RESIDENTIAL CODE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
2025/2026
What is the nominal thickness of a ridge board? - Answers Not less than 1"
How many jack studs will be required for a 2 - 2X12 header in an interior bearing wall supporting
one floor only, building width of 28', and a span of 7'0"? - Answers 2 jack studs supporting each
end
What is the maximum hole that may be cut in a 2 X 12 nominal floor joist? - Answers 4" (1/3rd
the width)
What size strap is required if a top plate is notched more than 50% of its width? - Answers 16
gauge thick and 1 1/2" wide
The end of a wood joist must bear on a wood beam by at least __________ inches? - Answers Not
less than 1 1/2"
Concrete gains most of its strength in how many days? - Answers 28 days
In what section of the span of a floor joist is it NOT permitted to cut a notch? - Answers Center
1/3rd
What material is required for the door of an ash dump cleanout? - Answers Ferrous Metal or
Masonry
A cricket is required when the width of a chimney is greater than __________ inches? - Answers
30" (and does not intersect the ridgeline)
What is the minimum ceiling height above a bathtub? - Answers 6'8"
What is the maximum unsupported height of a pier consisting of 12"X16" hollow core blocks
filled with Type "S" mortar? - Answers 10 times their least dimension (10 X 12" = 120")
What is the least outside circular diameter of a handrail? - Answers not less than 1 1/4" (not
greater than 2")
Insulation shall have a smoke-developed index not to exceed? - Answers 450
From where must a smoke alarm draw its primary power? - Answers From the building wiring
What is the live load of an attic with habitable space? - Answers 30 psi
What is required width and height of the egress door? - Answers Not less than 32" X Not less
than 78"
How far into concrete must anchor bolts extend? - Answers 7"
, What is the maximum height of the backfill for a plain masonry foundation wall, 8' high and 8"
thick, and is constructed in type GW soil? - Answers 5'
If a footing is 18" wide, what is the maximum width of a foundation wall placed on this footing? -
Answers 14" (2" shelf on both sides)
What is the slope allowance for the bottom of a footing? - Answers 1 in 10 (10%)
How far most foundation gravel extend above the footing drain? - Answers 6"
What is the spacing in inches of veneer ties? - Answers not more than 3' feet on center, and
placed within 12" of a wall opening
What is the minimum penetration of a drywall screw into wood? - Answers 5/8"
What is the minimum width of a stairway? - Answers 36"
What is the stair riser height and tread depth? - Answers Risers shall not be higher than 7 3/4"
Treads shall not be less than 10"
(USBC amended this to 8 1/4" X 9")
What size window is required in a bathroom if there is no mechanical ventilation? - Answers Not
less than 3 sq. ft.
(half of which must be openable)
What is the minimum width of a hallway? - Answers 3'
What are the R Value insulation requirements for the ceiling, wall, and floor? - Answers Ceiling =
49
Wall = 20
Floor = 19
The under floor space vents must be covered with material with a least dimension of? - Answers
shall not exceed a 1/4"
What is the maximum slump of concrete placed in removable forms? - Answers Shall not
exceed 6"
The end joints of double top plates must be offset at least __________? - Answers 24"
What is the required clearance of wood siding from the ground before it is required to be
pressure treated? - Answers 6"
What is required to support brick veneer above openings in exterior walls? - Answers Lintels
2025/2026
What is the nominal thickness of a ridge board? - Answers Not less than 1"
How many jack studs will be required for a 2 - 2X12 header in an interior bearing wall supporting
one floor only, building width of 28', and a span of 7'0"? - Answers 2 jack studs supporting each
end
What is the maximum hole that may be cut in a 2 X 12 nominal floor joist? - Answers 4" (1/3rd
the width)
What size strap is required if a top plate is notched more than 50% of its width? - Answers 16
gauge thick and 1 1/2" wide
The end of a wood joist must bear on a wood beam by at least __________ inches? - Answers Not
less than 1 1/2"
Concrete gains most of its strength in how many days? - Answers 28 days
In what section of the span of a floor joist is it NOT permitted to cut a notch? - Answers Center
1/3rd
What material is required for the door of an ash dump cleanout? - Answers Ferrous Metal or
Masonry
A cricket is required when the width of a chimney is greater than __________ inches? - Answers
30" (and does not intersect the ridgeline)
What is the minimum ceiling height above a bathtub? - Answers 6'8"
What is the maximum unsupported height of a pier consisting of 12"X16" hollow core blocks
filled with Type "S" mortar? - Answers 10 times their least dimension (10 X 12" = 120")
What is the least outside circular diameter of a handrail? - Answers not less than 1 1/4" (not
greater than 2")
Insulation shall have a smoke-developed index not to exceed? - Answers 450
From where must a smoke alarm draw its primary power? - Answers From the building wiring
What is the live load of an attic with habitable space? - Answers 30 psi
What is required width and height of the egress door? - Answers Not less than 32" X Not less
than 78"
How far into concrete must anchor bolts extend? - Answers 7"
, What is the maximum height of the backfill for a plain masonry foundation wall, 8' high and 8"
thick, and is constructed in type GW soil? - Answers 5'
If a footing is 18" wide, what is the maximum width of a foundation wall placed on this footing? -
Answers 14" (2" shelf on both sides)
What is the slope allowance for the bottom of a footing? - Answers 1 in 10 (10%)
How far most foundation gravel extend above the footing drain? - Answers 6"
What is the spacing in inches of veneer ties? - Answers not more than 3' feet on center, and
placed within 12" of a wall opening
What is the minimum penetration of a drywall screw into wood? - Answers 5/8"
What is the minimum width of a stairway? - Answers 36"
What is the stair riser height and tread depth? - Answers Risers shall not be higher than 7 3/4"
Treads shall not be less than 10"
(USBC amended this to 8 1/4" X 9")
What size window is required in a bathroom if there is no mechanical ventilation? - Answers Not
less than 3 sq. ft.
(half of which must be openable)
What is the minimum width of a hallway? - Answers 3'
What are the R Value insulation requirements for the ceiling, wall, and floor? - Answers Ceiling =
49
Wall = 20
Floor = 19
The under floor space vents must be covered with material with a least dimension of? - Answers
shall not exceed a 1/4"
What is the maximum slump of concrete placed in removable forms? - Answers Shall not
exceed 6"
The end joints of double top plates must be offset at least __________? - Answers 24"
What is the required clearance of wood siding from the ground before it is required to be
pressure treated? - Answers 6"
What is required to support brick veneer above openings in exterior walls? - Answers Lintels
