Florida Certified Plaster and Lath Specialty Contractor Exam

What is the scope of work a Florida Certified Plaster and Lath Specialty Contractor is qualified to perform?

• ACoating surfaces with sand, gypsum plaster, portland cement or quicklime and water, or an…
• BApplying paint, stain, and clear finishes to interior and exterior wood and metal surfaces
• CInstalling gypsum drywall, joint compound, and tape to interior stud partitions
• DLaying clay or concrete roofing tile over prepared roof decks

A conventional three-coat portland cement plaster system over metal lath consists of which three coats in application order?

• AScratch coat, brown coat, finish coat
• BBrown coat, scratch coat, finish coat
• CBond coat, scratch coat, finish coat
• DScratch coat, finish coat, brown coat

What is the primary cementitious binder in a portland cement plaster (stucco) base coat?

• APortland cement, typically with Type S lime and aggregate
• BGypsum cement only
• CMagnesium phosphate cement
• DLime putty without any cement

What does the acronym CILB stand for in Florida contractor licensing?

• AConstruction Industry Licensing Board
• BContractor Inspection and Licensing Bureau
• CCertified Industry Licensing Board
• DConstruction Installers Licensing Branch

The Plaster and Lath trade knowledge exam is administered for which category of Florida contractor?

• ADivision II specialty contractor
• BDivision I general contractor
• CDivision III residential contractor
• DUnlimited plumbing contractor

Under the standard CILB experience path for a Certified Plaster and Lath Specialty Contractor, what is the typical minimum qualifying experience?

• AFour years of experience including at least one year as a foreman
• BTwo years of experience with no foreman requirement
• CSix years of experience all as a journeyman
• DOne year of experience plus a high school diploma

What does 'open-book' mean for the Plaster and Lath trade knowledge exam administered at Pearson VUE?

• ACandidates may bring only DBPR-approved reference books into the testing room and use the…
• BCandidates may bring any books, notes, photocopies, and electronic devices
• CCandidates may leave the room to consult online resources during the exam
• DThe exam is taken at home with unrestricted references

What is the key functional difference between gypsum plaster and portland cement plaster (stucco)?

• APortland cement plaster is hydraulic and suitable for exterior exposure; gypsum plaster i…
• BGypsum plaster is hydraulic and used for exteriors; portland cement plaster is for interi…
• CBoth are identical in composition and use
• DPortland cement plaster sets by evaporation only with no chemical reaction

Which Florida Administrative Code rule creates the Plaster and Lath Specialty Contractor category and states its scope of work?

• ARule 61G4-15.100, Certified Specialty Contractors
• BRule 61G4-15.015, Certification of Specialty Structure Contractors
• CRule 61G4-15.032, Certification of Swimming Pool Specialty Contractors
• DRule 61G4-15.027, Pollutant Storage System Specialty Contractors

Which Florida Statute authorizes the Construction Industry Licensing Board to regulate certified specialty contractors including plaster and lath?

• AChapter 489, Florida Statutes (Contracting)
• BChapter 455, Florida Statutes (Business and Professional Regulations)
• CChapter 553, Florida Statutes (Building Construction Standards)
• DChapter 633, Florida Statutes (Fire Safety)

ASTM C926 is the standard specification for which of the following?

• AApplication of portland cement-based plaster
• BInstallation of lathing and furring to receive interior and exterior portland cement-base…
• CManufacture of expanded metal lath
• DApplication of gypsum veneer plaster

ASTM C1063 covers which of the following?

• AInstallation of lathing and furring to receive interior and exterior portland cement-base…
• BMix proportions for stucco base coats
• CCuring requirements for the finish coat
• DField application of EIFS

Which correctly contrasts gypsum plaster and portland cement plaster?

• AGypsum plaster sets by rehydration of the hemihydrate and is interior-only; portland ceme…
• BBoth are exterior-rated and interchangeable on a job
• CGypsum plaster is exterior-rated and portland cement plaster is interior-only
• DPortland cement plaster sets by evaporation, not chemical hydration

What is the function of Type S hydrated lime in a portland cement plaster base coat mix?

• AIt improves plasticity, workability, and water retention, and contributes to autogenous h…
• BIt accelerates the set to allow faster coat application
• CIt is the primary binder replacing portland cement
• DIt reduces water demand and eliminates the need for curing

A base coat mix is batched at 1 part portland cement : 1 part Type S lime : 3 parts sand by volume. If 4 cubic feet of portland cement are used, how many cubic feet of sand are required?

• A12
• B4
• C8
• D16

In a portland cement plaster finish coat, what role does lime typically play compared with the base coat?

