California Contractor License
Examination Painting and Decorating with
Practice Questions
1. Under California Business and Professions Code §7159, what is the maximum down
payment a painting contractor may collect before starting work on a residential
remodeling project?
A. 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less
B. 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is greater
C. $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is greater, but not to exceed $5,000
D. No down payment is permitted; payment must be made after completion
Answer: B. 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is greater
Rationale: BPC §7159 limits down payments to 10% of the contract price or $1,000,
whichever is greater, for home improvement contracts. Option A reverses the 'whichever'
clause, C adds an incorrect cap, and D is false as some down payment is allowed.
2. A specification requires a coating with a volatile organic compound (VOC) content
of less than 50 g/L for a commercial interior. Which of the following resin technologies
is most likely to meet this requirement while providing acceptable adhesion to a
previously painted alkyd surface?
A. Solvent-borne alkyd
B. Waterborne acrylic
C. Oil-based polyurethane
D. Nitrocellulose lacquer
Answer: B. Waterborne acrylic
Rationale: Waterborne acrylics can be formulated with very low VOC (<50 g/L) and
generally adhere well to properly prepared alkyd surfaces. Solvent-borne alkyd, oil-based
polyurethane, and nitrocellulose lacquer typically contain high VOC levels exceeding 50
g/L.
Page 1 of 79
,3. During surface preparation for repainting exterior wood siding, moisture content is
measured at 18%. According to industry standards, what is the maximum moisture
content generally acceptable before applying a latex primer?
A. 12%
B. 15%
C. 18%
D. 20%
Answer: B. 15%
Rationale: Most coating manufacturers recommend wood moisture content below 15% for
latex primer application to ensure proper adhesion and prevent blistering. 12% is overly
strict, while 18% and 20% are too high and risk coating failure.
4. A painting contractor is preparing a bid for a public works project in California.
Which of the following is required under Labor Code §1771.5 for contracts over
$25,000?
A. Payment of prevailing wages and submission of certified payroll records
B. A performance bond equal to 50% of the contract price
C. Use of apprentices for at least 20% of the workforce
D. A 5% bid preference for small businesses
Answer: A. Payment of prevailing wages and submission of certified payroll records
Rationale: Labor Code §1771.5 requires prevailing wage payment and certified payroll
records for public works contracts over $25,000. Performance bonds, apprentice ratios,
and bid preferences are governed by other statutes and not mandated by this section.
Page 2 of 79
,5. When estimating labor for painting a large commercial interior, which factor most
significantly affects the production rate (square feet per hour) for spraying versus
rolling?
A. Color of the coating
B. Surface porosity and texture
C. Brand of the spray equipment
D. Ambient humidity
Answer: B. Surface porosity and texture
Rationale: Surface porosity and texture greatly influence coating transfer efficiency and
coverage, impacting production rates more than color, equipment brand, or humidity.
While humidity affects drying, porosity directly determines how much material is absorbed
and how fast one can work.
6. A contractor is cited by Cal/OSHA for failing to provide respirators during spray
painting with a coating containing isocyanates. Which of the following is the most
appropriate engineering control to implement first under the hierarchy of controls?
A. Provide half-face respirators with organic vapor cartridges
B. Install a local exhaust ventilation system
C. Rotate workers to limit exposure duration
D. Conduct air monitoring to determine exposure levels
Answer: B. Install a local exhaust ventilation system
Rationale: The hierarchy of controls prioritizes engineering controls such as local exhaust
ventilation to remove airborne contaminants at the source. Respirators (A) are PPE,
rotation (C) is administrative, and monitoring (D) is assessment, not control.
Page 3 of 79
, 7. In preparing a contract for a residential repaint, which of the following clauses is
prohibited under California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) regulations?
A. A clause requiring binding arbitration for disputes
B. A clause allowing the contractor to file a mechanics lien
C. A clause waiving the homeowner's right to a 3-day right to cancel
D. A clause specifying the start and completion dates
Answer: C. A clause waiving the homeowner's right to a 3-day right to cancel
Rationale: CSLB prohibits clauses that waive the homeowner's statutory 3-day right to
cancel for home improvement contracts. Arbitration clauses are allowed if properly
disclosed, mechanics lien rights are legal, and start/completion dates are standard.
8. A specification requires a dry film thickness (DFT) of 5.0 mils for a
high-performance epoxy. The coating has a volume solids content of 65%. What wet
film thickness (WFT) should the applicator target?
A. 3.25 mils
B. 5.0 mils
C. 7.7 mils
D. 10.0 mils
Answer: C. 7.7 mils
Rationale: WFT = DFT / (volume solids fraction). 5..65 7.7 mils. Options A, B, and D
miscalculate by either multiplying or ignoring the volume solids percentage.
