CSLB | B LICENSE
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
General Contractor
B License Exam
CSLB | 2026/2027
100 100% 2026/2027
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
California Building Codes & Regulations Safety & OSHA Compliance
Construction Law & Contracts Business & Financial Management
Estimating & Project Management
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | California Building Codes & Regulations | Q1-Q20 | CSLB 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
A contractor is building a single-family residence in a seismic zone 4 area. The plans call for a wood-framed structure. Which code
requirement must be met for the foundation?
A. Anchor bolts must be embedded at least 7 inches into concrete with 12-inch spacing.
B. No special seismic reinforcement is required for wood framing.
C. All footings must be 24 inches deep regardless of soil conditions.
D. Steel reinforcement is prohibited in residential foundations.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
California Building Code requires anchor bolts in seismic zones to be embedded 7 inches minimum with specific spacing for lateral load resistance. Other options contradict CBC
seismic and foundation requirements.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
A general contractor is reviewing plans for a commercial building addition. The architect specifies Type V construction. Which
material limitation applies under the California Building Code?
A. Exterior walls must be non-combustible if the building exceeds two stories.
B. Wood framing is permitted throughout with fire-retardant treatment in some cases.
C. All structural members must be steel or concrete.
D. No combustible materials are allowed in any Type V building.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Type V is wood-frame construction allowed under CBC with limitations on height and area. Non-combustible requirements apply to higher types. Steel/concrete is Type I or II.
Q3 Question 3 of 100
During inspection of a residential remodel, the building inspector notes that the new electrical panel is 200 amps but the service
entrance conductors are sized for 100 amps. Which code violation exists?
A. Service conductors must be sized to match or exceed the panel rating per CEC.
B. The panel can be larger than the service without issue.
C. Only the main breaker size matters.
D. No sizing requirements apply to residential services.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
California Electrical Code requires service entrance conductors to be sized for the calculated load and panel rating. Undersizing creates fire and overload hazards. Other
statements are incorrect.
CSLB — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 2 of 32
, Q4 Question 4 of 100
A contractor is installing a new HVAC system in a single-family home. The local amendment requires R-8 duct insulation in
unconditioned attics. Which action complies with the California Energy Code?
A. Install R-8 insulation on all supply and return ducts in the attic.
B. Use R-4 insulation since it meets minimum state requirements.
C. Insulate only the supply ducts.
D. Skip insulation if the ducts are within 10 feet of the furnace.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Title 24 (California Energy Code) and local amendments require specific R-values for ducts in unconditioned spaces. R-8 is commonly required in hot climates for efficiency. Lower
R or partial insulation violates code.
Q5 Question 5 of 100
A building permit application for a 3,500 sq ft custom home is submitted. The plans show a 2-hour fire-rated wall separating the
garage from living space. Which code section governs this requirement?
A. California Building Code Section 406 for garages.
B. Only local fire department rules apply.
C. No fire rating is required for attached garages in residential construction.
D. The requirement is only in commercial buildings.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
CBC Section 406 requires fire-rated separation between garages and residences to prevent fire spread. Local rules may add to but not replace state code. Residential garages do
have specific requirements.
Q6 Question 6 of 100
During rough framing inspection, the inspector finds that joist hangers are installed but nails are not fully driven. Which principle of the
California Residential Code is violated?
A. Fasteners must be installed per manufacturer specifications and code tables for full capacity.
B. Nails only need to be started to pass inspection.
C. Hangers are decorative and do not require full nailing.
D. Only the number of hangers matters, not installation quality.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
CBC and manufacturer instructions require full fastener installation for structural capacity. Partial nailing reduces load rating and violates code. Hangers are structural, not
decorative.
Q7 Question 7 of 100
A contractor is planning a kitchen remodel that includes moving a gas line. Which permit and inspection requirement applies under
California codes?
A. A plumbing permit is required and the work must be inspected before covering.
B. No permit is needed for gas line work inside the home.
C. Only an electrical permit covers gas lines.
D. The gas company handles all permitting.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Moving gas lines requires a plumbing permit under the California Plumbing Code with inspection before concealment. Gas work is not covered by electrical permits.
Homeowners/contractors must pull permits.
