Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor Practice Exam
Free Practice Exam
Test your knowledge with 10 questions from our pool of 20 free questions.
- 10 questions per attempt
- 30 minute time limit
- Unlimited attempts
- A new mix each time
- Instant results
Full Practice Exam
Complete exam simulation matching the real Prov test format.
- 70 questions (same as real exam)
- 210 minute time limit
- 15 topic areas covered
- 706 questions in pool
- Detailed explanations
Texts preferred · 9am–9pm Central
Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor Practice Exam Guide
What's on the exam
Questions per topic, out of 70This practice exam is built around the official content outline for the Tennessee BC-b Small Commercial Contractor exam: Estimating, Plan Reading, General Code, Sitework, Footings and Foundations, Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement, Masonry, Carpentry, Doors, Windows, and Stairs, Interior Finish, Structural Steel, Roofing, Siding, and Insulation, Plumbing Concepts, HVAC Concepts, Electrical Concepts, OSHA Safety.
There are two ways to practice. The free practice exam gives you 10 questions per attempt, and you can take it as many times as you like. The full practice exam gives you 70 questions on a 210 minutes clock, with a new draw from our question bank each time.
Estimating, Plan Reading 9 items
Our study plan for this topic: Reading and interpreting civil drawings (site plans, plan and profile sheets, cross-sections); Contour lines, grading plans, and cut-and-fill maps; Excavation volume calculations (rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, and cylindrical shapes); Unit conversions and material weight calculations for excavation; Construction specifications format (CSI MasterFormat Division 31 Earthwork); Slope and grade control using stakes, benchmarks, and layout methods.
General Code 6 items
Our study plan for this topic: Occupancy classification and use group assignments (Groups A, B, E, F, H, I, M, R, S, U); Building height and area limitations by occupancy and type of construction; Types of construction (Types I–V) and fire-resistance rating requirements for building elements; Fire-resistance-rated assemblies: fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers, and smoke partitions; Means of egress requirements: occupant load, exit capacity, number and separation of exits, egress illumination; Automatic sprinkler system requirements by occupancy, building height, and fire area; Accessibility requirements: accessible routes, entrances, parking, and means of egress; Scope, administration, and authority of the building official; permits, inspections, and certificates.
Sitework 2 items
Our study plan for this topic: Excavation safety requirements and competent person responsibilities (OSHA 1926 Subpart P); Trench protective systems: sloping, benching, shoring, and shielding; Soil classification for excavation (Type A, B, C, Stable Rock); Grading operations: cuts, fills, compaction, and slope requirements (IBC Appendix J); Earthmoving equipment selection and site excavation methods; Drainage and water control on construction sites; Underground pipe installation: trench preparation, bedding, and thrust blocks; Paving operations: concrete and hot-mix asphalt methods, equipment, and quality control.
Footings and Foundations 4 items
Our study plan for this topic: Soil classification and presumptive load-bearing values; Footing minimum dimensions, depth, and frost protection; Concrete and masonry foundation wall design and reinforcement; Foundation dampproofing and waterproofing; Geotechnical investigations and soil testing requirements; Footings and foundations on or adjacent to slopes; Deep foundation elements and pile design requirements.
Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement 8 items
Our study plan for this topic: Concrete; Concrete Reinforcement; Concrete mix design and proportioning; Concrete batching, mixing, and transporting; Concrete placement, consolidation, and finishing; Curing methods and requirements; Concrete durability and exposure categories; Formwork design and removal.
Masonry 6 items
Our study plan for this topic: Masonry materials: clay brick types, grades, and manufacturing processes; Concrete masonry unit (CMU) types, grades, and properties; Mortar types, proportions, and mixing requirements; Masonry wall systems: solid, cavity, composite, hollow, and veneer walls; Laying brick and block techniques: mortar placement, coursing, leads, and mason's line; Masonry reinforcement, anchors, ties, and joint reinforcement; Masonry structural design: allowable stress, strength design, and empirical design methods; OSHA safety requirements and jobsite safety for masonry construction.