Page 4 of 79
Examination Painting and Decorating with
Practice Questions
1. Under California Business and Professions Code §7159, what is the maximum down
payment a painting contractor may collect before starting work on a residential
remodeling project?
A. 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less
B. 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is greater
C. $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is greater, but not to exceed $5,000
D. No down payment is permitted; payment must be made after completion
Answer: B. 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is greater
Rationale: BPC §7159 limits down payments to 10% of the contract price or $1,000,
whichever is greater, for home improvement contracts. Option A reverses the 'whichever'
clause, C adds an incorrect cap, and D is false as some down payment is allowed.
2. A specification requires a coating with a volatile organic compound (VOC) content
of less than 50 g/L for a commercial interior. Which of the following resin technologies
is most likely to meet this requirement while providing acceptable adhesion to a
previously painted alkyd surface?
A. Solvent-borne alkyd
B. Waterborne acrylic
C. Oil-based polyurethane
D. Nitrocellulose lacquer
Answer: B. Waterborne acrylic
Rationale: Waterborne acrylics can be formulated with very low VOC (<50 g/L) and
generally adhere well to properly prepared alkyd surfaces. Solvent-borne alkyd, oil-based
polyurethane, and nitrocellulose lacquer typically contain high VOC levels exceeding 50
g/L.
Page 1 of 79
,3. During surface preparation for repainting exterior wood siding, moisture content is
measured at 18%. According to industry standards, what is the maximum moisture
content generally acceptable before applying a latex primer?
A. 12%
B. 15%
C. 18%
D. 20%
Answer: B. 15%
Rationale: Most coating manufacturers recommend wood moisture content below 15% for
latex primer application to ensure proper adhesion and prevent blistering. 12% is overly
strict, while 18% and 20% are too high and risk coating failure.
4. A painting contractor is preparing a bid for a public works project in California.
Which of the following is required under Labor Code §1771.5 for contracts over
$25,000?
A. Payment of prevailing wages and submission of certified payroll records
B. A performance bond equal to 50% of the contract price
C. Use of apprentices for at least 20% of the workforce
D. A 5% bid preference for small businesses
Answer: A. Payment of prevailing wages and submission of certified payroll records
Rationale: Labor Code §1771.5 requires prevailing wage payment and certified payroll
records for public works contracts over $25,000. Performance bonds, apprentice ratios,
and bid preferences are governed by other statutes and not mandated by this section.
Page 2 of 79
,5. When estimating labor for painting a large commercial interior, which factor most
significantly affects the production rate (square feet per hour) for spraying versus
rolling?
A. Color of the coating
B. Surface porosity and texture
C. Brand of the spray equipment
D. Ambient humidity
Answer: B. Surface porosity and texture
Rationale: Surface porosity and texture greatly influence coating transfer efficiency and
coverage, impacting production rates more than color, equipment brand, or humidity.
While humidity affects drying, porosity directly determines how much material is absorbed
and how fast one can work.
6. A contractor is cited by Cal/OSHA for failing to provide respirators during spray
painting with a coating containing isocyanates. Which of the following is the most
appropriate engineering control to implement first under the hierarchy of controls?
A. Provide half-face respirators with organic vapor cartridges
B. Install a local exhaust ventilation system
C. Rotate workers to limit exposure duration
D. Conduct air monitoring to determine exposure levels
Answer: B. Install a local exhaust ventilation system
Rationale: The hierarchy of controls prioritizes engineering controls such as local exhaust
ventilation to remove airborne contaminants at the source. Respirators (A) are PPE,
rotation (C) is administrative, and monitoring (D) is assessment, not control.
Page 3 of 79
, 7. In preparing a contract for a residential repaint, which of the following clauses is
prohibited under California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) regulations?
A. A clause requiring binding arbitration for disputes
B. A clause allowing the contractor to file a mechanics lien
C. A clause waiving the homeowner's right to a 3-day right to cancel
D. A clause specifying the start and completion dates
Answer: C. A clause waiving the homeowner's right to a 3-day right to cancel
Rationale: CSLB prohibits clauses that waive the homeowner's statutory 3-day right to
cancel for home improvement contracts. Arbitration clauses are allowed if properly
disclosed, mechanics lien rights are legal, and start/completion dates are standard.
8. A specification requires a dry film thickness (DFT) of 5.0 mils for a
high-performance epoxy. The coating has a volume solids content of 65%. What wet
film thickness (WFT) should the applicator target?
A. 3.25 mils
B. 5.0 mils
C. 7.7 mils
D. 10.0 mils
Answer: C. 7.7 mils
Rationale: WFT = DFT / (volume solids fraction). 5..65 7.7 mils. Options A, B, and D
miscalculate by either multiplying or ignoring the volume solids percentage.
Page 4 of 79
