Page 1 of 107
Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor Exam Actual Test
Questions and Correct Answers With Rationales LATEST
THIS YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage Outline
The Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor Exam tests both technical construction knowledge and
business/legal competency. Below is the official breakdown of exam domains based on Georgia Code §
43-41-6 and State Licensing Board Rule 553-3-.01 .
1. Business & Legal Responsibilities (approx. 30-35%)
• Contract Administration: Written contracts, scope of work, payment schedules, change orders,
substantial completion, and punch lists .
• Georgia Lien Law: Filing mechanics liens, notices of commencement, and waiver of liens.
• Licensing Requirements: Eligibility (age 21+, 2 years experience, 2 completed projects),
insurance minimums ($300k general liability), workers' compensation, and reporting changes to
the board .
• Business Entities & Finance: Sole proprietorship vs. LLC vs. partnership, balance sheets,
accounts payable, cash vs. accrual accounting .
• Taxes: Georgia sales tax (6% on taxable services), SUTA vs. FUTA .
2. Sitework & Foundations (approx. 15%)
• Soil & Site Prep: Bearing capacity (minimum 1,000 psf for footings), soil types (Type C soils
require shoring over 5 ft), compaction, and moisture control .
• Erosion Control: NPDES permits, silt fences, straw mulch, and Georgia "Green Book" BMPs .
• Foundation Types: Slab-on-grade, crawl space, basement; footing depth and width, concrete
strength (min 3,500 psi for foundation walls), perimeter drains .
3. Structural Framing & Building Envelope (approx. 25-30%)
• Wood Framing: Joist spans (2x8 #2 SYP at 16" OC spans ~10'9"), stud spacing (16" OC typical),
jack studs for headers, blocking/bridging .
• Roof & Trusses: Hurricane straps in coastal GA, truss spans (20/12 pitch truss spans ~28 ft), roof
ventilation (1/150 of attic floor area NFA) .
• Exterior Finishes: Water-resistive barriers (WRB), through-wall flashing (minimum 6"
embedment), siding installation.
• Stairs & Egress: Max riser height 7 ¾", min headroom 6'8", egress window opening min 5.7 sq ft
(5'7" clear opening) .
4. Codes & Safety (approx. 15%)
• Primary Codes: International Residential Code (IRC) – Chapters 3 (Building Planning), 4
(Foundations), 9 (Roof Assemblies); International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) – Climate
Zone 3 requires R-19 wall insulation .
• Safety: OSHA training (6 hours minimum for new hires), PPE, fall protection, ladder safety,
trenching/shoring requirements.
• Fire Safety: Type X drywall (5/8") for garage walls, smoke detectors, fire-rated materials, egress
requirements.
5. Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Basics (approx. 5-10%)
• HVAC: Proper sizing, ductwork layout, ventilation requirements.
• Plumbing: Drainage, venting, fixture placement.
• Electrical: Basic circuit loading, GFCI/AFCI requirements, service panel clearance.
, Page 2 of 107
200 Scenario-Based MCQs (Exam-Relevant)
Domain 1: Licensing, Eligibility & Administration (1-25)
1. You are applying for an individual Residential-Basic Contractor license in Georgia. What is the
minimum age requirement?
A. 18 years
B. 21 years
C. 25 years
D. No minimum age
Answer: B
Rationale: Georgia Code § 43-41-6(b)(1) explicitly requires applicants to be at least 21 years of age for
licensure as a residential-basic contractor .
2. An applicant for a Residential-Basic license must have at least how many years of verifiable
experience under a licensed residential contractor?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
, Page 3 of 107
D. 4 years
Answer: B
Rationale: The State Licensing Board requires two years of proven experience working as or in the
employment of a residential contractor, predominantly in the residential-basic category .
3. In addition to experience, how many completed projects must an applicant for a Residential-Basic
license have had significant responsibility for?
A. 1 project
B. 2 projects
C. 3 projects
D. 5 projects
Answer: B
Rationale: Rule 553-3-.01(3)(d) requires the applicant to have had significant responsibility for the
successful performance and completion of at least two projects in the residential-basic category within
the two years immediately preceding application .
4. You change your business mailing address. Within how many days must you notify the Georgia State
Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors in writing?
, Page 4 of 107
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensees must notify the residential contractor division in writing within 30 days of any
changes in information required to be on file, including mailing address, insurance coverages, and
affiliated entities .
5. What is the minimum general liability insurance coverage required for a Residential-Basic contractor
license in Georgia?
