2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor Actual Exam Prep Q&A with
Rationales | CMS & Technical Master Bundle
Prepare for the Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor license with this comprehensive 350-question study
guide featuring detailed italicized rationales. This bundle covers all critical domains, including Nevada
CMS (Business/Law) and C-5 Technical standards (ACI/IBC), mix design, rebar placement, and
Nevada-specific sulfate-resistant cement requirements. Master the most difficult board concepts
like slump testing, cold weather pouring, and Nevada NRS 624 compliance to ensure a first-time
pass.
1. According to Nevada Contractor Law (NRS 624), what is the maximum "bid limit" for a
contractor who has not been issued a specific monetary limit by the Board?
A. $5,000
B. $10,000
C. $50,000
D. A contractor cannot bid until the Board sets a specific limit.
Answer: D. Rationale: In Nevada, the Registrar of Contractors sets a specific monetary limit for
every license based on financial standing; bidding over this limit is a violation of state law.
2. What is the standard "Design Strength" (f'c) of concrete typically used for residential
driveways and sidewalks in Nevada?
A. 1,500 psi
B. 2,500 psi
C. 3,000–4,000 psi
D. 6,000 psi
Answer: C. Rationale: For exterior slabs subject to freeze-thaw cycles (especially in Northern
Nevada), a minimum of 3,000 to 4,000 psi is required for durability.
3. "Slump" in concrete testing is a measure of:
A. Compressive strength.
B. Consistency and workability.
C. Curing time.
D. Air content.
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
Answer: B. Rationale: The slump test measures how much a "cone" of wet concrete drops,
indicating its fluidity and water-to-cement ratio.
4. When placing concrete in "Hot Weather" (common in Southern Nevada), the
temperature of the concrete at the time of placement should generally not exceed:
A. 70°F
B. 90°F
C. 110°F
D. 125°F
Answer: B. Rationale: High temperatures accelerate the setting time and increase the risk of
plastic shrinkage cracking; ACI 305 recommends keeping concrete below 90°F.
5. What is the primary purpose of "Rebar" (Reinforcing Bar) in a concrete slab?
A. To prevent the concrete from drying too fast.
B. To provide tensile strength.
C. To make the concrete lighter.
D. To change the color of the concrete.
Answer: B. Rationale: Concrete is strong in compression (squeezing) but weak in tension
(pulling); steel rebar handles the tensile loads.
6. A "Control Joint" (Contraction Joint) should be cut to a depth of at least ____ the
thickness of the slab.
A. 1/8
B. 1/4
C. 1/2
D. 3/4
Answer: B. Rationale: To ensure the concrete cracks exactly at the joint, the "weakened plane"
must be at least 25% (1/4) of the total slab depth.
7. "Bleed Water" on the surface of freshly poured concrete should be handled by:
A. Troweling it back into the mix immediately.
B. Dusting dry cement over it to soak it up.
C. Waiting for it to evaporate or disappear before final finishing.
D. Squeegeeing it off the edge.
Answer: C. Rationale: Finishing concrete while bleed water is present traps moisture under the
surface, leading to "scaling" or "delamination" later.
8. In Nevada, a "C-5" license holder is authorized to perform which of the following?
A. Only structural wall pours.
B. Paving, curbing, and all types of concrete placement and finishing.
C. Only residential driveways.
D. Electrical work inside concrete forms.
Answer: B. Rationale: The Nevada C-5 is a broad concrete specialty classification covering all
phases of concrete work.
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
9. What is the standard diameter of a #4 rebar?
A. 1/4 inch
B. 1/2 inch
C. 3/4 inch
D. 1 inch
Answer: B. Rationale: Rebar sizes are measured in 1/8-inch increments. #4 = 4/8", which is
1/2".
10. "Hydration" is the chemical process that occurs between:
A. Water and Sand.
B. Cement and Water.
C. Rebar and Concrete.
D. Air and Stone.
Answer: B. Rationale: Hydration is the chemical reaction that causes cement to harden into a
stone-like mass; it is not simply "drying."
11. Which type of "Portland Cement" is considered "Sulfate-Resistant" (often used in
Nevada's alkaline soils)?
A. Type I
B. Type II or Type V
C. Type III
D. White Cement
Answer: B. Rationale: Type V is high sulfate-resistant, and Type II is moderate; both are
essential in areas like Las Vegas where soil chemistry can attack standard concrete.
