CSLB CLASS B GENERAL
CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE -
BUILDING'S EXAM- FRAMING &
STRUCTURAL QUESTIONS &
UPDATED ANSWERS ALL PASSED
How much clearance is needed between the ground and wood siding? - Correct Answer
✔✔ 6 inches
When nailing a continuous header to the studs, best practice is to use: - Correct Answer
✔✔ 4X10d nails
Graded lumber is stamped with information about the lumber. What is included? -
Correct Answer ✔✔ Moisture content, Grade, Species
When are studs doubled? - Correct Answer ✔✔ In load bearing walls with holes
exceeding 40% of the stud depth.
A solid plywood roof deck at 3/12 pitch or greater, receiving asphalt shingles and having
rafters laid out 24 inches on center, should have a minimum plywood sheathing
thickness of ______. - Correct Answer ✔✔ 5/8 inch
Specific information about shear walls, such a type of sheathing and nailing, can usually
be found on the building plans. Abbreviations such as "6W4" are common, which would
mean: - Correct Answer ✔✔ OSB with edge nailing 4" o.c. and field 6 "o.c.
Graded lumber is marked with an indication of moisture content; which is the driest
designation? - Correct Answer ✔✔ S-GRN: "Surfaced Green" Not dried, moisture
content over 19%.S-DRY: "Surfaced Dry" Air dried to a moisture content less than 19%.
KD: "Kiln Dry" Dried in a heated kiln to a moisture content less than 19%.MC 15:
"Moisture Content 15%" Dried to a moisture content of 15% or less.HT: "Heat Treated"
Heated to at least 133° Fahrenheit for 30 minutes at the board's core to kill any insects
present in the wood.
What is the purpose of a step flashing? - Correct Answer ✔✔ To shed water away from
the structure at roof to wall transitions
(Step flashing are interwoven between each course of shingles and protect the
transition from water intrusion by creating a water shed aka shingle effect.
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Bracing lines:
A) Will always be parallel
B) Should intersect at 90˚
C) Always run in the same direction
D) Can be added at any time - Correct Answer ✔✔ A) Will always be parallel
Proper installation of roof pipe and vent penetration base flashing should consist of:
A) Apply shingles so as to completely conceal base flashing
B) Apply shingles under the base flashing and seal perimeter of base flashing with roof
cement
C) Seal pipe/vent penetration with roof cement
D) Weave shingles under the lower end of the base flashing and over the upper portion
of the base flashing - Correct Answer ✔✔ D) Weave shingles under the lower end of the
base flashing and over the upper portion of the base flashing
(In re-roof overlays, many roofers will conceal the base flashing under the shingles and
apply mastic at the transition. While this method is allowable for overlays, it is not
recommended due to the inherent likelihood of moisture influence under the shingles at
these locations.)
Grade designations indicate the recommended use of lumber. Which grade would you
chose for building trusses?
A) Structural light framing No: 1
B) Structural light framing No: 3
C) Light framing: Construction
D) Light framing: Standard - Correct Answer ✔✔ A) Structural light framing No: 1
In crawlspace, if the floor is built out of non-pressure treated wood, how high is the floor
joist from the soil? - Correct Answer ✔✔ 18"
When building a deck, it may be necessary to use blocking between joists.
A) Blocking is required at the beginning of any overhang
B) Blocking is required every 10 feet
C) Blocking is required if joists are 24" o.c. or more
D) Blocking is required if joists are 8"x or larger - Correct Answer ✔✔ A) Blocking is
required at the beginning of any overhang
What is the maximum spacing of 2 x 4 inch studs on a 1 story house? - Correct Answer
✔✔ 24" o. c.
, Engineered floor trusses and I-Joists should:
A) Always be kept in low humidity
B) Not be notched
C) Purchased in batches
D) Always be approved by an engineer - Correct Answer ✔✔ B) Not be notched
Double top plates are best nailed together with:
A) 10d 24" o.c
B) 16d 24" o.c
C) 10d 16" o.c
D) 16d 16" o.c. - Correct Answer ✔✔ D) 16d 16" o.c.
(According to the California Residential Code, 16d common nails at 16" o.c. face nail or
10d box nails at 12" o.c. face nail.)
Hold-downs are usually set into the foundation or pad. Where else might you need to
install them?
A) Between floors
B) Into piers
C) Onto cripples
D) Under posts - Correct Answer ✔✔ A) Between floors
What is the maximum height for a laterally unsupported 2 x 4 inch nonbearing wall
stud? - Correct Answer ✔✔ 14'
Why do you need to double-up on a top plate?
A) Shear wall requirement
B) Seismic requirement
C) To support a 2nd story
D) Interrupt ceiling membrane for fire-resistance - Correct Answer ✔✔ D) Interrupt
ceiling membrane for fire-resistance
(Fire resistance is required between the first and second story of a building and this can
be achieved by using a 1-hr or 2-hr fire-resistant ceiling membrane. However, doubling
up on a top plate allows for interruptions of the ceiling membrane assuming X-type
gypsum wallboard is used and that all penetrating items through the double top plate
are protected.
Among other things, the top plate is doubled to maintain tension continuity for lateral
loads.)
