Nevada General Building Contractor (B)
exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a footing in a building structure?
A. To support drywall
B. To hold down the roof
C. To transfer load from the structure to the soil
D. To provide a decorative base
Footings distribute the structural load to the ground to prevent
settlement.
2. According to typical building code, what is the minimum concrete
compressive strength for a standard residential foundation?
A. 1,500 psi
B. 2,500 psi
C. 4,000 psi
D. 6,000 psi
2,500 psi is commonly used for non-structural or light structural
residential footings.
3. In masonry construction, what is a “weep hole”?
A. A hole that lets water drain from within a wall
B. A small opening at the bottom of a cavity wall for drainage
C. A ventilation hole in a hollow block
, D. A gap for reinforcing steel
Weep holes allow moisture to drain out of cavity walls.
4. Which of the following metals is most commonly used for
structural steel in building construction?
A. Aluminum
B. Carbon steel
C. Copper
D. Titanium
Carbon steel is strong, relatively cheap, and widely used for
framing.
5. When framing a wall, what is a “king stud”?
A. The top horizontal member
B. The bottom plate
C. A full-height stud that runs alongside a window or door
opening
D. A cripple stud under a window
A king stud supports the header around an opening.
6. What type of insulation is commonly used in attics to reduce
thermal transfer?
A. Rigid foam only
B. Fiberglass batt or blown-in insulation
C. Lead sheeting
D. Glass panels
Fiberglass options are popular for attics due to cost, performance,
and ease of installation.
7. On a sloped roof, flashing is installed to:
A. Provide color contrast
, B. Prevent water intrusion at joints
C. Increase the strength of rafters
D. Reduce wind uplift
Flashing helps divert water away from joints where leaks could
occur.
8. According to building safety practices, what does PPE stand for?
A. Public Property Equipment
B. Personal Protective Equipment
C. Primary Project Element
D. Protective Protocol Engineering
Personal Protective Equipment is the standard term for safety
gear.
9. Which of these is a requirement before excavating near
underground utilities in Nevada?
A. Fill out a permit only
B. Call the Nevada One Call system
C. Just dig carefully
D. Use a metal detector without notifying utilities
Contractors must notify utility companies before excavation via
the one-call system.
10. How many questions are on the Nevada B General Building
trade exam?
A. 60
B. 80
C. 100
D. 120
, The Nevada General Building Contractor (B) exam has 80
questions.
11. What is the passing score (number of correct answers) for
the trade portion of the Nevada B exam?
A. 50
B. 56
C. 60
D. 64
You need 56 correct out of 80 for 70%.
12. The Nevada B exam is:
A. Closed book
B. Open book only for business law
C. Fully open book (with allowed references)
D. Oral exam
Trade exam is open book for certain referenced codes.
13. Which code book is explicitly allowed in the Nevada B exam
testing room?
A. International Residential Code (IRC)
B. 2018 International Building Code (IBC)
C. National Electrical Code (NEC)
D. International Plumbing Code
The 2018 IBC is one of the allowed reference texts.
14. In reinforced concrete, what is “rebar”?
A. A decorative bar
B. Steel reinforcing bar
C. Aluminum support
exam Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a footing in a building structure?
A. To support drywall
B. To hold down the roof
C. To transfer load from the structure to the soil
D. To provide a decorative base
Footings distribute the structural load to the ground to prevent
settlement.
2. According to typical building code, what is the minimum concrete
compressive strength for a standard residential foundation?
A. 1,500 psi
B. 2,500 psi
C. 4,000 psi
D. 6,000 psi
2,500 psi is commonly used for non-structural or light structural
residential footings.
3. In masonry construction, what is a “weep hole”?
A. A hole that lets water drain from within a wall
B. A small opening at the bottom of a cavity wall for drainage
C. A ventilation hole in a hollow block
, D. A gap for reinforcing steel
Weep holes allow moisture to drain out of cavity walls.
4. Which of the following metals is most commonly used for
structural steel in building construction?
A. Aluminum
B. Carbon steel
C. Copper
D. Titanium
Carbon steel is strong, relatively cheap, and widely used for
framing.
5. When framing a wall, what is a “king stud”?
A. The top horizontal member
B. The bottom plate
C. A full-height stud that runs alongside a window or door
opening
D. A cripple stud under a window
A king stud supports the header around an opening.
6. What type of insulation is commonly used in attics to reduce
thermal transfer?
A. Rigid foam only
B. Fiberglass batt or blown-in insulation
C. Lead sheeting
D. Glass panels
Fiberglass options are popular for attics due to cost, performance,
and ease of installation.
7. On a sloped roof, flashing is installed to:
A. Provide color contrast
, B. Prevent water intrusion at joints
C. Increase the strength of rafters
D. Reduce wind uplift
Flashing helps divert water away from joints where leaks could
occur.
8. According to building safety practices, what does PPE stand for?
A. Public Property Equipment
B. Personal Protective Equipment
C. Primary Project Element
D. Protective Protocol Engineering
Personal Protective Equipment is the standard term for safety
gear.
9. Which of these is a requirement before excavating near
underground utilities in Nevada?
A. Fill out a permit only
B. Call the Nevada One Call system
C. Just dig carefully
D. Use a metal detector without notifying utilities
Contractors must notify utility companies before excavation via
the one-call system.
10. How many questions are on the Nevada B General Building
trade exam?
A. 60
B. 80
C. 100
D. 120
, The Nevada General Building Contractor (B) exam has 80
questions.
11. What is the passing score (number of correct answers) for
the trade portion of the Nevada B exam?
A. 50
B. 56
C. 60
D. 64
You need 56 correct out of 80 for 70%.
12. The Nevada B exam is:
A. Closed book
B. Open book only for business law
C. Fully open book (with allowed references)
D. Oral exam
Trade exam is open book for certain referenced codes.
13. Which code book is explicitly allowed in the Nevada B exam
testing room?
A. International Residential Code (IRC)
B. 2018 International Building Code (IBC)
C. National Electrical Code (NEC)
D. International Plumbing Code
The 2018 IBC is one of the allowed reference texts.
14. In reinforced concrete, what is “rebar”?
A. A decorative bar
B. Steel reinforcing bar
C. Aluminum support
