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100+ Free AL Hard Tile Stone Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: AL Hard Tile Stone Exam

70%

Passing Score

PSI AL GC Bulletin

50 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI AL GC Bulletin

2 hours

Time Allowed

PSI AL GC Bulletin

$96

PSI Exam Fee

PSI AL GC Bulletin

Open book

Exam Format

PSI AL GC Bulletin

Alabama AL Hard Tile Stone trade exam via PSI: 50 questions, 70% pass, 2 hours, fee $96. Open-book specialty classification under the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (bulletin 1/23/26).

Sample AL Hard Tile Stone Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your AL Hard Tile Stone exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to ANSI A137.1, porcelain tile is generally defined by which maximum water absorption percentage by weight?
A.0.5%
B.3%
C.7%
D.20%
Explanation: Porcelain tile is defined in ANSI A137.1 as ceramic tile with water absorption of 0.5% or less. Low absorption makes porcelain denser and typically more frost-resistant than higher-absorption ceramic bodies when correctly installed.
2What does a PEI wear rating primarily indicate for glazed ceramic floor tile?
A.Chemical resistance of the glaze
B.Resistance of the glazed surface to abrasion from foot traffic
C.Bond strength of thin-set mortar
D.Freeze-thaw durability of the body
Explanation: PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute) ratings classify how well a glazed tile surface resists abrasion from traffic. Higher PEI classes are intended for heavier commercial foot traffic; the rating does not measure mortar bond or freeze-thaw performance of the body.
3Which industry handbook is the primary reference for ceramic, glass, and stone tile installation methods in North America?
A.ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete
B.TCNA Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation
C.NRCA Roofing Manual
D.AWS Structural Welding Code
Explanation: The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook is the standard industry reference for tile installation methods (for example, B415 showers, F113 floors) used with ANSI A108/A118 materials standards. General contractors and tile specialty contractors rely on it for method selection and detailing.
4ANSI A118 series standards primarily specify requirements for which materials used in tile work?
A.Finished ceramic tile body dimensions only
B.Setting materials, grouts, membranes, and related installation products
C.Structural steel framing for tile backer
D.Plumbing fixture dimensions in bathrooms
Explanation: ANSI A118 covers installation materials such as dry-set and modified cement mortars, epoxy adhesives and grouts, latex additives, and waterproofing/crack-isolation membranes. ANSI A137 covers the tile products themselves; A108 covers installation workmanship methods.
5For ceramic tile floors over wood joist construction, TCNA commonly requires the maximum floor deflection under live load not to exceed which value?
A.L/120
B.L/240
C.L/360
D.L/960
Explanation: Ceramic tile floor installations over wood framing are generally limited to L/360 live-load deflection so the assembly does not flex enough to crack tile or open joints. Stone installations are often more restrictive; always confirm the TCNA method and manufacturer requirements for the specified product.
6Natural stone tile installations typically require which minimum mortar contact coverage under the stone?
A.50% in all areas
B.65% dry, 80% wet
C.80% in all areas
D.95% in dry and wet areas, with full support at edges and corners
Explanation: Because natural stone is more brittle and sensitive to point loading than many ceramics, TCNA guidance requires about 95% mortar coverage in both dry and wet areas, with no large voids near corners and edges fully supported. Back-buttering is commonly recommended.
7Which mortar type is generally preferred for dense porcelain tile because of improved bond and flexibility compared with unmodified dry-set mortar?
A.Unmodified dry-set cement mortar only (ANSI A118.1)
B.Polymer-modified or improved modified cement mortar suitable for porcelain
C.Gypsum plaster mixed as a thin-set
D.Construction adhesive from a cartridge as the sole setting bed
Explanation: Dense, low-absorption porcelain bonds poorly with some unmodified systems. Polymer-modified (ANSI A118.4) or improved modified (ANSI A118.15) cement mortars, used per manufacturer instructions, provide better adhesion and deformation capacity for porcelain on many substrates.
8What is the primary purpose of an uncoupling membrane under ceramic floor tile?
A.To replace all need for perimeter movement joints
B.To isolate tile from lateral substrate movement and reduce crack transfer
C.To serve as the finished wearing surface without tile
D.To eliminate the requirement for mortar coverage under each tile
Explanation: Uncoupling membranes create a shear plane between the substrate and the tile assembly so minor substrate movement is less likely to telegraph cracks into the tile. They do not eliminate movement joints, mortar coverage, or sound substrate preparation.
9On a floor plan, a room measures 12 feet by 15 feet. How many square feet of tile field area is that before waste and cuts?
A.135 sq ft
B.150 sq ft
C.180 sq ft
D.270 sq ft
Explanation: Area = length × width = 12 × 15 = 180 square feet. Estimators then add waste (commonly 5–15% depending on layout, pattern, and tile size) and account for borders, niches, and complex cuts separately.
10A plan note calls for 12 in × 24 in rectified porcelain with a 1/8 in grout joint. What is the most important plan-reading step before ordering tile?
A.Ignore joint width because rectified tile is always butt-jointed
B.Verify layout, starting lines, and cut sizes against actual room dimensions and allowed joint width
C.Order only the floor area with no waste because rectified tile needs none
D.Substitute any PEI class without checking the specification
Explanation: Rectified tile still requires a specified minimum joint. Contractors must dry-layout from control lines, confirm cut sizes at walls and openings, and order material with waste so the specified joint and pattern can be maintained without awkward slivers.

