North Carolina HVAC Contractor Exam 2026 – 190 Practice
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales, HVAC Systems,
Installation, Service, Mechanical Codes, Safety & Contractor
Licensing
SECTION 1: NC LICENSING LAWS, RULES, AND BOARD REQUIREMENTS (Questions 1–38)
Question 1
Under North Carolina licensing rules, an applicant for a heating examination must establish
how many years of full-time experience in installation, maintenance, service, or repair of
heating systems?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Four years
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NCAC 50.0306(b) requires two years of full-time experience for heating
contractor examination applicants, with up to half obtainable through academic training .
Question 2
A technician applicant for a Heating Group No. 1 Class I technician license must document
how many hours of full-time experience?
A. 1,500 hours
B. 2,000 hours
C. 2,500 hours
,D. 3,000 hours
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: NCAC 50.0306(i) mandates 3,000 hours of full-time experience for plumbing or
heating Class I technician applicants .
Question 3
An HVAC contractor is preparing to install a replacement furnace in an existing residential
structure. According to North Carolina rules, what is the minimum load calculation
requirement?
A. A room-by-room load calculation is required
B. A whole-house block load calculation is required
C. No load calculation is required for replacements
D. Only a Manual S calculation is required
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NCAC 50.0505(f) requires a minimum whole-house block load calculation when
replacing a furnace, condenser, package unit, or air handler in existing residential systems .
Question 4
Which license group is required for installation or replacement of a furnace, air handler, heat
pump, or ductwork in a system of 15 tons or less?
A. Heating Group No. 1
B. Heating Group No. 2
C. Heating Group No. 3
,D. Refrigeration Group No. 1
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: NCAC 50.0508(a) specifies Heating Group No. 3 for furnace, air handler, heat
pump, package unit, ductwork, or condenser installation in systems 15 tons or less .
Question 5
A licensed HVAC contractor is supervising an installation. According to 21 NCAC 50.0505,
general supervision requires what specific action?
A. Daily on-site presence by the licensee
B. Review of work performed pursuant to the license while work is in progress
C. Post-installation inspection only
D. Written approval from the Board before work begins
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: General supervision requires that a licensee review work performed under the
license while the work is in progress to ensure workmanlike and code-compliant installation .
Question 6
What is the maximum allowable temperature differential for a newly installed residential
heating or air conditioning system according to North Carolina rules?
A. 2 degrees Fahrenheit room-to-room and floor-to-floor
B. 3 degrees Fahrenheit room-to-room and floor-to-floor
C. 4 degrees Fahrenheit room-to-room and floor-to-floor
D. 6 degrees Fahrenheit room-to-room and floor-to-floor
, Correct Answer: C
Explanation: NCAC 50.0505(d) mandates a maximum 4°F room-to-room and floor-to-floor
temperature differential for newly installed residential systems .
Question 7
For multilevel residential structures, what does North Carolina require regarding
temperature control?
A. Manual dampers are acceptable for seasonal adjustment
B. A separate HVAC system or automatically controlled zoning equipment for each level
C. A single system with oversized capacity
D. No specific requirements for multilevel structures
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Contractors must provide either a separate HVAC system or automatically
controlled zoning equipment with individual thermostats for each level .
Question 8
An applicant holds an active Heating Technician Class I license and now seeks a Heating
Contractor Class I license in the same category. Which examination portion must they pass?
A. Both technical and business/law portions
B. Only the technical portion
C. Only the business portion
D. No examination is required
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales, HVAC Systems,
Installation, Service, Mechanical Codes, Safety & Contractor
Licensing
SECTION 1: NC LICENSING LAWS, RULES, AND BOARD REQUIREMENTS (Questions 1–38)
Question 1
Under North Carolina licensing rules, an applicant for a heating examination must establish
how many years of full-time experience in installation, maintenance, service, or repair of
heating systems?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Four years
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NCAC 50.0306(b) requires two years of full-time experience for heating
contractor examination applicants, with up to half obtainable through academic training .
Question 2
A technician applicant for a Heating Group No. 1 Class I technician license must document
how many hours of full-time experience?
A. 1,500 hours
B. 2,000 hours
C. 2,500 hours
,D. 3,000 hours
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: NCAC 50.0306(i) mandates 3,000 hours of full-time experience for plumbing or
heating Class I technician applicants .
Question 3
An HVAC contractor is preparing to install a replacement furnace in an existing residential
structure. According to North Carolina rules, what is the minimum load calculation
requirement?
A. A room-by-room load calculation is required
B. A whole-house block load calculation is required
C. No load calculation is required for replacements
D. Only a Manual S calculation is required
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: NCAC 50.0505(f) requires a minimum whole-house block load calculation when
replacing a furnace, condenser, package unit, or air handler in existing residential systems .
Question 4
Which license group is required for installation or replacement of a furnace, air handler, heat
pump, or ductwork in a system of 15 tons or less?
A. Heating Group No. 1
B. Heating Group No. 2
C. Heating Group No. 3
,D. Refrigeration Group No. 1
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: NCAC 50.0508(a) specifies Heating Group No. 3 for furnace, air handler, heat
pump, package unit, ductwork, or condenser installation in systems 15 tons or less .
Question 5
A licensed HVAC contractor is supervising an installation. According to 21 NCAC 50.0505,
general supervision requires what specific action?
A. Daily on-site presence by the licensee
B. Review of work performed pursuant to the license while work is in progress
C. Post-installation inspection only
D. Written approval from the Board before work begins
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: General supervision requires that a licensee review work performed under the
license while the work is in progress to ensure workmanlike and code-compliant installation .
Question 6
What is the maximum allowable temperature differential for a newly installed residential
heating or air conditioning system according to North Carolina rules?
A. 2 degrees Fahrenheit room-to-room and floor-to-floor
B. 3 degrees Fahrenheit room-to-room and floor-to-floor
C. 4 degrees Fahrenheit room-to-room and floor-to-floor
D. 6 degrees Fahrenheit room-to-room and floor-to-floor
, Correct Answer: C
Explanation: NCAC 50.0505(d) mandates a maximum 4°F room-to-room and floor-to-floor
temperature differential for newly installed residential systems .
Question 7
For multilevel residential structures, what does North Carolina require regarding
temperature control?
A. Manual dampers are acceptable for seasonal adjustment
B. A separate HVAC system or automatically controlled zoning equipment for each level
C. A single system with oversized capacity
D. No specific requirements for multilevel structures
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Contractors must provide either a separate HVAC system or automatically
controlled zoning equipment with individual thermostats for each level .
Question 8
An applicant holds an active Heating Technician Class I license and now seeks a Heating
Contractor Class I license in the same category. Which examination portion must they pass?
A. Both technical and business/law portions
B. Only the technical portion
C. Only the business portion
D. No examination is required
