Louisiana Building Construction
Contractor Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
1. Under Louisiana licensing law, which action constitutes unlicensed contracting for a
commercial project exceeding $50,000?
A. A licensed residential contractor bidding on a commercial project without a
commercial endorsement.
B. A specialty contractor performing work outside their licensed subclass.
C. An out-of-state contractor performing work without obtaining a Louisiana license.
D. All of the above.
Answer: D. All of the above.
Rationale: Louisiana law requires a license for commercial projects over $50,000, and
performing work outside one's licensed scope or without a Louisiana license is considered
unlicensed contracting. All listed actions violate LSLBC rules. Therefore, D is correct.
2. A contractor records a lien on a private project. Which Louisiana Civil Code article
governs the time period for filing a statement of claim or privilege?
A. La. Civ. Code art. 3246
B. La. Civ. Code art. 3252
C. La. Civ. Code art. 3278
D. La. Civ. Code art. 3298
Answer: B. La. Civ. Code art. 3252
Rationale: La. Civ. Code art. 3252 establishes the requirements and time limits for
recording a statement of claim or privilege. Article 3246 defines privileges, while 3278 and
3298 address other matters. Thus, B is correct.
Page 1 of 87
,3. Under the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code, what is the minimum required
frost depth for a residential foundation in northern Louisiana?
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 30 inches
Answer: A. 12 inches
Rationale: The LUCC adopts the IRC, which specifies a minimum frost depth of 12 inches
for most of Louisiana, including northern parishes. Greater depths are required in colder
climates. Therefore, A is correct.
4. In construction estimating, which method allocates indirect costs proportionally to
direct labor hours?
A. Activity-based costing
B. Job order costing
C. Process costing
D. Standard costing
Answer: A. Activity-based costing
Rationale: Activity-based costing assigns overhead based on activities and cost drivers like
labor hours, providing more accurate indirect cost allocation. Job order and process
costing are broader systems, and standard costing sets predetermined rates. Hence, A is
correct.
Page 2 of 87
,5. Which OSHA standard mandates fall protection for construction workers on
scaffolds at heights of 10 feet or more?
A. 29 CFR 1926.451
B. 29 CFR 1926.501
C. 29 CFR 1926.1053
D. 29 CFR 1910.28
Answer: A. 29 CFR 1926.451
Rationale: 29 CFR 1926.451 specifically covers scaffold safety, including fall protection
requirements at 10 feet. 1926.501 addresses fall protection in general construction, and
1910.28 is for general industry. Thus, A is correct.
6. A contractor signs a cost-plus-fee contract. Which Louisiana law provision allows
the owner to audit the contractor's records?
A. La. R.S. 9:2781
B. La. R.S. 9:2771
C. La. R.S. 9:4801
D. La. R.S. 9:4812
Answer: B. La. R.S. 9:2771
Rationale: La. R.S. 9:2771 provides that in cost-plus contracts, the owner has the right to
audit the contractor's books and records. The other statutes address prompt payment, liens,
and surety bonds. Therefore, B is correct.
Page 3 of 87
, 7. Which type of foundation is most suitable for Louisiana's expansive clay soils to
mitigate differential movement?
A. Slab-on-grade with post-tensioning
B. Conventional spread footing
C. Pier and beam
D. Mat foundation
Answer: A. Slab-on-grade with post-tensioning
Rationale: Post-tensioned slab-on-grade is commonly used in expansive clay regions to
resist soil movement and minimize cracking. Spread footings and pier/beam may not
adequately address expansive soils without additional measures. Thus, A is correct.
8. In the critical path method (CPM), what is the effect of a two-day delay on a
non-critical activity with 5 days of float?
A. Project completion is delayed by 2 days.
B. Project completion is delayed by 0 days.
C. The activity becomes critical.
D. Float is reduced to 3 days.
Answer: B. Project completion is delayed by 0 days.
Rationale: Because the activity has 5 days of float, a 2-day delay consumes part of the float
but does not affect the project completion date. The activity does not become critical, and
float is reduced to 3 days. Therefore, B is correct.