Carpentry 6 items
Our study plan for this topic: Wood wall framing components (studs, plates, headers, cripple studs, trimmer studs); Wall bracing methods and braced wall panel requirements; Header sizing and span tables for wall openings; Fastening schedules for wood wall and roof framing connections; Drilling and notching limitations for studs and top plates; Cold-formed steel wall framing materials, member identification, and installation; Wood floor framing: joist spans, bridging, blocking, and cantilevers; Wood roof framing: rafter spans, ridge boards, collar ties, and ceiling joists.
Doors, Windows, and Stairs 1 item
Our study plan for this topic: Door size, swing direction, and operational force requirements; Door hardware, locking, and latching requirements (including panic hardware and delayed egress); Special door types (revolving, power-operated, sliding, and security grilles); Stair dimensions, treads, risers, landings, and headroom; Handrail requirements for stairs and ramps; Guards: height, location, and opening limitations; Safety glazing: hazardous locations and impact test requirements; Glazing in handrails, guards, skylights, and sloped applications.
Interior Finish 1 item
Our study plan for this topic: Gypsum board types and special-use panels (Type X, water-resistant, abuse-resistant, flexible, sheathing); Drywall fasteners: nails, screws (Types W, S, G), and adhesives — selection and spacing requirements; Fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies: single-ply vs. multi-ply construction and fire-stopping methods; Interior wall and ceiling finish flame spread and smoke-developed classifications (Class A, B, C) by occupancy; Sound-isolation construction methods: STC ratings, separated partitions, resilient channels, and sound-isolating materials; Drywall installation procedures: cutting, fitting, fastener patterns, floating interior angle construction, and moisture-resistant applications; Drywall accessories: corner beads, casings, control joints, and perimeter relief; Interior floor finish and decorative materials requirements under IBC Chapter 8.
Structural Steel 12 items
Our study plan for this topic: Pre-erection activities and site readiness verification; Structural steel erection sequence (columns, horizontal members, bracing and bridging); Column anchorage requirements and anchor bolt tolerances; Bolted and welded field connections (framed-beam, seated-beam, end-plate, single-plate shear); Erection tolerances for columns and structural members; Temporary supports, bracing, and plumbing-up during erection; Steel erection safety requirements under OSHA Subpart R (fall protection, hoisting, open web steel joists, metal decking); Pre-engineered metal building erection and IBC Chapter 22 steel design standards.
Roofing, Siding, and Insulation 7 items
Our study plan for this topic: Roof covering types and minimum slope requirements (asphalt shingles, clay/concrete tile, metal panels, wood shingles/shakes, built-up, modified bitumen, single-ply); Underlayment selection, application, and attachment requirements by roof covering type and wind speed; Roof flashing requirements (valleys, drip edges, base/cap flashing, crickets and saddles, parapet walls); Fire classification of roof assemblies (Class A, B, C ratings and applicable construction types); Insulation types, R-values, and installation methods (flexible, loose-fill, rigid/semirigid, reflective, spray foam); Vapor retarders and moisture control (perm ratings, vapor barrier classes, placement relative to building thermal envelope by climate zone); Exterior wall weather protection and water-resistive barriers (building wrap/house wrap installation, flashing at openings, drainage requirements); Reroofing requirements (roof recover vs. roof replacement, conditions prohibiting recover, reinstallation of materials).
Plumbing Concepts 1 item
Our study plan for this topic: Minimum plumbing fixture counts by occupancy type (IBC Table 2902.1); Sanitary drainage system design: pipe sizing, slope, and fixture unit values; Backflow prevention devices and cross-connection control; Venting methods and vent pipe sizing requirements; Water supply system design: pressure, flow rates, and pipe sizing; Fixture trap requirements: seal depth, size, and prohibited trap types; Water heater installation: relief valves, pan requirements, and prohibited locations; Storm drainage and subsoil drain systems.
