MICHIGAN ROOFING CORE EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<RECENT VERSION>
Category 1: Safety Regulations (OSHA & MIOSHA)
1. What is the minimum height at which fall protection is required for workers on a residential
roof?
A. 4 feet
B. 6 feet ✓
C. 10 feet
D. 15 feet
Answer: For most construction activities, including roofing, OSHA and MIOSHA require fall
protection at 6 feet or more above a lower level.
2. Which of the following is an example of a passive fall protection system?
A. Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)
B. Safety Monitor System
C. Guardrail System ✓
D. Positioning Device System
Answer: Guardrails are considered passive because they provide protection without any action
required by the worker.
3. A competent person in safety is defined as someone who:
A. Has been employed the longest.
B. Can identify hazards and has the authority to correct them. ✓
C. Has never had a safety violation.
D. Is a licensed safety professional.
,Answer: OSHA defines a competent person as one who is capable of identifying existing and
predictable hazards and has authorization to take prompt corrective measures.
4. The primary purpose of a toe board on a scaffold is to:
A. Provide a comfortable place to stand.
B. Prevent tools and materials from falling to a lower level. ✓
C. Increase the working height of the scaffold.
D. Secure the scaffold to the building.
Answer: Toe boards are a critical component for preventing objects from being kicked or
knocked off the scaffold platform, protecting workers below.
5. What type of fire extinguisher is required for most roofing-related fires (e.g., from hot
work)?
A. Class A (ordinary combustibles)
B. Class B (flammable liquids) ✓
C. Class C (electrical equipment)
D. Class D (combustible metals)
Answer: Roofing involves flammable materials like asphalt, tar, and solvents, which are Class B
flammables. A multipurpose ABC extinguisher is often recommended.
6. When using a pneumatic nailer, what is a critical safety practice?
A. Always point it at another worker to get their attention.
B. Keep the safety trigger engaged when not in immediate use. ✓
C. Use the lightest gauge nails possible.
D. Disconnect the air hose by pulling on the cord.
Answer: Engaging the safety trigger or mechanism prevents the nailer from discharging
accidentally, reducing the risk of injury.
7. According to ladder safety standards, the ladder should extend at least ____ above the
landing surface.
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet ✓
D. 4 feet
Answer: A *3-foot* extension provides a secure handhold for workers climbing onto and off of
the ladder.
8. The "Danger Zone" around a crane is typically defined as:
A. The area where the crane is parked.
B. The area directly under the load and the crane's swing radius. ✓
,C. The operator's cab.
D. The entire job site.
Answer: The area under the load and within the swing radius is where a load failure or swing
would be most dangerous to personnel.
9. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS) provides information on:
A. The cost of roofing materials.
B. The warranty details of a product.
C. The hazardous properties of a chemical and safe handling procedures. ✓
D. The installation instructions for shingles.
Answer: An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is a standardized document that details the hazards,
composition, and safe use of a chemical product.
10. The minimum width of a scaffold platform must be at least:
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches ✓
C. 24 inches
D. 36 inches
Answer: OSHA standards require a minimum platform width of 18 inches for most scaffolds.
Category 2: Roofing Materials and Properties
11. The primary purpose of roofing underlayment is to:
A. Provide the final aesthetic appearance.
B. Provide a secondary water-shedding barrier. ✓
C. Increase the R-value of the roof.
D. Serve as the primary structural deck.
Answer: Underlayment (e.g., felt, synthetic) is a critical component installed directly on the deck
to provide temporary protection from water ingress before the primary roofing is installed.
12. What is the standard exposure for a typical 3-tab asphalt shingle?
A. 4 inches
B. 5 inches
C. 6 inches ✓
D. 12 inches
*Answer: A standard 3-tab shingle is 36 inches long, and each tab has a standard* *5-inch
exposure*, but the top course is covered by 6 inches, leaving 6 inches of each tab exposed to the
weather.
, 13. A "square" in roofing terminology is equal to:
A. 10 square feet
B. 100 square feet ✓
C. 1,000 square feet
D. The area of one shingle bundle
Answer: One roofing square equals 100 square feet. It is the standard unit of measurement for
ordering materials.
14. Ice and water shield is typically made from:
A. Non-woven polyester.
B. Rubberized asphalt with an adhesive backing. ✓
C. Fiberglass mat.
D. Plastic sheeting.
Answer: Ice and water shield is a self-adhering, rubberized asphalt membrane that seals around
fasteners and provides critical protection in vulnerable areas.
15. The main function of roof flashing is to:
A. Decorate the roof edges.
B. Provide ventilation.
C. Prevent water leakage at intersections and protrusions. ✓
D. Strengthen the roof trusses.
Answer: Flashing is a sheet metal or other material used to direct water away from critical areas
like walls, chimneys, and valleys.
16. Which type of shingle is characterized by its dimensional appearance and multiple layers?
A. 3-tab shingles
B. Architectural or dimensional shingles ✓
C. T-lock shingles
D. Roll roofing
Answer: Architectural shingles *are laminated, creating a multi-dimensional, shadow-line effect
that is more durable and aesthetically pleasing than 3-tab.*
17. The minimum slope required for the installation of standard asphalt shingles, as per most
manufacturers, is:
A. 2:12 ✓
B. 4:12
C. 6:12
D. 12:12
STUDY GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<RECENT VERSION>
Category 1: Safety Regulations (OSHA & MIOSHA)
1. What is the minimum height at which fall protection is required for workers on a residential
roof?