Page 4 of 87
Contractor Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
1. Under Louisiana licensing law, which action constitutes unlicensed contracting for a
commercial project exceeding $50,000?
A. A licensed residential contractor bidding on a commercial project without a
commercial endorsement.
B. A specialty contractor performing work outside their licensed subclass.
C. An out-of-state contractor performing work without obtaining a Louisiana license.
D. All of the above.
Answer: D. All of the above.
Rationale: Louisiana law requires a license for commercial projects over $50,000, and
performing work outside one's licensed scope or without a Louisiana license is considered
unlicensed contracting. All listed actions violate LSLBC rules. Therefore, D is correct.
2. A contractor records a lien on a private project. Which Louisiana Civil Code article
governs the time period for filing a statement of claim or privilege?
A. La. Civ. Code art. 3246
B. La. Civ. Code art. 3252
C. La. Civ. Code art. 3278
D. La. Civ. Code art. 3298
Answer: B. La. Civ. Code art. 3252
Rationale: La. Civ. Code art. 3252 establishes the requirements and time limits for
recording a statement of claim or privilege. Article 3246 defines privileges, while 3278 and
3298 address other matters. Thus, B is correct.
Page 1 of 87
,3. Under the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code, what is the minimum required
frost depth for a residential foundation in northern Louisiana?
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 30 inches
Answer: A. 12 inches
Rationale: The LUCC adopts the IRC, which specifies a minimum frost depth of 12 inches
for most of Louisiana, including northern parishes. Greater depths are required in colder
climates. Therefore, A is correct.
4. In construction estimating, which method allocates indirect costs proportionally to
direct labor hours?
A. Activity-based costing
B. Job order costing
C. Process costing
D. Standard costing
Answer: A. Activity-based costing
Rationale: Activity-based costing assigns overhead based on activities and cost drivers like
labor hours, providing more accurate indirect cost allocation. Job order and process
costing are broader systems, and standard costing sets predetermined rates. Hence, A is
correct.
Page 2 of 87
,5. Which OSHA standard mandates fall protection for construction workers on
scaffolds at heights of 10 feet or more?
A. 29 CFR 1926.451
B. 29 CFR 1926.501
C. 29 CFR 1926.1053
D. 29 CFR 1910.28
Answer: A. 29 CFR 1926.451
Rationale: 29 CFR 1926.451 specifically covers scaffold safety, including fall protection
requirements at 10 feet. 1926.501 addresses fall protection in general construction, and
1910.28 is for general industry. Thus, A is correct.
6. A contractor signs a cost-plus-fee contract. Which Louisiana law provision allows
the owner to audit the contractor's records?
A. La. R.S. 9:2781
B. La. R.S. 9:2771
C. La. R.S. 9:4801
D. La. R.S. 9:4812
Answer: B. La. R.S. 9:2771
Rationale: La. R.S. 9:2771 provides that in cost-plus contracts, the owner has the right to
audit the contractor's books and records. The other statutes address prompt payment, liens,
and surety bonds. Therefore, B is correct.
Page 3 of 87
, 7. Which type of foundation is most suitable for Louisiana's expansive clay soils to
mitigate differential movement?
A. Slab-on-grade with post-tensioning
B. Conventional spread footing
C. Pier and beam
D. Mat foundation
Answer: A. Slab-on-grade with post-tensioning
Rationale: Post-tensioned slab-on-grade is commonly used in expansive clay regions to
resist soil movement and minimize cracking. Spread footings and pier/beam may not
adequately address expansive soils without additional measures. Thus, A is correct.
8. In the critical path method (CPM), what is the effect of a two-day delay on a
non-critical activity with 5 days of float?
A. Project completion is delayed by 2 days.
B. Project completion is delayed by 0 days.
C. The activity becomes critical.
D. Float is reduced to 3 days.
Answer: B. Project completion is delayed by 0 days.
Rationale: Because the activity has 5 days of float, a 2-day delay consumes part of the float
but does not affect the project completion date. The activity does not become critical, and
float is reduced to 3 days. Therefore, B is correct.
Page 4 of 87
