Maryland Historic Preservation
Construction Specialist Certification
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1. What is the primary purpose of a preservation easement held by the
Maryland Historical Trust (MHT)?
A. To provide public access to all historic properties.
B. To legally protect a property's historic character in perpetuity or for a set
term.
C. To allow the property owner to avoid all local building codes.
D. To transfer ownership of the property to the state.
Answer: B
Rationale: A preservation easement is a legal agreement designed to
protect a property's historic features and ensure its long-term preservation.
It is tied to the property, not the owner, meaning future owners are also
bound by its terms .
2. Which of the following best describes the standards applied to
state-funded capital projects in Maryland for historic preservation
review?
A. The Maryland Building Performance Standards.
B. The Federal Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
C. The International Existing Building Code.
,D. MHT's own internal design guidelines only.
Answer: B
Rationale: The Department of Housing and Community Development
(DHCD) and the Maryland Historical Trust apply the Secretary of the
Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation to all state-funded capital projects to
ensure that the character-defining features of a historic property are
preserved .
3. According to Maryland law, when must a person file an application
with a local historic preservation commission?
A. For any interior renovation of a building, regardless of visibility.
B. Before constructing, reconstructing, altering, or demolishing a site or
structure in a locally designated district if exterior changes are visible from
a public way.
C. Only when demolishing a building in a historic district.
D. For any change to a property, even if it's not in a designated district.
Answer: B
Rationale: Maryland Code (Land Use Article, §8-302) requires that an
application be filed with the commission for any exterior work on a site or
structure within a locally designated district that would affect its historic
significance, any portion of which is visible or intended to be visible from a
public way .
4. In reviewing an application for changes to a historic structure, a
commission is required to consider all of the following factors EXCEPT:
A. The historic, archaeological, or architectural significance of the site.
B. The relationship of exterior architectural features to the surrounding area.
C. The compatibility of proposed exterior design, scale, and materials.
D. The economic feasibility of the proposed project for the owner.
Answer: D
Rationale: While a commission may attempt to formulate an economically
,feasible plan for preservation, its formal review criteria are focused on
significance, relationship to surroundings, and compatibility of exterior
design, scale, proportion, and materials . Economic feasibility is not a
required review factor.
5. What is the significance of "Section 106" in the context of historic
preservation?
A. It is a state law that funds local preservation projects.
B. It is a federal law requiring review of projects that use federal funding or
permits for their effect on historic properties.
C. It is a building code for historic structures.
D. It is the process for nominating a property to the National Register.
Answer: B
Rationale: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires
federal agencies to consider the effects of their "undertakings" (projects
funded, permitted, or licensed by the federal government) on historic
properties. The Maryland Historical Trust, as the State Historic Preservation
Office (SHPO), reviews these projects .
6. What is an "adverse effect" finding in a Section 106 review?
A. The project has no federal involvement.
B. The project may affect historic properties but does not diminish their
significance.
C. The project is canceled.
D. The project may harm the historic characteristics and significance of a
property.
Answer: D
Rationale: An "adverse effect" means the project would diminish the
integrity of the historic property's location, design, setting, materials,
workmanship, feeling, or association. A "no adverse effect" finding means
there is an effect, but it is not harmful to the property's significance .
, 7. When is a project considered an "undertaking" subject to Section
106 review?
A. Any private residential renovation.
B. Any project that is a local zoning change.
C. A project or activity that is funded, permitted, or licensed by a federal
agency.
D. Any project that uses state tax incentives.
Answer: C
Rationale: The definition of an "undertaking" under Section 106 is
specifically tied to federal involvement, such as a federal permit, license, or
funding .
8. What does the Maryland Historical Trust's role as the State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) primarily involve?
A. Enforcing all local building codes.
B. Issuing building permits for new construction.
C. Reviewing projects for compliance with federal and state historic
preservation laws.
D. Providing low-interest loans to property owners.
Answer: C
Rationale: As the SHPO, the MHT administers the federal historic
preservation regulatory process, often referred to as Section 106 review, to
assist state and federal agencies in determining the effects of their actions
on historic properties .
9. According to guidelines, what is the preferred treatment for historic
windows and doors during a preservation project?
A. They should be replaced with new, energy-efficient units as a priority.
B. They should be restored and preserved, with energy efficiency
improvements added where possible.
