Alabama Lath and Plaster Contractor Examination

Under OSHA construction fall-protection rules (29 CFR 1926 Subpart M), at what height must workers on unprotected sides and edges generally be protected from falling?

• A4 feet above a lower level
• B6 feet above a lower level
• C10 feet above a lower level
• D15 feet above a lower level

Per OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L, when must employees working on a scaffold generally be protected from falling?

• AMore than 4 feet above a lower level
• BMore than 6 feet above a lower level
• CMore than 10 feet above a lower level
• DMore than 20 feet above a lower level

What is OSHA’s permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica in construction as an 8-hour time-weighted average?

• A25 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³)
• B50 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³)
• C100 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³)
• D250 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³)

When employees are exposed to falling-object hazards during multi-level lath and plaster work, what PPE does OSHA specifically require employers to provide for head protection?

• AOnly safety glasses
• BHard hats
• COnly face shields
• DOnly hearing protection

Which control method should be used first to reduce silica dust when dry-mixing portland cement plaster ingredients?

• ARely only on disposable dust masks chosen by workers
• BEngineering controls and work practices such as local exhaust, water, or enclosed mixing,…
• COnly increase general room fans with no source control
• DOnly schedule longer shifts so dust settles overnight

What is the primary purpose of a written exposure control plan under OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica standard for construction?

• ATo replace all SDS documents on site
• BTo describe silica tasks, controls, housekeeping, and restricted-access procedures
• CTo list only the brand names of joint compound
• DTo eliminate the need for employee training

When working from a scaffold platform while applying exterior stucco, what is the best practice for material staging?

• AStack bags so they overhang the platform edge for easy access
• BKeep platforms free of debris and stage materials so load capacity and clear working area…
• CPlace all materials on one end only, regardless of scaffold design load
• DStore wet plaster mix directly against guardrail posts to brace them

Which hazard is most directly associated with cutting or grinding cured portland cement plaster without dust controls?

• ALead vapor only
• BRespirable crystalline silica dust
• CCarbon monoxide from the plaster itself
• DAsbestos in all modern stucco mixes

Before raising a mobile scaffold for exterior lath installation, what must the crew verify?

• AThat casters are unlocked so the scaffold can roll freely while occupied
• BThat the scaffold is level, fully planked as required, and casters are locked before work…
• CThat only two diagonal braces are installed on one side
• DThat guardrails are optional below 20 feet

Which eye and face protection practice is appropriate when mixing dry cementitious plaster products?

• ANo eye protection is needed if mixing outdoors
• BUse safety glasses or goggles rated for the dust and splash hazard present
• COnly sunglasses for UV protection
• DContact lenses alone provide adequate protection

During interior demolition of old plaster, what is the safest approach when the age and composition of the coating are unknown?

• AAssume all old plaster is safe and dry-scrape without assessment
• BAssess for regulated materials such as asbestos or lead per applicable rules before aggre…
• CUse only compressed air to blow dust off surfaces
• DSoak the entire structure with solvent-based strippers overnight

Before installing metal lath for exterior portland cement plaster, what substrate condition must be confirmed?

• AFraming is complete, plumb/true within tolerances, and ready to receive water-resistive b…
• BAll finish paint has already been applied to sheathing
• CInsulation is omitted so plaster can stick to framing
• DWeep screeds are installed after the brown coat

Over wood-based exterior sheathing, what is a common code-compliant water-resistive barrier approach before cement plaster on framed walls?

• ANo barrier is needed if the stucco is thick enough
• BTwo layers of Grade D building paper or an approved equivalent WRB system per code
• CA single layer of interior vapor retarder paper only
• DPlastic housewrap with all seams left open

What is the primary purpose of a foundation weep screed in an exterior stucco assembly?

• ATo serve as the only structural support for metal lath
• BTo terminate the plaster at the base and allow moisture in the wall cladding to drain out
• CTo replace control joints on upper floors
• DTo bond the finish coat chemically to the foundation

Per common IRC exterior plaster provisions, how far above exterior earth should the weep screed typically be located?

