NEW MEXICO GB-98 GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR
EXAM COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED
PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM
PREP | PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
SECTION ONE — QUESTIONS 1–100
1) Which model code serves as the primary building code for commercial construction in New
Mexico?
A) International Residential Code (IRC)
B) Uniform Building Code (UBC)
C) International Building Code (IBC)
D) BOCA National Building Code
Correct Answer: C) International Building Code (IBC)
Rationale: The IBC is the primary model code used to regulate commercial construction in New
Mexico, as adopted by the Construction Industries Division. While the IRC governs residential work,
the IBC establishes the standards for commercial buildings. New Mexico has adopted the IBC with
state-specific amendments.
2) A GB-98 contractor is bidding as the prime contractor on a project. Under what circumstance
may the GB-98 contractor serve as the prime?
A) Only when the project is entirely residential
B) Only when all work is self-performed
C) When the major portion of the work, based on dollar amount, is authorized by the GB-98
classification
D) When the project contains any amount of GB-98 authorized work, regardless of percentage
Correct Answer: C) When the major portion of the work, based on dollar amount, is authorized by
the GB-98 classification
Rationale: According to NMAC 14.6.6.8, a validly licensed contractor may bid as the prime only if the
major portion of the work, based on dollar amount, falls within their license classification. Work
outside the scope must be subcontracted to appropriately licensed contractors .
3) Which trade must a GB-98 contractor subcontract to a licensed specialist?
A) Painting
B) Insulation
,C) Electrical
D) Drywall
Correct Answer: C) Electrical
Rationale: GB-98 contractors are not authorized to perform electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work
unless they hold the specific classification for those trades. Electrical work must be performed by a
properly licensed EE-98 contractor. This requirement protects public safety by ensuring specialized
work is performed by qualified professionals .
4) What is the minimum practical experience required to qualify for a New Mexico GB-98 license?
A) Two years of journeyman-level experience
B) Four years of foreman-level experience, with at least two years commercial
C) Four years of any construction experience
D) Eight years of combined residential and commercial experience
Correct Answer: B) Four years of foreman-level experience, with at least two years commercial
Rationale: NMAC 14.6.6.8 requires four years of practical experience at the foreman level, with at
least two of those years specifically in commercial construction. This ensures the qualifying party has
sufficient supervisory and commercial construction expertise to manage complex projects safely .
5) What is the total number of questions on the GB-98 trade examination?
A) 50 questions
B) 80 questions
C) 100 questions
D) 115 questions
Correct Answer: C) 100 questions
Rationale: The GB-98 trade exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions administered by PSI.
Candidates have 310 minutes (approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes) to complete the exam, which is
open-book and allows the use of approved reference materials .
6) What is the minimum passing score required for the GB-98 trade exam?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%
Correct Answer: B) 75%
Rationale: Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 75% on the GB-98 trade examination to
pass. The Business and Law exam also requires a 75% passing score. Both exams must be passed to
obtain licensure .
, 7) A GB-98 contractor discovers that a material substitution will affect the project's performance.
What must the contractor do?
A) Proceed with the substitution to maintain the schedule
B) Notify the owner of the change affecting cost or performance
C) Document the change only in the project file
D) Obtain verbal approval from the inspector
Correct Answer: B) Notify the owner of the change affecting cost or performance
Rationale: Contractors must disclose material substitutions that affect cost or performance to the
owner. This requirement ensures transparency and protects the owner's interests. Changes impacting
performance may require formal change orders and approval before implementation .
8) What is the primary purpose of OSHA regulations on a construction jobsite?
A) Increase project profits
B) Ensure architectural compliance
C) Protect worker safety and health
D) Reduce material waste
Correct Answer: C) Protect worker safety and health
Rationale: OSHA regulations establish safety standards for fall protection, trench safety, scaffolding,
and other workplace hazards. The primary purpose is to protect workers from injury and illness on
construction sites. Contractors bear responsibility for maintaining OSHA compliance on their
projects .
9) Who holds primary responsibility for verifying jobsite safety compliance?
A) The building official
B) The contractor
C) The property owner
D) The architect
Correct Answer: B) The contractor
Rationale: The general contractor bears primary responsibility for ensuring OSHA compliance and
maintaining a safe worksite. This includes enforcing safety protocols, providing proper training, and
ensuring all subcontractors adhere to safety regulations. Liability for safety violations typically rests
with the contractor .
10) Under the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act (CILA), who must hold a license
for construction activity?
