1
CSLB B License General Contractor
Exam Study Guide – Expert Verified
Actual 200 Questions & Answers for
Guaranteed Pass | Newest Update,
2025-2026
1. Construction Materials and Methods
1. A "Tee-Wye" is a:
A. Plumbing fitting
B. Electrical wire
C. Type of saw
D. Type of wood
Answer: A. Plumbing fitting
Rationale: A Tee-Wye is a plumbing fitting used to connect pipes, allowing flow
in multiple directions, commonly used in drainage systems.
2. A 6x6: #10 wire mesh is typically used for:
A. Wall reinforcement
B. Slab on grade
C. Suspended ceiling
D. Roof decking
Answer: B. Slab on grade
Rationale: 6x6: #10 wire mesh is used to reinforce concrete slabs on grade to
prevent cracking and enhance structural integrity.
3. Which of the following is NOT a type of wood block flooring?
A. Parquet
B. Wood Mosaic
C. Wood Tile
D. All of the above
Answer: C. Wood Tile
Rationale: Parquet and wood mosaic are types of wood block flooring, but
"wood tile" is not a recognized term in this context.
4. Lightweight concrete is best used for:
A. Curb and Gutter
B. Second floor decking
C. First floor slab on grade
, 2
D. Footings
Answer: B. Second floor decking
Rationale: Lightweight concrete reduces structural load, making it ideal for
elevated structures like second-floor decking.
5. Before applying latex paint to oil-based paint on wood trim, you should:
A. Sand the surface lightly
B. Wash the surface with TSP
C. Apply a solvent-based primer
D. Both B and C
Answer: D. Both B and C
Rationale: Washing with TSP removes grease and ensures adhesion, while a
solvent-based primer creates a compatible surface for latex paint.
6. Bricks on a job site should be covered:
A. Only during rain
B. At the end of each workday
C. During transport only
D. Never
Answer: B. At the end of each workday
Rationale: Covering bricks at the end of each workday protects them from
weather and contamination, per standard construction practices.
7. Can you directly nail hardwood flooring to a concrete slab?
A. Yes, with concrete nails
B. No, a subfloor is required
C. Yes, with adhesive
D. No, it requires epoxy
Answer: B. No, a subfloor is required
Rationale: Hardwood flooring cannot be nailed directly to concrete; a subfloor
or adhesive is needed for proper installation.
8. The tool used to carry grout for patching a small hole is a:
A. Hawk
B. Poling board
C. Spot board
D. Mason’s scutch
Answer: A. Hawk
Rationale: A hawk is a flat tool used to hold and carry grout or mortar for small
masonry repairs.
9. Before placing tile with mastic, you should:
A. Sand the surface
B. Seal the surface
C. Apply a primer
D. Wet the surface
Answer: B. Seal the surface
Rationale: Sealing the surface ensures proper adhesion of mastic and prevents
moisture absorption.
, 3
10. Cemented soil:
A. Can be crushed with fingers
B. Cannot be crushed with fingers
C. Is classified as Type-A soil
D. Is used for structural fill
Answer: B. Cannot be crushed with fingers
Rationale: Cemented soil is highly cohesive and cannot be crushed easily,
distinguishing it from loose or granular soils.
2. Construction Safety
11. If a vendor fails to provide an MSDS, you have the right to call:
A. City Hall
B. Cal/OSHA or DOSH
C. Local fire department
D. Building inspector
Answer: B. Cal/OSHA or DOSH
Rationale: Cal/OSHA (DOSH) enforces workplace safety and requires Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for hazardous materials.
12. The most frequent on-the-job roofing accidents are:
A. Burns
B. Falls
C. Electrical shocks
D. Cuts
Answer: B. Falls
Rationale: Falls are the leading cause of roofing accidents due to working at
heights, as per Cal/OSHA statistics.
13. For safety reasons, the maximum simple slope of an excavation, up to 20 ft deep, in
Type-B soil is:
A. 1:1 (45°)
B. 2:1 (26.5°)
C. 3:1 (18.4°)
D. 4:1 (14°)
Answer: A. 1:1 (45°)
Rationale: Per OSHA and California standards, Type-B soil excavations up to
20 ft deep require a maximum slope of 1:1 for safety.
