Illinois Roofing Exam Study Guide | Complete
Question Bank with Actual Exam Questions,
Verified Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales|
Latest Update 2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
Question 1
Which organization sets safety standards for exposure of roofing employees to
asbestos?
A. FDA
B. EPA
C. CDC
D. OSHA
Answer: D
Rationale: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets safety
standards for workplace exposure to asbestos, including permissible exposure
limits (PELs) and requirements for employee protection.
Question 2
True or false: inadequate ventilation in a steep-slope system may lead to
condensation on top of the roof deck.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Rationale: Inadequate ventilation in a steep-slope system typically leads to
condensation on the underside of the roof deck, not the top surface. Moisture
accumulates on the cold underside of the deck when warm, moist air from the
building interior rises and condenses.
pg. 1
,Question 3
At what minimum height are parapet walls that don't require contractors to use fall
protection?
A. 39 inches or higher
B. 24 inches or higher
C. 42 inches or higher
D. 30 inches or higher
Answer: A
Rationale: OSHA requires fall protection when working near unprotected edges.
Parapet walls 39 inches or higher (the standard guardrail height) serve as adequate
fall protection, eliminating the need for additional fall protection equipment.
Question 4
When heating asphalt bitumen in a kettle, the temperature should be maintained
within how many degrees of the equiviscous temperature (EVT)?
A. 10 degrees
B. 25 degrees
C. 15 degrees
D. 50 degrees
Answer: B
Rationale: Asphalt bitumen should be maintained within 25°F of its Equiviscous
Temperature (EVT) to ensure proper application viscosity. This temperature range
ensures optimal flow and penetration during application.
Question 5
How should double layers of rigid board insulation be installed in a low-slope
roofing system?
A. Joints in the layer should be aligned directly with the layer below.
B. Joints should be sealed with a bead of silicone before the next layer is placed.
C. The top layer should be installed with the joints perpendicular to the bottom
pg. 2
,layer.
D. Joints in the layer should be vertically staggered and offset from joints in the
layer below.
Answer: D
Rationale: When installing double layers of rigid board insulation, joints should
be vertically staggered and offset from joints in the layer below. This prevents
thermal bridging and creates a more effective insulation barrier.
Question 6
During a roof replacement, which of these roof characteristics would be the
primary responsibility of the roofing contractor?
A. The structural integrity of the roof deck.
B. The architectural design of the roof system.
C. The selection of the building's interior finishes.
D. Methods of attachment of roofing materials.
Answer: D
Rationale: The roofing contractor is primarily responsible for the methods of
attachment of roofing materials. While other aspects are important, the contractor's
expertise lies in proper installation and attachment methods.
Question 7
A roll of #15 roofing felt contains ___ factory squares and is ___ square feet.
A. 4; 324
B. 4; 360
C. 3; 270
D. 5; 405
Answer: B
Rationale: A standard roll of #15 roofing felt contains 4 factory squares and
covers 360 square feet. Each factory square equals 100 square feet, so 4 squares =
400 square feet, but felt is slightly under-sized.
pg. 3
, Question 8
Which organization doesn't recommend the use of OSB panels?
A. NRCA
B. OSHA
C. IDPR
D. IEPA
E. All of the above
Answer: A
Rationale: The NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association) has expressed
concerns about OSB (Oriented Strand Board) in certain roofing applications due to
moisture-related issues. OSHA, IDPR, and IEPA do not specifically address OSB
panel recommendations.
Question 9
How many copper pieces should be used to install roofing slate?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Answer: B
Rationale: Two copper fasteners should be used to install roofing slate unless in
high wind areas where four may be recommended. Copper is preferred because it
is corrosion-resistant and will not stain the slate.
Question 10
Which statement is most true about the way that weather can affect the installation
of a roofing system?
A. High humidity may interfere with proper adhesion in all roof systems.
pg. 4
Question Bank with Actual Exam Questions,
Verified Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales|
Latest Update 2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
Question 1
Which organization sets safety standards for exposure of roofing employees to
asbestos?
A. FDA
B. EPA
C. CDC
D. OSHA
Answer: D
Rationale: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets safety
standards for workplace exposure to asbestos, including permissible exposure
limits (PELs) and requirements for employee protection.
Question 2
True or false: inadequate ventilation in a steep-slope system may lead to
condensation on top of the roof deck.
A. True
B. False
Answer: B
Rationale: Inadequate ventilation in a steep-slope system typically leads to
condensation on the underside of the roof deck, not the top surface. Moisture
accumulates on the cold underside of the deck when warm, moist air from the
building interior rises and condenses.
pg. 1
,Question 3
At what minimum height are parapet walls that don't require contractors to use fall
protection?
A. 39 inches or higher
B. 24 inches or higher
C. 42 inches or higher
D. 30 inches or higher
Answer: A
Rationale: OSHA requires fall protection when working near unprotected edges.
Parapet walls 39 inches or higher (the standard guardrail height) serve as adequate
fall protection, eliminating the need for additional fall protection equipment.
Question 4
When heating asphalt bitumen in a kettle, the temperature should be maintained
within how many degrees of the equiviscous temperature (EVT)?
A. 10 degrees
B. 25 degrees
C. 15 degrees
D. 50 degrees
Answer: B
Rationale: Asphalt bitumen should be maintained within 25°F of its Equiviscous
Temperature (EVT) to ensure proper application viscosity. This temperature range
ensures optimal flow and penetration during application.
Question 5
How should double layers of rigid board insulation be installed in a low-slope
roofing system?
A. Joints in the layer should be aligned directly with the layer below.
B. Joints should be sealed with a bead of silicone before the next layer is placed.
C. The top layer should be installed with the joints perpendicular to the bottom
pg. 2
,layer.
D. Joints in the layer should be vertically staggered and offset from joints in the
layer below.
Answer: D
Rationale: When installing double layers of rigid board insulation, joints should
be vertically staggered and offset from joints in the layer below. This prevents
thermal bridging and creates a more effective insulation barrier.
Question 6
During a roof replacement, which of these roof characteristics would be the
primary responsibility of the roofing contractor?
A. The structural integrity of the roof deck.
B. The architectural design of the roof system.
C. The selection of the building's interior finishes.
D. Methods of attachment of roofing materials.
Answer: D
Rationale: The roofing contractor is primarily responsible for the methods of
attachment of roofing materials. While other aspects are important, the contractor's
expertise lies in proper installation and attachment methods.
Question 7
A roll of #15 roofing felt contains ___ factory squares and is ___ square feet.
A. 4; 324
B. 4; 360
C. 3; 270
D. 5; 405
Answer: B
Rationale: A standard roll of #15 roofing felt contains 4 factory squares and
covers 360 square feet. Each factory square equals 100 square feet, so 4 squares =
400 square feet, but felt is slightly under-sized.
pg. 3
, Question 8
Which organization doesn't recommend the use of OSB panels?
A. NRCA
B. OSHA
C. IDPR
D. IEPA
E. All of the above
Answer: A
Rationale: The NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association) has expressed
concerns about OSB (Oriented Strand Board) in certain roofing applications due to
moisture-related issues. OSHA, IDPR, and IEPA do not specifically address OSB
panel recommendations.
Question 9
How many copper pieces should be used to install roofing slate?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Answer: B
Rationale: Two copper fasteners should be used to install roofing slate unless in
high wind areas where four may be recommended. Copper is preferred because it
is corrosion-resistant and will not stain the slate.
Question 10
Which statement is most true about the way that weather can affect the installation
of a roofing system?
A. High humidity may interfere with proper adhesion in all roof systems.
pg. 4
