South Carolina Preservation Planner
Certification License Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A primary goal of historic preservation planning in South Carolina is to:
A. Maximize private development opportunities in all zones
B. Prioritize demolition of older structures for new construction
C. Retain and protect the cultural and architectural heritage of
communities
D. Limit public access to historic places
Rationale: The core objective of preservation planning is
safeguarding cultural and architectural resources for current and
future generations.
2. A local historic district ordinance primarily provides:
A. Financial incentives for demolition
B. A process to expedite redevelopment
C. Design review standards to guide changes to historic properties
D. Exemptions from all building codes
Rationale: These ordinances regulate alterations to ensure
compatibility with historic character.
,3. Which federal law established the National Register of Historic Places?
A. Antiquities Act
B. National Environmental Policy Act
C. National Historic Preservation Act
D. Historic Sites Act
Rationale: The NHPA of 1966 created the National Register as part of
a national preservation framework.
4. Under the South Carolina Historic Preservation Act, properties must
generally be at least how old to be considered historic?
A. 25 years
B. 40 years
C. 50 years
D. 75 years
Rationale: South Carolina state law typically uses 75 years as the age
guideline for historic significance.
5. A contributing resource within a historic district is defined as:
A. A feature unrelated to district history
B. A building constructed in the last decade
C. An element that adds to the district’s historic significance
D. Any vacant lot
Rationale: Contributing resources support a district’s overall
historical integrity.
6. Section 106 review applies to:
A. Private construction with no public funds
B. Demolition of any building
C. Projects with federal involvement affecting historic properties
D. Zoning board decisions
Rationale: Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider effects
on historic places.
, 7. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are used
to:
A. Determine tax liability
B. Assess engineering compliance
C. Guide rehabilitation of historic buildings sensitively
D. Promote modern additions exclusively
Rationale: These standards provide criteria for preserving character-
defining features while allowing reuse.
8. A cultural landscape in preservation planning refers to:
A. Only natural parks
B. Solely archaeological sites
C. Landscapes impacted by industry
D. Geographic areas shaped by people and historic processes
Rationale: Cultural landscapes reflect the interaction between
humans and their environment.
9. The Historic Preservation Tax Credit in South Carolina encourages:
A. Demolition of historic buildings
B. Free market valuation only
C. Tax penalties for restorations
D. Rehabilitation of historic commercial and residential structures
Rationale: Tax credits offset costs to encourage preservation
investment.
10. In preservation planning, adaptive reuse means:
A. Abandoning a historic building
B. Returning a building to its original use only
C. Replacing historic fabric with modern materials
D. Repurposing a historic structure for a new use
Rationale: Adaptive reuse extends the life of historic resources by
accommodating new functions.
Certification License Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A primary goal of historic preservation planning in South Carolina is to:
A. Maximize private development opportunities in all zones
B. Prioritize demolition of older structures for new construction
C. Retain and protect the cultural and architectural heritage of
communities
D. Limit public access to historic places
Rationale: The core objective of preservation planning is
safeguarding cultural and architectural resources for current and
future generations.
2. A local historic district ordinance primarily provides:
A. Financial incentives for demolition
B. A process to expedite redevelopment
C. Design review standards to guide changes to historic properties
D. Exemptions from all building codes
Rationale: These ordinances regulate alterations to ensure
compatibility with historic character.
,3. Which federal law established the National Register of Historic Places?
A. Antiquities Act
B. National Environmental Policy Act
C. National Historic Preservation Act
D. Historic Sites Act
Rationale: The NHPA of 1966 created the National Register as part of
a national preservation framework.
4. Under the South Carolina Historic Preservation Act, properties must
generally be at least how old to be considered historic?
A. 25 years
B. 40 years
C. 50 years
D. 75 years
Rationale: South Carolina state law typically uses 75 years as the age
guideline for historic significance.
5. A contributing resource within a historic district is defined as:
A. A feature unrelated to district history
B. A building constructed in the last decade
C. An element that adds to the district’s historic significance
D. Any vacant lot
Rationale: Contributing resources support a district’s overall
historical integrity.
6. Section 106 review applies to:
A. Private construction with no public funds
B. Demolition of any building
C. Projects with federal involvement affecting historic properties
D. Zoning board decisions
Rationale: Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider effects
on historic places.
, 7. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are used
to:
A. Determine tax liability
B. Assess engineering compliance
C. Guide rehabilitation of historic buildings sensitively
D. Promote modern additions exclusively
Rationale: These standards provide criteria for preserving character-
defining features while allowing reuse.
8. A cultural landscape in preservation planning refers to:
A. Only natural parks
B. Solely archaeological sites
C. Landscapes impacted by industry
D. Geographic areas shaped by people and historic processes
Rationale: Cultural landscapes reflect the interaction between
humans and their environment.
9. The Historic Preservation Tax Credit in South Carolina encourages:
A. Demolition of historic buildings
B. Free market valuation only
C. Tax penalties for restorations
D. Rehabilitation of historic commercial and residential structures
Rationale: Tax credits offset costs to encourage preservation
investment.
10. In preservation planning, adaptive reuse means:
A. Abandoning a historic building
B. Returning a building to its original use only
C. Replacing historic fabric with modern materials
D. Repurposing a historic structure for a new use
Rationale: Adaptive reuse extends the life of historic resources by
accommodating new functions.
