Tennessee BC-A Residential Contractor
Exam Practice Test Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales
1. What is the minimum width for a hallway in a residential building
according to the International Residential Code (IRC)?
A. 30 inches
B. 36 inches
C. 42 inches
D. 48 inches
Rationale: IRC requires hallways to be at least 36 inches wide for safety
and accessibility.
2. What is the maximum riser height allowed for residential stairs?
A. 6 ¾ inches
B. 7 ¾ inches
C. 8 ½ inches
D. 9 inches
,Rationale: Per IRC, residential stair risers must not exceed 7 ¾ inches.
3. Who is responsible for scheduling inspections in a residential
construction project?
A. Architect
B. Contractor
C. Subcontractor
D. Owner
Rationale: The contractor is responsible for coordinating and scheduling
required inspections.
4. How far should rebar be placed from the edge of concrete in a
footing?
A. 1 inch
B. 2 inches
C. 3 inches
D. 4 inches
Rationale: IRC requires a minimum of 3 inches of clearance for rebar in
footings.
5. What is the minimum slope required for proper drainage away from a
foundation?
A. 1%
B. 2%
,C. 6 inches in the first 10 feet
D. 1 inch in the first 10 feet
Rationale: IRC recommends 6 inches of fall in the first 10 feet to ensure
proper drainage.
6. Which of the following types of insulation has the highest R-value per
inch?
A. Fiberglass batts
B. Rock wool
C. Closed-cell spray foam
D. Cellulose
Rationale: Closed-cell spray foam has a high R-value of about 6.5 per inch.
7. When is a contractor license required in Tennessee?
A. Only for public projects
B. For projects over $10,000
C. For projects $25,000 or more
D. Always
Rationale: Tennessee law requires contractor licensing for projects valued
at $25,000 or more.
8. What type of drawing shows a horizontal cut through a building?
A. Elevation
B. Floor plan
, C. Section
D. Detail
Rationale: A floor plan is a horizontal section showing layout and
dimensions.
9. In estimating, what does "takeoff" refer to?
A. Starting the project
B. Measuring quantities from drawings
C. Loading materials
D. Demolishing structures
Rationale: A takeoff involves extracting quantities from plans for
estimating costs.
10. What does OSHA require for trench protection when the trench
is deeper than 5 feet?
A. Ladders only
B. Orange cones
C. Protective systems (sloping, shoring, shielding)
D. Nothing if soil is dry
Rationale: OSHA mandates protective systems for trenches deeper than 5
feet to prevent cave-ins.
11. What is the standard size of a sheet of drywall?
A. 2' × 4'
B. 4' × 6'
Exam Practice Test Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales
1. What is the minimum width for a hallway in a residential building
according to the International Residential Code (IRC)?
A. 30 inches
B. 36 inches
C. 42 inches
D. 48 inches
Rationale: IRC requires hallways to be at least 36 inches wide for safety
and accessibility.
2. What is the maximum riser height allowed for residential stairs?
A. 6 ¾ inches
B. 7 ¾ inches
C. 8 ½ inches
D. 9 inches
,Rationale: Per IRC, residential stair risers must not exceed 7 ¾ inches.
3. Who is responsible for scheduling inspections in a residential
construction project?
A. Architect
B. Contractor
C. Subcontractor
D. Owner
Rationale: The contractor is responsible for coordinating and scheduling
required inspections.
4. How far should rebar be placed from the edge of concrete in a
footing?
A. 1 inch
B. 2 inches
C. 3 inches
D. 4 inches
Rationale: IRC requires a minimum of 3 inches of clearance for rebar in
footings.
5. What is the minimum slope required for proper drainage away from a
foundation?
A. 1%
B. 2%
,C. 6 inches in the first 10 feet
D. 1 inch in the first 10 feet
Rationale: IRC recommends 6 inches of fall in the first 10 feet to ensure
proper drainage.
6. Which of the following types of insulation has the highest R-value per
inch?
A. Fiberglass batts
B. Rock wool
C. Closed-cell spray foam
D. Cellulose
Rationale: Closed-cell spray foam has a high R-value of about 6.5 per inch.
7. When is a contractor license required in Tennessee?
A. Only for public projects
B. For projects over $10,000
C. For projects $25,000 or more
D. Always
Rationale: Tennessee law requires contractor licensing for projects valued
at $25,000 or more.
8. What type of drawing shows a horizontal cut through a building?
A. Elevation
B. Floor plan
, C. Section
D. Detail
Rationale: A floor plan is a horizontal section showing layout and
dimensions.
9. In estimating, what does "takeoff" refer to?
A. Starting the project
B. Measuring quantities from drawings
C. Loading materials
D. Demolishing structures
Rationale: A takeoff involves extracting quantities from plans for
estimating costs.
10. What does OSHA require for trench protection when the trench
is deeper than 5 feet?
A. Ladders only
B. Orange cones
C. Protective systems (sloping, shoring, shielding)
D. Nothing if soil is dry
Rationale: OSHA mandates protective systems for trenches deeper than 5
feet to prevent cave-ins.
11. What is the standard size of a sheet of drywall?
A. 2' × 4'
B. 4' × 6'
