HAWAII GENERAL BUILDING
CONTRACTOR (CLASS B) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
JUST RELEASED
EXAM SPECIFICATIONS
Time Allocation: 4 Hours
Total Questions: 100 Questions
Question Format: Multiple Choice
Minimum Competency: 70% Required to Pass
Core Focus: Building Codes, Construction Law, Safety, Estimating, Project Manag
HI General Building Contractor (Class B) Exam Just Released Page 1
, Exam Overview & Content Outline
EXAM PURPOSE
Hawaii General Building Contractor (Class B) Exam validates competency for building construction
per Hawaii DCCA/PVL. Covers residential and commercial buildings, structural work, and business
law. Cannot perform engineering work like Class A.
CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
• Building Codes & Construction (30%) — IBC, IRC, structural systems, framing, concrete,
masonry, roofing
• Construction Law & Business (30%) — HRS Chapter 444, contracts, lien law, insurance, bonds,
labor law
• Safety & OSHA (20%) — OSHA 1926, fall protection, scaffolding, hazard communication, PPE
• Estimating & Project Management (20%) — Blueprint reading, quantity takeoff, scheduling, cost
control
QUESTION FORMAT & SCORING
Each item presents four options. Correct answers are highlighted in green with checkmark (✓).
Every question includes detailed rationale with HI statute and code references. Requires 70% to
pass.
STUDY STRATEGY
Master Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444. Know IBC/IRC structural requirements. Understand
lien law HRS 507. Study OSHA 1926 fall protection, scaffolding. Know blueprint reading and CSI
divisions. Review concrete, masonry, roofing, framing. Study HI building codes and amendments.
Practice estimating and scheduling.
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT
Questions reflect current standards: Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444, HAR Title 16 Chapter 77,
International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and
construction industry best practices.
HI General Building Contractor (Class B) Exam Just Released Page 2
, SECTION I: Building Codes & Construction
1. Hawaii contractor license Class B scope:
A. Engineering work only
✓ B. General building construction, residential and commercial
C. Plumbing only
D. Electrical only
Rationale: Hawaii Class B: General Building Contractor. Scope: Construction of buildings, structures,
residential and commercial. Includes framing, roofing, concrete, masonry, carpentry. Cannot perform
engineering work (roads, utilities) like Class A. Cannot perform specialty trades without Class C license
unless incidental. HRS 444-7. Requires 4 years experience.
2. IBC minimum ceiling height for habitable rooms:
A. 6 feet
✓ B. 7 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 12 feet
Rationale: IBC 1208.2: Habitable rooms minimum ceiling height 7 feet. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, halls,
corridors: 7 feet. Basements: 6 feet 8 inches with beams/ducts 6 feet 4 inches. HI follows IBC with
amendments. Measure from finished floor to finished ceiling. Sloped ceilings: 50% of area must be 7 feet.
3. Concrete foundation minimum compressive strength IBC:
A. 1000 psi
✓ B. 2500 psi
C. 10000 psi
D. 500 psi
Rationale: IBC Table 1808.8.1: Concrete for foundations minimum 2500 psi at 28 days. Footings: 2500 psi.
Walls: 2500 psi. Slabs on grade: 2500 psi. Higher strength for special conditions: 3000-4000 psi common. HI
contractors must verify mix design, slump, air content. Cylinders tested at 7 and 28 days.
4. Wood framing stud spacing typical:
A. 48 inches o.c.
✓ B. 16 inches or 24 inches o.c.
C. 6 inches o.c.
D. 96 inches o.c.
Rationale: IRC/IBC: Wall studs 16 inches o.c. or 24 inches o.c. (advanced framing). 16" o.c. most common.
2x4 or 2x6 studs. Load-bearing walls require 16" o.c. or engineering. Blocking required for cabinets, fixtures.
HI seismic requirements may require closer spacing or shear panels.