• AThe finish coat mix often uses a higher lime-to-cement ratio to improve workability, smoo…
• BFinish coats use no lime because lime weakens the surface
• CFinish coats use less lime than base coats to maximize hardness
• DLime is replaced with gypsum in finish coats

Why does ASTM C926 specify graded aggregate (sand) rather than a single-size sand for stucco base coats?

• AA well-graded aggregate reduces shrinkage cracking and improves density and workability
• BA single-size sand produces a denser, stronger base coat
• CGraded aggregate is required only for color, not performance
• DAggregate grading has no effect on shrinkage or cracking

An 80 lb bag of preblended stucco base coat yields approximately 20 sq ft of coverage at 3/8 inch thickness. How many bags are required for a 480 sq ft wall applied as a single 3/8 inch scratch coat?

• A24
• B20
• C16
• D32

What water quality is required for mixing portland cement plaster?

• AClean, potable water free of oils, acids, salts, and organic matter
• BAny available water, including brackish or seawater, is acceptable
• CWater with high chloride content speeds set and is preferred
• DWater with suspended organic matter improves workability

When calcium chloride accelerator is used in portland cement plaster, what limitation applies?

• AIt must be limited per ASTM C926 and is generally not used with galvanized lath due to co…
• BThere is no limit; calcium chloride improves all stucco mixes
• CIt may be used freely with galvanized lath because it protects the zinc coating
• DCalcium chloride is required on all cold-weather placements

What is the purpose of adding fibers to a stucco base coat mix?

• ATo reduce shrinkage cracking by bridging microcracks as the base coat hydrates and cures
• BTo replace metal lath as primary reinforcement
• CTo accelerate the set of the base coat
• DTo increase the compressive strength beyond that of portland cement alone

A three-coat portland cement plaster system is applied over metal lath on a 1,000 sq ft wall. The scratch and brown coats together total 3/4 inch (nominal 3/8 + 3/8). The base coat mix is 1 part portland cement to 3 parts sand by volume. Assuming dry yield equals the wet volume, approximately how many cubic feet of portland cement are required for the two base coats?

• A15.6
• B31.3
• C20.8
• D62.5

Which is a key difference between gypsum lath and metal lath as a plaster base?

• AGypsum lath is a solid sheet substrate used for interior gypsum plaster; metal lath is a…
• BGypsum lath is used for exterior stucco and metal lath only for interiors
• CBoth are identical in material and application
• DMetal lath cannot receive portland cement plaster

ASTM C847 covers which product?

• AExpanded metal lath
• BInstallation of lathing and furring
• CApplication of portland cement-based plaster
• DGypsum lath

What is the purpose of self-furring expanded metal lath?

• AIt is dimpled or embossed to hold the lath away from the substrate, creating space for pl…
• BIt eliminates the need for any water-resistive barrier
• CIt allows the lath to lie flat against the substrate with no embedment
• DIt increases the corrosion resistance of the lath by removing the zinc coating

A finish coat mix uses 1 part portland cement to 2.5 parts sand by volume. If 2 cubic feet of portland cement are batched, how many cubic feet of sand are required?

• A5
• B2
• C4.5
• D7

What is required before quicklime can be used in a plaster mix?

• AIt must be slaked (hydrated) with water to form lime putty before mixing with cement and…
• BIt is added dry directly to the cement and sand
• CIt is used as a replacement for portland cement without processing
• DIt can be mixed with gypsum plaster without slaking

When applying portland cement plaster over a smooth, low-absorption substrate such as cast-in-place concrete, what is typically used to improve bond?

• AA bond coat (slurry) of cement, water, and sometimes a bonding agent, or a keyed/dashed s…
• BA heavier finish coat only
• CAdditional water in the mix to weaken the paste
• DNo special preparation is required on concrete

What is the function of a hawk in hand-applied plastering?

• AIt is a flat board held in one hand to carry a quantity of mortar while the trowel applie…
• BIt is a long straightedge used to rod the brown coat level
• CIt is a powered pump that sprays plaster onto the wall
• DIt is a float used to densify the finish coat

What is the purpose of scarifying (scratching) the scratch coat?

• ATo create horizontal grooves that provide mechanical key for the brown coat
• BTo smooth the scratch coat so the brown coat can be floated flat
• CTo remove excess mortar and reduce material usage
• DTo seal the surface against moisture

How does a darby differ from a float in plastering?

• AA darby is a long, flat board used to level and rod the brown coat over larger areas; a f…
• BA darby is used to apply finish color; a float is used to mix batch mortar
• CA darby sprays plaster; a float carries mortar on a hawk
• DThey are identical tools used interchangeably

Why is a paddle-type mortar mixer generally preferred over a drum concrete mixer for batch-mixing stucco?

