Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Tennessee BC-b 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
70
Passing score
73%
Exam time
200 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Tennessee State Portion 70 questions
Sitework, Footings, and Foundation
6 Q · 9%
SiteworkFootingsFoundationSoil classification and bearing capacityGeotechnical investigations and soil testingExcavation safety and protective systems (OSHA Subpart P)Dampproofing and waterproofing of foundation wallsConcrete formwork design and constructionReinforcing steel placement in footings and foundationsSoil compaction methods and testing (Proctor tests)Site grading, drainage, and backfill requirements
Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement
8 Q · 11%
ConcreteConcrete ReinforcementFormwork design, construction, and safety requirementsConcrete mixture proportioning and field control testingConcrete placement, consolidation, and finishing methodsConcrete durability requirements and exposure classificationsDevelopment length, splices, and anchorage of reinforcementConstruction joints, contraction joints, and isolation jointsFoundations, footings, and subgrade preparationPrecast and prestressed concrete systems
Masonry
6 Q · 9%
Masonry materials — brick, concrete masonry units, stone, mortar, and grout types and propertiesMortar types, proportioning, mixing, and application (ASTM C270 types M, S, N, O, K)Masonry wall systems — solid, hollow, cavity, composite, reinforced, and veneer wallsLaying brick and concrete block — techniques, coursing, bond patterns, leads, and mason's lineFootings and foundation walls for masonry constructionAnchors, ties, joint reinforcement, and flashing in masonry assembliesMasonry design methods — allowable stress design, strength design, and empirical design (ACI 530/TMS 402)OSHA safety requirements for concrete and masonry construction (29 CFR 1926 Subpart Q)
Metals
12 Q · 17%
Steel joist types and designations (K-Series, LH-Series, DLH-Series, joist girders, CJ-Series composite joists)Steel deck types and profiles (composite floor deck, roof deck, form deck, cellular deck, acoustic deck)Erection bridging requirements and installation procedures for open web steel joistsOSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart R steel erection safety requirementsReceiving, unloading, and jobsite storage of joist products and steel deckSteel deck fastening methods (arc spot welds, mechanical fasteners, shear studs, side lap connections)Column anchorage and structural steel assembly requirements (anchor rods, bolting, plumbing-up)Cold-formed steel framing types, designations, and construction methods
Carpentry
6 Q · 9%
Wall framing components and assembly (studs, plates, headers, rough openings)Floor framing systems (girders, posts, joists, subfloor construction)Roof framing types and rafter layout (gable, hip, shed, common rafter calculations)Hip, valley, and jack rafter layout and cuttingEngineered wood products (plywood grading, LVL, OSB, I-joists, glulam)Wood properties, lumber grading, and moisture contentBuilding codes, permits, and inspections for constructionFinish carpentry (doors, windows, molding, trim, stairways, cabinets, finish flooring)
Roofing
7 Q · 10%
Roof slope calculation and measurement methodsRoof framing components and terminology (ridge boards, rafters, jack rafters, hip and valley rafters)Roof sheathing and decking types and requirementsUnderlayment types, application methods, and requirements by slope and materialAsphalt shingle installation methods, patterns, and fastening requirementsFlashing installation at valleys, chimneys, eaves, and roof penetrationsRoofing material types and their characteristics (asphalt, wood, tile, slate, metal, built-up, elastomeric, roll roofing)Roofing repair, maintenance, and leak identification
Associated Construction Trades
5 Q · 7%
Gypsum board and panel product types, properties, and selectionDrywall installation methods and fastening techniquesLevels of gypsum board finish and joint treatment applicationConventional plaster and veneer plaster applicationsSuspended and acoustical ceiling systems design and installationCement board and backerboard installation for wet areasInterior finish materials fire performance classification and IBC requirementsFinish flooring types and installation methods
OSHA Safety
5 Q · 7%
Fall protection systems and requirements (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest)Scaffolding types, capacity, and safety requirementsLadder and stairway safety requirementsPersonal protective equipment (PPE) selection and useExcavation and trenching protective systemsHazard communication, toxic and hazardous substances (asbestos, silica, lead)Fire protection and prevention on construction sitesConfined space entry procedures and permit requirements
General Code, Plan Reading, and Estimating
15 Q · 21%
General CodePlan ReadingEstimatingOccupancy classification and building use groupsTypes of construction and fire-resistance ratingsBuilding height and area limitationsMeans of egress requirements and occupant load calculationsFire protection systems and automatic sprinkler requirementsAccessibility requirements and accessible routesSpecial inspections and testing requirementsSafeguards and site work during construction
Key Distinctions
3/8" Gypsum Panelvs1/2" or 5/8" Gypsum Panel
3/8" panels are limited to a maximum framing spacing of 16" on center, while 1/2" and 5/8" panels may be used on framing centers 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 the base, while organic shingles use a cellulose-fiber base mat; both are saturated and coated with asphalt and 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 be opened for ventilation, whereas a double-hung window can only open a portion of its total area.