14. Beam-type platforms for suspended scaffolds must have stringers of lumber at least:
A. 2" x 4"
B. 2" x 6"
C. 2" x 8"
D. 2" x 10"
Answer: B. 2" x 6"
, 4
Rationale: OSHA standards require suspended scaffold platforms to use at least
2" x 6" lumber for adequate strength.
15. A Freon recovery system is NOT required when:
A. Recharging a small appliance
B. Replacing a burnt-out rotor in a hermetic unit
C. Overhauling a rooftop A/C unit
D. Scrapping an old refrigeration unit
Answer: A. Recharging a small appliance
Rationale: EPA regulations exempt small appliances from requiring a Freon
recovery system during recharging.
16. The minimum clearance between power lines and a scaffold is:
A. 3 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 12 feet
Answer: C. 10 feet
Rationale: Cal/OSHA requires a minimum 10-foot clearance from power lines
to prevent electrical hazards.
17. When must a guardrail be installed on a scaffold?
A. At 6 feet height
B. At 7.5 feet height
C. At 10 feet height
D. At 12 feet height
Answer: B. At 7.5 feet height
Rationale: Cal/OSHA mandates guardrails for scaffolds at 7.5 feet or higher to
prevent falls.
18. What is the minimum PPE required for handling wet concrete?
A. Gloves and safety glasses
B. Hard hat and gloves
C. Gloves, boots, and eye protection
D. Dust mask and gloves
Answer: C. Gloves, boots, and eye protection
Rationale: Wet concrete is caustic; gloves, boots, and eye protection are
required to prevent burns and irritation.
19. A trench over 5 feet deep requires:
A. A ladder only
B. Shoring or sloping
C. A permit only
D. No additional measures
Answer: B. Shoring or sloping
Rationale: OSHA and Cal/OSHA require shoring or sloping for trenches over 5
feet to prevent collapse.
20. The maximum allowable slope for a wheelchair ramp is:
A. 1:8
B. 1:10
CSLB B License General Contractor
Exam Study Guide – Expert Verified
Actual 200 Questions & Answers for
Guaranteed Pass | Newest Update,
2025-2026
1. Construction Materials and Methods
1. A "Tee-Wye" is a:
A. Plumbing fitting
B. Electrical wire
C. Type of saw
D. Type of wood
Answer: A. Plumbing fitting
Rationale: A Tee-Wye is a plumbing fitting used to connect pipes, allowing flow
in multiple directions, commonly used in drainage systems.
2. A 6x6: #10 wire mesh is typically used for:
A. Wall reinforcement
B. Slab on grade
C. Suspended ceiling
D. Roof decking
Answer: B. Slab on grade
Rationale: 6x6: #10 wire mesh is used to reinforce concrete slabs on grade to
prevent cracking and enhance structural integrity.
3. Which of the following is NOT a type of wood block flooring?
A. Parquet
B. Wood Mosaic
C. Wood Tile
D. All of the above
Answer: C. Wood Tile
Rationale: Parquet and wood mosaic are types of wood block flooring, but
"wood tile" is not a recognized term in this context.
4. Lightweight concrete is best used for:
A. Curb and Gutter
B. Second floor decking
C. First floor slab on grade
, 2
D. Footings
Answer: B. Second floor decking
Rationale: Lightweight concrete reduces structural load, making it ideal for
elevated structures like second-floor decking.
5. Before applying latex paint to oil-based paint on wood trim, you should:
A. Sand the surface lightly
B. Wash the surface with TSP
C. Apply a solvent-based primer
D. Both B and C
Answer: D. Both B and C
Rationale: Washing with TSP removes grease and ensures adhesion, while a
solvent-based primer creates a compatible surface for latex paint.
6. Bricks on a job site should be covered:
A. Only during rain
B. At the end of each workday
C. During transport only
D. Never
Answer: B. At the end of each workday
Rationale: Covering bricks at the end of each workday protects them from
weather and contamination, per standard construction practices.
