Free Contractor License Practice Test (20 Questions)

Question 1

Which document, issued by the local building authority, legally allows a completed building to be occupied for its intended use?

Accepted Answer

Certificate of Occupancy

Answer

Building permit

Answer

Notice of Commencement

Answer

Substantial Completion Notice

Question 2

A contractor purchases lumber for $4,000 and sells it to the client at $5,000. What is the markup percentage applied to the cost?

Accepted Answer

25%

Answer

20%

Answer

80%

Answer

125%

Question 3

A jurisdiction adopts a model building code 'by reference.' A contractor discovers a detail on the project plans that conflicts with a provision of the adopted code. Which governs?

Accepted Answer

The adopted building code governs; the plans must be revised to comply

Answer

The project plans always govern because the architect's stamp supersedes the code

Answer

Whichever document was prepared more recently governs

Answer

The contractor may choose either option as long as the choice is documented in writing

Question 4

A two-story residential building requires at least two means of egress from the upper floor. Which of the following arrangements MOST directly satisfies that requirement?

Accepted Answer

Two interior stairways, each leading to a separate exit discharge point at grade

Answer

One interior stairway and one exterior door at grade level on the first floor only

Answer

One interior stairway and an operable window large enough to serve as a fire escape only

Answer

A single stairway with a fire-rated enclosure in place of two separate egress paths

Question 5

In an estimate, 'direct costs' typically include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Labor and materials installed on a specific job

Answer

Office rent and administrative salaries

Answer

Company vehicle loan payments

Answer

Professional license renewal fees

Question 6

A contractor is framing an exterior load-bearing wall in a Florida coastal county with a high design wind speed. Which framing practice MOST directly addresses the uplift forces that high wind speeds impose on the roof-to-wall connection?

Accepted Answer

Installing hurricane straps or structural connectors that mechanically tie rafters or trusses to the top plate and wall studs

Answer

Using larger dimension lumber (2x6 instead of 2x4) for all wall studs

Answer

Increasing stud spacing from 16 inches on center to 24 inches on center to reduce the number of connections

Answer

Applying a second layer of drywall on interior walls to add mass and resist lateral movement

Question 7

A contractor who performs work on a property and is not paid may file a legal claim against the property itself to secure payment. What is this claim called?

Accepted Answer

A mechanic's lien

Answer

A surety bond

Answer

A writ of attachment

Answer

A lis pendens

Question 8

Workers' compensation insurance is primarily designed to cover which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Medical expenses and lost wages for employees injured on the job

Answer

Damage to a client's property caused by an employee

Answer

Losses from theft of tools at a job site

Answer

Legal defense costs when a contractor is sued by a third party

Question 9

A general contractor hires a worker and classifies him as an independent contractor rather than an employee. Which of the following factors would MOST support a finding that the worker is actually an employee?

Accepted Answer

The contractor controls the details of how and when the work is performed

Answer

The worker supplies all of his own specialized tools

Answer

The worker sets his own hours and works for multiple clients simultaneously

Answer

The worker invoices the contractor monthly and receives no benefits

Question 10

A contractor's annual overhead costs total $150,000. The company projects $600,000 in direct labor costs for the year. What overhead rate should the contractor apply to direct labor when pricing each job?

Accepted Answer

25%

Answer

15%

Answer

20%

Answer

40%

Free Contractor License Practice Test

Question 1

Which document, issued by the local building authority, legally allows a completed building to be occupied for its intended use?

Question 2

A contractor purchases lumber for $4,000 and sells it to the client at $5,000. What is the markup percentage applied to the cost?

Question 3

A jurisdiction adopts a model building code 'by reference.' A contractor discovers a detail on the project plans that conflicts with a provision of the adopted code. Which governs?

Question 4

A two-story residential building requires at least two means of egress from the upper floor. Which of the following arrangements MOST directly satisfies that requirement?

Question 5

In an estimate, 'direct costs' typically include which of the following?

Question 6

A contractor is framing an exterior load-bearing wall in a Florida coastal county with a high design wind speed. Which framing practice MOST directly addresses the uplift forces that high wind speeds impose on the roof-to-wall connection?

Question 7

A contractor who performs work on a property and is not paid may file a legal claim against the property itself to secure payment. What is this claim called?

Question 8

Workers' compensation insurance is primarily designed to cover which of the following?

Question 9

A general contractor hires a worker and classifies him as an independent contractor rather than an employee. Which of the following factors would MOST support a finding that the worker is actually an employee?

Question 10

A contractor's annual overhead costs total $150,000. The company projects $600,000 in direct labor costs for the year. What overhead rate should the contractor apply to direct labor when pricing each job?

Question 11

In building code terminology, what does 'means of egress' refer to?

Question 12

Under general building code principles, a 'fire-resistance rating' for an assembly such as a wall or floor is expressed in hours. What does a two-hour fire-resistance rating mean?

Question 13

A contractor wants a 15% gross margin (margin on selling price) on a job whose total direct cost is $85,000. What must the selling price be?

Question 14

Question 15

A contractor is pricing concrete flatwork. The total area is 2,700 square feet at 4 inches thick. Concrete is priced at $135 per cubic yard. What is the estimated material cost? (1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet.)

Question 16

Before starting most new construction or major renovation work, a contractor must obtain which of the following from the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)?

Question 17

A Florida licensed general contractor allows his license to be used by a second company he does not actively supervise. Work performed under that license results in a defective roof causing $80,000 in water damage. Which of the following BEST describes the contractor's exposure?

Question 18

Which type of business entity provides its owners with personal liability protection while allowing profits and losses to pass directly to the owners' personal tax returns?

Question 19

A contractor uses a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The estimated project cost is $200,000 and the fixed fee is $20,000. Actual costs come in at $240,000 due to unforeseen conditions. What does the contractor receive in total compensation?

Question 20

A Florida general contractor who hires a subcontractor must verify which of the following before work begins to protect against workers' compensation liability?