NORTH CAROLINA BUILDING CONTRACTOR
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
1. North Carolina General Statutes and Licensing Laws
o Licensing requirements, classifications, disciplinary actions, and contractor responsibilities.
2. Building Codes
o North Carolina State Building Code, International Building Code (IBC), accessibility requirements,
and code compliance.
3. Project Management
o Planning, scheduling, estimating, procurement, documentation, and coordination of
subcontractors.
4. Sitework and Earthwork
o Excavation, grading, drainage, erosion control, foundations, and soil considerations.
5. Concrete Construction
o Footings, slabs, reinforcement, formwork, curing methods, and concrete quality.
6. Structural Systems
o Wood framing, steel framing, masonry construction, roof framing, load paths, and structural
integrity.
7. Building Materials and Methods
o Proper selection, installation, performance characteristics, and quality standards for construction
materials.
8. Safety Regulations
o OSHA requirements, hazard recognition, fall protection, personal protective equipment (PPE),
scaffolding, and excavation safety.
9. Contracts, Business Practices, and Risk Management
o Contract administration, change orders, insurance, bonding, dispute resolution, and legal
responsibilities.
10. Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Energy Code Coordination
General contractor coordination responsibilities, inspections, permits, energy efficiency, and final
occupancy requirements.
NORTH CAROLINA BUILDING CONTRACTOR Examination
Question 1
A general contractor reviewing contract documents before beginning construction should
carefully verify every specification, drawing, and referenced standard primarily because doing
so helps prevent costly construction errors, contractual disputes, project delays, and code
compliance issues throughout the project.
,A. Increase labour costs intentionally
B. Reduce subcontractor competition
C. Identify discrepancies before construction begins
D. Eliminate permit requirements
Answer: C
Rationale: Reviewing contract documents thoroughly allows discrepancies and omissions to be
identified before work starts, reducing change orders, delays, and legal disputes.
Question 2
Which foundation type is generally considered most appropriate when constructing a
commercial building on soil that has excellent bearing capacity and uniform settlement
characteristics throughout the proposed building footprint?
A. Spread footing foundation
B. Floating slab only
C. Timber piles exclusively
D. Caisson foundation regardless of soil
Answer: A
Rationale: Spread footings are economical and effective where soils have adequate bearing
capacity and settlement is uniform.
Question 3
Before excavation activities begin on any construction project, the contractor should first
ensure underground utilities have been accurately located because failure to do so may result
in serious injuries, utility interruptions, regulatory violations, and expensive repairs.
A. Begin excavation immediately
B. Locate underground utilities
C. Pour concrete footings
D. Install roofing materials
Answer: B
,Rationale: Utility locating prevents accidental damage to gas, water, sewer, electrical, and
communication lines.
Question 4
Which OSHA requirement is specifically intended to protect construction workers from serious
injuries while working at elevated locations where fall hazards are present?
A. Noise monitoring
B. Respiratory testing
C. Fall protection systems
D. Fire extinguisher colour coding
Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA requires fall protection whenever employees are exposed to specified fall
hazards.
Question 5
Concrete achieves its designed strength primarily through which important chemical process
that continues after placement provided sufficient moisture and proper temperature conditions
are maintained?
A. Oxidation
B. Hydration
C. Vaporisation
D. Carbonation only
Answer: B
Rationale: Cement hydration causes concrete to harden and gain strength over time.
Question 6
Which document normally establishes the legally enforceable responsibilities, obligations,
payment terms, scope of work, and dispute resolution procedures between the owner and
contractor?
, A. Safety meeting minutes
B. Construction contract
C. Equipment rental receipt
D. Material delivery ticket
Answer: B
Rationale: The construction contract defines the legal relationship between the parties.
Question 7
The primary purpose of reinforcing steel placed within concrete structural members is to
improve the concrete's ability to resist which type of loading that plain concrete handles
relatively poorly?
A. Compression
B. Tension
C. Gravity only
D. Temperature only
Answer: B
Rationale: Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension; reinforcing steel provides
tensile strength.
Question 8
A building permit should generally be obtained before construction begins because it
demonstrates that the proposed work has been reviewed for compliance with applicable
building codes and regulations.
A. True
B. False
C. Only for roofing
D. Only for residential work
Answer: A
Rationale: Permits verify planned compliance before construction begins.
