BC Owner Builder Authorization 2026 ACTUAL EXAM REVIEW
150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANWERS WITH RATIONALES
COVERING MOST TESTED QUESTIONS
1. The Owner Builder Authorization is issued under which legislation?
☐ A. Building Act
☑ B. Homeowner Protection Act (HPA)
☐ C. BC Housing Manual
☐ D. Municipal Building Bylaw
Rationale: The HPA governs owner builder requirements and licensing.
2. An Owner Builder Authorization allows a person to:
☑ A. Build one home every 18 months for personal use
☐ B. Build unlimited homes for sale
☐ C. Supervise construction as a licensed builder
☐ D. Sell construction services
Rationale: OB authorization is for personal-use homes only.
3. Before receiving the Authorization, the owner must:
☐ A. Complete foundation work
☑ B. Demonstrate knowledge of construction and obligations
☐ C. Hire a licensed builder
☐ D. Begin excavation
Rationale: Applicants must pass educational requirements and meet criteria.
4. An Owner Builder must occupy the home for:
☐ A. 6 months
☐ B. 12 months
☑ C. At least 12 months after first occupancy
☐ D. Until resale
Rationale: BC Housing requires a full year of occupancy.
,5. If an Owner Builder sells the home within 10 years, they:
☐ A. Have no obligations
☐ B. Must pay a penalty only
☑ C. Must provide a 10-year warranty to the buyer
☐ D. Need permission from the municipality
Rationale: They become liable for defects under the HPA.
6. A “new home” under the HPA is defined as:
☑ A. A home never previously occupied or sold
☐ B. Any renovated home
☐ C. Homes older than 10 years
☐ D. Only multi-family buildings
Rationale: New = first occupancy/sale.
7. The BC Building Code is adopted under which regulation?
☑ A. BC Building Act
☐ B. HPA
☐ C. Municipal Act
☐ D. Residential Tenancy Act
Rationale: The Building Act provides authority for the BC Code.
8. The primary purpose of the BC Building Code is:
☑ A. Health and safety for occupants
☐ B. Financial protection
☐ C. Insurance compliance
☐ D. Increasing resale value
Rationale: Code ensures safe, durable structures.
9. A building permit is typically issued by:
,☑ A. Local municipality or regional district
☐ B. BC Housing
☐ C. Homeowner Protection Office
☐ D. Licensed builder association
Rationale: Permits are a local government responsibility.
10. Owner builders must keep records for at least:
☐ A. 1 year
☐ B. 3 years
☑ C. 10 years
☐ D. 20 years
Rationale: Documentation must cover the full 10-year liability period.
11. The 10-year warranty liability includes:
☑ A. Building envelope and structural defects
☐ B. Cosmetic finishing only
☐ C. Landscaping defects
☐ D. Municipal bylaw issues
Rationale: HPA focuses on major components such as envelope and structure.
12. An energy-efficient home in BC must comply with:
☑ A. BC Energy Step Code
☐ B. National Electrical Code
☐ C. NECB only
☐ D. ASHRAE exclusively
Rationale: Step Code sets performance targets.
13. Prior to excavation, the owner builder must:
☐ A. Pour concrete footings
☑ B. Verify property lines and locate services
☐ C. Install windows
, ☐ D. Submit a completion notice
Rationale: Safety and legal boundaries must be confirmed before digging.
14. A soils report is required to determine:
☐ A. Roof slope
☑ B. Bearing capacity and geotechnical conditions
☐ C. Electrical load
☐ D. Insulation values
Rationale: Soil conditions affect foundation design.
15. The building envelope's main function is to:
☑ A. Control water, air, heat, and vapor movement
☐ B. Provide decorative finishes
☐ C. Support landscaping
☐ D. Provide electrical protection
Rationale: Envelope separates indoor/outdoor environments.
16. Water penetration is best prevented by:
☑ A. A drained and ventilated rainscreen system
☐ B. Interior vapor barrier alone
☐ C. Caulking only
☐ D. Insulation type
Rationale: Rainscreen is required on most BC homes.
17. A vapour barrier is installed on which side of insulation?
☑ A. Warm side (interior)
☐ B. Exterior only
☐ C. In the attic only
☐ D. Below slab
Rationale: Prevents interior moisture from entering wall cavities.
