BC Owner Builder Authorization Exam
review Q&As (Verified Answers) 2026
trench? - correct answer ✅
Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a
An experienced excavator says it's ok
At what depth is shoring required? - correct answer ✅ 1.2m/4ft
Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection?
a. Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
b. Building design that allows all assemblies to air dry
c. Construction that uses water-proof materials
✅
d. When water enters, proper design will allow it to drain away - correct answer
Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
✅
What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada? - correct answer
CSA safety certification
✅
What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result? - correct answer
Higher grit with get a smoother finish
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? - correct answer
height of any flight of stairs should not exceed 3.7m (12.1 feet)
✅ The vertical
,BC Owner Builder Authorization Exam
review Q&As (Verified Answers) 2026
landing? - correct answer ✅
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
3ft
answer ✅
What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings? - correct
1" (25mm)
What do End Dams do? - correct answer ✅ Stop water from coming in
answer
complete
✅
When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible? - correct
Group inspectors together when possible and call when work is
When is an HRV required? - correct answer ✅ Almost always
✅
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - correct answer
You can build
- a single detached home under a single title
- a single dwelling attached to a pre-existing building older than 10 years
-or a single dwelling attached to a new non-residential building.
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - correct answer ✅ Technical Safe BC
,BC Owner Builder Authorization Exam
review Q&As (Verified Answers) 2026
✅
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? - correct answer
Yes, up to 200A
answer ✅
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - correct
Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2" (50mm) below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - correct answer
damp-proofing
✅ After
foundation? - correct answer ✅
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane
Use an approved primer before installing
What are gas meter installation requirements? - correct answer ✅The distance
from the gas vent to the roof must be greater than the overhang of the roof,
nothing can be with in 1m (39.4") either side or 4.5m (177") above a gas meter.
answer ✅
At what height do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection? - correct
protection
10ft (3m) above grade with fall protection, 4ft (1.2m) if no fall
should be. What needs to happen? - correct answer ✅
When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than what the elevation
Install the footing form at
the correct elevation and fill the extra depth with concrete.
✅
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? - correct answer
6ft (1.8m)
, BC Owner Builder Authorization Exam
review Q&As (Verified Answers) 2026
to overlap? - correct answer ✅
When installing flashing for a roof valley how much do the asphalt shingles need
6" (152mm)
What would cause a blister on a flat roof? - correct answer
under roof
✅ Moisture trapped
✅
Water is backing up in a skylight, what do you do to fix it? - correct answer
Clear drainage
correct answer ✅
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? -
Install eave protection
chromated copper arsenate? - correct answer
fastener
✅
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that has been treated with
Lumber manufacturer approved
✅
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - correct answer
When there is in floor heating or above the frost line.
How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - correct answer
of the slab
✅ 1/4
What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - correct answer
(extruded polystyrene) or EPS (expanded polystyrene)
✅ XPS
review Q&As (Verified Answers) 2026
trench? - correct answer ✅
Which is not an acceptable method for determining the correct grading for a
An experienced excavator says it's ok
At what depth is shoring required? - correct answer ✅ 1.2m/4ft
Which best describes the design principle of rain water deflection?
a. Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
b. Building design that allows all assemblies to air dry
c. Construction that uses water-proof materials
✅
d. When water enters, proper design will allow it to drain away - correct answer
Design and construction that prevents water from ever entering
✅
What lighting safety certifications are required in Canada? - correct answer
CSA safety certification
✅
What grit of sandpaper would get the smoothest result? - correct answer
Higher grit with get a smoother finish
What is the maximum rise in a flight of stairs? - correct answer
height of any flight of stairs should not exceed 3.7m (12.1 feet)
✅ The vertical
,BC Owner Builder Authorization Exam
review Q&As (Verified Answers) 2026
landing? - correct answer ✅
What is the minimum distance that a ladder must extend above a parapet wall or
3ft
answer ✅
What heights are end dams to be on windows and door flashings? - correct
1" (25mm)
What do End Dams do? - correct answer ✅ Stop water from coming in
answer
complete
✅
When should you call for inspectors to make them efficient as possible? - correct
Group inspectors together when possible and call when work is
When is an HRV required? - correct answer ✅ Almost always
✅
What can you build under the owner-builder HPO process? - correct answer
You can build
- a single detached home under a single title
- a single dwelling attached to a pre-existing building older than 10 years
-or a single dwelling attached to a new non-residential building.
Who issues permits for a gas fireplace? - correct answer ✅ Technical Safe BC
,BC Owner Builder Authorization Exam
review Q&As (Verified Answers) 2026
✅
Can an owner builder take out their own electrical permit? - correct answer
Yes, up to 200A
answer ✅
What is the best way to apply asphalt waterproofing on a foundation? - correct
Spray-on or roll on dry foundation with 2" (50mm) below grade
When is the appropriate time to backfill a foundation? - correct answer
damp-proofing
✅ After
foundation? - correct answer ✅
What do you need to do when applying a peel and stick waterproof membrane
Use an approved primer before installing
What are gas meter installation requirements? - correct answer ✅The distance
from the gas vent to the roof must be greater than the overhang of the roof,
nothing can be with in 1m (39.4") either side or 4.5m (177") above a gas meter.
answer ✅
At what height do you need to install a handrail or have fall protection? - correct
protection
10ft (3m) above grade with fall protection, 4ft (1.2m) if no fall
should be. What needs to happen? - correct answer ✅
When installing the footer, it was dug down 2in. deeper than what the elevation
Install the footing form at
the correct elevation and fill the extra depth with concrete.
✅
How high does a construction fence around a site need to be? - correct answer
6ft (1.8m)
, BC Owner Builder Authorization Exam
review Q&As (Verified Answers) 2026
to overlap? - correct answer ✅
When installing flashing for a roof valley how much do the asphalt shingles need
6" (152mm)
What would cause a blister on a flat roof? - correct answer
under roof
✅ Moisture trapped
✅
Water is backing up in a skylight, what do you do to fix it? - correct answer
Clear drainage
correct answer ✅
What needs to be done first when starting to install asphalt shingles on a roof? -
Install eave protection
chromated copper arsenate? - correct answer
fastener
✅
What kind of fastener can you use in a wood that has been treated with
Lumber manufacturer approved
✅
When should there be insulation under a basement slab? - correct answer
When there is in floor heating or above the frost line.
How deep should the control joint be in a concrete slab? - correct answer
of the slab
✅ 1/4
What kind of insulation should be installed under slab? - correct answer
(extruded polystyrene) or EPS (expanded polystyrene)
✅ XPS
