Hawaii General Building Contractor
(Class B) Examination Practice Questions
And Correct A
1. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §444-9, which of the following actions by a
licensed general building contractor would constitute a violation that could result in
license revocation or suspension?
A. Failing to include the contractor's license number on a bid proposal submitted to a
private homeowner.
B. Entering into a contract without a written agreement when the total contract price is
less than $1,000.
C. Using a subcontractor who is not licensed in Hawaii for a specialty trade, while the
general contractor holds a valid Class B license.
D. Advertising services in a phone directory without listing the contractor's license
number.
Answer: C. Using a subcontractor who is not licensed in Hawaii for a specialty trade,
while the general contractor holds a valid Class B license.
Rationale: HRS §444-9 prohibits a licensed contractor from aiding or abetting an
unlicensed person to evade licensing laws, including using an unlicensed subcontractor.
Options A, B, and D may be administrative violations but are not grounds for license
revocation under the statute; B is actually permitted for small contracts, and A/D are
advertising/contract content issues that may incur fines but not revocation.
Page 1 of 101
,2. A contractor is preparing a bid for a commercial building in Honolulu. The project
requires a 2-hour fire-resistance-rated floor assembly. According to the International
Building Code (IBC) as adopted by Hawaii, which of the following floor systems would
NOT meet the requirement without additional protection?
A. Concrete slab with a thickness of 4 inches (102 mm) over steel deck.
B. Wood joist floor with 2 layers of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on the ceiling side.
C. Steel bar joist floor with a suspended membrane ceiling providing a fire-resistance
rating of 2 hours.
D. Wood I-joist floor with a single layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on the ceiling
side.
Answer: D. Wood I-joist floor with a single layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on
the ceiling side.
Rationale: A single layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on wood I-joists typically
provides only a 1-hour rating; a 2-hour rating requires additional layers or other approved
assemblies. Options A, B, and C are recognized assemblies that can achieve a 2-hour
rating when properly designed and tested per ASTM E119 or UL listings.
Page 2 of 101
,3. In Hawaii, a general building contractor enters into a contract with a homeowner
for a remodeling project. The contract does not include a written notice of the
homeowner's right to cancel under the three-day cooling-off rule. Which of the
following is the most accurate consequence under Hawaii law?
A. The contract is voidable by the homeowner within three business days of signing.
B. The contractor is subject to a fine but the contract remains enforceable.
C. The homeowner may cancel within seven days if the contract exceeds $1,000.
D. The contract is automatically void and the contractor cannot recover any
compensation.
Answer: A. The contract is voidable by the homeowner within three business days of
signing.
Rationale: Hawaii's door-to-door sales law (HRS §481B-11) and related consumer
protection rules require a three-day right to cancel for certain home solicitation contracts;
failure to provide notice extends the cancellation period. The contract is voidable, not
automatically void, and the contractor may still recover for services if cancellation rights
are honored. Options B, C, and D misstate the remedy and timing.
4. A contractor is excavating for a foundation in a coastal area of Maui. The soil
report indicates a high water table and sandy soil. Which of the following excavation
support methods is most appropriate to prevent cave-ins and comply with OSHA
excavation standards?
A. Sloping the sides to a 1:1 ratio without further support.
B. Using trench boxes or shoring designed by a registered engineer.
C. Benching the sides with a maximum vertical height of 5 feet.
D. Dewatering the site and excavating with vertical sides without support.
Answer: B. Using trench boxes or shoring designed by a registered engineer.
Rationale: OSHA 1926 Subpart P requires that excavations in sandy soil with a high water
table be supported by engineered shoring or trench boxes because sloping and benching
are not reliable in such conditions. Option A is inadequate for sandy soil; C is incorrect
because benching is not permitted in sandy soils; D is unsafe as vertical sides require
support regardless of dewatering.
Page 3 of 101
, 5. Under Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) §16-77-33, a licensed contractor must
notify the Contractors License Board within how many days of a change in the
contractor's business address or trade name?
A. 10 days
B. 20 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Answer: C. 30 days
Rationale: HAR §16-77-33 requires written notification to the Board within 30 days of any
change in business address, trade name, or other required information. Options A, B, and
D are incorrect as they do not match the statutory timeframe.
6. A general building contractor is reviewing a set of structural plans for a new
residence in Hilo. The plans specify a 6-inch thick concrete slab-on-grade with welded
wire mesh. The contractor notices that the subgrade is expansive clay. Which of the
following modifications is most critical to prevent slab cracking?
A. Increase the slab thickness to 8 inches and add a vapor barrier.
B. Remove the expansive clay and replace with compacted gravel or use a post-tensioned
slab.
C. Add a layer of sand between the subgrade and the slab.
D. Increase the welded wire mesh to a heavier gauge.
Answer: B. Remove the expansive clay and replace with compacted gravel or use a
post-tensioned slab.
Rationale: Expansive clay can cause significant slab movement; the most effective
mitigation is to remove and replace the clay with non-expansive fill or use a post-tensioned
slab designed for expansive soils. Options A, C, and D do not address the root cause of
expansive soil movement and may not prevent cracking.
