Page 1 of 109
California Roofing Contractor Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage – California Roofing Contractor (C-39)
Trade Exam Content Areas (approximate percentages) :
1. Planning and Estimating (22%) – project planning, material estimation, job layout.
2. Job Site Preparation (13%) – protecting surroundings, tear-off, correcting deck problems.
3. Low-Slope Roof Projects (17%) – BUR, modified bitumen, single-ply (TPO, PVC, EPDM), flashing,
ventilation.
4. Steep-Slope Roof Projects (26%) – asphalt shingles, wood shakes, clay/concrete tile, slate,
metal, flashing, underlayment.
5. Safety (22%) – fall protection, ladder safety, hot equipment (kettles), material handling,
Cal/OSHA requirements.
1. A roofing contractor is preparing to install asphalt shingles on a residential home with a roof slope of
2:12. According to California Building Standards, what special requirement applies?
A) Asphalt shingles are not permitted on slopes less than 4:12
B) Asphalt shingles are permitted on slopes as low as 2:12 provided double underlayment is used for
slopes between 2:12 and 4:12
C) Asphalt shingles may be installed with single underlayment
D) Only metal roofing is allowed on slopes less than 4:12
Answer: B – Asphalt shingles are permitted on 2:12 slopes with double underlayment; standard
application requires 4:12 or greater .
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2. When calculating roofing materials, what is the area of one roofing "square"?
A) 10 square feet
B) 100 square feet
C) 1,000 square feet
D) 5 square feet
Answer: B – One roofing square equals 100 square feet (10 ft × 10 ft) .
3. A roofing contractor discovers dry rot in the plywood sheathing during a tear-off. What is the legally
required course of action?
A) Cover it with 30-lb felt and proceed
B) Notify the homeowner and replace the damaged wood before dry-in
C) Apply a wood sealer over the rot
D) Install a metal plate over the area
Answer: B – Roof coverings must be applied to a solid, structurally sound deck; rotted wood cannot
properly hold fasteners .
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4. What is the most common cause of "blistering" in a built-up roof (BUR)?
A) Excessive foot traffic
B) Entrapped moisture or air between the plies
C) Lack of gravel surfacing
D) Using too much asphalt
Answer: B – Blisters occur when moisture or air is trapped between layers of felt; heating causes
expansion and separation .
5. A contractor is installing a new TPO roof. Which method is most commonly used to secure the
membrane seams?
A) Nailing with cap nails
B) Adhesive applied to both surfaces
C) Hot air welding
D) Self-adhering tape
Answer: C – TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) seams are welded using hot air .
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6. What is the minimum required slope for the installation of asphalt shingles on a residential roof under
standard conditions (without double underlayment)?
A) 1:12
B) 2:12
C) 4:12
D) 6:12
Answer: C – Standard asphalt shingle application requires a minimum 4:12 slope to properly shed
water .
7. When installing a built-up roofing (BUR) system, what is the purpose of the aggregate surfacing
(gravel or slag)?
A) To provide structural reinforcement
B) To improve the R-value of the insulation
C) To protect the bitumen from ultraviolet (UV) degradation
D) To facilitate faster water drainage
Answer: C – Aggregate surfacing protects the underlying bitumen from UV damage and provides fire
resistance .
California Roofing Contractor Exam ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
Summarized Exam Coverage – California Roofing Contractor (C-39)
Trade Exam Content Areas (approximate percentages) :
1. Planning and Estimating (22%) – project planning, material estimation, job layout.
2. Job Site Preparation (13%) – protecting surroundings, tear-off, correcting deck problems.
3. Low-Slope Roof Projects (17%) – BUR, modified bitumen, single-ply (TPO, PVC, EPDM), flashing,
ventilation.
4. Steep-Slope Roof Projects (26%) – asphalt shingles, wood shakes, clay/concrete tile, slate,
metal, flashing, underlayment.
5. Safety (22%) – fall protection, ladder safety, hot equipment (kettles), material handling,
Cal/OSHA requirements.
1. A roofing contractor is preparing to install asphalt shingles on a residential home with a roof slope of
2:12. According to California Building Standards, what special requirement applies?
A) Asphalt shingles are not permitted on slopes less than 4:12
B) Asphalt shingles are permitted on slopes as low as 2:12 provided double underlayment is used for
slopes between 2:12 and 4:12
C) Asphalt shingles may be installed with single underlayment
D) Only metal roofing is allowed on slopes less than 4:12
Answer: B – Asphalt shingles are permitted on 2:12 slopes with double underlayment; standard
application requires 4:12 or greater .
, Page 2 of 109
2. When calculating roofing materials, what is the area of one roofing "square"?
A) 10 square feet
B) 100 square feet
C) 1,000 square feet
D) 5 square feet
Answer: B – One roofing square equals 100 square feet (10 ft × 10 ft) .
3. A roofing contractor discovers dry rot in the plywood sheathing during a tear-off. What is the legally
required course of action?
A) Cover it with 30-lb felt and proceed
B) Notify the homeowner and replace the damaged wood before dry-in
C) Apply a wood sealer over the rot
D) Install a metal plate over the area
Answer: B – Roof coverings must be applied to a solid, structurally sound deck; rotted wood cannot
properly hold fasteners .
, Page 3 of 109
4. What is the most common cause of "blistering" in a built-up roof (BUR)?
A) Excessive foot traffic
B) Entrapped moisture or air between the plies
C) Lack of gravel surfacing
D) Using too much asphalt
Answer: B – Blisters occur when moisture or air is trapped between layers of felt; heating causes
expansion and separation .
5. A contractor is installing a new TPO roof. Which method is most commonly used to secure the
membrane seams?
A) Nailing with cap nails
B) Adhesive applied to both surfaces
C) Hot air welding
D) Self-adhering tape
Answer: C – TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) seams are welded using hot air .
, Page 4 of 109
6. What is the minimum required slope for the installation of asphalt shingles on a residential roof under
standard conditions (without double underlayment)?
A) 1:12
B) 2:12
C) 4:12
D) 6:12
Answer: C – Standard asphalt shingle application requires a minimum 4:12 slope to properly shed
water .
7. When installing a built-up roofing (BUR) system, what is the purpose of the aggregate surfacing
(gravel or slag)?
A) To provide structural reinforcement
B) To improve the R-value of the insulation
C) To protect the bitumen from ultraviolet (UV) degradation
D) To facilitate faster water drainage
Answer: C – Aggregate surfacing protects the underlying bitumen from UV damage and provides fire
resistance .
