Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Illinois Residential Roofing Contractor
Illinois · Continental Testing Services
Verified, not estimated. Every figure below is drawn from the official exam structure we maintain — question counts, passing standard and topic weighting. Practice questions are grounded in the source law with statute citations. We omit any figure we can't verify rather than guess at it.
Total questions
80
Passing score
70%
Exam time
90 min
Administered by
Continental Testing Services
Format
Closed-book
Illinois State Portion 80 questions
Safety and Employee Protection
25 Q · 31%
OSHA standards and regulations for construction (29 CFR 1926, 1910, 1904)OSHA recordkeeping requirements (Forms 300, 300A, 301)OSHA penalties and inspection types (programmed vs. unprogrammed)Employee rights and protections under the OSH ActEmergency action plan requirementsHazard communication and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)Environmental hazards and regulations (asbestos, lead, Clean Water Act, air quality, hazardous waste)Workers' compensation, employment-related insurance, and risk management
Roofing Preparation and Materials
12 Q · 15%
Roof deck types, requirements, and inspection (plywood, OSB, wood planks/boards, spaced vs. solid sheathing)Underlayment materials and configurations for steep-slope roof systems (asphalt felt, synthetic sheets, self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen)Asphalt shingle materials, types, and classifications (organic, fiberglass, three-tab, laminated/architectural, UL fire and wind ratings)Ice and water shield/eaves flashing requirements and installationClay, concrete, and slate tile materials, profiles, and physical characteristicsWood shakes and wood shingles: types, grades, and species requirementsMetal shingle materials and substrate compatibility (aluminum, copper, zinc, steel, naturally weathering vs. coated metals)Roof insulation types, R-values, and vapor/air retarder principles for roofing assembliesMetal panel roof system substrates (structural decks, purlins, solid substrates) and air/vapor retarder placement
Steep-Slope Roofing Systems
20 Q · 25%
Asphalt shingle materials, types, and grades (three-tab, laminated/architectural, specialty)Steep-slope roof deck requirements and substrates (plywood, OSB, wood planks)Underlayment types, configurations, and installation for steep-slope systemsFlashing components for steep-slope roofs (drip edge, valley, step, counter, chimney, pipe)Clay and concrete tile types, profiles, materials, and installation methodsSlate roofing materials, grades, sizes, and installation techniquesWood shake and wood shingle types, grades, and installation requirementsMetal shingle materials, types, and installation methods
Low-Slope Roofing Systems
8 Q · 10%
Membrane types and attachment methods (BUR, polymer-modified bitumen, EPDM, thermoplastic, liquid-applied, SPF)Roof deck types and substrate requirements for low-slope systemsRigid board insulation types, R-value principles, and multilayer installation requirementsSlope, drainage, and positive drainage design criteriaVapor retarders and air retarders in low-slope assembliesFlashing and metal edge components for low-slope roof systemsMembrane surfacings (aggregate, ballast, coatings, and vegetative systems)Reroofing evaluation, re-cover vs. replacement decisions, and building code complianceSpray polyurethane foam (SPF) roof systems: foam application, pass thickness, density, and slope/drainage over roof decks and other substratesSPF protective surfacings (elastomeric coatings, granules), roof accessories, reroofing over existing roofs, construction details, and code compliance
Rules, Regulations and Business Practices
15 Q · 19%
Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act requirements and definitionsLicense types, application process, and qualifying party obligationsSurety bond and insurance requirements for licensureLicense renewal, expiration, inactive status, and restorationGrounds for disciplinary action, penalties, and enforcementContract requirements for roofing services including rescission and trust provisionsBusiness structure selection and formationFinancial management, recordkeeping, and accounting methods
Key Distinctions
ArbitrationvsMediation
Arbitration produces a legally binding ruling by a third-party arbitrator, while mediation uses a neutral facilitator to help parties reach their own voluntary agreement.
Nascla Contractors Guide 14th, Chapter 7 — ArbitrationLump-Sum ContractvsCost-Plus Contract
In a lump-sum contract the contractor bears all cost risk for a fixed price, while in a cost-plus contract the owner reimburses actual costs plus a percentage or fixed-fee markup.
