invalidated?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days
Correct answer: C. 90 days
Rationale: If the qualifier ceases to be connected with the licensee, the
license remains in full force for 90 days. After 90 days, the license is
invalidated.
Question 5: What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a North
Carolina General Contractor license?
A. 16 years old
B. 18 years old
C. 21 years old
D. 25 years old
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Correct answer: B. 18 years old
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Question 6: The NC General Contractors Licensing Board may require an
applicant to submit to a:
A. Drug test
B. Criminal background check
C. Credit check
D. Psychological evaluation
Correct answer: B. Criminal background check
Rationale: In determining qualifications, the Board may utilize a criminal
background check.
Question 7: The examination for a General Contractor license is administered
by:
A. The NC General Contractors Licensing Board
B. PSI
C. NC Department of Insurance
D. NC Department of Labor
Correct answer: B. PSI
Rationale: The PSI testing service administers the NC General Contractor
exam; applicants must schedule with PSI.
Question 8: An applicant for an NC General Contractor license must submit
their application at least how many days before the scheduled examination
date?
A. 10 days
B. 15 days
C. 20 days
D. 30 days
Correct answer: D. 30 days
Rationale: Applications must be filed at least 30 days before any regular or
special meeting of the Board.
Question 9: What is the fee for a Limited license application?
A. $75
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B. $100
C. $125
D. $150
**Correct answer: A. $75**
**Rationale:** The application fee for a limited license is $75.
Question 10: A General Contractor's license must be renewed by which date
before it becomes invalid?
A. March 1
B. June 1
C. October 1
D. January 1
Correct answer: D. January 1
Rationale: A license expires on January 1 following its issuance or renewal
and becomes invalid 60 days from that date unless renewed.
Question 11: If a license has been invalid for how many years, is it deemed
archived and cannot be renewed?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Correct answer: C. 4 years
Rationale: After a license has been invalid for four years, it is deemed
archived, and the licensee must fulfill all requirements of a new applicant.
Question 12: What is the total amount of time allowed for the Building
Contractor exam?
A. 120 minutes
B. 160 minutes
C. 200 minutes
D. 240 minutes
Correct answer: C. 200 minutes
Rationale: The exam has 90 questions and a time limit of 200 minutes.
