New Mexico Residential Building Contractor
(GB-2) Practice Exam Questions and Correct
Answers Updated
Question 1: According to New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID)
regulations, what is the primary scope of work authorized under a GB-2
Residential Building Contractor license?
A. Commercial high-rise construction exceeding three stories
B. Residential construction, remodeling, and repair of one- and two-family dwellings
and associated accessory structures
C. Public infrastructure and highway construction
D. Industrial plant construction only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Residential construction, remodeling, and repair of one-
and two-family dwellings and associated accessory structures
Rationale: The GB-2 license specifically authorizes contractors to perform residential
building work on one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, and related accessory
buildings as defined by New Mexico CID rules.
Question 2: Under New Mexico contractor licensing law, how long is a GB-2
Residential Building Contractor license typically valid before renewal is
required?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Five years
CORRECT ANSWER: A. One year
Rationale: New Mexico CID requires most contractor licenses, including the GB-2, to
be renewed annually, subject to continuing education and fee requirements.
Question 3: According to the International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted
in New Mexico, what is the minimum required compressive strength for
concrete used in residential foundation walls?
A. 1,500 psi
B. 2,000 psi
C. 2,500 psi
D. 3,000 psi
Page 1 of 59
,CORRECT ANSWER: C. 2,500 psi
Rationale: The IRC requires a minimum specified compressive strength of 2,500 psi
for concrete in foundation walls and other structural residential applications unless
otherwise specified by engineering.
Question 4: In New Mexico, which agency is primarily responsible for the
licensing and regulation of residential building contractors?
A. New Mexico Department of Transportation
B. Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing
Department
C. New Mexico Environment Department
D. State Fire Marshal’s Office
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation
and Licensing Department
Rationale: The Construction Industries Division (CID) is the state agency charged
with licensing, regulating, and enforcing standards for contractors, including GB-2
Residential Building Contractors.
Question 5: According to New Mexico law, what is the minimum amount of
liability insurance typically required for a licensed GB-2 Residential Building
Contractor?
A. $50,000
B. $100,000
C. $300,000
D. $1,000,000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. $300,000
Rationale: New Mexico CID regulations require licensed contractors to maintain
general liability insurance with minimum limits commonly set at $300,000 per
occurrence for residential building contractors.
Question 6: Under the IRC as adopted in New Mexico, what is the minimum
required height for a guardrail on a residential deck more than 30 inches
above grade?
A. 30 inches
B. 34 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 42 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 36 inches
Rationale: The IRC requires guards to be a minimum of 36 inches in height for
residential decks and balconies located more than 30 inches above the adjacent
Page 2 of 59
,grade.
Question 7: According to New Mexico contractor law, a GB-2 licensee who
performs work outside the scope of the residential license may be subject to
which of the following?
A. Automatic upgrade of the license
B. Disciplinary action including fines, suspension, or revocation of the license
C. No penalty if the work is performed correctly
D. A written warning only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Disciplinary action including fines, suspension, or
revocation of the license
Rationale: Performing work outside the licensed classification violates New Mexico
CID rules and can result in formal disciplinary action against the contractor’s license.
Question 8: In residential framing according to the IRC, what is the maximum
allowable spacing for 2x4 studs in a non-bearing wall supporting only ceiling
and roof loads in a typical New Mexico home?
A. 12 inches on center
B. 16 inches on center
C. 24 inches on center
D. 30 inches on center
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 24 inches on center
Rationale: The IRC permits 2x4 studs spaced at 24 inches on center in non-bearing
walls under specified conditions, provided all other structural requirements are met.
Question 9: According to New Mexico regulations, how many hours of
continuing education are typically required for renewal of a GB-2 Residential
Building Contractor license?
A. 4 hours
B. 8 hours
C. 16 hours
D. 30 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 8 hours
Rationale: New Mexico CID generally requires licensed contractors to complete a
minimum of 8 hours of approved continuing education during each renewal cycle.
Question 10: Under the IRC as adopted in New Mexico, what is the minimum
required width of a hallway in a residential dwelling?
A. 30 inches
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, B. 36 inches
C. 42 inches
D. 48 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 36 inches
Rationale: The IRC establishes a minimum hallway width of 36 inches to provide
adequate egress and accessibility within residential dwellings.
Question 11: According to New Mexico law, a written contract is required for
residential construction projects exceeding which approximate dollar amount?
A. $500
B. $1,000
C. $2,000
D. $7,500
CORRECT ANSWER: C. $2,000
Rationale: New Mexico contractor regulations require a written contract for
residential projects above a specified threshold, commonly $2,000, to protect
consumers and define the scope of work.
Question 12: In New Mexico residential construction, what is the minimum
required thickness for a concrete slab-on-grade floor in a typical single-family
dwelling?
A. 2 inches
B. 3.5 inches
C. 4 inches
D. 6 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 3.5 inches
Rationale: The IRC requires a minimum concrete slab thickness of 3.5 inches for
residential slab-on-grade floors, unless otherwise engineered.
Question 13: According to New Mexico CID rules, who is ultimately
responsible for ensuring that a residential construction project complies with
the approved plans and applicable codes?
A. The homeowner only
B. The licensed GB-2 contractor
C. The material supplier
D. The real estate agent
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The licensed GB-2 contractor
Rationale: The licensed contractor is responsible for performing the work in
accordance with the codes, approved plans, and permit requirements.
Page 4 of 59
(GB-2) Practice Exam Questions and Correct
Answers Updated
Question 1: According to New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID)
regulations, what is the primary scope of work authorized under a GB-2
Residential Building Contractor license?
A. Commercial high-rise construction exceeding three stories
B. Residential construction, remodeling, and repair of one- and two-family dwellings
and associated accessory structures
C. Public infrastructure and highway construction
D. Industrial plant construction only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Residential construction, remodeling, and repair of one-
and two-family dwellings and associated accessory structures
Rationale: The GB-2 license specifically authorizes contractors to perform residential
building work on one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, and related accessory
buildings as defined by New Mexico CID rules.
Question 2: Under New Mexico contractor licensing law, how long is a GB-2
Residential Building Contractor license typically valid before renewal is
required?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Five years
CORRECT ANSWER: A. One year
Rationale: New Mexico CID requires most contractor licenses, including the GB-2, to
be renewed annually, subject to continuing education and fee requirements.
Question 3: According to the International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted
in New Mexico, what is the minimum required compressive strength for
concrete used in residential foundation walls?
A. 1,500 psi
B. 2,000 psi
C. 2,500 psi
D. 3,000 psi
Page 1 of 59
,CORRECT ANSWER: C. 2,500 psi
Rationale: The IRC requires a minimum specified compressive strength of 2,500 psi
for concrete in foundation walls and other structural residential applications unless
otherwise specified by engineering.
Question 4: In New Mexico, which agency is primarily responsible for the
licensing and regulation of residential building contractors?
A. New Mexico Department of Transportation
B. Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation and Licensing
Department
C. New Mexico Environment Department
D. State Fire Marshal’s Office
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Construction Industries Division (CID) of the Regulation
and Licensing Department
Rationale: The Construction Industries Division (CID) is the state agency charged
with licensing, regulating, and enforcing standards for contractors, including GB-2
Residential Building Contractors.
Question 5: According to New Mexico law, what is the minimum amount of
liability insurance typically required for a licensed GB-2 Residential Building
Contractor?
A. $50,000
B. $100,000
C. $300,000
D. $1,000,000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. $300,000
Rationale: New Mexico CID regulations require licensed contractors to maintain
general liability insurance with minimum limits commonly set at $300,000 per
occurrence for residential building contractors.
Question 6: Under the IRC as adopted in New Mexico, what is the minimum
required height for a guardrail on a residential deck more than 30 inches
above grade?
A. 30 inches
B. 34 inches
C. 36 inches
D. 42 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 36 inches
Rationale: The IRC requires guards to be a minimum of 36 inches in height for
residential decks and balconies located more than 30 inches above the adjacent
Page 2 of 59
,grade.
Question 7: According to New Mexico contractor law, a GB-2 licensee who
performs work outside the scope of the residential license may be subject to
which of the following?
A. Automatic upgrade of the license
B. Disciplinary action including fines, suspension, or revocation of the license
C. No penalty if the work is performed correctly
D. A written warning only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Disciplinary action including fines, suspension, or
revocation of the license
Rationale: Performing work outside the licensed classification violates New Mexico
CID rules and can result in formal disciplinary action against the contractor’s license.
Question 8: In residential framing according to the IRC, what is the maximum
allowable spacing for 2x4 studs in a non-bearing wall supporting only ceiling
and roof loads in a typical New Mexico home?
A. 12 inches on center
B. 16 inches on center
C. 24 inches on center
D. 30 inches on center
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 24 inches on center
Rationale: The IRC permits 2x4 studs spaced at 24 inches on center in non-bearing
walls under specified conditions, provided all other structural requirements are met.
Question 9: According to New Mexico regulations, how many hours of
continuing education are typically required for renewal of a GB-2 Residential
Building Contractor license?
A. 4 hours
B. 8 hours
C. 16 hours
D. 30 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 8 hours
Rationale: New Mexico CID generally requires licensed contractors to complete a
minimum of 8 hours of approved continuing education during each renewal cycle.
Question 10: Under the IRC as adopted in New Mexico, what is the minimum
required width of a hallway in a residential dwelling?
A. 30 inches
Page 3 of 59
, B. 36 inches
C. 42 inches
D. 48 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 36 inches
Rationale: The IRC establishes a minimum hallway width of 36 inches to provide
adequate egress and accessibility within residential dwellings.
Question 11: According to New Mexico law, a written contract is required for
residential construction projects exceeding which approximate dollar amount?
A. $500
B. $1,000
C. $2,000
D. $7,500
CORRECT ANSWER: C. $2,000
Rationale: New Mexico contractor regulations require a written contract for
residential projects above a specified threshold, commonly $2,000, to protect
consumers and define the scope of work.
Question 12: In New Mexico residential construction, what is the minimum
required thickness for a concrete slab-on-grade floor in a typical single-family
dwelling?
A. 2 inches
B. 3.5 inches
C. 4 inches
D. 6 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 3.5 inches
Rationale: The IRC requires a minimum concrete slab thickness of 3.5 inches for
residential slab-on-grade floors, unless otherwise engineered.
Question 13: According to New Mexico CID rules, who is ultimately
responsible for ensuring that a residential construction project complies with
the approved plans and applicable codes?
A. The homeowner only
B. The licensed GB-2 contractor
C. The material supplier
D. The real estate agent
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The licensed GB-2 contractor
Rationale: The licensed contractor is responsible for performing the work in
accordance with the codes, approved plans, and permit requirements.
Page 4 of 59
