Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Tennessee BC-A, b (sm) Combined Residential/Small Commercial Contractor
Tennessee · 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
100
Passing score
73%
Exam time
300 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Tennessee State Portion 100 questions
Sitework, Footings, and Foundation
10 Q · 10%
SiteworkFootingsFoundationSoil classification and bearing capacityExcavation safety and protective systems (OSHA Subpart P)Drainage, dampproofing, and waterproofing of foundationsConcrete formwork design and constructionReinforcement in footings and foundation wallsSoil compaction methods and testingSite layout and building locationFoundation types: slab-on-grade, crawl space, and basement
Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement
10 Q · 10%
ConcreteConcrete ReinforcementConcrete mix design and proportioning (water-cement ratio, aggregates, admixtures, cementitious materials)Concrete quality testing and field control (slump, air content, compressive strength, yield)Formwork design, construction, and removal requirementsConcrete placement, consolidation, and finishing methodsConcrete durability requirements and exposure classificationsJoints in concrete construction (contraction, isolation, and construction joints)Footings and foundations (sizing, depth, soil bearing capacity, drainage)Anchoring to concrete (cast-in and post-installed anchors, embedments)
Metals
6 Q · 6%
Steel joist types and designations (K-, LH-, DLH-, CJ-Series, joist girders)Steel joist erection procedures and stability requirementsBridging requirements for steel joists (erection bridging, horizontal and diagonal bridging)Metal decking types, installation, and fastening methodsOSHA 1926 Subpart R steel erection safety requirementsCold-formed steel framing members, tools, and fastening methodsSteel deck products (composite floor deck, roof deck, form deck, cellular deck)IBC Chapter 22 steel construction standards and applicable design specifications
Masonry
7 Q · 7%
Mortar types, proportions, and mix design (ASTM C270 Types M, S, N, O, K)Concrete masonry units (CMU) — types, grades, and propertiesClay masonry materials — brick types, grades, manufacturing, and bond patternsMasonry wall systems — solid, cavity, composite, veneer, and reinforced wallsFootings and foundation walls — design, sizing, and construction requirementsMasonry chimneys and fireplaces — IRC construction requirementsReinforcement, anchors, ties, and grout for masonry assembliesMasonry construction safety — OSHA Subpart Q requirements and jobsite hazards
Carpentry
17 Q · 17%
Wood framing materials: lumber grades, species, and engineered wood productsWall framing: layout, assembly, and erection of load-bearing and non-bearing wallsFloor framing: joists, girders, posts, subfloor construction, and span tablesRoof framing: common rafters, hip/valley/jack rafters, ridges, trusses, and roof stylesWall and roof sheathing: panel products, fastening schedules, and installation requirementsBuilding codes and permits: IRC requirements, inspections, and certificate of occupancyFinish carpentry: doors, windows, stairways, molding/trim, cabinets, and finish flooringConstruction tools and equipment: hand tools, power saws, pneumatic tools, drills, ladders, and scaffolds
Roofing
10 Q · 10%
Roof framing terminology, components, and styles (gable, hip, shed, gambrel, mansard)Common, hip, valley, and jack rafter layout and sizingRidge board and ridge beam selection and installationRoof sheathing and decking types, requirements, and installationUnderlayment types, application methods, and ice barrier requirementsRoof covering materials and installation (asphalt shingles, wood shingles/shakes, tile, slate, metal, roll roofing, built-up, elastomeric)Flashing installation at valleys, chimneys, vents, and wall intersectionsRoof drainage, ventilation, and attic access requirements
Estimating, Plan Reading, and Gen Residential Code Requirements
20 Q · 20%
EstimatingPlan ReadingGeneral Residential Code RequirementsOccupancy classification and building use groups (IBC Chapter 3)Building height, area, and type of construction limits (IBC Chapters 5–6)Fire-resistance ratings and fire/smoke protection featuresMeans of egress requirements and occupant load calculationAutomatic sprinkler and fire protection system requirementsStructural load types and design criteria for residential constructionAccessibility requirements and accessible routes (IBC Chapter 11)Permits, inspections, and code administration procedures
Associated Trades
12 Q · 12%
Gypsum board and drywall types, installation, and finishing levelsPlumbing systems: supply, drain-waste-vent, fixtures, and trapsFuel gas piping, appliances, venting, and combustion airElectrical services, branch circuits, receptacle placement, and GFCI/AFCI protectionHVAC equipment, duct systems, and exhaust systemsThermal and acoustical insulation materials and R-valuesFinish flooring materials and installation methodsGlass and glazing requirements and interior finish flame-spread classifications
OSHA Safety
8 Q · 8%
Fall protection systems and requirements (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest)Scaffolding types, capacity, and safe use requirementsExcavation, trenching, and cave-in protective systemsPersonal protective equipment (PPE) selection and useHazard communication, signs, signals, and barricadesFire protection and prevention on construction sitesToxic and hazardous substances exposure limits (asbestos, silica, airborne contaminants)Confined space entry procedures and permit requirements
Key Distinctions
Nominal lumber dimensionsvsActual (net) lumber dimensions
Nominal dimensions (e.g., 2×4) are used on architectural drawings and plan callouts, while actual/net dimensions must be used for structural engineering calculations.