C. They can be removed and stored for later use.
Construction Specialist Certification
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf GRADED A+
1. What is the primary purpose of a preservation easement held by the
Maryland Historical Trust (MHT)?
A. To provide public access to all historic properties.
B. To legally protect a property's historic character in perpetuity or for a set
term.
C. To allow the property owner to avoid all local building codes.
D. To transfer ownership of the property to the state.
Answer: B
Rationale: A preservation easement is a legal agreement designed to
protect a property's historic features and ensure its long-term preservation.
It is tied to the property, not the owner, meaning future owners are also
bound by its terms .
2. Which of the following best describes the standards applied to
state-funded capital projects in Maryland for historic preservation
review?
A. The Maryland Building Performance Standards.
B. The Federal Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
C. The International Existing Building Code.
,D. MHT's own internal design guidelines only.
Answer: B
Rationale: The Department of Housing and Community Development
(DHCD) and the Maryland Historical Trust apply the Secretary of the
Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation to all state-funded capital projects to
ensure that the character-defining features of a historic property are
preserved .
3. According to Maryland law, when must a person file an application
with a local historic preservation commission?
A. For any interior renovation of a building, regardless of visibility.
B. Before constructing, reconstructing, altering, or demolishing a site or
structure in a locally designated district if exterior changes are visible from
a public way.
C. Only when demolishing a building in a historic district.
D. For any change to a property, even if it's not in a designated district.
Answer: B
Rationale: Maryland Code (Land Use Article, §8-302) requires that an
application be filed with the commission for any exterior work on a site or
structure within a locally designated district that would affect its historic
significance, any portion of which is visible or intended to be visible from a
public way .
4. In reviewing an application for changes to a historic structure, a
commission is required to consider all of the following factors EXCEPT:
A. The historic, archaeological, or architectural significance of the site.
B. The relationship of exterior architectural features to the surrounding area.
C. The compatibility of proposed exterior design, scale, and materials.
D. The economic feasibility of the proposed project for the owner.
Answer: D
Rationale: While a commission may attempt to formulate an economically
,feasible plan for preservation, its formal review criteria are focused on
significance, relationship to surroundings, and compatibility of exterior
design, scale, proportion, and materials . Economic feasibility is not a
required review factor.
5. What is the significance of "Section 106" in the context of historic
preservation?
A. It is a state law that funds local preservation projects.
B. It is a federal law requiring review of projects that use federal funding or
permits for their effect on historic properties.
C. It is a building code for historic structures.
D. It is the process for nominating a property to the National Register.
Answer: B
Rationale: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires
federal agencies to consider the effects of their "undertakings" (projects
funded, permitted, or licensed by the federal government) on historic
properties. The Maryland Historical Trust, as the State Historic Preservation
Office (SHPO), reviews these projects .
6. What is an "adverse effect" finding in a Section 106 review?
A. The project has no federal involvement.
B. The project may affect historic properties but does not diminish their
significance.
C. The project is canceled.
D. The project may harm the historic characteristics and significance of a
property.
Answer: D
Rationale: An "adverse effect" means the project would diminish the
integrity of the historic property's location, design, setting, materials,
workmanship, feeling, or association. A "no adverse effect" finding means
there is an effect, but it is not harmful to the property's significance .
, 7. When is a project considered an "undertaking" subject to Section
106 review?
A. Any private residential renovation.
B. Any project that is a local zoning change.
C. A project or activity that is funded, permitted, or licensed by a federal
agency.
D. Any project that uses state tax incentives.
Answer: C
Rationale: The definition of an "undertaking" under Section 106 is
specifically tied to federal involvement, such as a federal permit, license, or
funding .
8. What does the Maryland Historical Trust's role as the State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) primarily involve?
A. Enforcing all local building codes.
B. Issuing building permits for new construction.
C. Reviewing projects for compliance with federal and state historic
preservation laws.
D. Providing low-interest loans to property owners.
Answer: C
Rationale: As the SHPO, the MHT administers the federal historic
preservation regulatory process, often referred to as Section 106 review, to
assist state and federal agencies in determining the effects of their actions
on historic properties .
9. According to guidelines, what is the preferred treatment for historic
windows and doors during a preservation project?
A. They should be replaced with new, energy-efficient units as a priority.
B. They should be restored and preserved, with energy efficiency
improvements added where possible.
C. They can be removed and stored for later use.