Page 4 of 101
(Class B) Examination Practice Questions
And Correct A
1. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §444-9, which of the following actions by a
licensed general building contractor would constitute a violation that could result in
license revocation or suspension?
A. Failing to include the contractor's license number on a bid proposal submitted to a
private homeowner.
B. Entering into a contract without a written agreement when the total contract price is
less than $1,000.
C. Using a subcontractor who is not licensed in Hawaii for a specialty trade, while the
general contractor holds a valid Class B license.
D. Advertising services in a phone directory without listing the contractor's license
number.
Answer: C. Using a subcontractor who is not licensed in Hawaii for a specialty trade,
while the general contractor holds a valid Class B license.
Rationale: HRS §444-9 prohibits a licensed contractor from aiding or abetting an
unlicensed person to evade licensing laws, including using an unlicensed subcontractor.
Options A, B, and D may be administrative violations but are not grounds for license
revocation under the statute; B is actually permitted for small contracts, and A/D are
advertising/contract content issues that may incur fines but not revocation.
Page 1 of 101
,2. A contractor is preparing a bid for a commercial building in Honolulu. The project
requires a 2-hour fire-resistance-rated floor assembly. According to the International
Building Code (IBC) as adopted by Hawaii, which of the following floor systems would
NOT meet the requirement without additional protection?
A. Concrete slab with a thickness of 4 inches (102 mm) over steel deck.
B. Wood joist floor with 2 layers of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on the ceiling side.
C. Steel bar joist floor with a suspended membrane ceiling providing a fire-resistance
rating of 2 hours.
D. Wood I-joist floor with a single layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on the ceiling
side.
Answer: D. Wood I-joist floor with a single layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on
the ceiling side.
Rationale: A single layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on wood I-joists typically
provides only a 1-hour rating; a 2-hour rating requires additional layers or other approved
assemblies. Options A, B, and C are recognized assemblies that can achieve a 2-hour
rating when properly designed and tested per ASTM E119 or UL listings.
Page 2 of 101
,3. In Hawaii, a general building contractor enters into a contract with a homeowner
for a remodeling project. The contract does not include a written notice of the
homeowner's right to cancel under the three-day cooling-off rule. Which of the
following is the most accurate consequence under Hawaii law?
A. The contract is voidable by the homeowner within three business days of signing.
B. The contractor is subject to a fine but the contract remains enforceable.
C. The homeowner may cancel within seven days if the contract exceeds $1,000.
D. The contract is automatically void and the contractor cannot recover any
compensation.
Answer: A. The contract is voidable by the homeowner within three business days of
signing.
Rationale: Hawaii's door-to-door sales law (HRS §481B-11) and related consumer
protection rules require a three-day right to cancel for certain home solicitation contracts;
failure to provide notice extends the cancellation period. The contract is voidable, not
automatically void, and the contractor may still recover for services if cancellation rights
are honored. Options B, C, and D misstate the remedy and timing.
4. A contractor is excavating for a foundation in a coastal area of Maui. The soil
report indicates a high water table and sandy soil. Which of the following excavation
support methods is most appropriate to prevent cave-ins and comply with OSHA
excavation standards?
A. Sloping the sides to a 1:1 ratio without further support.
B. Using trench boxes or shoring designed by a registered engineer.
C. Benching the sides with a maximum vertical height of 5 feet.
D. Dewatering the site and excavating with vertical sides without support.
Answer: B. Using trench boxes or shoring designed by a registered engineer.
Rationale: OSHA 1926 Subpart P requires that excavations in sandy soil with a high water
table be supported by engineered shoring or trench boxes because sloping and benching
are not reliable in such conditions. Option A is inadequate for sandy soil; C is incorrect
because benching is not permitted in sandy soils; D is unsafe as vertical sides require
support regardless of dewatering.
Page 3 of 101
, 5. Under Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) §16-77-33, a licensed contractor must
notify the Contractors License Board within how many days of a change in the
contractor's business address or trade name?
A. 10 days
B. 20 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Answer: C. 30 days
Rationale: HAR §16-77-33 requires written notification to the Board within 30 days of any
change in business address, trade name, or other required information. Options A, B, and
D are incorrect as they do not match the statutory timeframe.
6. A general building contractor is reviewing a set of structural plans for a new
residence in Hilo. The plans specify a 6-inch thick concrete slab-on-grade with welded
wire mesh. The contractor notices that the subgrade is expansive clay. Which of the
following modifications is most critical to prevent slab cracking?
A. Increase the slab thickness to 8 inches and add a vapor barrier.
B. Remove the expansive clay and replace with compacted gravel or use a post-tensioned
slab.
C. Add a layer of sand between the subgrade and the slab.
D. Increase the welded wire mesh to a heavier gauge.
Answer: B. Remove the expansive clay and replace with compacted gravel or use a
post-tensioned slab.
Rationale: Expansive clay can cause significant slab movement; the most effective
mitigation is to remove and replace the clay with non-expansive fill or use a post-tensioned
slab designed for expansive soils. Options A, C, and D do not address the root cause of
expansive soil movement and may not prevent cracking.
Page 4 of 101