Windows & Skylights chapter, Types of Windows sectionMuntinvsMullion
A muntin is a vertical or horizontal piece within a sash that holds individual panes of glass, while a mullion strip is a vertical piece that separates two combined window units from each other.
Windows & Skylights chapter, Double-Hung 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 lack these properties.
Residential Doors chapter, Flat-Panel Doors sectionDirect (Job) Overhead CostvsDirect Construction Cost
Direct job overhead costs (e.g., traffic control, barricades, flaggers) are administrative costs tied to a specific job but not to a specific trade, whereas direct construction costs are labor, material, and equipment costs tied directly to a specific construction phase (e.g., pipe materials, backhoe rental).
Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Pages 20-21Extruded Expanded Polystyrene (XPS)vsExpanded Polystyrene (EPS)
XPS has greater compressive strength and is specifically suitable for below-grade foundation wall insulation, while EPS is used for above-grade applications where lower compressive strength is acceptable.
Carpentry And Building Construction, Section 31.1 — Rigid Insulation Materials and R-ValueCold JointvsKeyway
A cold joint is an unintended weak, leak-prone seam where fresh concrete is poured against already-curing concrete, while a keyway is an intentionally formed groove (3½" wide × 1½" deep) cast into a footing to mechanically lock the foundation wall and resist moisture seepage.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 10.1, Page 258Floor Joist Bearing on Wood or MetalvsFloor Joist Bearing on Masonry
IBC Section 2308.4.2.2 requires a minimum bearing length of 1½ inches when joists bear on wood or metal, but a minimum of 3 inches when bearing on masonry.
2021 International Building Code, Section 2308.4.2.2TheodolitevsStandard Transit
A theodolite reads horizontal and vertical angles electronically and displays them on an LCD screen, eliminating the need for a vernier scale, whereas a standard transit relies on manual reading of a vernier scale.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Types of InstrumentsTruss Design DrawingsvsTruss Placement Diagram
Truss design drawings specify structural loads and member details for each truss, while the truss placement diagram shows where each truss is to be located within the structure; both must be delivered to the job site with the trusses per IBC Sections 2303.4.1.1 and 2303.4.2.
2021 International Building Code, Sections 2303.4.1.1 and 2303.4.2Five-Bag Mix (Concrete)vsSix-Bag Mix (Concrete)
A five-bag mix (five bags of cement per cubic yard) is the minimum acceptable for most concrete work, while a six-bag mix is specified where high strength is needed or where steel reinforcement is used.
Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 8.2, Page 226Key Terms
Minimum Concrete Floor Slab Thickness (IBC 1907.1) 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 3½ inches thick.
Polyethylene Vapor Retarder Under Slab (IBC 1907.1) 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 or subgrade and the concrete floor slab.
