Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Louisiana Residential Roofing
Louisiana · PSI Services Contractor
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
50
Passing score
70%
Exam time
120 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Louisiana State Portion 50 questions
Materials
15 Q · 30%
Asphalt shingle types, components, and material standards (ASTM D3462, D3018)Underlayment types and standards for steep-slope roof systems (asphalt felt, synthetic, polymer-modified bitumen)Roof deck substrate types, requirements, and panel standards (plywood, OSB, wood planks)Clay and concrete tile types, material properties, and standards (ASTM C1167, C1492)Slate material characteristics, grades, and standards (ASTM C406)Metal shingle substrate materials and protective coatings (galvanized, Galvalume, aluminum, copper, zinc)Wood shake and wood shingle grades, species, and preservative/fire-retardant treatmentsFire classification ratings for roof assemblies (Class A, B, C) and wind-resistance classifications for roofing materials
Installation of Roof Coverings
18 Q · 36%
Asphalt shingle types, materials, and application methodsUnderlayment types, installation requirements, and slope-based configurationsRoof deck requirements and substrate types for steep-slope systemsClay and concrete tile types, materials, and fastening methodsSlate roofing materials, grades, fasteners, and installationWood shake and wood shingle materials, grading, and installationMetal shingle materials, profiles, and attachment methodsFire classification, wind resistance ratings, and IBC/IRC code compliance for roof coverings
Roof Drainage
5 Q · 10%
Primary roof drain requirements and design (IBC Section 1502)Secondary (emergency overflow) drains and scuppers — purpose, sizing, and minimum opening dimensionsGutter materials, placement, and code-required material standardsValley drainage — open, closed-cut, and no-cut valley construction and flashing requirementsDrip edge installation at eaves and rakes for steep-slope roof systemsEave details with gutters across multiple roof covering types (asphalt shingle, tile, slate, wood shake/shingle, metal shingle)Crickets and saddles — when required and drainage function at chimneys and wide penetrationsRoof slope minimums for drainage by covering type
Roofing Structures
7 Q · 14%
Roof slope measurement and calculation (rise, run, pitch, span)Roof deck types: solid vs. spaced sheathing selection by roof covering typePlywood and OSB sheathing specifications: thickness, span ratings, and rafter spacing requirementsDead loads and live loads on roof decks: design load considerations by material weightRoof framing inspection and structural integrity before re-roofingWind uplift resistance: design loads, exposure categories, and pressure zones for steep-slope roofsFORTIFIED Roof requirements: roof deck attachment, sealing, and enhanced fastening standardsRoof area measurement methods: positive/negative calculation, slope factors, hips, valleys, and ridge lengths
Safety
5 Q · 10%
Fall protection requirements for roofing work (low-slope and steep roofs)Personal fall arrest system components, specifications, and inspectionGuardrail system specifications and installation requirementsWarning line systems and safety monitoring systems for roofingLadder safety requirements, load ratings, and proper useScaffold safety requirements, capacity, and fall protection on scaffoldsPersonal protective equipment selection, use, and employer payment obligationsFire protection and prevention on construction jobsites including flammable liquid storage
Key Distinctions
Wood Shingles (naturally durable)vsWood Shakes (naturally durable)
Wood shingles may be Grade 1, 2, or 3 under CSSB rules, while wood shakes require a minimum of Grade 1 only.
IBC 2021, Table 1507.8.5Class A Roof AssemblyvsClass B Roof Assembly
Class A is effective against severe fire-test exposure, while Class B is effective against only moderate fire-test exposure.
IBC 2021, Section 1505.2Class B Roof AssemblyvsClass C Roof Assembly
Class B is effective against moderate fire-test exposure, while Class C is effective against only light fire-test exposure.
IBC 2021, Section 1505.3Positive 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 into one large rectangle and subtracts non-roof areas; both yield identical results.
Roofing Construction and Estimating, Chapter 1, Pages 7-8ASTM D7158 Class G ShinglevsASTM D7158 Class H Shingle
Class G shingles are rated for basic wind speeds up to 120 mph, while Class H shingles are rated for basic wind speeds up to 150 mph.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 4.1—Wind Resistance (ASTM D7158)Cricket (chimney flashing)vsBacker Flashing (chimney flashing)
NRCA recommends a cricket when the chimney or curbed penetration exceeds 24 inches wide, while backer flashing is generally used for penetrations 24 inches wide or less.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Asphalt Shingle Roof Systems — Chapter 7Asphalt Shingle Deck RequirementvsSlate Shingle Deck Requirement
Both asphalt shingles and slate shingles must be fastened to solidly sheathed decks; however, unlike slate, asphalt shingles also require that the deck be a wood-based material (structural wood panel, plank, or board).
