RESIDENTIAL BUILDING
CONTRACTOR PRACTICE EXAM
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% PASS.
Header joist span - ANS When the header joist span does not exceed 4 ft, the header joist
may be a single member of the same size as the floor joist.
Masonry chimney foundation thickness - ANS Foundations for masonry chimneys shall be
constructed of concrete or solid masonry at least 9 in thick.
Notching of floor framing members - ANS For floor framing, the tension side of members of 2
in or greater in nominal thickness shall not be notched except at the end of the members.
Concrete slab-on-grade minimum thickness - ANS Concrete slab-on-grade floors shall be a
minimum of 4 1/2 in thick.
Hearth extension dimensions for fireplaces - ANS On fireplace openings larger than 6 square
feet, hearth extensions shall extend at least 20 in in front and at least 12 in beyond each side of
the fireplace opening.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Ceiling R-value in climate zone 6 - ANS Ceiling R-values in climate zone 6 shall be a minimum
of R-49.
Designated climate zone for Dallas County, Texas - ANS The designated climate zone for
Dallas County, Texas is 3A.
Bottom plate to stud fastening - ANS Bottom plate to stud toe-nail fastening shall use 4 8d
common nails.
Nonabsorbent surface height for showers - ANS Showers and bathtubs with installed shower
heads shall be finished with a nonabsorbent surface that shall extend to a height of not less
than 6 ft above the floor.
Insulation thermal resistance in wall cavities - ANS Cavities within corners and headers of
frame wall shall be insulated by completely filling cavity with a material having a thermal
resistance of not less than R-3 per inch.
Fire separation distance for exterior walls - ANS Exterior walls with a fire separation distance
less than 5 ft shall have not less than one-hour fire-resistive rating with exposure from both
sides.
Load bearing wall - ANS A wall supporting any vertical load in addition to its own weight is a
Load Bearing Wall.
Air space clearance for masonry chimneys - ANS Any portion of a masonry chimney located
on the exterior of a building or within an exterior wall shall have a minimum air space clearance
to combustibles of 2 in.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Anchor bolt spacing - ANS Anchor bolts shall be spaced a maximum of 6 ft on center and no
further than 12 in from each corner.
Authority to establish refund policy - ANS The Building Official has the authority to establish a
refund policy in a building department.
Programmable thermostats cooling setpoint - ANS Required programmable thermostats for
residential homes shall be programmed from the manufacturer to maintain a cooling
temperature setpoint of not less than 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Permits for retaining walls - ANS Permits are not required for retaining walls that are not over
4 ft in height unless supporting a surcharge.
Smoke alarms locations - ANS Smoke alarms shall be required near each cooking location, in
each sleeping room, in attics, and in concealed locations.
Fasteners for asphalt shingles - ANS Asphalt shingles shall be secured to the roof with not less
than 4 fasteners per strip shingle.
Concrete forming system - ANS A concrete forming system using stay-in-place forms of rigid
foam plastic insulation, a hybrid of cement and foam insulation, a hybrid of cement and wood
chips, or other insulating material for constructing cast-in-place concrete walls is called
Insulating concrete form.
Air space for stone veneer - ANS Stone or masonry veneer with wood stud backing with
metal strand wire shall be separated from sheathing by an air space of a minimum of 1 in but
not more than 4 1/2 in.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
CONTRACTOR PRACTICE EXAM
2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
100% PASS.
Header joist span - ANS When the header joist span does not exceed 4 ft, the header joist
may be a single member of the same size as the floor joist.
Masonry chimney foundation thickness - ANS Foundations for masonry chimneys shall be
constructed of concrete or solid masonry at least 9 in thick.
Notching of floor framing members - ANS For floor framing, the tension side of members of 2
in or greater in nominal thickness shall not be notched except at the end of the members.
Concrete slab-on-grade minimum thickness - ANS Concrete slab-on-grade floors shall be a
minimum of 4 1/2 in thick.
Hearth extension dimensions for fireplaces - ANS On fireplace openings larger than 6 square
feet, hearth extensions shall extend at least 20 in in front and at least 12 in beyond each side of
the fireplace opening.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,Ceiling R-value in climate zone 6 - ANS Ceiling R-values in climate zone 6 shall be a minimum
of R-49.
Designated climate zone for Dallas County, Texas - ANS The designated climate zone for
Dallas County, Texas is 3A.
Bottom plate to stud fastening - ANS Bottom plate to stud toe-nail fastening shall use 4 8d
common nails.
Nonabsorbent surface height for showers - ANS Showers and bathtubs with installed shower
heads shall be finished with a nonabsorbent surface that shall extend to a height of not less
than 6 ft above the floor.
Insulation thermal resistance in wall cavities - ANS Cavities within corners and headers of
frame wall shall be insulated by completely filling cavity with a material having a thermal
resistance of not less than R-3 per inch.
Fire separation distance for exterior walls - ANS Exterior walls with a fire separation distance
less than 5 ft shall have not less than one-hour fire-resistive rating with exposure from both
sides.
Load bearing wall - ANS A wall supporting any vertical load in addition to its own weight is a
Load Bearing Wall.
Air space clearance for masonry chimneys - ANS Any portion of a masonry chimney located
on the exterior of a building or within an exterior wall shall have a minimum air space clearance
to combustibles of 2 in.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Anchor bolt spacing - ANS Anchor bolts shall be spaced a maximum of 6 ft on center and no
further than 12 in from each corner.
Authority to establish refund policy - ANS The Building Official has the authority to establish a
refund policy in a building department.
Programmable thermostats cooling setpoint - ANS Required programmable thermostats for
residential homes shall be programmed from the manufacturer to maintain a cooling
temperature setpoint of not less than 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Permits for retaining walls - ANS Permits are not required for retaining walls that are not over
4 ft in height unless supporting a surcharge.
Smoke alarms locations - ANS Smoke alarms shall be required near each cooking location, in
each sleeping room, in attics, and in concealed locations.
Fasteners for asphalt shingles - ANS Asphalt shingles shall be secured to the roof with not less
than 4 fasteners per strip shingle.
Concrete forming system - ANS A concrete forming system using stay-in-place forms of rigid
foam plastic insulation, a hybrid of cement and foam insulation, a hybrid of cement and wood
chips, or other insulating material for constructing cast-in-place concrete walls is called
Insulating concrete form.
Air space for stone veneer - ANS Stone or masonry veneer with wood stud backing with
metal strand wire shall be separated from sheathing by an air space of a minimum of 1 in but
not more than 4 1/2 in.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