HVAC Concepts 1 item
Our study plan for this topic: Combustion air requirements and sizing methods for fuel-gas appliances; Fuel gas piping materials, sizing, and installation; Venting systems and chimney types for gas appliances (Type B, BW, L, single-wall, factory-built); Duct system construction, materials, insulation, and sealing; Heating and cooling equipment installation, sizing, and clearances to combustibles; Condensate disposal and auxiliary drain pan requirements; Boiler and water heater installation, safety controls, and pressure relief; Exhaust systems for dryers, cooking equipment, and mechanical ventilation.
Electrical Concepts 1 item
Our study plan for this topic: GFCI and AFCI protection requirements by location; Service entrance sizing, conductors, and disconnecting means; Grounding and bonding systems (electrodes, conductors, jumpers); Branch circuit ratings, loading, and overcurrent protection; Receptacle outlet placement and spacing requirements; Wiring methods, raceways, and conduit fill; Panelboard installation, ratings, and working space clearances; Emergency and standby power systems (IBC requirements).
OSHA Safety 5 items
Our study plan for this topic: Fall protection requirements and systems (guardrail, safety net, personal fall arrest); Scaffold safety requirements and load capacity; Excavation and trenching safety (cave-in protection, sloping, shoring); Personal protective equipment (PPE) selection and employer responsibilities; Electrical safety in construction (grounding, GFCI, lockout/tagout, working clearances); Hazardous and toxic substances (asbestos, silica, permissible exposure limits); Fire protection and prevention on construction sites; Stairway and ladder safety requirements.
Sample 1 — Structural Steel
Question: You are managing the erection of DLH-Series joists with spans exceeding 100 feet. What erection bridging requirement applies before the hoisting cables can be released?
- A. One row nearest mid-span
- B. All rows of bridging
- C. Two rows nearest the third points
- D. No erection bridging is required
Correct Answer: B
For DLH-Series joists with spans over 100 feet (GRAY shading in the load table), all rows of bridging are considered erection bridging and must be completely installed before the hoisting cables may be released.
Reference: SJI Technical Digest / Erection Manual, Chapter 5, Page 5-16 (Erection Bridging section) (alternate reference, allowed only through January 1, 2027)
Sample 2 — Estimating, Plan Reading
Question: The cost of building a 1,940 square foot house in Charleston, SC, at a rate of $50 per square foot, would be estimated at $______.
- A. 77,600
- B. 103,000
- C. 116,400
- D. 97,000
Correct Answer: D
Using the average cost per square foot method: 1,940 sq ft × $50/sq ft = $97,000. This calculation is demonstrated in the textbook using Charleston, SC as a sample location with a construction cost of $50 per square foot.
Reference: Carpentry and Building Construction, Page 39 (alternate reference, allowed only through January 1, 2027)
Sample 3 — Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement
Question: A high-strength concrete mixture containing silica fume and a high-range water reducer is specified for a high-rise column pour. Optimum results for this class of concrete are obtained with moist curing for what period?
- A. 3 days or more
- B. 14 days or more
- C. 28 days or more
- D. 7 days or more
Correct Answer: C
Section 2.4.4 states that optimum curing of high-strength and high-performance concrete is achieved with moist curing for 28 days or more. These mixes use very low water-cementitious material ratios and require carefully controlled mixing, placing, consolidation, and curing.
Reference: Study Guide for Commercial Building Contractor, Module 23212 Properties of Concrete, Section 2.4.4
Your first score is just a starting point. After every attempt, the results page shows how you did on each outline topic, so you can see what to work on next. Compare your score with the real exam's passing score, 73% correct, and keep at it until you pass consistently.
- Start with the questions you know. Go through the whole exam once and bookmark anything you're unsure about. Our practice exams let you bookmark and come back.
- Circle back to your bookmarks on the second pass.
- Keep an eye on your pace. The real exam works out to about 3 minutes per question.
- Turn every miss into a lesson. After each attempt, look up each missed question's reference in your book and read the section.
| Questions | 70 questions |
| Time limit | 210 minutes |
| Passing score | 73% correct |
| Books in the exam room | Open book |
| Exam fee | $53 |
- 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.
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.