Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor Exam Prep Checklist
Everything for the Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor exam in one place: the bulletin's key facts, the topics and how many questions each carries, the reference books, sample questions with answers, and a prep checklist. Prov gives the exam.
Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor Exam Facts
From the official bulletin:
| Questions | 70 questions |
| Time limit | 210 minutes |
| Passing score | 73% correct |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $53 |
On exam day
- The exam is multiple choice with four answer options.
- A current, valid, government-issued photo ID is required, and candidates must also sign the log and be photographed.
- Candidates should arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment.
- References are inspected before entry, any edition of a listed reference may be used, and books with handwritten notes, moveable tabs, Post-its, photocopies, or test-prep guides are not allowed.
- Highlighting and permanent tabs are allowed; handwritten notes and moveable tabs are not.
- Simple 4-function calculators are permitted and a simple calculator is built into the test.
- Communication devices and other personal items are prohibited in the testing room, while approved references and a simple calculator are allowed.
Scheduling, changes and retakes
- Candidates register and schedule online at Prov's website or by calling Prov at 866-720-7768.
- Only the CMC and CMC-A examinations require Board approval before a candidate may schedule.
- Changes or cancellations must be made at least three business days before the test date, and rescheduling by that deadline is free.
- Late arrivals are turned away and forfeit their fees, as do candidates who fail to appear.
- Results are reported immediately by email with a numerical score and pass/fail result, plus a diagnostic report for candidates who fail.
- Failed exams may be retaken an unlimited number of times with no waiting period, at $53 per attempt.
- Passing candidates must submit a license application to the Board, which decides whether they qualify for licensure.
Source: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors Candidate Information Bulletin, TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18. Check the bulletin before test day: fees and rules can change.
Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor Exam Topics
The official content outline lists 14 subject areas. Interior Finish carries 0 questions, so 13 topics are scored:
| Topic | Questions | Share of the exam |
|---|---|---|
| Estimating, Plan Reading | 8 | 11% |
| General Code | 5 | 7% |
| Sitework | 2 | 3% |
| Footings and Foundations | 3 | 4% |
| Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement | 17 | 24% |
| Masonry | 6 | 9% |
| Carpentry | 3 | 4% |
| Structural Steel | 14 | 20% |
| Roofing, Siding, and Insulation | 4 | 6% |
| Plumbing Concepts | 1 | 1% |
| HVAC Concepts | 1 | 1% |
| Electrical Concepts | 1 | 1% |
| OSHA Safety | 5 | 7% |
Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor Exam Prep Checklist
- Get the books the bulletin lists. You may bring an older or newer edition, but the exam is scored on the edition the bulletin names, and another edition can put the answer on a different page, or change it.
- Learn each book's table of contents and index first.
- Highlight the sections you use most and put permanent tabs on the pages you use. The bulletin allows only highlighting and permanent tabs: no handwritten notes, Post-it notes or moveable tabs.
- Start with the biggest topics: Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement and Structural Steel (44% of the exam).
- Take our timed practice exams until you pass several in a row.
- After each attempt, look up every question you missed in your book.
- Practice at the real exam's pace: about 3 minutes per question.
Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor Exam Reference Books
Where to get them:
Alternate references, allowed only through January 1, 2027:
- PTI Unbonded Post-Tensioning Level 1
- Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
- ACI 530 Masonry Building Code
- ACI 318 Structural Concrete Building Code
- Roofing Construction and Estimating
- Gypsum Construction Handbook
- Modern Masonry
- Pipe and Excavation Contracting
- SJI Technical Digest 9: Steel Joist Erection
- SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
- PCI Erectors' Manual MNL-127
- Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices
Test Day Checklist
- First pass: answer every question you know. Flag the rest. You can go back to earlier questions until you take a break. On this exam, a break freezes every question you were shown before it, answered or not, and the clock keeps running while you're away, so finish your flagged questions before any break.
- Second pass: work through your bookmarks.