12. To prevent "honeycombing" in a vertical concrete wall, a contractor should use:
A. More water.
B. A mechanical vibrator.
C. A larger shovel.
D. Less cement.
Answer: B. Rationale: Vibration settles the aggregate and removes trapped air pockets against
the forms.
13. A "Chair" or "Bolster" in concrete reinforcement is used to:
A. Hold the rebar at the correct height during the pour.
B. Clean the rebar.
C. Bend the rebar.
D. Sit on during breaks.
Answer: A. Rationale: If rebar sinks to the bottom of the slab, it loses its effectiveness; chairs
maintain the required "concrete cover."
14. What is the minimum "concrete cover" (clearance) required for rebar in a footing
cast against and permanently exposed to the earth?
A. 1 inch
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
B. 2 inches
C. 3 inches
D. 6 inches
Answer: C. Rationale: Per IBC/ACI standards, 3 inches is required to protect steel from
corrosion when in direct contact with soil.
15. "Air-Entrained" concrete is primarily used to:
A. Make the concrete cheaper.
B. Improve resistance to freeze-thaw cycles.
C. Increase the weight of the slab.
D. Speed up the curing process.
Answer: B. Rationale: Microscopic air bubbles provide space for water to expand when it
freezes, preventing the concrete from cracking.
16. Which tool is used for the initial leveling of concrete after it has been struck off with
a screed?
A. Steel Trowel
B. Bull Float
C. Edger
D. Broom
Answer: B. Rationale: The bull float smooths out ridges and fills voids immediately after
screeding while the concrete is still very wet.
17. Final "Troweling" with a steel trowel should only be done on:
A. Exterior sidewalks.
/B. Interior floors requiring a hard, smooth finish.
C. Driveways in snowy areas.
D. Pool decks.
Answer: B. Rationale: Steel troweling creates a very slick surface; interior floors need this, but
exterior surfaces require a "broom finish" for slip resistance.
18. "Honeycombing" in concrete refers to:
A. A decorative pattern.
B. Voids in the concrete caused by the failure of mortar to fill the spaces between coarse
aggregate.
C. Bees nesting in the forms.
D. A type of reinforcement.
Answer: B. Rationale: Usually caused by insufficient vibration or poor mix design.
19. A "Screed" is used to:
A. Cut joints.
B. Strike off excess concrete to the proper grade.
C. Smooth the edges.
Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor Actual Exam Prep Q&A with
Rationales | CMS & Technical Master Bundle
Prepare for the Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor license with this comprehensive 350-question study
guide featuring detailed italicized rationales. This bundle covers all critical domains, including Nevada
CMS (Business/Law) and C-5 Technical standards (ACI/IBC), mix design, rebar placement, and
Nevada-specific sulfate-resistant cement requirements. Master the most difficult board concepts
like slump testing, cold weather pouring, and Nevada NRS 624 compliance to ensure a first-time
pass.
1. According to Nevada Contractor Law (NRS 624), what is the maximum "bid limit" for a
contractor who has not been issued a specific monetary limit by the Board?
A. $5,000
B. $10,000
C. $50,000
D. A contractor cannot bid until the Board sets a specific limit.
Answer: D. Rationale: In Nevada, the Registrar of Contractors sets a specific monetary limit for
every license based on financial standing; bidding over this limit is a violation of state law.
2. What is the standard "Design Strength" (f'c) of concrete typically used for residential
driveways and sidewalks in Nevada?
A. 1,500 psi
B. 2,500 psi
C. 3,000–4,000 psi
D. 6,000 psi
Answer: C. Rationale: For exterior slabs subject to freeze-thaw cycles (especially in Northern
Nevada), a minimum of 3,000 to 4,000 psi is required for durability.
3. "Slump" in concrete testing is a measure of:
A. Compressive strength.
B. Consistency and workability.
C. Curing time.
D. Air content.
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
Answer: B. Rationale: The slump test measures how much a "cone" of wet concrete drops,
indicating its fluidity and water-to-cement ratio.
4. When placing concrete in "Hot Weather" (common in Southern Nevada), the
temperature of the concrete at the time of placement should generally not exceed:
A. 70°F
B. 90°F
C. 110°F
D. 125°F
Answer: B. Rationale: High temperatures accelerate the setting time and increase the risk of
plastic shrinkage cracking; ACI 305 recommends keeping concrete below 90°F.
5. What is the primary purpose of "Rebar" (Reinforcing Bar) in a concrete slab?
A. To prevent the concrete from drying too fast.
B. To provide tensile strength.
C. To make the concrete lighter.
D. To change the color of the concrete.
Answer: B. Rationale: Concrete is strong in compression (squeezing) but weak in tension
(pulling); steel rebar handles the tensile loads.
