Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference

Tennessee BC-B, C Combined Commercial/Industrial 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 geotechnical investigation requirementsExcavation safety and protective systems (sloping, benching, shoring, trench boxes)Soil compaction methods, testing, and density requirementsDampproofing and waterproofing of foundation wallsFoundation wall design (concrete and masonry, backfill height, reinforcement)Grading requirements, site drainage, and fill placementFooting types, dimensions, reinforcement, and depth below frost lineTrench excavation quantities and equipment productivity
Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement 15 Q · 15%
ConcreteConcrete ReinforcementConcrete mix design and proportioningConcrete durability and exposure categoriesFormwork design, construction, and removalConcrete batching, mixing, transporting, and placingCuring methods and requirementsConcrete admixtures (chemical and supplementary cementitious materials)Concrete testing and quality controlPrecast and prestressed concretePrecast concrete erection: planning, transport, rigging, bracing, connections, and tolerances (PCI Erectors' Manual)
Metals 10 Q · 10%
Steel joist types and designations (K-, LH-, DLH-, CJ-Series, joist girders)Erection bridging requirements and hoisting cable release criteriaReceiving, unloading, and jobsite storage of joist productsSteel deck types, profiles, and fastening methodsColumn anchorage and structural steel assembly requirements (OSHA Subpart R)Fall protection requirements during steel erectionLoading and placing construction loads on joistsAluminum structural standards (AA ASM 35 and AA ADM) and IBC Chapter 20 requirements
Masonry 10 Q · 10%
Masonry materials (brick, block, stone, mortar, grout) types and propertiesMortar types, proportions, and mixing procedures (ASTM C270 Types M, S, N, O, K)Masonry wall systems (solid, hollow, cavity, composite, reinforced, veneer)Structural design methods (allowable stress design, strength design, empirical design)Reinforcement, anchors, ties, and joint reinforcement installation requirementsIBC and TMS 402/ACI 530 code requirements for masonry constructionMasonry construction techniques (laying brick, block, and stone; mortar joints; leads and corners)OSHA safety requirements for masonry and concrete construction operations
Carpentry 6 Q · 6%
Lumber grading, species classification, and quality marksConventional light-frame construction wall framing requirementsFloor framing — joists, girders, and allowable spansRoof and ceiling framing — rafters, ceiling joists, and span tablesWall bracing methods and braced wall panel requirementsWood structural panel sheathing — roof, floor, and wall applicationsProtection against decay, termites, and preservative-treated wood requirementsWood trusses — design, bracing, and alteration restrictions
OSHA Safety 6 Q · 6%
Fall protection systems and requirements (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest)Excavation and trenching safety (cave-in protection, sloping, shoring, shields)Scaffolding safety (types, capacity, erection, fall protection)Personal protective equipment selection and useHazard communication and toxic/hazardous substance exposure limits (PELs, asbestos, silica)Electrical safety in construction (grounding, GFCI, lockout/tagout, power line clearances)Fire protection and prevention (extinguishers, flammable liquids, fire plans)Confined space entry procedures and permit requirements
General Code, Plan Reading, and Estimating 27 Q · 27%
General CodePlan ReadingEstimatingOccupancy classification and building height/area limitationsTypes of construction and fire-resistance rating requirementsFire and smoke protection features (fire walls, fire barriers, exterior walls)Means of egress design and occupant load calculationsAutomatic sprinkler system requirements by occupancyAccessibility requirements and accessible routesSpecial inspections and testing requirementsTrench excavation quantity calculations and soil volume conversions
Associated Trades 10 Q · 10%
Gypsum board and panel product types, specifications, and limitationsDrywall framing requirements and fastener spacing for wood and steel framingGypsum board cladding methods (single-layer, double-layer, adhesive, and screw attachment)Levels of drywall finish and joint treatment applicationConventional plaster application methods, bases, and multi-coat systemsSuspended acoustical ceiling systems, grid types, and panel selectionCement board and backerboard installation for wet and tile applicationsIBC requirements for interior finishes, gypsum construction, glazing, plumbing fixtures, elevators, and conveying systems
Roofing 6 Q · 6%
Roof slope measurement and calculation methodsAsphalt shingle types, ratings, and installation patternsUnderlayment types, requirements, and installation by roof slope and covering typeValley flashing and construction methods (open, closed-cut, woven)Built-up roofing (BUR) systems, materials, and bitumen typesWood shingles and shakes installation, exposure, and fasteningTile roofing installation, fastening, and underlayment systemsMetal roofing panel types, seam methods, and installation

Key Distinctions

Nominal dimensions (lumber)vsNet (actual) dimensions (lumber)

Nominal dimensions are used when specifying lumber sizes on architectural drawings, while net (actual) dimensions must be used when performing structural computations to determine required member sizes.

