CSLB B LICENSE GENERAL CONTRACTOR EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
In a series circuit, the total voltage is divided equally.
For safety reasons, the maximum simple slope of an excavation, up to 20 ft deep, in
Type-B soil is: - ANSWER -1:1 (45°)
A Pittsburgh joint is used in: - ANSWER -HVAC ductwork
The drain for a pressure relief valve on a water heater should be extended to: -
ANSWER -The outside of the building
What is the minimum slope toward the drain of a shower pan? - ANSWER -1/4" per
foot (2%)
What is the diameter of #3 rebar? - ANSWER -3/8"
If a vendor fails to provide an MSDS, you have the right to call: - ANSWER -Cal/OSHA
or DOSH
When installing a door jamb, you need shims at: - ANSWER -Both hinge and strike
sides, three on each side.
Which of the following is used to adhere vinyl floors?
A. Epoxy cement
B. Asphalt mastic
C. Latex primer
D. White glue - ANSWER -Epoxy cement
When do you need bracing for a drywall wall? - ANSWER -Diagonal bracing is needed
every 25' for any drywall wall.
How should you clear the roots from a construction site? - ANSWER -Clear roots to 12"
below grade.
Dividing watts by amps gives you: - ANSWER -Volts
The most frequent on-the-job roofing accidents are: - ANSWER -Falls
Which of the following is NOT a type of wood block flooring?
A. Parquet
B. Wood Mosaic
,C. Wood Tile
D. All of the above. - ANSWER -Wood tile
Lightweight concrete is best used for:
A. Curb and Gutter
B. Second floor decking
C. First floor slab on grade
D. Footings - ANSWER -Second floor decking
The tool used to carry grout needed to patch a small hole is a:
A. Hawk
B. Poling board
C. Spot board
D. Mason's scutch - ANSWER -Spot Board
Which pipe is NOT appropriate for industrial wastes?
A. Cast iron
B. Schedule 40 ABS DWV
C. Extra strength vitrified clay
D. Copper - ANSWER -Copper
Where do you need a fire wall?
A. Between a living room and a bedroom
B. Between a bedroom and a bathroom
C. Between a kitchen and a bath
D. A separation wall between a dwelling and an attachment - ANSWER -A separation
wall between a dwelling and an attachment.
What is the minimum clearance between rough ground and untreated subfloor joists? -
ANSWER -18 inches
Who may remove asbestos? - ANSWER -Contractor with Asbestos Certification on
license.
Which of the following is NOT likely to be found in significant proportions in granular
soil?
A. Gravel
B. Sand
C. Silt
D. Clay - ANSWER -Clay
,Stiles and rails are used on which of the following?
A. Furred walls
B. Roofs
C. Windows
D. Slabs - ANSWER -Windows.
A stile is the vertical edges of the window and the rails are the bottom and top.
What does a high slump test indicate? - ANSWER -Too much water.
Metal concrete forms should be?
A. Oiled
B. Watered
C. Placed against gravel
D. Discarded after each use - ANSWER -Oiled
What does the R mean in a description of insulation? - ANSWER -Resistance
What kind of door would you install for someone with a disability?
A. Automatic with minimum of 3 seconds to close
B. Automatic with maximum of 5 seconds to open
C. Manual with maximum of 8.5 pounds to operate
D. Either A or C - ANSWER -Either A or C
Triple-walled metal chimney installations are regulated by: - ANSWER -ICC
ICC-IBC-IRC is the international code council. IBC is international building code
commercial. IRC is the international residential code.
If you are a general contractor, you should call a specialty contractor when: - ANSWER
-You encounter an unfamiliar trade.
When a stairway serves a public building, what is the minimum number of steps for
which a handrail is required? - ANSWER -Two
What is the minimum underlayment for asphalt shingles? - ANSWER -15 pounds
How long should you wait before sealing new tile work? - ANSWER -2 weeks
When do you install insulation? - ANSWER -After the electrical and plumbing are
approved.
, When do you NOT need an exhaust fan in a bathroom? - ANSWER -When there is a
window in the bathroom.
What is a bush-hammer used for? - ANSWER -Roughen surface of hardened concrete.
When you say a wall is perfect it is: - ANSWER -Both plumb and straight.
The purpose of a batter board in concrete work is: - ANSWER -Support layout strings
when location foundations.
What is the difference between a hip jack rafter and a common rafter? - ANSWER -A
hip jack runs from the top plate to a hip rafter, but a common rafter runs to the ridge
board.
When should you float a concrete surface? - ANSWER -As soon as the water sheen
evaporates
When installing drywall screws you should:
A. Countersink
B. Drive just below the face of the board
C. Leave slightly above the surface
D. Use the highest torque setting - ANSWER -Drive just below the face of the board
without breaking the paper.
Before placing tile with mastic, you should: - ANSWER -Seal the surface.
At an excavation, an Underground Service Alert (U.S.A) marking on the dirt that uses
red paint or chalk means: - ANSWER -Electric power
How many diameters is the minimum lap (overlap) between sections of rebar in
reinforced masonry?
A. 7
B. 12
C. 24
D. 30 - ANSWER -30 diameters
What is the minimum length of a handrail extension that is required for a stairway? -
ANSWER -12"
When may a contractor work alone on a roof at a construction site? - ANSWER -Never
A Freon recovery system is required when:
A. Replacing a burnt out rotor in a hermetic unit
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025
In a series circuit, the total voltage is divided equally.