A. $100,000
B. $300,000
C. $500,000
D. $1,000,000
Answer: B
Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor Exam Actual Test
Questions and Correct Answers With Rationales LATEST
THIS YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage Outline
The Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor Exam tests both technical construction knowledge and
business/legal competency. Below is the official breakdown of exam domains based on Georgia Code §
43-41-6 and State Licensing Board Rule 553-3-.01 .
1. Business & Legal Responsibilities (approx. 30-35%)
• Contract Administration: Written contracts, scope of work, payment schedules, change orders,
substantial completion, and punch lists .
• Georgia Lien Law: Filing mechanics liens, notices of commencement, and waiver of liens.
• Licensing Requirements: Eligibility (age 21+, 2 years experience, 2 completed projects),
insurance minimums ($300k general liability), workers' compensation, and reporting changes to
the board .
• Business Entities & Finance: Sole proprietorship vs. LLC vs. partnership, balance sheets,
accounts payable, cash vs. accrual accounting .
• Taxes: Georgia sales tax (6% on taxable services), SUTA vs. FUTA .
2. Sitework & Foundations (approx. 15%)
• Soil & Site Prep: Bearing capacity (minimum 1,000 psf for footings), soil types (Type C soils
require shoring over 5 ft), compaction, and moisture control .
• Erosion Control: NPDES permits, silt fences, straw mulch, and Georgia "Green Book" BMPs .
• Foundation Types: Slab-on-grade, crawl space, basement; footing depth and width, concrete
strength (min 3,500 psi for foundation walls), perimeter drains .
3. Structural Framing & Building Envelope (approx. 25-30%)
• Wood Framing: Joist spans (2x8 #2 SYP at 16" OC spans ~10'9"), stud spacing (16" OC typical),
jack studs for headers, blocking/bridging .
• Roof & Trusses: Hurricane straps in coastal GA, truss spans (20/12 pitch truss spans ~28 ft), roof
ventilation (1/150 of attic floor area NFA) .
• Exterior Finishes: Water-resistive barriers (WRB), through-wall flashing (minimum 6"
embedment), siding installation.
• Stairs & Egress: Max riser height 7 ¾", min headroom 6'8", egress window opening min 5.7 sq ft
(5'7" clear opening) .
4. Codes & Safety (approx. 15%)
• Primary Codes: International Residential Code (IRC) – Chapters 3 (Building Planning), 4
(Foundations), 9 (Roof Assemblies); International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) – Climate
Zone 3 requires R-19 wall insulation .
• Safety: OSHA training (6 hours minimum for new hires), PPE, fall protection, ladder safety,
trenching/shoring requirements.
• Fire Safety: Type X drywall (5/8") for garage walls, smoke detectors, fire-rated materials, egress
requirements.
5. Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP) Basics (approx. 5-10%)
• HVAC: Proper sizing, ductwork layout, ventilation requirements.
• Plumbing: Drainage, venting, fixture placement.
• Electrical: Basic circuit loading, GFCI/AFCI requirements, service panel clearance.
, Page 2 of 107
200 Scenario-Based MCQs (Exam-Relevant)
Domain 1: Licensing, Eligibility & Administration (1-25)
1. You are applying for an individual Residential-Basic Contractor license in Georgia. What is the
minimum age requirement?
A. 18 years
B. 21 years
C. 25 years
D. No minimum age
Answer: B
Rationale: Georgia Code § 43-41-6(b)(1) explicitly requires applicants to be at least 21 years of age for
licensure as a residential-basic contractor .
2. An applicant for a Residential-Basic license must have at least how many years of verifiable
experience under a licensed residential contractor?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
, Page 3 of 107
D. 4 years
Answer: B
Rationale: The State Licensing Board requires two years of proven experience working as or in the
employment of a residential contractor, predominantly in the residential-basic category .
3. In addition to experience, how many completed projects must an applicant for a Residential-Basic
license have had significant responsibility for?
A. 1 project
B. 2 projects
C. 3 projects
D. 5 projects
Answer: B
Rationale: Rule 553-3-.01(3)(d) requires the applicant to have had significant responsibility for the
successful performance and completion of at least two projects in the residential-basic category within
the two years immediately preceding application .
4. You change your business mailing address. Within how many days must you notify the Georgia State
Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors in writing?
, Page 4 of 107
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Answer: B
Rationale: Licensees must notify the residential contractor division in writing within 30 days of any
changes in information required to be on file, including mailing address, insurance coverages, and
affiliated entities .
5. What is the minimum general liability insurance coverage required for a Residential-Basic contractor
license in Georgia?
A. $100,000
B. $300,000
C. $500,000
D. $1,000,000
Answer: B
