California General Engineering
Contractor License Exam (Class A)
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary focus of a Class A General Engineering Contractor in
California?
A. Residential housing construction
B. Commercial interior remodeling
C. Infrastructure and fixed works projects
D. Landscaping and irrigation systems
Class A contractors specialize in large-scale civil engineering projects like
highways, bridges, pipelines, and water systems.
2. Before beginning excavation, what is required under California law?
A. Posting a notice on-site
B. Calling 811 for utility location
C. Applying for a trenching waiver
D. Hiring an environmental engineer
California law requires contractors to notify utility companies via 811
before any excavation to avoid hitting underground utilities.
,3. Which of the following must be included in a Critical Path Method (CPM)
schedule?
A. Crew assignments
B. Material costs
C. Activity durations and dependencies
D. Safety policies
CPM focuses on project scheduling using activity durations and their
interdependencies to determine the project's critical path.
4. What is the allowable maximum slope for a trench 5 feet deep in Type C
soil without shoring or shielding?
A. 1:1
B. 1.25:1
C. 1.5:1
D. 2:1
According to OSHA standards, Type C soil requires a maximum slope of 1.5
horizontal to 1 vertical for trenches over 5 feet.
5. What is the minimum clearance from overhead power lines for
equipment rated below 50 kV?
A. 5 feet
B. 8 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 15 feet
OSHA requires a 10-foot clearance from power lines up to 50 kV to ensure
worker safety.
6. A performance bond primarily protects whom?
A. The contractor
B. The project owner
C. The subcontractor
D. The architect
,A performance bond guarantees that the contractor will complete the
project as agreed, protecting the project owner.
7. Which document governs the rights and responsibilities of all parties in
a construction project?
A. Bid proposal
B. Project schedule
C. Insurance certificate
D. Contract agreement
The contract outlines scope, timeline, payment, and legal obligations,
making it the central governing document.
8. Which of the following is NOT typically covered by general liability
insurance?
A. Bodily injury
B. Property damage
C. Employee injuries
D. Completed operations
Employee injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, not general
liability insurance.
9. A contractor wants to reduce project float. What activity should they
target?
A. Non-critical path tasks
B. Critical path tasks
C. Completed tasks
D. Delayed activities
To reduce float, the focus must be on tasks in the critical path, as they
directly affect project duration.
10. What is the retention amount commonly withheld on public works
projects in California?
A. 2%
, B. 5%
C. 10%
D. 15%
Public works contracts in California typically withhold 5% as retention until
project completion.
11. What must be done before issuing a change order?
A. Begin the work
B. Get written approval
C. Notify OSHA
D. Submit a final invoice
Change orders must be approved in writing to be valid and enforceable.
12. The SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) is required when
disturbing how much land?
A. 0.25 acre
B. 0.5 acre
C. 1 acre or more
D. 5 acres or more
California requires a SWPPP for construction sites disturbing 1 acre or
more.
13. Which project delivery method combines design and construction into
one contract?
A. Design-bid-build
B. Design-build
C. Construction management
D. Fast-track
Design-build allows for greater collaboration and a single point of
responsibility.
Contractor License Exam (Class A)
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary focus of a Class A General Engineering Contractor in
California?
A. Residential housing construction
B. Commercial interior remodeling
C. Infrastructure and fixed works projects
D. Landscaping and irrigation systems
Class A contractors specialize in large-scale civil engineering projects like
highways, bridges, pipelines, and water systems.
2. Before beginning excavation, what is required under California law?
A. Posting a notice on-site
B. Calling 811 for utility location
C. Applying for a trenching waiver
D. Hiring an environmental engineer
California law requires contractors to notify utility companies via 811
before any excavation to avoid hitting underground utilities.
,3. Which of the following must be included in a Critical Path Method (CPM)
schedule?
A. Crew assignments
B. Material costs
C. Activity durations and dependencies
D. Safety policies
CPM focuses on project scheduling using activity durations and their
interdependencies to determine the project's critical path.
4. What is the allowable maximum slope for a trench 5 feet deep in Type C
soil without shoring or shielding?
A. 1:1
B. 1.25:1
C. 1.5:1
D. 2:1
According to OSHA standards, Type C soil requires a maximum slope of 1.5
horizontal to 1 vertical for trenches over 5 feet.
5. What is the minimum clearance from overhead power lines for
equipment rated below 50 kV?
A. 5 feet
B. 8 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 15 feet
OSHA requires a 10-foot clearance from power lines up to 50 kV to ensure
worker safety.
6. A performance bond primarily protects whom?
A. The contractor
B. The project owner
C. The subcontractor
D. The architect
,A performance bond guarantees that the contractor will complete the
project as agreed, protecting the project owner.
7. Which document governs the rights and responsibilities of all parties in
a construction project?
A. Bid proposal
B. Project schedule
C. Insurance certificate
D. Contract agreement
The contract outlines scope, timeline, payment, and legal obligations,
making it the central governing document.
8. Which of the following is NOT typically covered by general liability
insurance?
A. Bodily injury
B. Property damage
C. Employee injuries
D. Completed operations
Employee injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, not general
liability insurance.
9. A contractor wants to reduce project float. What activity should they
target?
A. Non-critical path tasks
B. Critical path tasks
C. Completed tasks
D. Delayed activities
To reduce float, the focus must be on tasks in the critical path, as they
directly affect project duration.
10. What is the retention amount commonly withheld on public works
projects in California?
A. 2%
, B. 5%
C. 10%
D. 15%
Public works contracts in California typically withhold 5% as retention until
project completion.
11. What must be done before issuing a change order?
A. Begin the work
B. Get written approval
C. Notify OSHA
D. Submit a final invoice
Change orders must be approved in writing to be valid and enforceable.
12. The SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) is required when
disturbing how much land?
A. 0.25 acre
B. 0.5 acre
C. 1 acre or more
D. 5 acres or more
California requires a SWPPP for construction sites disturbing 1 acre or
more.
13. Which project delivery method combines design and construction into
one contract?
A. Design-bid-build
B. Design-build
C. Construction management
D. Fast-track
Design-build allows for greater collaboration and a single point of
responsibility.
