NYC NYCHA SUPERVISOR PAINTER
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When inspecting a surface that was recently painted with oil-based paint and shows
‘alligatoring’, what is the most likely cause?
A. The surface was not properly degreased before painting.
B. The paint was applied in excessively high humidity.
C. The finish coat was applied over a primer that was not yet dry.
D. The paint was thinned with too much mineral spirits.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Alligatoring occurs when a hard finishing coat is applied over a
soft or slow-drying undercoat, causing the top layer to crack as the underlayer moves or
shrinks.
2. Under NYC Local Law 1 regarding lead paint, what is the specific threshold for lead content
in paint to be considered ‘lead-based’ in NYCHA facilities?
A. 1.0 mg/cm² or 0.5% by weight
,B. 0.5 mg/cm² or 0.25% by weight
C. 0.7 mg/cm² or 0.3% by weight
D. 0.1 mg/cm² or 0.05% by weight
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Recent NYC regulations (Local Law 1) have lowered the lead-
based paint threshold to 0.5 mg/cm² by XRF testing or 0.25% by weight in laboratory
analysis.
3. A Supervisor Painter is planning a project for a room that measures 20 feet by 15 feet with
10-foot ceilings. Excluding doors and windows, what is the total wall surface area?
A. 350 square feet
B. 500 square feet
C. 700 square feet
D. 600 square feet
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Perimeter = (20+15) * 2 = 70 feet. Wall area = 70 feet * 10 feet =
700 square feet.
4. What is the primary purpose of adding a ‘drier’ to oil-based paint?
A. To increase the gloss of the finish.
B. To improve the pigment’s hiding power.
, C. To prevent the paint from skinning over in the can.
D. To accelerate the oxidation and solidification of the vehicle.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Driers are catalysts that speed up the chemical reaction
(oxidation) that allows oil-based paints to dry and harden.
5. When a painter reports ‘crawling’ or ‘cissing’ of the paint film during application, what
corrective action should the Supervisor recommend?
A. Thin the paint with a stronger solvent.
B. Apply a thicker coat to bridge the gaps.
C. Increase the temperature of the room to speed up drying.
D. Stop, clean the surface of contaminants like oil or wax, and restart.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Crawling occurs when the wet paint fails to wet the surface,
usually due to surface contamination like grease, wax, or silicone.
6. According to OSHA standards, at what height is fall protection required for painters
working on a supported scaffold?
A. 6 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 4 feet
PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. When inspecting a surface that was recently painted with oil-based paint and shows
‘alligatoring’, what is the most likely cause?
A. The surface was not properly degreased before painting.
B. The paint was applied in excessively high humidity.
C. The finish coat was applied over a primer that was not yet dry.
D. The paint was thinned with too much mineral spirits.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Alligatoring occurs when a hard finishing coat is applied over a
soft or slow-drying undercoat, causing the top layer to crack as the underlayer moves or
shrinks.
2. Under NYC Local Law 1 regarding lead paint, what is the specific threshold for lead content
in paint to be considered ‘lead-based’ in NYCHA facilities?
A. 1.0 mg/cm² or 0.5% by weight
,B. 0.5 mg/cm² or 0.25% by weight
C. 0.7 mg/cm² or 0.3% by weight
D. 0.1 mg/cm² or 0.05% by weight
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Recent NYC regulations (Local Law 1) have lowered the lead-
based paint threshold to 0.5 mg/cm² by XRF testing or 0.25% by weight in laboratory
analysis.
3. A Supervisor Painter is planning a project for a room that measures 20 feet by 15 feet with
10-foot ceilings. Excluding doors and windows, what is the total wall surface area?
A. 350 square feet
B. 500 square feet
C. 700 square feet
D. 600 square feet
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Perimeter = (20+15) * 2 = 70 feet. Wall area = 70 feet * 10 feet =
700 square feet.
4. What is the primary purpose of adding a ‘drier’ to oil-based paint?
A. To increase the gloss of the finish.
B. To improve the pigment’s hiding power.
, C. To prevent the paint from skinning over in the can.
D. To accelerate the oxidation and solidification of the vehicle.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Driers are catalysts that speed up the chemical reaction
(oxidation) that allows oil-based paints to dry and harden.
5. When a painter reports ‘crawling’ or ‘cissing’ of the paint film during application, what
corrective action should the Supervisor recommend?
A. Thin the paint with a stronger solvent.
B. Apply a thicker coat to bridge the gaps.
C. Increase the temperature of the room to speed up drying.
D. Stop, clean the surface of contaminants like oil or wax, and restart.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Crawling occurs when the wet paint fails to wet the surface,
usually due to surface contamination like grease, wax, or silicone.
6. According to OSHA standards, at what height is fall protection required for painters
working on a supported scaffold?
A. 6 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 4 feet