• AFlush with finished grade
• BNot less than 4 inches above earth
• CNot less than 12 inches above earth
• DNot less than 24 inches above earth

Before applying plaster over a solid masonry or concrete base, what surface condition is most important?

• AThe surface is clean, sound, and free of form oil, loose material, and bond-breaking cont…
• BThe surface is painted with oil-based enamel for smoothness
• CThe surface is covered with polyethylene film
• DThe surface is polished to a glass-like finish

What is a dash-bond coat used for in portland cement plaster work?

• ATo replace the scratch coat on metal lath
• BTo improve bond of plaster to a prepared solid substrate when specified
• CTo serve as the decorative finish texture
• DTo waterproof the foundation footing

When wood sheathing panels are installed under an exterior plaster system, how should panel edges typically be detailed for movement?

• AButted tightly with no gap
• BGapped approximately 1/8 inch at edges unless manufacturer or code directs otherwise
• COverlapped like clapboard siding
• DSeparated by 2 inches minimum

What should be done at openings such as windows and doors before exterior plaster base coats are applied?

• ALeave openings unfinished so plaster can fill the voids
• BInstall approved flashings, WRB integration, and plaster accessories such as casing beads…
• CCover openings only with housewrap tape after the finish coat
• DOmit all accessories if control joints are used elsewhere

For gypsum board that will receive joint finishing, what environmental condition is preferred before finishing begins?

• ABoard and joint materials are installed and acclimated in a temperature and humidity rang…
• BFinishing must occur only below freezing to speed drying
• CRelative humidity above 95% is required for all coats
• DNo temperature limits apply to joint compounds

What is the correct action if form-release oil is found on concrete walls scheduled for direct-applied cement plaster?

• AIgnore it if the oil has dried for 24 hours
• BRemove the contaminant and prepare the surface so plaster can bond
• CCover the oil with interior latex paint
• DApply finish coat only, skipping base coats

Why must dissimilar materials and through-wall joints be identified before plaster application?

• AThey have no effect on plaster performance
• BThey often require separation accessories, control/expansion joints, or special detailing…
• CThey always require omitting the water-resistive barrier
• DThey require using only gypsum plaster outdoors

When preparing an old painted interior wall to receive new gypsum plaster or veneer plaster, what is the most important first evaluation?

• AWhether the existing surface is sound, clean, and compatible or must be removed or re-bas…
• BWhether the paint color matches the new plaster
• CWhether the wall is exactly 12 feet high
• DWhether the room has carpet

What is the purpose of installing grounds or screeds before base-coat plastering?

• ATo eliminate the need for a finish coat
• BTo establish thickness, plane, and termination lines for the plaster coats
• CTo replace metal lath on framed walls
• DTo provide the only means of waterproofing

Before hanging gypsum board, what framing condition should be corrected?

• ABowed, out-of-plane, or poorly secured framing that will telegraph through the finished w…
• BFraming that is only 1/16 inch out of plane on a 10-foot wall, if within tolerance and sp…
• CAny wood stud with kiln-dried moisture content
• DMetal studs that are galvanized

What should be verified about blocking and backing before drywall or plaster finishes are installed?

• ABlocking for cabinets, fixtures, grab bars, and heavy accessories is installed at correct…
• BBlocking is unnecessary if adhesive is used on drywall
• CBlocking is only required above ceilings
• DBlocking must be omitted to allow free wall movement

When a portland cement plaster system will be applied over open framing with metal lath, what is required behind the lath on exterior walls?

• ANothing; lath alone is the weather barrier
• BA code-compliant water-resistive barrier and proper drainage/weep details
• CInterior polyethylene only
• DA single coat of paint on the studs

What is the recommended action when concrete masonry units (CMU) scheduled for plaster are extremely dry and absorptive?

• AApply plaster over dust without dampening
• BPre-wet or otherwise condition the masonry as needed so it does not suck moisture out of…
• CSeal the CMU with oil before plastering
• DUse only gypsum plaster on exterior CMU

Why should exterior plaster work not begin until roofing, flashings, and penetrations that drain onto the wall are complete or properly protected?

