North Carolina Residential General Contractor Test Bank
2026 | Latest Update | Graded A+
1. A fireplace with an opening of less than 6 square feet requires a hearth depth
of _____ inches and _____ inches clearance from each side.
18.10
20.12
16.8
none of the above
2. If a construction project has footings with a slope greater than 1:12, what
potential issues could arise?
Enhanced structural integrity of the building
Improved drainage around the foundation
Uneven settling of the foundation
Increased aesthetic appeal of the structure
3. If a residential construction project in North Carolina uses unreinforced
hollow unit masonry parapet walls that are only 6 inches thick, what potential
issues could arise?
Enhanced aesthetic appeal.
Lower construction costs.
Structural failure due to insufficient thickness.
Improved insulation properties.
4. In a residential construction project, if a contractor inadvertently makes a
notch deeper than the maximum depth ratio in a beam, what potential issue
, could arise?
Improved aesthetic appeal
Compromised structural integrity
Enhanced insulation properties
Increased load capacity
5. What is the minimum bearing requirement for wood joist on bearing?
2"
1.5"
2.5"
1"
6. What is the minimum thickness of the masonry wall required between two or
more flues in the same chimney?
8 inches
6 inches
4 inches
2 inches
7. How many layers of roll roofing should be used in a valley flashing?
1
2
3
4
,8. When flashing a valley according to Roofing and Construction Estimating, the
contractor should install which of the following in the valley centerline?
2 layers of 30 pound asphalt-saturated felt
18 in wide roll roof mineral side up
18 in wide 26-gage galvanized metal
36 in wide roll roofing, 50 pound or heavier
9. At a fireplace with an opening of less than 6 square feet, the minimum
required size of the hearth extension is _____ inches at the front, and ____ inches
at the sides.
16 ..... 8
24 ..... 12
22 ..... 12
18 ..... 12
10. Where a masonry fireplace opening is less than 6 square feet, hearth
extensions shall extend at least ___ inches in front of and at least inches
beyond each side of the fireplace opening
20, 12
14, 6
16, 8
24, 12
11. A wood load-bearing stud cannot be bored more than __________% of its depth.
It cannot be notched more than __________% of its depth.
40%, 25%
, 60%, 40%
60%, 25%
40%, 40%
12. What is the maximum percentage of depth that a load bearing stud may be
notched according to North Carolina residential construction codes?
25%
50%
10%
15%
13. What is the MINIMUM nominal thickness in at least one direction for wood
framing supporting gypsum board or lath?
2"
3"
1"
4"
14. In a residential construction project, if a header measures 11 feet, what
should the builder do to comply with safety regulations?
Double the header
Use a smaller header
Leave it as is
Add additional trimmers only
2026 | Latest Update | Graded A+
1. A fireplace with an opening of less than 6 square feet requires a hearth depth
of _____ inches and _____ inches clearance from each side.
18.10
20.12
16.8
none of the above
2. If a construction project has footings with a slope greater than 1:12, what
potential issues could arise?
Enhanced structural integrity of the building
Improved drainage around the foundation
Uneven settling of the foundation
Increased aesthetic appeal of the structure
3. If a residential construction project in North Carolina uses unreinforced
hollow unit masonry parapet walls that are only 6 inches thick, what potential
issues could arise?
Enhanced aesthetic appeal.
Lower construction costs.
Structural failure due to insufficient thickness.
Improved insulation properties.
4. In a residential construction project, if a contractor inadvertently makes a
notch deeper than the maximum depth ratio in a beam, what potential issue
, could arise?
Improved aesthetic appeal
Compromised structural integrity
Enhanced insulation properties
Increased load capacity
5. What is the minimum bearing requirement for wood joist on bearing?
2"
1.5"
2.5"
1"
6. What is the minimum thickness of the masonry wall required between two or
more flues in the same chimney?
8 inches
6 inches
4 inches
2 inches
7. How many layers of roll roofing should be used in a valley flashing?
1
2
3
4
,8. When flashing a valley according to Roofing and Construction Estimating, the
contractor should install which of the following in the valley centerline?
2 layers of 30 pound asphalt-saturated felt
18 in wide roll roof mineral side up
18 in wide 26-gage galvanized metal
36 in wide roll roofing, 50 pound or heavier
9. At a fireplace with an opening of less than 6 square feet, the minimum
required size of the hearth extension is _____ inches at the front, and ____ inches
at the sides.
16 ..... 8
24 ..... 12
22 ..... 12
18 ..... 12
10. Where a masonry fireplace opening is less than 6 square feet, hearth
extensions shall extend at least ___ inches in front of and at least inches
beyond each side of the fireplace opening
20, 12
14, 6
16, 8
24, 12
11. A wood load-bearing stud cannot be bored more than __________% of its depth.
It cannot be notched more than __________% of its depth.
40%, 25%
, 60%, 40%
60%, 25%
40%, 40%
12. What is the maximum percentage of depth that a load bearing stud may be
notched according to North Carolina residential construction codes?
25%
50%
10%
15%
13. What is the MINIMUM nominal thickness in at least one direction for wood
framing supporting gypsum board or lath?
2"
3"
1"
4"
14. In a residential construction project, if a header measures 11 feet, what
should the builder do to comply with safety regulations?
Double the header
Use a smaller header
Leave it as is
Add additional trimmers only