2021 International Building Code, Section 2301.2
Active lateral soil pressurevsAt-rest lateral soil pressure

Foundation walls extending not more than 8 feet below grade that are laterally supported at the top by flexible diaphragms may be designed for active pressure, whereas walls where horizontal movement is restricted at the top must be designed for the higher at-rest pressure.

2021 International Building Code, Section 1610.1
Direct (job) overhead costvsDirect construction cost

Direct overhead costs (e.g., traffic control, barricades, flaggers) are administrative costs tied to a specific job but not to a specific trade or phase, whereas direct construction costs are the actual labor, material, and equipment costs (e.g., pipe, backhoe rental, bedding aggregate).

Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 20-21
3/8-inch gypsum panelsvs1/2-inch and 5/8-inch gypsum panels

3/8-inch gypsum panels are limited to framing spaced a maximum of 16 inches on center, while 1/2-inch and 5/8-inch panels are rated for framing centers up to 24 inches on center.

Gypsum Construction Handbook, Page 3 (Gypsum Panel Limitations item 3)
Fiberglass asphalt shinglesvsOrganic asphalt shingles

Fiberglass shingles use a fiberglass base mat saturated with asphalt, while organic shingles use a cellulose-fiber base mat.

Roofing Construction and Estimating, Chapter 4—Asphalt Shingles
Primary drainage system (roof)vsSecondary drainage system (roof)

The primary drainage system handles normal roof drainage, while the secondary drainage system is installed at a higher elevation and activates only when the primary system is blocked, limiting water accumulation above that elevation.

2021 International Building Code, Section 1611.3
Uninhabitable attic without storagevsUninhabitable attic with storage

An uninhabitable attic without storage (clear height < 42 inches) requires only 10 psf minimum live load, while one classified as having storage (clear height ≥ 42 inches, or truss web accommodating a 42-in × 24-in rectangle) requires 20 psf.

2021 International Building Code, Section 1607.22.1 and Table 1607.1
Truss design drawingvsTruss placement diagram

The truss design drawing details engineering data for each individual truss (slope, span, spacing, loads, joint locations, etc.), while the truss placement diagram shows where each truss is to be positioned in the structure; both must be delivered with the truss shipment.

2021 International Building Code, Section 2303.4.1.1
Deck attachment via toenails or withdrawal nailsvsPositive anchoring for deck attachment

Toenails or nails subject to withdrawal are expressly prohibited for attaching a deck to an exterior wall; decks must instead be positively anchored to the primary structure and designed for both vertical and lateral loads.

2021 International Building Code, Section 1604.8.3
Vinyl siding minimum thicknessvsFiber-cement lap siding minimum overlap

Vinyl siding must have a minimum nominal thickness of 0.035 inch, whereas fiber-cement lap siding is governed by a minimum lap (overlap between courses) of 1-1/4 inches—these are separate dimensional requirements for different cladding types.

IBC 2021, Table 1404.2
Vinyl siding nail penetrationvsFiber-cement siding nail penetration

Vinyl siding nails must penetrate at least 1-1/4 inches into nailable substrate, while fiber-cement siding nails must penetrate at least 1 inch into wood studs.

IBC 2021, Section 1404.14.1.1
Cripple wall bracing lengthvsWall-above bracing length

The required bracing length for a cripple wall must be multiplied by a factor of 1.15 compared to the bracing length used for the wall above it.