IBC 2021, Section 1507.2.1Self-adhering Polymer-modified Bitumen Sheet (underlayment)vsNon-self-adhering Polymer-modified Bitumen Base Sheet
Self-adhering sheets range from 20–60 mils thick, while non-self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen base sheets are thicker, ranging from approximately 35–90 mils.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 3.1—Underlayment Materials (Self-adhering Polymer-modified Bitumen Sheets)ASTM D3462 (asphalt shingles)vsASTM D3018 (asphalt shingles)
ASTM D3462 covers tear strength, fastener pull-through resistance, and pliability for fiberglass-reinforced asphalt shingles, while ASTM D3018 specifically addresses Class A fire test classification, wind resistance, and loss of volatile matter.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 4.1—Asphalt Shingle StandardsClay Roof TilevsConcrete Roof Tile
Clay roof tile must comply with ASTM C1167, while concrete roof tile must comply with ASTM C1492.
IBC 2021, Section 1507.3.4Nail Penetration — Wood Plank/Board DeckvsNail Penetration — Plywood Deck (less than ¾ inch)
On wood plank or board decks, asphalt shingle nails must penetrate at least ¾ inch, while on plywood decks less than ¾ inch thick, nails need only extend a minimum of ⅛ inch through the underside.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 4.2—Asphalt Shingle Roof System Design and Installation (Fasteners)Impermeable Synthetic UnderlaymentvsPermeable Synthetic Underlayment
Impermeable synthetic underlayments have a water vapor transmission rating of less than 0.1 perms and are not recommended by NRCA over unvented or inadequately ventilated attics, while permeable underlayments exceed this threshold and are acceptable.
NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 3.1—Underlayment Materials (Synthetic Sheets)Key Terms
Class A Roof Assembly IBC 2021, Section 1505.2
Per IBC 2021 Section 1505.2, a roof assembly rated as effective against severe fire-test exposure, tested per ASTM E108 or UL 790.
Class B Roof Assembly IBC 2021, Section 1505.3
Per IBC 2021 Section 1505.3, a roof assembly rated as effective against moderate fire-test exposure.
Class C Roof Assembly IBC 2021, Section 1505.4
Per IBC 2021 Section 1505.4, a roof assembly rated as effective against light fire-test exposure.
Fire-retardant-treated Wood (roof coverings) IBC 2021, Section 1505.6
Per IBC 2021 Section 1505.6, wood shakes or shingles treated by impregnation with chemicals using the full-cell vacuum-pressure process in accordance with AWPA C1.
Solidly Sheathed Deck (slate) IBC 2021, Section 1507.7.1
Per IBC 2021 Section 1507.7.1, slate shingles must be fastened to solidly sheathed roofs; spaced sheathing is not permitted for slate.
Solidly Sheathed Deck (asphalt shingles) IBC 2021, Section 1507.2.1
Per IBC 2021 Section 1507.2.1, asphalt shingles must be fastened only to solidly sheathed decks; spaced sheathing and non-wood decks are not acceptable.
ASTM A653 G90 IBC 2021, Table 1507.4.3(2)
Per IBC 2021 Table 1507.4.3(2), the minimum corrosion resistance standard for galvanized steel used in metal roof coverings.
Minimum Copper Weight for Class A (combustible deck) IBC 2021, Section 1505.2, Exception 3
Per IBC 2021 Section 1505.2 Exception 3, copper sheets weighing a minimum of 16 oz. per square foot installed over a combustible deck qualify as a Class A roof assembly.
ASTM D7158 Wind Classification NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 4.1—Wind Resistance (ASTM D7158)
Per IBC Table 1504.2, asphalt shingles must meet Class D (up to 90 mph basic wind speed), Class G (up to 120 mph), or Class H (up to 150 mph) based on project wind zone.
Cricket NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Asphalt Shingle Roof Systems — Chapter 7
A peaked water-diverting structure installed on the upslope side of a chimney or curbed penetration wider than 24 inches, as recommended by the NRCA Roofing Manual.
UL 2218 Impact Resistance Classification NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 4.1—Impact Resistance Rating
A four-class rating system for roof coverings where Class 1 is the least impact-resistant and Class 4 provides the greatest level of impact resistance.
ASTM D1970 NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 3.1—Underlayment Materials
The ASTM standard for self-adhering polymer-modified bituminous sheet materials used as steep roofing underlayment for ice dam protection, covering thickness, tear resistance, and low-temperature flexibility.
Impermeable Synthetic Underlayment NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep Slope Roof Systems, Section 3.1—Underlayment Materials (Synthetic Sheets)
A synthetic sheet underlayment with a water vapor transmission rating of less than 0.1 perms; NRCA recommends against using these over unvented or inadequately ventilated attics.
Formulas to Know
Roof Area (positive method)
Total Area = Sum of all individual rectangular sections of the roofRoof Area (negative method)
Total Area = Area of one large enclosing rectangle − Sum of non-roof rectangular areasRoofing Squares
Number of Squares = Total Roof Area (sq ft) ÷ 100Slope Ratio
Slope = Rise (inches) : Run (12 inches), e.g., 3:12 means 3 inches of rise per 12 inches of horizontal runWaste Factor Adjustment
Adjusted Material Quantity = Calculated Quantity × (1 + Waste Factor %)Shingle Coverage per Square
Coverage (sq ft) = Shingle exposure (inches) × Shingle width (inches) × Number of shingles ÷ 144