Plain Concrete Footing Minimum Thickness — Group R-3 (IBC 1906.1) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1906.1
Per IBC Section 1906.1, for Group R-3 occupancies and light-frame construction under two stories, plain concrete footings may be as thin as 6 inches, provided the footing does not extend more than 4 inches beyond the supported wall on either side.
Anchor Bolt Embedment — Wood Sill Plate (IBC 1905.1.8) 2021 International Building Code, Section 1905.1.8
Per IBC Section 1905.1.8, anchor bolts attaching wood sill plates to concrete foundations must be embedded a minimum of 7 inches into the concrete.
Truss Additional Loading Restriction (IBC 2303.4.5) 2021 International Building Code, Section 2303.4.5
Per IBC Section 2303.4.5, no additional loads (e.g., HVAC equipment, piping, additional roofing) may be added to any truss member without first verifying that the truss is capable of supporting such additional loading.
Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Truss Standard (IBC 2303.4.6) 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 be in accordance with TPI 1.
Floor Joist Lap at Beam or Partition (IBC 2308.4.2.3) 2021 International Building Code, Section 2308.4.2.3
Per IBC Section 2308.4.2.3, when floor joists frame from opposite sides of a beam, girder, or partition, they must be lapped not less than 3 inches or tied together in an approved manner.
Type-X Gypsum Board Fastener Spacing — Garage Ceiling (IBC Table 25.06.1) IBC 2021, Chapter 25, Table 25.06.1 (Gypsum Board fastening requirements)
Per IBC Chapter 25, Type-X gypsum board on a garage ceiling beneath a habitable room must be fastened perpendicular to ceiling framing at a maximum of 6 inches on center using minimum 1-5/8" 6d coated nails or equivalent drywall screws.
Differential Leveling Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Measuring a Difference in Elevation
The process of determining elevation differences between remote points that require one or more intermediate instrument setups between the two points.
Consolidation (Concrete) 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 the forms.
Crawl Space Ventilation Requirement Carpentry And Building Construction, Section 31.1 — Crawl-Space Ventilation
A minimum of 1 square foot of net ventilation area is required for every 150 square feet of crawl-space floor area when a vapor retarder is present over the soil.
Egress Window Minimum Open Area Windows & Skylights chapter, Design Requirements section
Egress windows on upper floors must have an unblocked open area of not less than 5.7 sq. ft.; grade-floor egress windows require a minimum of 5.0 sq. ft.
U-Value (Windows) Windows & Skylights chapter, Energy Efficiency - Ratings section
A rating of a window's heat-transfer rate where a lower U-value indicates greater insulating performance and less heat loss or gain.
Room-Finish Schedule Carpentry and Building Construction, Section 2.3, Page 57
A document included in architectural plans that identifies the materials and finishes to be used for floors, walls, and ceilings in each room of a building.
Batter Boards Carpentry and Building Construction, Chapter 9 — Setting Up Batter Boards
Temporary boards set up at each building corner at least 4 feet beyond the foundation lines to maintain layout strings during excavation and foundation work.
Formulas to Know
Excavation Volume (Cubic Yards)
[(Length + clearance both sides) × (Width + clearance both sides) × Depth] ÷ 27Crawl Space Net Ventilation Area (sq ft)
Crawl-space floor area (sq ft) ÷ 150Elevation Difference Between Two Points
Higher elevation − Lower elevation = Difference in elevationBoard Feet of Lumber (from table factor)
Room surface area (sq ft) × Table factor (BF per 100 sq ft) ÷ 100Right-Angle Layout (Transit Method)
Set 360° scale to 0 on baseline → rotate telescope until scale reads 90° → mark second lineBox Header Track Cut Length
Header length + 2 inches (flanges snipped back 1" each end, web bent with hand seamer)Rough Opening Width — Panelized Steel Wall (Window)
Clear window width + 12 inches (accommodates two trimmer/jack studs + one wood stud each side)Minimum Rebar Cover in Footings
Concrete cover over rebar ≥ 3 inches