For safety reasons, the maximum simple slope of an excavation, up to 20 ft deep, in
Type-B soil is: - ANSWER -1:1 (45°)
A Pittsburgh joint is used in: - ANSWER -HVAC ductwork
The drain for a pressure relief valve on a water heater should be extended to: -
ANSWER -The outside of the building
What is the minimum slope toward the drain of a shower pan? - ANSWER -1/4" per
foot (2%)
What is the diameter of #3 rebar? - ANSWER -3/8"
If a vendor fails to provide an MSDS, you have the right to call: - ANSWER -Cal/OSHA
or DOSH
When installing a door jamb, you need shims at: - ANSWER -Both hinge and strike
sides, three on each side.
Which of the following is used to adhere vinyl floors?
A. Epoxy cement
B. Asphalt mastic
C. Latex primer
D. White glue - ANSWER -Epoxy cement
When do you need bracing for a drywall wall? - ANSWER -Diagonal bracing is needed
every 25' for any drywall wall.
How should you clear the roots from a construction site? - ANSWER -Clear roots to 12"
below grade.
Dividing watts by amps gives you: - ANSWER -Volts
The most frequent on-the-job roofing accidents are: - ANSWER -Falls
Which of the following is NOT a type of wood block flooring?
A. Parquet
B. Wood Mosaic
,C. Wood Tile
D. All of the above. - ANSWER -Wood tile
Lightweight concrete is best used for:
A. Curb and Gutter
B. Second floor decking
C. First floor slab on grade
D. Footings - ANSWER -Second floor decking
The tool used to carry grout needed to patch a small hole is a:
A. Hawk
B. Poling board
C. Spot board
D. Mason's scutch - ANSWER -Spot Board
Which pipe is NOT appropriate for industrial wastes?
A. Cast iron
B. Schedule 40 ABS DWV
C. Extra strength vitrified clay
D. Copper - ANSWER -Copper
Where do you need a fire wall?
A. Between a living room and a bedroom
B. Between a bedroom and a bathroom
C. Between a kitchen and a bath
D. A separation wall between a dwelling and an attachment - ANSWER -A separation
wall between a dwelling and an attachment.
What is the minimum clearance between rough ground and untreated subfloor joists? -
ANSWER -18 inches
Who may remove asbestos? - ANSWER -Contractor with Asbestos Certification on
license.
Which of the following is NOT likely to be found in significant proportions in granular
soil?
A. Gravel
B. Sand
C. Silt
D. Clay - ANSWER -Clay
,Stiles and rails are used on which of the following?
A. Furred walls
B. Roofs
C. Windows
D. Slabs - ANSWER -Windows.
A stile is the vertical edges of the window and the rails are the bottom and top.
What does a high slump test indicate? - ANSWER -Too much water.
Metal concrete forms should be?
A. Oiled
B. Watered
C. Placed against gravel
D. Discarded after each use - ANSWER -Oiled
What does the R mean in a description of insulation? - ANSWER -Resistance
What kind of door would you install for someone with a disability?
A. Automatic with minimum of 3 seconds to close
B. Automatic with maximum of 5 seconds to open
C. Manual with maximum of 8.5 pounds to operate
D. Either A or C - ANSWER -Either A or C
Triple-walled metal chimney installations are regulated by: - ANSWER -ICC
ICC-IBC-IRC is the international code council. IBC is international building code
commercial. IRC is the international residential code.
If you are a general contractor, you should call a specialty contractor when: - ANSWER
-You encounter an unfamiliar trade.
When a stairway serves a public building, what is the minimum number of steps for
which a handrail is required? - ANSWER -Two
What is the minimum underlayment for asphalt shingles? - ANSWER -15 pounds
How long should you wait before sealing new tile work? - ANSWER -2 weeks
When do you install insulation? - ANSWER -After the electrical and plumbing are
approved.
, When do you NOT need an exhaust fan in a bathroom? - ANSWER -When there is a
window in the bathroom.
What is a bush-hammer used for? - ANSWER -Roughen surface of hardened concrete.
When you say a wall is perfect it is: - ANSWER -Both plumb and straight.
The purpose of a batter board in concrete work is: - ANSWER -Support layout strings
when location foundations.
What is the difference between a hip jack rafter and a common rafter? - ANSWER -A
hip jack runs from the top plate to a hip rafter, but a common rafter runs to the ridge
board.
When should you float a concrete surface? - ANSWER -As soon as the water sheen
evaporates
When installing drywall screws you should:
A. Countersink
B. Drive just below the face of the board
C. Leave slightly above the surface
D. Use the highest torque setting - ANSWER -Drive just below the face of the board
without breaking the paper.
Before placing tile with mastic, you should: - ANSWER -Seal the surface.
At an excavation, an Underground Service Alert (U.S.A) marking on the dirt that uses
red paint or chalk means: - ANSWER -Electric power
How many diameters is the minimum lap (overlap) between sections of rebar in
reinforced masonry?
A. 7
B. 12
C. 24
D. 30 - ANSWER -30 diameters
What is the minimum length of a handrail extension that is required for a stairway? -
ANSWER -12"
When may a contractor work alone on a roof at a construction site? - ANSWER -Never
A Freon recovery system is required when:
A. Replacing a burnt out rotor in a hermetic unit