2021 International Building Code, Section 2301.2Backspan-to-cantilever ratio for exterior balcony joists (2:1)vsBackspan-to-cantilever ratio for joists supporting light-frame bearing wall and roof (3:1)
IRC requires a minimum 2:1 backspan-to-cantilever ratio for floor joists supporting an exterior balcony, versus a stricter 3:1 ratio when those cantilever joists also support a light-frame exterior bearing wall and roof.
International Residential Code, Table R502.3.3(2), Note b3/8″ gypsum panelsvs1/2″ and 5/8″ gypsum panels
3/8″ gypsum panels are limited to framing spaced 16″ on center, whereas 1/2″ and 5/8″ panels are rated for framing spaced up to 24″ on center.
Gypsum Construction Handbook, Page 3 (Gypsum Panel Limitations item 3)Fiberglass asphalt shinglesvsOrganic asphalt shingles
Fiberglass shingles use a fiberglass mat as their base, while organic shingles use a cellulose-fiber base mat; both are saturated with asphalt and surfaced with mineral granules.
Roofing Construction and Estimating, Chapter 4—Asphalt ShinglesCasement windowvsDouble-hung window
A casement window is side-hinged and allows the entire window area to open for ventilation, whereas a double-hung window can only open half its area at one time.
Windows & Skylights chapter, Types of Windows sectionSolid-core doorvsHollow-core door
Solid-core doors reduce warping and provide greater fire resistance, making them preferred for exterior applications, while hollow-core doors are lighter and typically used for interior applications.
Residential Doors chapter, Flat-Panel Doors sectionCoped joint (inside corner trim)vsMitered joint (inside corner trim)
A coped joint remains tight even when walls are out of plumb or wood shrinks after installation, whereas a mitered joint can open up visibly if the wood shrinks or the corner is not perfectly square.
Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 26 (Molding & Trim)Direct (job) overhead costvsDirect construction cost
Direct overhead costs are administrative costs tied to a specific job but not to a specific trade (e.g., traffic control), while direct construction costs are labor, material, and equipment costs directly tied to a construction activity (e.g., pipe materials, backhoe rental).
Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 20-21Extruded Expanded Polystyrene (XPS) insulationvsExpanded Polystyrene (EPS) insulation
XPS has greater compressive strength than EPS and is specifically suitable for below-grade foundation wall insulation; both are rigid insulation materials rated at approximately R-5 per inch for XPS.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Section 31.1 — Rigid Insulation Materials and R-ValueMuntinvsMullion
A muntin is a vertical or horizontal piece within a single window sash that holds individual panes of glass, while a mullion strip is a vertical piece that separates two combined window units.
Windows & Skylights chapter, Double-Hung Windows sectionFinger-jointed trim stockvsClear (solid) trim stock
Finger-jointed stock is made from short glued pieces and is paint-grade only (joints show through stain), while clear solid stock can be stained or painted to a finished appearance.
Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 26 (Molding & Trim)Engineering controls / administrative controlsvsRespirators / personal protective equipment
OSHA requires engineering or administrative controls to be implemented first whenever feasible to reduce airborne contaminant exposure; respirators and other PPE are only a fallback when such controls cannot achieve full compliance.
29 CFR 1926, §1926.55(b)Key Terms
Consolidation (concrete placement) Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 227
The process of removing air pockets and forcing concrete into all parts of the forms, accomplished by vibrating, tamping, spading, or tapping forms.