6. A "Control Joint" (Contraction Joint) should be cut to a depth of at least ____ the
thickness of the slab.
A. 1/8
B. 1/4
C. 1/2
D. 3/4
Answer: B. Rationale: To ensure the concrete cracks exactly at the joint, the "weakened plane"
must be at least 25% (1/4) of the total slab depth.
7. "Bleed Water" on the surface of freshly poured concrete should be handled by:
A. Troweling it back into the mix immediately.
B. Dusting dry cement over it to soak it up.
C. Waiting for it to evaporate or disappear before final finishing.
D. Squeegeeing it off the edge.
Answer: C. Rationale: Finishing concrete while bleed water is present traps moisture under the
surface, leading to "scaling" or "delamination" later.
8. In Nevada, a "C-5" license holder is authorized to perform which of the following?
A. Only structural wall pours.
B. Paving, curbing, and all types of concrete placement and finishing.
C. Only residential driveways.
D. Electrical work inside concrete forms.
Answer: B. Rationale: The Nevada C-5 is a broad concrete specialty classification covering all
phases of concrete work.
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
9. What is the standard diameter of a #4 rebar?
A. 1/4 inch
B. 1/2 inch
C. 3/4 inch
D. 1 inch
Answer: B. Rationale: Rebar sizes are measured in 1/8-inch increments. #4 = 4/8", which is
1/2".
10. "Hydration" is the chemical process that occurs between:
A. Water and Sand.
B. Cement and Water.
C. Rebar and Concrete.
D. Air and Stone.
Answer: B. Rationale: Hydration is the chemical reaction that causes cement to harden into a
stone-like mass; it is not simply "drying."
11. Which type of "Portland Cement" is considered "Sulfate-Resistant" (often used in
Nevada's alkaline soils)?
A. Type I
B. Type II or Type V
C. Type III
D. White Cement
Answer: B. Rationale: Type V is high sulfate-resistant, and Type II is moderate; both are
essential in areas like Las Vegas where soil chemistry can attack standard concrete.
12. To prevent "honeycombing" in a vertical concrete wall, a contractor should use:
A. More water.
B. A mechanical vibrator.
C. A larger shovel.
D. Less cement.
Answer: B. Rationale: Vibration settles the aggregate and removes trapped air pockets against
the forms.
13. A "Chair" or "Bolster" in concrete reinforcement is used to:
A. Hold the rebar at the correct height during the pour.
B. Clean the rebar.
C. Bend the rebar.
D. Sit on during breaks.
Answer: A. Rationale: If rebar sinks to the bottom of the slab, it loses its effectiveness; chairs
maintain the required "concrete cover."
14. What is the minimum "concrete cover" (clearance) required for rebar in a footing
cast against and permanently exposed to the earth?
A. 1 inch
, 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS DOWNLOAD
B. 2 inches
C. 3 inches
D. 6 inches
Answer: C. Rationale: Per IBC/ACI standards, 3 inches is required to protect steel from
corrosion when in direct contact with soil.
15. "Air-Entrained" concrete is primarily used to:
A. Make the concrete cheaper.
B. Improve resistance to freeze-thaw cycles.
C. Increase the weight of the slab.
D. Speed up the curing process.
Answer: B. Rationale: Microscopic air bubbles provide space for water to expand when it
freezes, preventing the concrete from cracking.
16. Which tool is used for the initial leveling of concrete after it has been struck off with
a screed?
A. Steel Trowel
B. Bull Float
C. Edger
D. Broom
Answer: B. Rationale: The bull float smooths out ridges and fills voids immediately after
screeding while the concrete is still very wet.
17. Final "Troweling" with a steel trowel should only be done on:
A. Exterior sidewalks.
/B. Interior floors requiring a hard, smooth finish.
C. Driveways in snowy areas.
D. Pool decks.
Answer: B. Rationale: Steel troweling creates a very slick surface; interior floors need this, but
exterior surfaces require a "broom finish" for slip resistance.
18. "Honeycombing" in concrete refers to:
A. A decorative pattern.
B. Voids in the concrete caused by the failure of mortar to fill the spaces between coarse
aggregate.
C. Bees nesting in the forms.
D. A type of reinforcement.
Answer: B. Rationale: Usually caused by insufficient vibration or poor mix design.
19. A "Screed" is used to:
A. Cut joints.
B. Strike off excess concrete to the proper grade.
C. Smooth the edges.