Nascla Contractors Guide 14th, Chapter 7 — Lump-Sum ContractUnit-Price ContractvsLump-Sum Contract
A unit-price contract pays the contractor per unit of actual quantities used, making it suitable when total quantities are uncertain, whereas a lump-sum contract sets one predetermined price for the entire scope.
Nascla Contractors Guide 14th, Chapter 7 — Unit-Price ContractDesign/BuildvsTurnkey
In design/build the owner contracts one entity to handle design through construction, while turnkey expands that further to include the contractor also securing financing and land.
Nascla Contractors Guide 14th, Chapter 7 — Design/BuildAddendavsChange Orders (Modifications)
Addenda are changes made to contract documents before the contract is awarded, whereas change orders (modifications) are written agreements that alter the contract after it has been executed.
Nascla Contractors Guide 14th, Chapter 7 — Making Changes to the ContractWritten AgreementvsOral Agreement
Both can be legally binding, but written agreements always take precedence over oral agreements in a legal dispute because oral terms are difficult to prove.
Nascla Contractors Guide 14th, Chapter 7 — Oral AgreementsLiquidated DamagesvsActual Damages
Liquidated damages are a predetermined per-day rate written into the contract and serve as the exclusive remedy for the specified breach; an owner who sues for liquidated damages cannot also sue for actual damages from the same breach.
Nascla Contractors Guide 14th, Chapter 7 — Breach of Contract / Liquidated DamagesCritical Path Method (CPM)vsBar Chart / Calendar Scheduling
CPM graphically shows interdependent relationships between tasks so delays can be traced through the schedule, while bar chart and calendar methods cannot show these interdependencies.
NASCLA Contractors Guide, Chapter 8 — Critical Path Method sectionFree Float TimevsTotal Float Time
Free float is the delay an activity can absorb without affecting the early start of the next activity, while total float is the delay it can absorb without affecting the overall project completion date.
NASCLA Contractors Guide, Chapter 8 — Float Time sectionAccrual Accounting MethodvsCash Accounting Method
The accrual method records income when services occur and expenses when incurred regardless of cash flow, while the cash method records income and expenses only when money is actually received or paid.
NASCLA Contractors Guide, Chapter 14 — Accrual Method sectionPositive Method (roof measurement)vsNegative Method (roof measurement)
The positive method divides an irregular roof into rectangles and adds their areas, while the negative method extends roof lines to form one large rectangle and subtracts non-roof areas; both yield identical results.
Roofing Construction and Estimating, Chapter 1, Pages 7-8Single-Layer Mechanically Attached Underlayment (tile roof)vsSelf-Adhering or Double-Layer Underlayment (tile roof)
A single layer of mechanically attached underlayment requires a minimum 4:12 slope per IBC/IRC, while self-adhering or double-layer underlayment configurations permit a lower minimum slope of 2½:12.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep-slope Roof Systems, Clay and Concrete Tile Roof Systems, Chapter 1—Roof Assembly Configurations, Single-layer Underlayment Mechanically AttachedKey Terms
Retainage Nascla Contractors Guide 14th, Chapter 7 — Retainage
A percentage (generally 10%) withheld from each contractor progress payment as security, which may be reduced after substantial completion (e.g., to 5% after 75% completion).
Material Breach Nascla Contractors Guide 14th, Chapter 7 — Breach of Contract
A serious contract violation—such as an owner refusing to pay for completed work—that may void the contract and result in litigation allowing the injured party to seek monetary damages.
Collaborative Law (ADR) Nascla Contractors Guide 14th, Chapter 7 — Collaborative Law
An alternative dispute resolution method in which each party uses its own advocate (typically a lawyer) to negotiate a mutually beneficial result without a neutral mediator or arbitrator.
Free Float Time NASCLA Contractors Guide, Chapter 8 — Float Time section
The amount of time an activity can be delayed without impacting the early start of the next activity.
