NEVADA CONTRACTOR C-3 CARPENTRY EXAM | ALL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
DETAILED RATIONALES | COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE |
DOWNLOAD INSTANT PDF 2027-2028
1. Which of the following wood defects is characterized by a separation of the wood fibers
generally across or through the annual growth rings, often resulting from stresses
sustained during seasoning?
A. Check
B. Shake
C. Split
D. Pitch pocket
Answer: A
A check is a lengthwise separation of the wood that usually extends across the rings of annual
growth and is caused by uneven drying stresses during the seasoning process, distinguishing it
from splits which run completely through the piece.
2. When estimating material for a gable roof with a 6-in-12 pitch and a span of 30 feet,
what is the total run for a single common rafter assuming an overhang of 16 inches on each
side?
A. 15 feet 0 inches
B. 16 feet 4 inches
C. 17 feet 8 inches
D. 18 feet 0 inches
Answer: B
The run of a common rafter is equal to half the building span plus the horizontal projection of
the overhang. Half of the 30-foot span is 15 feet (180 inches), and adding the 16-inch
horizontal overhang results in a total run of 196 inches, or 16 feet 4 inches.
3. According to standard residential building codes, what is the maximum allowable
spacing for non-load-bearing wood stud partitions when using 1/2-inch gypsum board
applied vertically as an interior finish?
,A. 12 inches on center
B. 16 inches on center
C. 24 inches on center
D. 32 inches on center
Answer: C
Standard building code provisions permit wood studs supporting 1/2-inch gypsum board
applied vertically to be spaced up to 24 inches on center, provided the framing members are
structurally adequate for the application.
4. What is the primary purpose of installing cripple studs in wood-framed wall
construction above and below window and door openings?
A. To provide direct attachment points for interior baseboards and trim
B. To transfer dead and live loads from the header down to the bottom plate
C. To maintain vertical dimensional continuity and support wall sheathing
D. To prevent the migration of moisture from the subfloor into the header assembly
Answer: C
Cripple studs fill the vertical spaces between the top plate and header or between the sill and
bottom plate, maintaining uniform stud spacing and providing essential nailing surfaces for
exterior and interior wall sheathing.
5. Which type of engineered wood product is manufactured by bonding wood veneers
together with grain running in alternating directions, providing superior dimensional
stability compared to solid sawn lumber?
A. Glue-laminated timber (Glulam)
B. Oriented strand board (OSB)
C. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL)
D. Parallel strand lumber (PSL)
Answer: C
,Laminated veneer lumber is produced by layering peeled wood veneers with adhesives in
alternating grain directions, creating a high-strength structural composite lumber product
resistant to warping and splitting.
6. When installing exterior wood siding, what is the minimum required clearance between
the bottom edge of the siding and finished grade to prevent moisture absorption and wood
decay?
A. 2 inches
B. 4 inches
C. 6 inches
D. 12 inches
Answer: C
Building codes and best practices require at least 6 inches of clearance between wood siding
and earth, or 2 inches above paved surfaces, to minimize splash-back moisture and subsequent
fungal decay.
7. Which stair component refers to the horizontal board upon which a person steps when
ascending or descending a staircase?
A. Riser
B. Stringer
C. Tread
D. Nosing
Answer: C
The tread is the horizontal running surface of a stair step, designed to support foot traffic
safely and work in conjunction with the vertical riser.
8. In roof framing terminology, what is the term for the horizontal structural member that
connects opposing common rafters to prevent the exterior walls from spreading under roof
loads?
A. Ridge board
B. Collar tie
, C. Ceiling joist
D. Purlin
Answer: B
Collar ties are horizontal framing members installed in the upper third of the attic space
connecting opposite rafters to resist outward thrust forces, whereas ceiling joists tie the lower
plate lines together.
9. What is the standard thickness tolerance for structural plywood sheathing designated
with an APA performance-rated span rating of 32/16?
A. Designed exclusively for subflooring under resilient floor tile
B. Suitable for roof sheathing up to 32 inches o.c. and subflooring up to 16 inches o.c.
C. Rated for wall applications with studs spaced 32 inches apart vertically
D. Limited to exterior applications requiring maximum moisture exposure resistance
Answer: B
The fractional span rating system on APA panels indicates the maximum recommended
support spacing in inches for roof sheathing (first number) and subflooring (second number)
under normal service conditions.
10. When constructing a post-and-beam floor system, what structural member directly
supports the floor joists and transfers loads to foundation piers or foundation walls?