Retarding admixture effect on formwork The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, Pages 72 and 82
Per the Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction (pp. 72, 82), retarders delay concrete setting, increase lateral pressure on vertical forms (chemistry coefficient CC = 1.2), and require longer form-stripping times.
Minimum concrete floor slab thickness (IBC Section 1907.1) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1907.1
IBC Section 1907.1 requires concrete floor slabs supported directly on the ground to be not less than 3½ inches thick.
Vapor retarder under slab (IBC Section 1907.1) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1907.1
IBC Section 1907.1 requires a 6-mil polyethylene vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches placed between the base course or subgrade and the concrete floor slab.
Plain concrete footing minimum thickness — Group R-3 light-frame (IBC Section 1906.1) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1906.1
IBC Section 1906.1 permits plain concrete footings in Group R-3 and light-frame structures less than two stories to be as thin as 6 inches, provided the footing does not extend more than 4 inches on either side of the supported wall.
Anchor bolt embedment in concrete — light-frame wood (IBC Section 1905.1.8) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1905.1.8
IBC Section 1905.1.8 requires anchor bolts attaching wood sill plates to concrete foundations to be embedded a minimum of 7 inches into the concrete.
Metal-plate-connected wood truss standard (IBC Section 2303.4.6) 2021 International Building Code, Section 2303.4.6
IBC Section 2303.4.6 mandates that the design, manufacture, and quality assurance of metal-plate-connected wood trusses comply with TPI 1.
Truss additional loading verification (IBC Section 2303.4.5) 2021 International Building Code, Section 2303.4.5
IBC Section 2303.4.5 prohibits adding loads (e.g., HVAC equipment) to any truss member without first verifying that the truss can support the additional loading.
Guardrail top rail height (29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1)) 29 CFR 1926, §1926.502(b)(1)
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502(b)(1) requires the top edge of a guardrail system's top rail to be 42 inches (±3 inches) above the walking/working surface.
Egress window minimum open area Windows & Skylights chapter, Design Requirements section
Upper-floor egress windows must have a minimum unblocked open area of 5.7 sq. ft.; grade-floor egress windows require a minimum of 5.0 sq. ft.
Keyway (foundation footing) Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.1, Page 258
A keyway is a groove (typically 3½″ wide × 1½″ deep, formed with a 2×4) cast into the top of a concrete footing to lock the foundation wall to the footing and prevent moisture seepage at that joint.
Reveal (door/window casing) Carpentry & Building Construction, Chapter 26 (Molding & Trim)
A reveal is the small deliberate offset (typically 3/16″) between the face of a door or window jamb and the edge of the applied casing trim.
Crawl-space minimum clearance Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 9.2, Page 247
There must be at least 18 inches of clearance between the undersides of floor joists and the highest point of ground enclosed by foundation walls to allow inspection and moisture-control measures.
U-value (window energy rating) Windows & Skylights chapter, Energy Efficiency - Ratings section
U-value measures the rate of heat transfer through a window assembly; unlike R-value, a lower U-value indicates better insulating performance and less heat loss.
Five-bag mix (concrete) Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 226
A five-bag mix — five bags of cement per cubic yard of concrete — is the minimum cement content considered acceptable for most residential concrete work.
Type-X gypsum board fastener spacing — garage ceiling beneath habitable room IBC 2021, Chapter 25, Table 25.06.1 (Gypsum Board fastening requirements)
Type-X gypsum board on a garage ceiling beneath a habitable room must be fastened perpendicular to framing at a maximum of 6 inches on center using minimum 1-5/8″ 6d coated nails or equivalent drywall screws.
Formulas to Know
Excavation volume (cubic yards)
[(Length + clearance both sides) × (Width + clearance both sides) × Depth] ÷ 27Crawl-space ventilation area (sq ft)
Crawl-space floor area (sq ft) ÷ 150Board feet of lumber
(Thickness_in × Width_in × Length_ft) ÷ 12Maximum elevation difference on a grading plan
Highest corner elevation − Lowest corner elevationMinimum window ventilation area
Room floor area × 0.04 (4%)Minimum window glass area (natural light)
Room floor area × 0.08 (8%)Backspan minimum length from cantilever
Cantilever span × ratio (2 for balcony; 3 for bearing wall/roof)