• APaddle mixers blend stiff, fine-aggregate stucco more uniformly without over-wetting, pre…
• BDrum mixers mix stucco faster and produce stronger plaster
• CPaddle mixers require no cleaning between batches
• DDrum mixers cannot turn and are only for transporting material

When using a plaster pump and spray gun to apply stucco, what controls the consistency and application?

• AMix water content, pump pressure, nozzle air, and tip size together set flow, spray patte…
• BOnly the pump pressure matters; water and air have no effect
• COnly the nozzle tip size matters; everything else is fixed
• DSpray equipment cannot be used for stucco scratch and brown coats

What is the function of a trowel in plastering?

• ATo pick up mortar from the hawk and apply, spread, and smooth plaster on the wall
• BTo cut control joints into the brown coat
• CTo mix large batches of stucco
• DTo measure coat thickness during application

Which float is best suited to densify a stucco finish coat to a smooth sand texture?

• AA metal trowel used only to flatten the surface
• BA wood or sponge float worked in a circular motion to bring paste and densify the surface
• CA darby pulled across the wall in a straight line
• DA hawk held against the wall

How is a screed (rod) used during brown coat application?

• AAs a straightedge drawn across grounds or accessories to cut high spots and bring the wal…
• BAs a tool to scratch horizontal grooves in the scratch coat
• CAs a mixer to combine cement and sand
• DAs a float to densify the finish coat

When is a corner trowel (angle trowel) typically used in plastering?

• ATo mix small batches of finish coat at the wall
• BTo work plaster into internal or external corners and to true corner beads to a clean ang…
• CTo measure the thickness of the scratch coat
• DTo cut control joints across a finished panel

Which fastener is typically used to attach expanded metal lath to wood framing?

• AGalvanized broad-head nails or staples driven into studs
• BDrywall screws into the sheathing only
• CPlain steel nails exposed to weather
• DAdhesive alone with no mechanical fasteners

What water-resistive barrier is typically required behind metal lath over wood-frame sheathing in stucco?

• AA single layer of untreated kraft paper
• BNo barrier is needed over wood sheathing
• CA vapor-impermeable polyethylene sheet on the interior side
• DTwo layers of Grade D building paper or an approved equivalent installed shingle-style

What is the difference between self-furring and flat (non-self-furring) expanded metal lath?

• AFlat lath has dimples that hold the mesh off the substrate; self-furring lath lies flush
• BSelf-furring lath has no dimples and lies flat against the wall
• CSelf-furring lath has embossed dimples that hold the mesh off the substrate for full plas…
• DThey are identical in profile and use

What are the typical lap requirements for expanded metal lath at end (longitudinal) and side laps?

• AEnd laps of 6 inches and side laps of 4 inches anywhere
• BNo laps are required if the lath is stapled
• CEnd laps of 1 inch minimum and side laps of 1/2 inch minimum over supports, per ASTM C1063
• DSide laps of 2 inches with no end lap

Metal lath is sold by the square, where one square equals 100 sq ft. How many squares of lath are required for a wall 30 ft long by 10 ft high, with a 10% waste allowance added?

• A3
• B3.5
• C3.3
• D2.7

Which corner reinforcement accessory is most commonly used at external corners of stucco walls to form a clean, straight edge and resist impact?

• ACasing bead with a 3/8-inch reveal
• BExpansion joint with a neoprene seal
• CCorner bead (vinyl or galvanized metal, sometimes with paper flanges)
• DWeep screed at the base of the wall

What is the function of a casing bead (stop bead) in a stucco wall?

• ATo drain water from the base of the wall
• BTo form a clean termination and reveal where plaster abuts dissimilar materials, openings…
• CTo reinforce external corners against impact
• DTo mix the finish coat at the wall

What is the primary function of control joints in a stucco wall?

• ATo drain water from inside the wall assembly
• BTo create planned planes of weakness so shrinkage and thermal cracking occurs in straight…
• CTo bond two adjacent stucco panels together
• DTo increase the wall's compressive strength

What is the purpose of a weep screed at the bottom of an exterior stucco wall?

• ATo reinforce the corner against impact
• BTo control shrinkage cracking at panel midpoints
• CTo bond the scratch coat to the brown coat
• DTo provide a drainage exit for water that penetrates behind the stucco and to terminate t…

When wood lath is used as a plaster base (interior work), what spacing is typically used between strips?

• AButted tight with no gaps to maximize coverage
• BWide 1-inch gaps to reduce material use
• CApproximately 3/8 inch gaps between strips to allow plaster to key through
• DRandom spacing with no consistent gap