A. Sole plate
B. Ribbon board
C. Girder
D. Trimmer
Answer: C
A girder is a heavy primary horizontal beam—either solid or built-up from dimensional
lumber or engineered wood—designed to carry concentrated loads from floor joists across
wide open spans.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
DETAILED RATIONALES | COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE |
DOWNLOAD INSTANT PDF 2027-2028
1. Which of the following wood defects is characterized by a separation of the wood fibers
generally across or through the annual growth rings, often resulting from stresses
sustained during seasoning?
A. Check
B. Shake
C. Split
D. Pitch pocket
Answer: A
A check is a lengthwise separation of the wood that usually extends across the rings of annual
growth and is caused by uneven drying stresses during the seasoning process, distinguishing it
from splits which run completely through the piece.
2. When estimating material for a gable roof with a 6-in-12 pitch and a span of 30 feet,
what is the total run for a single common rafter assuming an overhang of 16 inches on each
side?
A. 15 feet 0 inches
B. 16 feet 4 inches
C. 17 feet 8 inches
D. 18 feet 0 inches
Answer: B
The run of a common rafter is equal to half the building span plus the horizontal projection of
the overhang. Half of the 30-foot span is 15 feet (180 inches), and adding the 16-inch
horizontal overhang results in a total run of 196 inches, or 16 feet 4 inches.
3. According to standard residential building codes, what is the maximum allowable
spacing for non-load-bearing wood stud partitions when using 1/2-inch gypsum board
applied vertically as an interior finish?
,A. 12 inches on center
B. 16 inches on center
C. 24 inches on center
D. 32 inches on center
Answer: C
Standard building code provisions permit wood studs supporting 1/2-inch gypsum board
applied vertically to be spaced up to 24 inches on center, provided the framing members are
structurally adequate for the application.
4. What is the primary purpose of installing cripple studs in wood-framed wall
construction above and below window and door openings?
A. To provide direct attachment points for interior baseboards and trim
B. To transfer dead and live loads from the header down to the bottom plate
C. To maintain vertical dimensional continuity and support wall sheathing
D. To prevent the migration of moisture from the subfloor into the header assembly
Answer: C
Cripple studs fill the vertical spaces between the top plate and header or between the sill and
bottom plate, maintaining uniform stud spacing and providing essential nailing surfaces for
exterior and interior wall sheathing.
5. Which type of engineered wood product is manufactured by bonding wood veneers
together with grain running in alternating directions, providing superior dimensional
stability compared to solid sawn lumber?
A. Glue-laminated timber (Glulam)
B. Oriented strand board (OSB)
C. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL)
D. Parallel strand lumber (PSL)
Answer: C
,Laminated veneer lumber is produced by layering peeled wood veneers with adhesives in
alternating grain directions, creating a high-strength structural composite lumber product
resistant to warping and splitting.
6. When installing exterior wood siding, what is the minimum required clearance between
the bottom edge of the siding and finished grade to prevent moisture absorption and wood
decay?
A. 2 inches
B. 4 inches
C. 6 inches
D. 12 inches
Answer: C
Building codes and best practices require at least 6 inches of clearance between wood siding
and earth, or 2 inches above paved surfaces, to minimize splash-back moisture and subsequent
fungal decay.
7. Which stair component refers to the horizontal board upon which a person steps when
ascending or descending a staircase?
A. Riser
B. Stringer
C. Tread
D. Nosing
Answer: C
The tread is the horizontal running surface of a stair step, designed to support foot traffic
safely and work in conjunction with the vertical riser.
8. In roof framing terminology, what is the term for the horizontal structural member that
connects opposing common rafters to prevent the exterior walls from spreading under roof
loads?
A. Ridge board
B. Collar tie
, C. Ceiling joist
D. Purlin
Answer: B
Collar ties are horizontal framing members installed in the upper third of the attic space
connecting opposite rafters to resist outward thrust forces, whereas ceiling joists tie the lower
plate lines together.
9. What is the standard thickness tolerance for structural plywood sheathing designated
with an APA performance-rated span rating of 32/16?
A. Designed exclusively for subflooring under resilient floor tile
B. Suitable for roof sheathing up to 32 inches o.c. and subflooring up to 16 inches o.c.
C. Rated for wall applications with studs spaced 32 inches apart vertically
D. Limited to exterior applications requiring maximum moisture exposure resistance
Answer: B
The fractional span rating system on APA panels indicates the maximum recommended
support spacing in inches for roof sheathing (first number) and subflooring (second number)
under normal service conditions.
10. When constructing a post-and-beam floor system, what structural member directly
supports the floor joists and transfers loads to foundation piers or foundation walls?
A. Sole plate
B. Ribbon board
C. Girder
D. Trimmer
Answer: C
A girder is a heavy primary horizontal beam—either solid or built-up from dimensional
lumber or engineered wood—designed to carry concentrated loads from floor joists across
wide open spans.
