BRITISH COLUMBIA BC OWNER BUILDER AUTHORIZATION EXAM 1 PRACTICE TEST
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
|STUDY GUIDE| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Construction Management and Site Supervision*
*- Permits and Inspections*
*- Site Preparation and Foundation*
*- House Framing and Roofing*
*- Building Envelope and Exterior Finishing*
*- Regulated Trades (Plumbing, Electrical, Gas)*
- Insulation and Interior Climate Control
*- BC Energy Step Code Requirements*
*- Eligibility Requirements under the Homeowner Protection Act*
*- Statutory Protection, Liability, and Disclosure Requirements*
Introduction
This practice exam prepares you for the British Columbia Owner Builder Authorization Exam, which certifies
your readiness to build or directly manage construction of a new home for personal use in BC. The exam
assesses essential knowledge across two competency areas: construction basics (approximately 80% of
questions) and statutory obligations under the Homeowner Protection Act (approximately 20% of questions).
Through multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, you will demonstrate understanding of construction
sequencing, building code requirements, permits, inspections, regulated trades, energy standards, and your
legal responsibilities. The exam emphasizes real-world application and decision-making skills needed to act
as your own general contractor while complying with BC Building Code and HPA requirements. Passing
requires 70% accuracy across 100 questions within 100 minutes.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Who is responsible for arranging required building inspections during construction?
A. Municipal Building Department Official
B. Contracted Sub-trade
C. Permit holder
D. Regulated Trades person
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: The permit holder (owner builder) is responsible for arranging all required inspections. This
is a fundamental responsibility of the owner builder as the permit holder under BC Building Code requirements.
Question 2
Under section 23 of the Homeowner Protection Act, how long is an owner builder personally liable for
construction defects?
A. 5 years
B. 2 years
C. 15 years
D. 10 years
🟢 Correct answer: D
,🔴 RATIONALE: Section 23 of the Homeowner Protection Act establishes that owner builders are personally
liable for construction defects for 10 years, following the same 2-5-10 structure as home warranty insurance (2
years materials/labour, 5 years building envelope, 10 years structural).
Question 3
What is the minimum passing grade required for the Owner Builder Authorization Exam?
A. 80%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Applicants must achieve an overall grade of seventy percent (70%) or greater to pass the
Owner Builder Authorization Exam, as specified by BC Housing licensing requirements.
Question 4
How much time is allocated to complete the Owner Builder Authorization Exam?
A. 90 minutes
B. 120 minutes
C. 100 minutes
D. 110 minutes
🟢 Correct answer: C
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The exam provides 100 minutes to complete 100 multiple-choice questions, as stated in the
official exam details from BC Housing.
Question 5
When can title of an owner-built home be legally transferred following first occupancy?
A. Within the first six months
B. After one month
C. Within the first twelve months
D. Only after the first twelve months
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: Following first occupancy, title of an owner-built home can only be legally transferred after
the first twelve months of personal occupancy, as required under the Homeowner Protection Act occupancy
requirements.
Question 6
What percentage of the exam covers construction basics?
A. 60%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 90%
🟢 Correct answer: C
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
|STUDY GUIDE| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Construction Management and Site Supervision*
*- Permits and Inspections*
*- Site Preparation and Foundation*
*- House Framing and Roofing*
*- Building Envelope and Exterior Finishing*
*- Regulated Trades (Plumbing, Electrical, Gas)*
- Insulation and Interior Climate Control
*- BC Energy Step Code Requirements*
*- Eligibility Requirements under the Homeowner Protection Act*
*- Statutory Protection, Liability, and Disclosure Requirements*
Introduction
This practice exam prepares you for the British Columbia Owner Builder Authorization Exam, which certifies
your readiness to build or directly manage construction of a new home for personal use in BC. The exam
assesses essential knowledge across two competency areas: construction basics (approximately 80% of
questions) and statutory obligations under the Homeowner Protection Act (approximately 20% of questions).
Through multiple-choice and scenario-based questions, you will demonstrate understanding of construction
sequencing, building code requirements, permits, inspections, regulated trades, energy standards, and your
legal responsibilities. The exam emphasizes real-world application and decision-making skills needed to act
as your own general contractor while complying with BC Building Code and HPA requirements. Passing
requires 70% accuracy across 100 questions within 100 minutes.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Who is responsible for arranging required building inspections during construction?
A. Municipal Building Department Official
B. Contracted Sub-trade
C. Permit holder
D. Regulated Trades person
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: The permit holder (owner builder) is responsible for arranging all required inspections. This
is a fundamental responsibility of the owner builder as the permit holder under BC Building Code requirements.
Question 2
Under section 23 of the Homeowner Protection Act, how long is an owner builder personally liable for
construction defects?
A. 5 years
B. 2 years
C. 15 years
D. 10 years
🟢 Correct answer: D
,🔴 RATIONALE: Section 23 of the Homeowner Protection Act establishes that owner builders are personally
liable for construction defects for 10 years, following the same 2-5-10 structure as home warranty insurance (2
years materials/labour, 5 years building envelope, 10 years structural).
Question 3
What is the minimum passing grade required for the Owner Builder Authorization Exam?
A. 80%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Applicants must achieve an overall grade of seventy percent (70%) or greater to pass the
Owner Builder Authorization Exam, as specified by BC Housing licensing requirements.
Question 4
How much time is allocated to complete the Owner Builder Authorization Exam?
A. 90 minutes
B. 120 minutes
C. 100 minutes
D. 110 minutes
🟢 Correct answer: C
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The exam provides 100 minutes to complete 100 multiple-choice questions, as stated in the
official exam details from BC Housing.
Question 5
When can title of an owner-built home be legally transferred following first occupancy?
A. Within the first six months
B. After one month
C. Within the first twelve months
D. Only after the first twelve months
🟢 Correct answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: Following first occupancy, title of an owner-built home can only be legally transferred after
the first twelve months of personal occupancy, as required under the Homeowner Protection Act occupancy
requirements.
Question 6
What percentage of the exam covers construction basics?
A. 60%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 90%
🟢 Correct answer: C