About the AL Hard Tile Stone Exam

The Alabama Hard Tile and Stone Contractor Examination is a classification trade examination administered by PSI for the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. The official open-book exam has 50 questions, a 70% (35 of 50 correct) passing standard, and 120 minutes allowed. PSI examination fee is $96 per attempt (bulletin updated 1/23/26). This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid for the trade knowledge on the official content outline; it is not an official PSI form, does not replace the required Business & Law exam for primes, and is not a substitute for board-approved experience or the official open-book examination.

Questions

50 scored questions

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$96 (PSI Services LLC (for Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors))

AL Hard Tile Stone Exam Content Outline

30%

Indoor Tile Installation

Interior tile installation

20%

Shower Pans and Accessories

Shower pans, seats, shelves, accessories

12%

Safety and Employee Protection

Jobsite safety

8%

Plan Reading

Plans and layout

8%

Exterior Tile Installation

Exterior tile systems

6%

Shower or Tub Installation

Tub and shower units

4%

Tile Cutting and Drilling

Cutting and drilling methods

4%

Tile and Marble Restoration

Restoration methods

8%

Related Knowledge

Materials, thinset, grout, substrates

How to Pass the AL Hard Tile Stone Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 50 questions
  • Time limit: 120 minutes
  • Exam fee: $96

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AL Hard Tile Stone Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study only the approved references listed for your classification in the current PSI Alabama General Contractors bulletin
2Practice open-book navigation with permanent tabs and indexes before test day
3Drill OSHA 29 CFR 1926 topics that appear across nearly every trade outline
4Work quantity takeoff and plan-reading problems under timed conditions
5Confirm Board eligibility and classification scope on genconbd.alabama.gov before scheduling with PSI

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the AL Hard Tile Stone exam?

The official PSI trade examination has 50 scored questions (plus possible experimental items). Passing is 70% (35 of 50 correct) within 120 minutes.

How much does the AL Hard Tile Stone exam cost?

PSI lists $96 per examination registration for this Alabama general contractor classification exam (Candidate Information Bulletin updated 1/23/26). License application fees to the Board are separate.

Is the Alabama specialty contractor exam open book?

Yes. PSI administers these classification exams as open book. Only the bulletin-listed approved references are allowed; temporary tabs like Post-it notes are prohibited.

Do I still need the Business and Law exam?

Prime contractor applicants must also pass the Alabama Business & Law examination (50 questions, 70%, 120 minutes). Reciprocity may waive a trade exam in some cases but does not waive Business & Law.