5. Roofing underlayment required under asphalt shingles:
A. No underlayment
✓ B. One layer 15# felt or synthetic
HI General Building Contractor (Class B) Exam Just Released Page 3
CONTRACTOR (CLASS B) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
JUST RELEASED
EXAM SPECIFICATIONS
Time Allocation: 4 Hours
Total Questions: 100 Questions
Question Format: Multiple Choice
Minimum Competency: 70% Required to Pass
Core Focus: Building Codes, Construction Law, Safety, Estimating, Project Manag
HI General Building Contractor (Class B) Exam Just Released Page 1
, Exam Overview & Content Outline
EXAM PURPOSE
Hawaii General Building Contractor (Class B) Exam validates competency for building construction
per Hawaii DCCA/PVL. Covers residential and commercial buildings, structural work, and business
law. Cannot perform engineering work like Class A.
CONTENT DISTRIBUTION
• Building Codes & Construction (30%) — IBC, IRC, structural systems, framing, concrete,
masonry, roofing
• Construction Law & Business (30%) — HRS Chapter 444, contracts, lien law, insurance, bonds,
labor law
• Safety & OSHA (20%) — OSHA 1926, fall protection, scaffolding, hazard communication, PPE
• Estimating & Project Management (20%) — Blueprint reading, quantity takeoff, scheduling, cost
control
QUESTION FORMAT & SCORING
Each item presents four options. Correct answers are highlighted in green with checkmark (✓).
Every question includes detailed rationale with HI statute and code references. Requires 70% to
pass.
STUDY STRATEGY
Master Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444. Know IBC/IRC structural requirements. Understand
lien law HRS 507. Study OSHA 1926 fall protection, scaffolding. Know blueprint reading and CSI
divisions. Review concrete, masonry, roofing, framing. Study HI building codes and amendments.
Practice estimating and scheduling.
CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT
Questions reflect current standards: Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 444, HAR Title 16 Chapter 77,
International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and
construction industry best practices.
HI General Building Contractor (Class B) Exam Just Released Page 2
, SECTION I: Building Codes & Construction
1. Hawaii contractor license Class B scope:
A. Engineering work only
✓ B. General building construction, residential and commercial
C. Plumbing only
D. Electrical only
Rationale: Hawaii Class B: General Building Contractor. Scope: Construction of buildings, structures,
residential and commercial. Includes framing, roofing, concrete, masonry, carpentry. Cannot perform
engineering work (roads, utilities) like Class A. Cannot perform specialty trades without Class C license
unless incidental. HRS 444-7. Requires 4 years experience.
2. IBC minimum ceiling height for habitable rooms:
A. 6 feet
✓ B. 7 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 12 feet
Rationale: IBC 1208.2: Habitable rooms minimum ceiling height 7 feet. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, halls,
corridors: 7 feet. Basements: 6 feet 8 inches with beams/ducts 6 feet 4 inches. HI follows IBC with
amendments. Measure from finished floor to finished ceiling. Sloped ceilings: 50% of area must be 7 feet.
3. Concrete foundation minimum compressive strength IBC:
A. 1000 psi
✓ B. 2500 psi
C. 10000 psi
D. 500 psi
Rationale: IBC Table 1808.8.1: Concrete for foundations minimum 2500 psi at 28 days. Footings: 2500 psi.
Walls: 2500 psi. Slabs on grade: 2500 psi. Higher strength for special conditions: 3000-4000 psi common. HI
contractors must verify mix design, slump, air content. Cylinders tested at 7 and 28 days.
4. Wood framing stud spacing typical:
A. 48 inches o.c.
✓ B. 16 inches or 24 inches o.c.
C. 6 inches o.c.
D. 96 inches o.c.
Rationale: IRC/IBC: Wall studs 16 inches o.c. or 24 inches o.c. (advanced framing). 16" o.c. most common.
2x4 or 2x6 studs. Load-bearing walls require 16" o.c. or engineering. Blocking required for cabinets, fixtures.
HI seismic requirements may require closer spacing or shear panels.
5. Roofing underlayment required under asphalt shingles:
A. No underlayment
✓ B. One layer 15# felt or synthetic
HI General Building Contractor (Class B) Exam Just Released Page 3