150 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANWERS WITH RATIONALES
COVERING MOST TESTED QUESTIONS
1. The Owner Builder Authorization is issued under which legislation?
☐ A. Building Act
☑ B. Homeowner Protection Act (HPA)
☐ C. BC Housing Manual
☐ D. Municipal Building Bylaw
Rationale: The HPA governs owner builder requirements and licensing.
2. An Owner Builder Authorization allows a person to:
☑ A. Build one home every 18 months for personal use
☐ B. Build unlimited homes for sale
☐ C. Supervise construction as a licensed builder
☐ D. Sell construction services
Rationale: OB authorization is for personal-use homes only.
3. Before receiving the Authorization, the owner must:
☐ A. Complete foundation work
☑ B. Demonstrate knowledge of construction and obligations
☐ C. Hire a licensed builder
☐ D. Begin excavation
Rationale: Applicants must pass educational requirements and meet criteria.
4. An Owner Builder must occupy the home for:
☐ A. 6 months
☐ B. 12 months
☑ C. At least 12 months after first occupancy
☐ D. Until resale
Rationale: BC Housing requires a full year of occupancy.
,5. If an Owner Builder sells the home within 10 years, they:
☐ A. Have no obligations
☐ B. Must pay a penalty only
☑ C. Must provide a 10-year warranty to the buyer
☐ D. Need permission from the municipality
Rationale: They become liable for defects under the HPA.
6. A “new home” under the HPA is defined as:
☑ A. A home never previously occupied or sold
☐ B. Any renovated home
☐ C. Homes older than 10 years
☐ D. Only multi-family buildings
Rationale: New = first occupancy/sale.
7. The BC Building Code is adopted under which regulation?
☑ A. BC Building Act
☐ B. HPA
☐ C. Municipal Act
☐ D. Residential Tenancy Act
Rationale: The Building Act provides authority for the BC Code.
8. The primary purpose of the BC Building Code is:
☑ A. Health and safety for occupants
☐ B. Financial protection
☐ C. Insurance compliance
☐ D. Increasing resale value
Rationale: Code ensures safe, durable structures.
9. A building permit is typically issued by:
,☑ A. Local municipality or regional district
☐ B. BC Housing
☐ C. Homeowner Protection Office
☐ D. Licensed builder association
Rationale: Permits are a local government responsibility.
10. Owner builders must keep records for at least:
☐ A. 1 year
☐ B. 3 years
☑ C. 10 years
☐ D. 20 years
Rationale: Documentation must cover the full 10-year liability period.
11. The 10-year warranty liability includes:
☑ A. Building envelope and structural defects
☐ B. Cosmetic finishing only
☐ C. Landscaping defects
☐ D. Municipal bylaw issues
Rationale: HPA focuses on major components such as envelope and structure.
12. An energy-efficient home in BC must comply with:
☑ A. BC Energy Step Code
☐ B. National Electrical Code
☐ C. NECB only
☐ D. ASHRAE exclusively
Rationale: Step Code sets performance targets.
13. Prior to excavation, the owner builder must:
☐ A. Pour concrete footings
☑ B. Verify property lines and locate services
☐ C. Install windows
, ☐ D. Submit a completion notice
Rationale: Safety and legal boundaries must be confirmed before digging.
14. A soils report is required to determine:
☐ A. Roof slope
☑ B. Bearing capacity and geotechnical conditions
☐ C. Electrical load
☐ D. Insulation values
Rationale: Soil conditions affect foundation design.
15. The building envelope's main function is to:
☑ A. Control water, air, heat, and vapor movement
☐ B. Provide decorative finishes
☐ C. Support landscaping
☐ D. Provide electrical protection
Rationale: Envelope separates indoor/outdoor environments.
16. Water penetration is best prevented by:
☑ A. A drained and ventilated rainscreen system
☐ B. Interior vapor barrier alone
☐ C. Caulking only
☐ D. Insulation type
Rationale: Rainscreen is required on most BC homes.
17. A vapour barrier is installed on which side of insulation?
☑ A. Warm side (interior)
☐ B. Exterior only
☐ C. In the attic only
☐ D. Below slab
Rationale: Prevents interior moisture from entering wall cavities.