A) Only individuals performing work valued over $50,000
B) Any person performing installation or alteration of building systems for a client
C) Only commercial contractors
D) Only residential home builders
EXAM COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 2026–2027 LATEST UPDATE | GUARANTEED
PASS | DETAILED RATIONALES | FULL STUDY GUIDE | EXAM
PREP | PRACTICE TEST | CERTIFICATION PREPARATION
SECTION ONE — QUESTIONS 1–100
1) Which model code serves as the primary building code for commercial construction in New
Mexico?
A) International Residential Code (IRC)
B) Uniform Building Code (UBC)
C) International Building Code (IBC)
D) BOCA National Building Code
Correct Answer: C) International Building Code (IBC)
Rationale: The IBC is the primary model code used to regulate commercial construction in New
Mexico, as adopted by the Construction Industries Division. While the IRC governs residential work,
the IBC establishes the standards for commercial buildings. New Mexico has adopted the IBC with
state-specific amendments.
2) A GB-98 contractor is bidding as the prime contractor on a project. Under what circumstance
may the GB-98 contractor serve as the prime?
A) Only when the project is entirely residential
B) Only when all work is self-performed
C) When the major portion of the work, based on dollar amount, is authorized by the GB-98
classification
D) When the project contains any amount of GB-98 authorized work, regardless of percentage
Correct Answer: C) When the major portion of the work, based on dollar amount, is authorized by
the GB-98 classification
Rationale: According to NMAC 14.6.6.8, a validly licensed contractor may bid as the prime only if the
major portion of the work, based on dollar amount, falls within their license classification. Work
outside the scope must be subcontracted to appropriately licensed contractors .
3) Which trade must a GB-98 contractor subcontract to a licensed specialist?
A) Painting
B) Insulation
,C) Electrical
D) Drywall
Correct Answer: C) Electrical
Rationale: GB-98 contractors are not authorized to perform electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work
unless they hold the specific classification for those trades. Electrical work must be performed by a
properly licensed EE-98 contractor. This requirement protects public safety by ensuring specialized
work is performed by qualified professionals .
4) What is the minimum practical experience required to qualify for a New Mexico GB-98 license?
A) Two years of journeyman-level experience
B) Four years of foreman-level experience, with at least two years commercial
C) Four years of any construction experience
D) Eight years of combined residential and commercial experience
Correct Answer: B) Four years of foreman-level experience, with at least two years commercial
Rationale: NMAC 14.6.6.8 requires four years of practical experience at the foreman level, with at
least two of those years specifically in commercial construction. This ensures the qualifying party has
sufficient supervisory and commercial construction expertise to manage complex projects safely .
5) What is the total number of questions on the GB-98 trade examination?
A) 50 questions
B) 80 questions
C) 100 questions
D) 115 questions
Correct Answer: C) 100 questions
Rationale: The GB-98 trade exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions administered by PSI.
Candidates have 310 minutes (approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes) to complete the exam, which is
open-book and allows the use of approved reference materials .
6) What is the minimum passing score required for the GB-98 trade exam?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%
Correct Answer: B) 75%
Rationale: Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 75% on the GB-98 trade examination to
pass. The Business and Law exam also requires a 75% passing score. Both exams must be passed to
obtain licensure .
, 7) A GB-98 contractor discovers that a material substitution will affect the project's performance.
What must the contractor do?
A) Proceed with the substitution to maintain the schedule
B) Notify the owner of the change affecting cost or performance
C) Document the change only in the project file
D) Obtain verbal approval from the inspector
Correct Answer: B) Notify the owner of the change affecting cost or performance
Rationale: Contractors must disclose material substitutions that affect cost or performance to the
owner. This requirement ensures transparency and protects the owner's interests. Changes impacting
performance may require formal change orders and approval before implementation .
8) What is the primary purpose of OSHA regulations on a construction jobsite?
A) Increase project profits
B) Ensure architectural compliance
C) Protect worker safety and health
D) Reduce material waste
Correct Answer: C) Protect worker safety and health
Rationale: OSHA regulations establish safety standards for fall protection, trench safety, scaffolding,
and other workplace hazards. The primary purpose is to protect workers from injury and illness on
construction sites. Contractors bear responsibility for maintaining OSHA compliance on their
projects .
9) Who holds primary responsibility for verifying jobsite safety compliance?
A) The building official
B) The contractor
C) The property owner
D) The architect
Correct Answer: B) The contractor
Rationale: The general contractor bears primary responsibility for ensuring OSHA compliance and
maintaining a safe worksite. This includes enforcing safety protocols, providing proper training, and
ensuring all subcontractors adhere to safety regulations. Liability for safety violations typically rests
with the contractor .
10) Under the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act (CILA), who must hold a license
for construction activity?
A) Only individuals performing work valued over $50,000
B) Any person performing installation or alteration of building systems for a client
C) Only commercial contractors
D) Only residential home builders