• ABecause unfinished upper work can concentrate water on new plaster and WRB details, causi…
• BBecause plaster cannot be applied if any roofing exists
• CBecause flashings are installed after the finish coat only
• DBecause penetrations never affect plaster walls

What surface defect should be corrected on gypsum board before joint finishing begins?

• ABroken paper face, crushed core edges, or proud fasteners that will telegraph through fin…
• BFactory edge bevels, which must be cut off
• CManufacturer end labels printed on the back
• DBoard installed with the light face out as intended

For exterior plaster over framed walls, where should the water-resistive barrier be placed relative to metal lath?

• AOver the finish coat
• BBehind the metal lath, on the exterior side of the sheathing/framing
• COnly on the interior face of the studs
• DBetween the brown coat and finish coat

What is a primary reason to clean loose rust, mill scale, or oily residue from metal accessories before plastering?

• ATo improve paint adhesion only on interior trim
• BTo promote proper plaster bond and reduce staining or delamination at beads and screeds
• CBecause plaster will not set if any galvanizing is present
• DTo make accessories magnetic for tool storage

When substrate irregularities exceed the ability of thin base coats to true the wall, what is the proper preparation approach?

• AIgnore hollows and hope the finish coat hides them
• BCorrect framing/substrate defects or use appropriate leveling methods before or as part o…
• COnly increase sand content of the finish coat
• DOmit control joints so the plaster can bridge gaps

What is the most common nominal thickness of gypsum board used for single-layer residential wall applications?

• A1/4 inch
• B3/8 inch
• C1/2 inch
• D1 inch

Which gypsum board type is most commonly specified for one-hour fire-rated wall assemblies?

• ARegular 1/2-inch board
• BType X 5/8-inch board
• C1/4-inch flexible board
• DFoil-back board only

For single-ply gypsum board applied to wood-framed walls without adhesive, ASTM C840 and GA-216 set 8 inches on center as the maximum spacing for which fastener?

• ANails
• BScrews
• CStaples in the face layer
• DAdhesive dabs only

How far from the edge or end of gypsum board should fasteners typically be placed?

• AFlush with the extreme edge
• BNot less than about 3/8 inch from edges and ends
• CAt least 2 inches from edges
• DOnly in the exact center of the board

What is the correct depth to drive a drywall screw?

• ALeave the head above the paper face
• BSet the head slightly below the face without breaking the paper
• CDrive completely through the board into a cavity
• DStop when the screw is only half engaged in the framing

Which product is generally preferred as a tile backer in wet areas such as tub and shower walls under current codes and industry practice?

• AStandard paper-faced greenboard alone
• BCement board or other code-approved wet-area backer
• CRegular 1/2-inch drywall only
• DFoil-back drywall only

According to Gypsum Association GA-214, what best describes a Level 4 drywall finish?

• ANo tape or finishing
• BTape embedded with additional coats of compound suitable for flat paints and light textur…
• COnly fastener spotting with no joint tape
• DFull skim coat over the entire surface as the minimum definition of Level 4

When should a Level 5 gypsum board finish typically be specified?

• AOnly in temporary construction
• BWhere severe lighting conditions or gloss/enamel paints will highlight surface imperfecti…
• COnly behind ceramic tile
• DOnly in attics not open to view

What ASTM standard primarily covers application and finishing of gypsum board?

• AASTM C926
• BASTM C1063
• CASTM C840
• DASTM C847

Why are gypsum board joints typically staggered on opposite faces of a wall and in multi-layer systems?

• ATo reduce continuous weak planes and improve strength, fire, and sound performance
• BOnly to use fewer screws
• CBecause tape cannot be used on aligned joints
• DTo eliminate the need for corner bead

What is the preferred fastener type for attaching gypsum board to steel studs?

• ASmooth-shank common nails
• BType S screws designed for steel framing
• CRoofing staples only
• DHot-melt adhesive alone with no mechanical fasteners

What is the nominal total thickness of a standard three-coat portland cement plaster system over metal lath?

• A3/8 inch
• B1/2 inch
• C7/8 inch
• D2 inches