After fabricating a beam for use on a deck from 2x material. Boards should be
connected with:
CONTRACTOR'S LICENSE -
BUILDING'S EXAM- FRAMING &
STRUCTURAL QUESTIONS &
UPDATED ANSWERS ALL PASSED
How much clearance is needed between the ground and wood siding? - Correct Answer
✔✔ 6 inches
When nailing a continuous header to the studs, best practice is to use: - Correct Answer
✔✔ 4X10d nails
Graded lumber is stamped with information about the lumber. What is included? -
Correct Answer ✔✔ Moisture content, Grade, Species
When are studs doubled? - Correct Answer ✔✔ In load bearing walls with holes
exceeding 40% of the stud depth.
A solid plywood roof deck at 3/12 pitch or greater, receiving asphalt shingles and having
rafters laid out 24 inches on center, should have a minimum plywood sheathing
thickness of ______. - Correct Answer ✔✔ 5/8 inch
Specific information about shear walls, such a type of sheathing and nailing, can usually
be found on the building plans. Abbreviations such as "6W4" are common, which would
mean: - Correct Answer ✔✔ OSB with edge nailing 4" o.c. and field 6 "o.c.
Graded lumber is marked with an indication of moisture content; which is the driest
designation? - Correct Answer ✔✔ S-GRN: "Surfaced Green" Not dried, moisture
content over 19%.S-DRY: "Surfaced Dry" Air dried to a moisture content less than 19%.
KD: "Kiln Dry" Dried in a heated kiln to a moisture content less than 19%.MC 15:
"Moisture Content 15%" Dried to a moisture content of 15% or less.HT: "Heat Treated"
Heated to at least 133° Fahrenheit for 30 minutes at the board's core to kill any insects
present in the wood.
What is the purpose of a step flashing? - Correct Answer ✔✔ To shed water away from
the structure at roof to wall transitions
(Step flashing are interwoven between each course of shingles and protect the
transition from water intrusion by creating a water shed aka shingle effect.
Next Question
,Leave Feedback)
Bracing lines:
A) Will always be parallel
B) Should intersect at 90˚
C) Always run in the same direction
D) Can be added at any time - Correct Answer ✔✔ A) Will always be parallel
Proper installation of roof pipe and vent penetration base flashing should consist of:
A) Apply shingles so as to completely conceal base flashing
B) Apply shingles under the base flashing and seal perimeter of base flashing with roof
cement
C) Seal pipe/vent penetration with roof cement
D) Weave shingles under the lower end of the base flashing and over the upper portion
of the base flashing - Correct Answer ✔✔ D) Weave shingles under the lower end of the
base flashing and over the upper portion of the base flashing
(In re-roof overlays, many roofers will conceal the base flashing under the shingles and
apply mastic at the transition. While this method is allowable for overlays, it is not
recommended due to the inherent likelihood of moisture influence under the shingles at
these locations.)
Grade designations indicate the recommended use of lumber. Which grade would you
chose for building trusses?
A) Structural light framing No: 1
B) Structural light framing No: 3
C) Light framing: Construction
D) Light framing: Standard - Correct Answer ✔✔ A) Structural light framing No: 1
In crawlspace, if the floor is built out of non-pressure treated wood, how high is the floor
joist from the soil? - Correct Answer ✔✔ 18"
When building a deck, it may be necessary to use blocking between joists.
A) Blocking is required at the beginning of any overhang
B) Blocking is required every 10 feet
C) Blocking is required if joists are 24" o.c. or more
D) Blocking is required if joists are 8"x or larger - Correct Answer ✔✔ A) Blocking is
required at the beginning of any overhang
What is the maximum spacing of 2 x 4 inch studs on a 1 story house? - Correct Answer
✔✔ 24" o. c.
, Engineered floor trusses and I-Joists should:
A) Always be kept in low humidity
B) Not be notched
C) Purchased in batches
D) Always be approved by an engineer - Correct Answer ✔✔ B) Not be notched
Double top plates are best nailed together with:
A) 10d 24" o.c
B) 16d 24" o.c
C) 10d 16" o.c
D) 16d 16" o.c. - Correct Answer ✔✔ D) 16d 16" o.c.
(According to the California Residential Code, 16d common nails at 16" o.c. face nail or
10d box nails at 12" o.c. face nail.)
Hold-downs are usually set into the foundation or pad. Where else might you need to
install them?
A) Between floors
B) Into piers
C) Onto cripples
D) Under posts - Correct Answer ✔✔ A) Between floors
What is the maximum height for a laterally unsupported 2 x 4 inch nonbearing wall
stud? - Correct Answer ✔✔ 14'
Why do you need to double-up on a top plate?
A) Shear wall requirement
B) Seismic requirement
C) To support a 2nd story
D) Interrupt ceiling membrane for fire-resistance - Correct Answer ✔✔ D) Interrupt
ceiling membrane for fire-resistance
(Fire resistance is required between the first and second story of a building and this can
be achieved by using a 1-hr or 2-hr fire-resistant ceiling membrane. However, doubling
up on a top plate allows for interruptions of the ceiling membrane assuming X-type
gypsum wallboard is used and that all penetrating items through the double top plate
are protected.
Among other things, the top plate is doubled to maintain tension continuity for lateral
loads.)
After fabricating a beam for use on a deck from 2x material. Boards should be
connected with:
