C-39 ROOFING TRADE EXAM
120 Multiple Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. What is the primary purpose of underlayment in a roofing system?
A. To provide the finished appearance of the roof
B. To act as a secondary water-resistant barrier beneath the roof covering
C. To insulate the attic space
D. To anchor the roof trusses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Underlayment is installed directly on the roof deck to provide a secondary
barrier against moisture intrusion if the primary roof covering is compromised.
2. What does the term 'square' mean in roofing measurement?
A. 100 square feet of roof area
B. 10 square feet of roof area
C. 1,000 square feet of roof area
D. One bundle of shingles
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A roofing 'square' is a standard unit of measure equal to 100 square feet of
roof area, used for estimating materials and labor.
3. What is 'flashing' used for on a roof?
A. Decorative trim along the eaves
B. Preventing water infiltration at joints, valleys, and penetrations
C. Increasing the roof's fire rating
D. Reducing roof weight
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flashing is metal or other material installed at roof joints, valleys, chimneys,
and penetrations to direct water away and prevent leaks.
4. What is the typical minimum slope for a roof to be considered 'low-slope'?
A. Less than 2:12
B. Greater than 6:12
C. Exactly 4:12
D. Greater than 12:12
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Low-slope roofs are generally defined as having a pitch less than 2:12,
requiring different waterproofing methods than steep-slope roofs.
5. What material is most commonly used as the base sheet in built-up roofing
(BUR) systems?
A. Vinyl siding
B. Asphalt-saturated felt or fiberglass ply sheets
C. Clay tile
D. Cedar shake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Built-up roofing systems use multiple layers of asphalt-saturated felt or
fiberglass ply sheets alternated with layers of bitumen.
6. What does 'TPO' stand for in single-ply roofing membranes?
A. Thermoplastic Polyolefin
B. Total Polymer Overlay
C. Treated Petroleum Oxide
D. Thermal Polyurethane Outlay
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin, a widely used single-ply reflective
roofing membrane for low-slope roofs.
7. What is EPDM roofing commonly known as?
A. Metal standing seam
B. Rubber roofing membrane
C. Clay tile roofing
D. Wood shake roofing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber
membrane widely used for low-slope roofing applications.
8. What is the purpose of a drip edge on a roof?
A. To hold shingles in place during installation only
B. To direct water away from the fascia and into the gutter
C. To provide attic ventilation
D. To increase the roof's wind rating
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A drip edge is metal flashing installed along eaves and rakes to direct water
away from the fascia board and roof deck edges into the gutter system.
,9. What is the standard exposure for a standard three-tab asphalt shingle in a
typical shingle course?
A. 3 inches
B. 5 inches
C. 7 inches
D. 10 inches
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard three-tab shingles typically have a 5-inch exposure per course,
though this can vary by manufacturer specification.
10. What is 'nailing pattern' in reference to asphalt shingle installation?
A. The color arrangement of shingles
B. The specified number and location of fasteners per shingle
C. The direction shingles face
D. The overlap between courses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nailing pattern refers to the manufacturer-specified number and
placement of nails per shingle, critical for wind resistance and warranty compliance.
11. What is 'granule loss' on asphalt shingles typically an indicator of?
A. New installation
B. Shingle aging, weathering, or the end of the shingle's service life
C. Improper attic insulation
D. Excess ventilation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Granule loss indicates that a shingle is aging or weathering, and excessive
loss can signal that the shingle is nearing the end of its useful life.
12. What is the purpose of ice and water shield membrane?
A. To provide walkway protection for workers
B. To provide a self-adhering waterproof barrier at vulnerable areas like eaves and
valleys
C. To reflect heat away from the attic
D. To hold ridge caps in place
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ice and water shield is a self-adhering membrane installed at eaves, valleys,
and other vulnerable areas to prevent water infiltration from ice dams or wind-driven
rain.
, 13. What is a 'valley' in roofing terminology?
A. The highest point of the roof
B. The internal angle formed where two roof slopes meet
C. The edge of the roof at the eave
D. A type of ventilation system
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A valley is the internal angle where two sloping roof planes meet, requiring
special flashing and waterproofing due to concentrated water flow.
14. What is a 'hip' in roof framing?
A. The external angle formed where two roof slopes meet
B. A type of skylight
C. A ventilation component
D. The lowest point of a roof
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A hip is the external angle formed where two adjacent roof slopes meet,
running from the ridge down to the eave.
15. What is the purpose of roof decking (sheathing)?
A. To provide the visible exterior finish
B. To provide a structural substrate to which roofing materials are attached
C. To insulate the living space
D. To collect rainwater
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Roof decking, typically plywood or OSB, provides the structural base to
which underlayment and roofing materials are fastened.
16. What is 'OSB' commonly used for in roofing?
A. Roof deck sheathing
B. Flashing material
C. Shingle adhesive
D. Ridge ventilation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: OSB (oriented strand board) is a common, cost-effective structural panel
used as roof deck sheathing.
17. What is the purpose of a starter strip (starter course) in asphalt shingle
installation?
A. To finish the ridge of the roof
120 Multiple Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. What is the primary purpose of underlayment in a roofing system?
A. To provide the finished appearance of the roof
B. To act as a secondary water-resistant barrier beneath the roof covering
C. To insulate the attic space
D. To anchor the roof trusses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Underlayment is installed directly on the roof deck to provide a secondary
barrier against moisture intrusion if the primary roof covering is compromised.
2. What does the term 'square' mean in roofing measurement?
A. 100 square feet of roof area
B. 10 square feet of roof area
C. 1,000 square feet of roof area
D. One bundle of shingles
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A roofing 'square' is a standard unit of measure equal to 100 square feet of
roof area, used for estimating materials and labor.
3. What is 'flashing' used for on a roof?
A. Decorative trim along the eaves
B. Preventing water infiltration at joints, valleys, and penetrations
C. Increasing the roof's fire rating
D. Reducing roof weight
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flashing is metal or other material installed at roof joints, valleys, chimneys,
and penetrations to direct water away and prevent leaks.
4. What is the typical minimum slope for a roof to be considered 'low-slope'?
A. Less than 2:12
B. Greater than 6:12
C. Exactly 4:12
D. Greater than 12:12
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: Low-slope roofs are generally defined as having a pitch less than 2:12,
requiring different waterproofing methods than steep-slope roofs.
5. What material is most commonly used as the base sheet in built-up roofing
(BUR) systems?
A. Vinyl siding
B. Asphalt-saturated felt or fiberglass ply sheets
C. Clay tile
D. Cedar shake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Built-up roofing systems use multiple layers of asphalt-saturated felt or
fiberglass ply sheets alternated with layers of bitumen.
6. What does 'TPO' stand for in single-ply roofing membranes?
A. Thermoplastic Polyolefin
B. Total Polymer Overlay
C. Treated Petroleum Oxide
D. Thermal Polyurethane Outlay
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin, a widely used single-ply reflective
roofing membrane for low-slope roofs.
7. What is EPDM roofing commonly known as?
A. Metal standing seam
B. Rubber roofing membrane
C. Clay tile roofing
D. Wood shake roofing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) is a synthetic rubber
membrane widely used for low-slope roofing applications.
8. What is the purpose of a drip edge on a roof?
A. To hold shingles in place during installation only
B. To direct water away from the fascia and into the gutter
C. To provide attic ventilation
D. To increase the roof's wind rating
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A drip edge is metal flashing installed along eaves and rakes to direct water
away from the fascia board and roof deck edges into the gutter system.
,9. What is the standard exposure for a standard three-tab asphalt shingle in a
typical shingle course?
A. 3 inches
B. 5 inches
C. 7 inches
D. 10 inches
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Standard three-tab shingles typically have a 5-inch exposure per course,
though this can vary by manufacturer specification.
10. What is 'nailing pattern' in reference to asphalt shingle installation?
A. The color arrangement of shingles
B. The specified number and location of fasteners per shingle
C. The direction shingles face
D. The overlap between courses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nailing pattern refers to the manufacturer-specified number and
placement of nails per shingle, critical for wind resistance and warranty compliance.
11. What is 'granule loss' on asphalt shingles typically an indicator of?
A. New installation
B. Shingle aging, weathering, or the end of the shingle's service life
C. Improper attic insulation
D. Excess ventilation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Granule loss indicates that a shingle is aging or weathering, and excessive
loss can signal that the shingle is nearing the end of its useful life.
12. What is the purpose of ice and water shield membrane?
A. To provide walkway protection for workers
B. To provide a self-adhering waterproof barrier at vulnerable areas like eaves and
valleys
C. To reflect heat away from the attic
D. To hold ridge caps in place
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ice and water shield is a self-adhering membrane installed at eaves, valleys,
and other vulnerable areas to prevent water infiltration from ice dams or wind-driven
rain.
, 13. What is a 'valley' in roofing terminology?
A. The highest point of the roof
B. The internal angle formed where two roof slopes meet
C. The edge of the roof at the eave
D. A type of ventilation system
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A valley is the internal angle where two sloping roof planes meet, requiring
special flashing and waterproofing due to concentrated water flow.
14. What is a 'hip' in roof framing?
A. The external angle formed where two roof slopes meet
B. A type of skylight
C. A ventilation component
D. The lowest point of a roof
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A hip is the external angle formed where two adjacent roof slopes meet,
running from the ridge down to the eave.
15. What is the purpose of roof decking (sheathing)?
A. To provide the visible exterior finish
B. To provide a structural substrate to which roofing materials are attached
C. To insulate the living space
D. To collect rainwater
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Roof decking, typically plywood or OSB, provides the structural base to
which underlayment and roofing materials are fastened.
16. What is 'OSB' commonly used for in roofing?
A. Roof deck sheathing
B. Flashing material
C. Shingle adhesive
D. Ridge ventilation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: OSB (oriented strand board) is a common, cost-effective structural panel
used as roof deck sheathing.
17. What is the purpose of a starter strip (starter course) in asphalt shingle
installation?
A. To finish the ridge of the roof