IRC Section R602.10.10

Key Terms

Rain Load Formula (R = 5.2(ds + dh)) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1611.1
Per IBC Section 1611.1, roof rain load R is calculated as 5.2 times the sum of the static head (ds, depth of water up to the blocked primary drain inlet) and the hydraulic head (dh, additional depth above the secondary drain inlet at design flow).
Design Rainfall Event for Roof Rain Loads 2021 International Building Code, Section 1611.1
Per IBC Section 1611.1, the design rainfall for roof rain load calculations shall be based on the 100-year, 15-minute duration storm event, or on other approved local weather data.
Concrete Floor Slab Minimum Thickness 2021 International Building Code, Section 1907.1
Per IBC Section 1907.1, concrete floor slabs supported directly on the ground must be not less than 3-1/2 inches thick.
Vapor Retarder (under slab) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1907.1
Per IBC Section 1907.1, a 6-mil polyethylene vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches must be placed between the base course and the concrete floor slab.
Anchor Bolt Embedment (wood sill to concrete) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1905.1.8
Per IBC Section 1905.1.8, anchor bolts attaching wood sill plates to concrete foundation stem walls must be embedded a minimum of 7 inches into the concrete.
Maximum Floor-to-Floor Height (conventional light-frame) 2021 International Building Code, Section 2308.2.2
Per IBC Section 2308.2.2, the maximum floor-to-floor height in conventional light-frame construction is 11 feet, 7 inches, with individual bearing wall stud heights not exceeding 10 feet.
Double Top Plate End Joint Offset 2021 International Building Code, Section 2308.5.3.2
Per IBC Section 2308.5.3.2, end joints in double top plates of exterior bearing walls must be offset not less than 48 inches.
Bored Hole Limit in Bearing Wall Studs 2021 International Building Code, Section 2308.5.10
Per IBC Section 2308.5.10, the diameter of bored holes in wood studs in a bearing wall shall not exceed 40 percent of the stud depth (60 percent for nonbearing partitions).
Ponding Instability Evaluation Standard 2021 International Building Code, Section 1611.2
Per IBC Sections 1608.3 and 1611.2, susceptible bays of roofs must be evaluated for ponding instability in accordance with Chapters 7 and 8 of ASCE 7.
Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss Standard 2021 International Building Code, Section 2303.4.6
Per IBC Section 2303.4.6, the design, manufacture, and quality assurance of metal-plate-connected wood trusses shall conform to TPI 1.
Plain Concrete Footing Minimum Thickness (Group R-3) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1906.1
Per IBC Section 1906.1, for Group R-3 occupancies of light-frame construction less than two stories, plain concrete footings may be as thin as 6 inches provided they do not extend more than 4 inches on either side of the supported wall.
Plastic Facing Area Limit for Electric Signs IBC 2021, Page H-2
Per IBC Appendix H, Section H107.1.2, individual plastic facings of electric signs shall not exceed 200 square feet in area.
Ground Sign Bottom Coping Clearance IBC 2021, Page H-3
Per IBC Appendix H, Section H109.2, the bottom coping of every ground sign must be not less than 3 feet above the ground or street level.
Top Plate Repair (notching > 50%) IRC Section R602.6.1
Per IRC Section R602.6.1, when piping or ductwork requires notching a top plate by more than 50 percent of its width, a galvanized metal tie not less than 0.054 inch thick and 1-1/2 inches wide, fastened with eight 10d nails on each side, must be installed across the plate on each side of the opening.
Tail Joist Header Support Threshold 2021 International Building Code, Section 2308.4.4
Per IBC Section 2308.4.4, tail joists longer than 12 feet must be supported at the header by framing anchors or on ledger strips not less than 2 inches by 2 inches.
Nominal vs. Actual Lumber Dimensions 2021 International Building Code, Section 2301.2
Per IBC Sections 2301.2 and 2304.2, lumber sizes called out on drawings are nominal (e.g., 2×4) unless designated otherwise, but structural computations must use the net (actual) dimensions.

Formulas to Know

Roof Rain LoadR = 5.2 × (ds + dh) [where ds = static head depth to primary drain inlet (in.), dh = hydraulic head above secondary drain inlet at design flow (in.)]
Maximum Elevation Difference Between Two PointsΔElev = Higher corner elevation − Lower corner elevation
Maximum Bored Hole Diameter — Floor JoistMax hole diameter = Joist depth ÷ 3 (hole must also be ≥ 2 in. from top or bottom edge)
Maximum Bored Hole Diameter — Bearing Wall StudMax hole diameter = Stud depth × 0.40 (nonbearing partition: × 0.60)
Cripple Wall Bracing LengthCripple wall bracing length = Wall-above bracing length × 1.15
Minimum Joist Bearing LengthBearing on wood or metal ≥ 1.5 in.; Bearing on masonry ≥ 3 in.
Minimum Opposite-Side Joist LapLap ≥ 3 in. when joists frame from opposite sides of a beam, girder, or partition
Minimum Double Top Plate End Joint OffsetOffset ≥ 48 in. between end joints in double top plates
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