A. 4 feet
B. 6 feet ✓
C. 10 feet
D. 15 feet
Answer: For most construction activities, including roofing, OSHA and MIOSHA require fall
protection at 6 feet or more above a lower level.
2. Which of the following is an example of a passive fall protection system?
A. Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)
B. Safety Monitor System
C. Guardrail System ✓
D. Positioning Device System
Answer: Guardrails are considered passive because they provide protection without any action
required by the worker.
3. A competent person in safety is defined as someone who:
A. Has been employed the longest.
B. Can identify hazards and has the authority to correct them. ✓
C. Has never had a safety violation.
D. Is a licensed safety professional.
,Answer: OSHA defines a competent person as one who is capable of identifying existing and
predictable hazards and has authorization to take prompt corrective measures.
4. The primary purpose of a toe board on a scaffold is to:
A. Provide a comfortable place to stand.
B. Prevent tools and materials from falling to a lower level. ✓
C. Increase the working height of the scaffold.
D. Secure the scaffold to the building.
Answer: Toe boards are a critical component for preventing objects from being kicked or
knocked off the scaffold platform, protecting workers below.
5. What type of fire extinguisher is required for most roofing-related fires (e.g., from hot
work)?
A. Class A (ordinary combustibles)
B. Class B (flammable liquids) ✓
C. Class C (electrical equipment)
D. Class D (combustible metals)
Answer: Roofing involves flammable materials like asphalt, tar, and solvents, which are Class B
flammables. A multipurpose ABC extinguisher is often recommended.
6. When using a pneumatic nailer, what is a critical safety practice?
A. Always point it at another worker to get their attention.
B. Keep the safety trigger engaged when not in immediate use. ✓
C. Use the lightest gauge nails possible.
D. Disconnect the air hose by pulling on the cord.
Answer: Engaging the safety trigger or mechanism prevents the nailer from discharging
accidentally, reducing the risk of injury.
7. According to ladder safety standards, the ladder should extend at least ____ above the
landing surface.
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet ✓
D. 4 feet
Answer: A *3-foot* extension provides a secure handhold for workers climbing onto and off of
the ladder.
8. The "Danger Zone" around a crane is typically defined as:
A. The area where the crane is parked.
B. The area directly under the load and the crane's swing radius. ✓
,C. The operator's cab.
D. The entire job site.
Answer: The area under the load and within the swing radius is where a load failure or swing
would be most dangerous to personnel.
9. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS) provides information on:
A. The cost of roofing materials.
B. The warranty details of a product.
C. The hazardous properties of a chemical and safe handling procedures. ✓
D. The installation instructions for shingles.
Answer: An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is a standardized document that details the hazards,
composition, and safe use of a chemical product.
10. The minimum width of a scaffold platform must be at least:
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches ✓
C. 24 inches
D. 36 inches
Answer: OSHA standards require a minimum platform width of 18 inches for most scaffolds.
Category 2: Roofing Materials and Properties
11. The primary purpose of roofing underlayment is to:
A. Provide the final aesthetic appearance.
B. Provide a secondary water-shedding barrier. ✓
C. Increase the R-value of the roof.
D. Serve as the primary structural deck.
Answer: Underlayment (e.g., felt, synthetic) is a critical component installed directly on the deck
to provide temporary protection from water ingress before the primary roofing is installed.
12. What is the standard exposure for a typical 3-tab asphalt shingle?
A. 4 inches
B. 5 inches
C. 6 inches ✓
D. 12 inches
*Answer: A standard 3-tab shingle is 36 inches long, and each tab has a standard* *5-inch
exposure*, but the top course is covered by 6 inches, leaving 6 inches of each tab exposed to the
weather.
, 13. A "square" in roofing terminology is equal to:
A. 10 square feet
B. 100 square feet ✓
C. 1,000 square feet
D. The area of one shingle bundle
Answer: One roofing square equals 100 square feet. It is the standard unit of measurement for
ordering materials.
14. Ice and water shield is typically made from:
A. Non-woven polyester.
B. Rubberized asphalt with an adhesive backing. ✓
C. Fiberglass mat.
D. Plastic sheeting.
Answer: Ice and water shield is a self-adhering, rubberized asphalt membrane that seals around
fasteners and provides critical protection in vulnerable areas.
15. The main function of roof flashing is to:
A. Decorate the roof edges.
B. Provide ventilation.
C. Prevent water leakage at intersections and protrusions. ✓
D. Strengthen the roof trusses.
Answer: Flashing is a sheet metal or other material used to direct water away from critical areas
like walls, chimneys, and valleys.
16. Which type of shingle is characterized by its dimensional appearance and multiple layers?
A. 3-tab shingles
B. Architectural or dimensional shingles ✓
C. T-lock shingles
D. Roll roofing
Answer: Architectural shingles *are laminated, creating a multi-dimensional, shadow-line effect
that is more durable and aesthetically pleasing than 3-tab.*
17. The minimum slope required for the installation of standard asphalt shingles, as per most
manufacturers, is:
A. 2:12 ✓
B. 4:12
C. 6:12
D. 12:12