7. Can you directly nail hardwood flooring to a concrete slab?
A. Yes, with concrete nails
B. No, a subfloor is required
C. Yes, with adhesive
D. No, it requires epoxy
Answer: B. No, a subfloor is required
Rationale: Hardwood flooring cannot be nailed directly to concrete; a subfloor
or adhesive is needed for proper installation.
8. The tool used to carry grout for patching a small hole is a:
A. Hawk
B. Poling board
C. Spot board
D. Mason’s scutch
Answer: A. Hawk
Rationale: A hawk is a flat tool used to hold and carry grout or mortar for small
masonry repairs.
9. Before placing tile with mastic, you should:
A. Sand the surface
B. Seal the surface
C. Apply a primer
D. Wet the surface
Answer: B. Seal the surface
Rationale: Sealing the surface ensures proper adhesion of mastic and prevents
moisture absorption.
, 3
10. Cemented soil:
A. Can be crushed with fingers
B. Cannot be crushed with fingers
C. Is classified as Type-A soil
D. Is used for structural fill
Answer: B. Cannot be crushed with fingers
Rationale: Cemented soil is highly cohesive and cannot be crushed easily,
distinguishing it from loose or granular soils.
2. Construction Safety
11. If a vendor fails to provide an MSDS, you have the right to call:
A. City Hall
B. Cal/OSHA or DOSH
C. Local fire department
D. Building inspector
Answer: B. Cal/OSHA or DOSH
Rationale: Cal/OSHA (DOSH) enforces workplace safety and requires Material
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for hazardous materials.
12. The most frequent on-the-job roofing accidents are:
A. Burns
B. Falls
C. Electrical shocks
D. Cuts
Answer: B. Falls
Rationale: Falls are the leading cause of roofing accidents due to working at
heights, as per Cal/OSHA statistics.
13. For safety reasons, the maximum simple slope of an excavation, up to 20 ft deep, in
Type-B soil is:
A. 1:1 (45°)
B. 2:1 (26.5°)
C. 3:1 (18.4°)
D. 4:1 (14°)
Answer: A. 1:1 (45°)
Rationale: Per OSHA and California standards, Type-B soil excavations up to
20 ft deep require a maximum slope of 1:1 for safety.
14. Beam-type platforms for suspended scaffolds must have stringers of lumber at least:
A. 2" x 4"
B. 2" x 6"
C. 2" x 8"
D. 2" x 10"
Answer: B. 2" x 6"
, 4
Rationale: OSHA standards require suspended scaffold platforms to use at least
2" x 6" lumber for adequate strength.
15. A Freon recovery system is NOT required when:
A. Recharging a small appliance
B. Replacing a burnt-out rotor in a hermetic unit
C. Overhauling a rooftop A/C unit
D. Scrapping an old refrigeration unit
Answer: A. Recharging a small appliance
Rationale: EPA regulations exempt small appliances from requiring a Freon
recovery system during recharging.
16. The minimum clearance between power lines and a scaffold is:
A. 3 feet
B. 6 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 12 feet
Answer: C. 10 feet
Rationale: Cal/OSHA requires a minimum 10-foot clearance from power lines
to prevent electrical hazards.
17. When must a guardrail be installed on a scaffold?
A. At 6 feet height
B. At 7.5 feet height
C. At 10 feet height
D. At 12 feet height
Answer: B. At 7.5 feet height
Rationale: Cal/OSHA mandates guardrails for scaffolds at 7.5 feet or higher to
prevent falls.
18. What is the minimum PPE required for handling wet concrete?
A. Gloves and safety glasses
B. Hard hat and gloves
C. Gloves, boots, and eye protection
D. Dust mask and gloves
Answer: C. Gloves, boots, and eye protection
Rationale: Wet concrete is caustic; gloves, boots, and eye protection are
required to prevent burns and irritation.
19. A trench over 5 feet deep requires:
A. A ladder only
B. Shoring or sloping
C. A permit only
D. No additional measures
Answer: B. Shoring or sloping
Rationale: OSHA and Cal/OSHA require shoring or sloping for trenches over 5
feet to prevent collapse.
20. The maximum allowable slope for a wheelchair ramp is:
A. 1:8
B. 1:10