CSLB — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 3 of 32
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
General Contractor
B License Exam
CSLB | 2026/2027
100 100% 2026/2027
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
California Building Codes & Regulations Safety & OSHA Compliance
Construction Law & Contracts Business & Financial Management
Estimating & Project Management
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | California Building Codes & Regulations | Q1-Q20 | CSLB 2026/2027
Q1 Question 1 of 100
A contractor is building a single-family residence in a seismic zone 4 area. The plans call for a wood-framed structure. Which code
requirement must be met for the foundation?
A. Anchor bolts must be embedded at least 7 inches into concrete with 12-inch spacing.
B. No special seismic reinforcement is required for wood framing.
C. All footings must be 24 inches deep regardless of soil conditions.
D. Steel reinforcement is prohibited in residential foundations.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
California Building Code requires anchor bolts in seismic zones to be embedded 7 inches minimum with specific spacing for lateral load resistance. Other options contradict CBC
seismic and foundation requirements.
Q2 Question 2 of 100
A general contractor is reviewing plans for a commercial building addition. The architect specifies Type V construction. Which
material limitation applies under the California Building Code?
A. Exterior walls must be non-combustible if the building exceeds two stories.
B. Wood framing is permitted throughout with fire-retardant treatment in some cases.
C. All structural members must be steel or concrete.
D. No combustible materials are allowed in any Type V building.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Type V is wood-frame construction allowed under CBC with limitations on height and area. Non-combustible requirements apply to higher types. Steel/concrete is Type I or II.
Q3 Question 3 of 100
During inspection of a residential remodel, the building inspector notes that the new electrical panel is 200 amps but the service
entrance conductors are sized for 100 amps. Which code violation exists?
A. Service conductors must be sized to match or exceed the panel rating per CEC.
B. The panel can be larger than the service without issue.
C. Only the main breaker size matters.
D. No sizing requirements apply to residential services.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
California Electrical Code requires service entrance conductors to be sized for the calculated load and panel rating. Undersizing creates fire and overload hazards. Other
statements are incorrect.
CSLB — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 2 of 32
, Q4 Question 4 of 100
A contractor is installing a new HVAC system in a single-family home. The local amendment requires R-8 duct insulation in
unconditioned attics. Which action complies with the California Energy Code?
A. Install R-8 insulation on all supply and return ducts in the attic.
B. Use R-4 insulation since it meets minimum state requirements.
C. Insulate only the supply ducts.
D. Skip insulation if the ducts are within 10 feet of the furnace.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Title 24 (California Energy Code) and local amendments require specific R-values for ducts in unconditioned spaces. R-8 is commonly required in hot climates for efficiency. Lower
R or partial insulation violates code.
Q5 Question 5 of 100
A building permit application for a 3,500 sq ft custom home is submitted. The plans show a 2-hour fire-rated wall separating the
garage from living space. Which code section governs this requirement?
A. California Building Code Section 406 for garages.
B. Only local fire department rules apply.
C. No fire rating is required for attached garages in residential construction.
D. The requirement is only in commercial buildings.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
CBC Section 406 requires fire-rated separation between garages and residences to prevent fire spread. Local rules may add to but not replace state code. Residential garages do
have specific requirements.
Q6 Question 6 of 100
During rough framing inspection, the inspector finds that joist hangers are installed but nails are not fully driven. Which principle of the
California Residential Code is violated?
A. Fasteners must be installed per manufacturer specifications and code tables for full capacity.
B. Nails only need to be started to pass inspection.
C. Hangers are decorative and do not require full nailing.
D. Only the number of hangers matters, not installation quality.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
CBC and manufacturer instructions require full fastener installation for structural capacity. Partial nailing reduces load rating and violates code. Hangers are structural, not
decorative.
Q7 Question 7 of 100
A contractor is planning a kitchen remodel that includes moving a gas line. Which permit and inspection requirement applies under
California codes?
A. A plumbing permit is required and the work must be inspected before covering.
B. No permit is needed for gas line work inside the home.
C. Only an electrical permit covers gas lines.
D. The gas company handles all permitting.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Moving gas lines requires a plumbing permit under the California Plumbing Code with inspection before concealment. Gas work is not covered by electrical permits.
Homeowners/contractors must pull permits.
CSLB — 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 75% | Page 3 of 32