EXAMINATION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
1. North Carolina General Statutes and Licensing Laws
o Licensing requirements, classifications, disciplinary actions, and contractor responsibilities.
2. Building Codes
o North Carolina State Building Code, International Building Code (IBC), accessibility requirements,
and code compliance.
3. Project Management
o Planning, scheduling, estimating, procurement, documentation, and coordination of
subcontractors.
4. Sitework and Earthwork
o Excavation, grading, drainage, erosion control, foundations, and soil considerations.
5. Concrete Construction
o Footings, slabs, reinforcement, formwork, curing methods, and concrete quality.
6. Structural Systems
o Wood framing, steel framing, masonry construction, roof framing, load paths, and structural
integrity.
7. Building Materials and Methods
o Proper selection, installation, performance characteristics, and quality standards for construction
materials.
8. Safety Regulations
o OSHA requirements, hazard recognition, fall protection, personal protective equipment (PPE),
scaffolding, and excavation safety.
9. Contracts, Business Practices, and Risk Management
o Contract administration, change orders, insurance, bonding, dispute resolution, and legal
responsibilities.
10. Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Energy Code Coordination
General contractor coordination responsibilities, inspections, permits, energy efficiency, and final
occupancy requirements.
NORTH CAROLINA BUILDING CONTRACTOR Examination
Question 1
A general contractor reviewing contract documents before beginning construction should
carefully verify every specification, drawing, and referenced standard primarily because doing
so helps prevent costly construction errors, contractual disputes, project delays, and code
compliance issues throughout the project.
,A. Increase labour costs intentionally
B. Reduce subcontractor competition
C. Identify discrepancies before construction begins
D. Eliminate permit requirements
Answer: C
Rationale: Reviewing contract documents thoroughly allows discrepancies and omissions to be
identified before work starts, reducing change orders, delays, and legal disputes.
Question 2
Which foundation type is generally considered most appropriate when constructing a
commercial building on soil that has excellent bearing capacity and uniform settlement
characteristics throughout the proposed building footprint?
A. Spread footing foundation
B. Floating slab only
C. Timber piles exclusively
D. Caisson foundation regardless of soil
Answer: A
Rationale: Spread footings are economical and effective where soils have adequate bearing
capacity and settlement is uniform.
Question 3
Before excavation activities begin on any construction project, the contractor should first
ensure underground utilities have been accurately located because failure to do so may result
in serious injuries, utility interruptions, regulatory violations, and expensive repairs.
A. Begin excavation immediately
B. Locate underground utilities
C. Pour concrete footings
D. Install roofing materials
Answer: B
,Rationale: Utility locating prevents accidental damage to gas, water, sewer, electrical, and
communication lines.
Question 4
Which OSHA requirement is specifically intended to protect construction workers from serious
injuries while working at elevated locations where fall hazards are present?
A. Noise monitoring
B. Respiratory testing
C. Fall protection systems
D. Fire extinguisher colour coding
Answer: C
Rationale: OSHA requires fall protection whenever employees are exposed to specified fall
hazards.
Question 5
Concrete achieves its designed strength primarily through which important chemical process
that continues after placement provided sufficient moisture and proper temperature conditions
are maintained?
A. Oxidation
B. Hydration
C. Vaporisation
D. Carbonation only
Answer: B
Rationale: Cement hydration causes concrete to harden and gain strength over time.
Question 6
Which document normally establishes the legally enforceable responsibilities, obligations,
payment terms, scope of work, and dispute resolution procedures between the owner and
contractor?
, A. Safety meeting minutes
B. Construction contract
C. Equipment rental receipt
D. Material delivery ticket
Answer: B
Rationale: The construction contract defines the legal relationship between the parties.
Question 7
The primary purpose of reinforcing steel placed within concrete structural members is to
improve the concrete's ability to resist which type of loading that plain concrete handles
relatively poorly?
A. Compression
B. Tension
C. Gravity only
D. Temperature only
Answer: B
Rationale: Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension; reinforcing steel provides
tensile strength.
Question 8
A building permit should generally be obtained before construction begins because it
demonstrates that the proposed work has been reviewed for compliance with applicable
building codes and regulations.
A. True
B. False
C. Only for roofing
D. Only for residential work
Answer: A
Rationale: Permits verify planned compliance before construction begins.
