CSLB B LICENSE GENERAL CONTRACTOR EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025/2026
If unused mortar stiffens due to hydration of cement, what must you do? - ANSWER-Discard the
mortar
What minimum time must you wait before caulking or grouting new tiles? - ANSWER-24-48 Hours
How long should you wait before installing tile on a shower pan? - ANSWER-24 Hours
Unstable dry rock, angular gravel, sandy loam, and cohesive soils having compressive strengths
greater than 0.5 and less than 1.5 tons/sq ft (tsf), are typical examples of: - ANSWER-Type-B Soils
If 65 street lights are fed by a 2275 volt series circuit, what is the voltage across each light? - ANSWER-
35V
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.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2025/2026
If unused mortar stiffens due to hydration of cement, what must you do? - ANSWER-Discard the
mortar
What minimum time must you wait before caulking or grouting new tiles? - ANSWER-24-48 Hours
How long should you wait before installing tile on a shower pan? - ANSWER-24 Hours
Unstable dry rock, angular gravel, sandy loam, and cohesive soils having compressive strengths
greater than 0.5 and less than 1.5 tons/sq ft (tsf), are typical examples of: - ANSWER-Type-B Soils
If 65 street lights are fed by a 2275 volt series circuit, what is the voltage across each light? - ANSWER-
35V
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.