Critical Activity (Zero Float) NASCLA Contractors Guide, Chapter 8 — Float Time section
A schedule activity with zero float, meaning any delay to it will directly delay the overall project completion date.
Just-In-Time (JIT) Delivery NASCLA Contractors Guide, Chapter 8 — Just-In-Time section
A materials management strategy that times deliveries to arrive exactly when needed, keeping onsite inventory low and reducing theft and vandalism risk.
Value Engineering NASCLA Contractors Guide, Chapter 8 — Value Engineering section
A project management approach whose objective is to understand the owner's cost, quality, and time priorities and deliver the highest-value product, often rewarded by owner incentives.
Perm (vapor transmission unit) Roofing Construction & Estimating, Chapter 12 — Measuring Vapor Barrier Effectiveness
A unit of vapor permeance equal to 1 grain of water vapor per square foot per hour per inch of mercury pressure difference; a lower perm rating means better vapor resistance.
Heating-Degree Day (HDD65) NRCA Roofing Manual: Architectural Metal Flashing and Condensation and Air Leakage Control—2022, Chapter 1, Section 1.3—Climate Conditions
A climate metric calculated as the difference between 65°F and the outdoor mean temperature for a given day when that mean is below 65°F, used to quantify heating energy demand.
Cooling-Degree Day (CDD50) NRCA Roofing Manual: Architectural Metal Flashing and Condensation and Air Leakage Control—2022, Chapter 1, Section 1.3—Climate Conditions
A climate metric calculated as the difference between the outdoor mean temperature and the base of 50°F for days when the mean exceeds 50°F, used to quantify cooling energy demand.
OSHA Construction Noise Action Level (29 CFR 1926.52) NRCA Safety Manual, Chapter 17—Hearing Conservation
Under OSHA's construction standard, engineering controls, work practices, or hearing protection must be provided when eight-hour time-weighted average noise exposure exceeds 90 dBA (higher than the 85 dBA general-industry threshold).
ACRM Repair vs. Removal Threshold (OSHA) Chapter 1—Asbestos-containing Roofing Material, Table 1, Regulated Roofing Operations
Under OSHA asbestos regulations, disturbing asbestos-containing roofing material (ACRM) in an amount no greater than fits in one standard 60×60-inch waste bag is classified as a 'repair'; larger amounts trigger 'removal' requirements.
CGL Occurrence Basis (CNA/NRCA Asbestos Exception) Chapter 1—Asbestos-containing Roofing Material, CNA/NRCA insurance provisions
The NRCA-affiliated CNA CGL policy offers an optional exception to the asbestos exclusion written on an occurrence basis, meaning coverage applies from when the asbestos exposure event occurred rather than when the claim is made.
Accrual Accounting Method NASCLA Contractors Guide, Chapter 14 — Accrual Method section
An accounting method that recognizes income when services are performed and records expenses when incurred, regardless of when cash is actually received or paid; commonly used in construction.
Channel (Pan) Flashing NRCA Architectural Metal Flashing, Chapter 3, Section 3.7 Sidewall Flashing
A type of sidewall flashing that extends under the roof covering along the full length of a wall, used with S-tile, pan-and-cover, and most interlocking tile roof systems rather than step flashing.
Formulas to Know
Liquidated Damages Total
Daily rate × Number of unexcused late days = Total liquidated damages owedRetainage Amount per Progress Payment
Progress payment amount × Retainage % (typically 10%) = Amount withheldHeating-Degree Day (HDD65)
HDD65 = 65°F − Outdoor mean temperature (only when mean temp < 65°F)Cooling-Degree Day (CDD50)
CDD50 = Outdoor mean temperature − 50°F (only when mean temp > 50°F)Positive Roof Area Method
Total roof area = Rectangle₁ area + Rectangle₂ area + … + Rectangleₙ areaNegative Roof Area Method
Total roof area = Large enclosing rectangle area − Sum of non-roof areasCost-Plus Payment Request
Payment due = Actual costs incurred + (Actual costs × Markup %)