- Pace: 210 minutes for 70 questions, which is about 3 minutes per question.
- Last step: answer anything still blank. A blank can't earn a point.
Study Tips
Don't be distracted by an answer that is merely factually true—focus on whether it actually answers the question. Always return to the question and verify that your chosen answer directly addresses what's being asked, not just that it's a true statement. Also, when two answers seem equally correct, read all choices carefully and select the one that best answers the question.
On an open-book exam, work through every question once: answer the ones you know and skip the ones you don't. Then go back to the ones you flagged. You can bookmark questions for later review, just like on our exams — and don't sink too much time into any single question. The clock is still running.
Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor Sample Questions
From our practice question bank, with answers and references:
Sample 1 — Masonry
Question: You are a remodeling carpenter designing a new masonry fireplace for a home in Seismic Design Category C. The chimney is 36 inches wide. How many No. 4 continuous vertical reinforcing bars, anchored in the foundation, are required?
- A. Two No. 4 bars
- B. Four No. 4 bars
- C. Eight No. 4 bars
- D. Six No. 4 bars
Correct Answer: B
Per Section 2111.4.1, for fireplaces with chimneys up to 40 inches wide, four No. 4 continuous vertical bars anchored in the foundation are required. Since 36 inches is less than 40 inches, four bars are required.
Reference: IBC 2021 Section 2111.4.1
Sample 2 — OSHA Safety
Question: You are a residential builder and your crew is excavating a trench for a new home's water line. The trench is 7 feet deep in soil that your competent person has classified as Type A. No other protective system options are being used. What is the maximum allowable slope for this simple slope excavation?
- A. ½ horizontal to 1 vertical (63 degrees)
- B. 1 horizontal to 1 vertical (45 degrees)
- C. 1½ horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees)
- D. ¾ horizontal to 1 vertical (53 degrees)
Correct Answer: D
Per 29 CFR 1926, Subpart P, Appendix B, Figure B-1.1: 'All simple slope excavations 20 feet or less in depth shall have a maximum allowable slope of ¾:1.' This means ¾ horizontal to 1 vertical, which corresponds to approximately 53 degrees measured from the horizontal. Since this is a 7-foot deep trench (under 20 feet) in Type A soil using a simple slope configuration, the maximum allowable slope is ¾:1.
Reference: 29 CFR 1926, Subpart P, Appendix B, §B-1.1
Sample 3 — General Code
Question: What is the minimum fire-resistance rating required for a fire wall separating Group F-2 and S-2 occupancies?
- A. 1 hour
- B. 2 hours
- C. 4 hours
- D. 3 hours
Correct Answer: B
Per IBC Table 706.4, fire walls separating Group F-2, S-2, R-3, and R-4 occupancies require a minimum 2-hour fire-resistance rating. Groups A, B, E, H-4, I, R-1, R-2, and U require 3 hours (which may be reduced to 2 hours in Type II or V construction), while Groups H-1 and H-2 require 4 hours.
Reference: IBC 2021 Table 706.4
Sample 4 — Roofing, Siding, and Insulation
Question: What is the minimum slope permitted for the installation of asphalt shingles on a commercial building?
- A. 2:12
- B. 4:12
- C. 3:12
- D. 1:12
Correct Answer: A
Per Section 1507.2.2, asphalt shingles shall only be used on roof slopes of 2 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) or greater. Slopes from 2:12 to less than 4:12 require double underlayment.
Reference: IBC 2021 Section 1507.2.2
Online Practice vs. a PDF
- Timed: you practice finding answers under time pressure, not just reading them.
- Bookmarks: flag questions and come back, the way you will on test day.
- New sets: each attempt draws new questions from our bank.
- Scored by topic: your results show which outline topics need more study.
Next Step
- Take the free Tennessee BC-C Industrial Contractor practice exam.
- Study the topics where you scored lowest.
- Read the exam bulletin for the official rules, and see the licensing board's website.