100+ Free FL Plaster/Lath Practice Questions

Prepare for the Florida Certified Plaster and Lath Specialty Contractor Examination exam with instant access — no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Florida CILB Certified Contractor Examinations

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: FL Plaster/Lath Exam

70%

Passing score

DBPR

Scored questions

DBPR At a Glance

2.5 hrs

Time allowed

DBPR At a Glance

$135

Registration fee

Professional Testing, Inc.

4 yrs

Experience req

CILB

This is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of Florida's open-book CILB Plaster and Lath trade knowledge exam. Questions are independently written from the official content outline (Introduction 9.5%, Materials Science 18%, Tools 9.5%, Lathing 18%, Plaster Mixing/Application 18%, Building Codes 9%, Safety 9%, Project Management 9%) and do not reproduce the CILB item bank or substitute for the official open-book examination administered by Professional Testing, Inc. and Pearson VUE.

Sample FL Plaster/Lath Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FL Plaster/Lath exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the scope of work a Florida Certified Plaster and Lath Specialty Contractor is qualified to perform?

A.Coating surfaces with sand, gypsum plaster, portland cement or quicklime and water, or any combination, to create a permanent coating, and may perform lathing work

B.Applying paint, stain, and clear finishes to interior and exterior wood and metal surfaces

C.Installing gypsum drywall, joint compound, and tape to interior stud partitions

D.Laying clay or concrete roofing tile over prepared roof decks

Explanation: Rule 61G4-15.100(1)(l), F.A.C., defines the plaster and lath specialty contractor as one certified to coat surfaces with a mixture of sand or other aggregate, gypsum plaster, Portland cement or quicklime and water, or any combination of those materials, so as to create a permanent coating; the same paragraph adds that the contractor may perform lathing work.

2A conventional three-coat portland cement plaster system over metal lath consists of which three coats in application order?

A.Scratch coat, brown coat, finish coat

B.Brown coat, scratch coat, finish coat

C.Bond coat, scratch coat, finish coat

D.Scratch coat, finish coat, brown coat

Explanation: Per ASTM C926 a three-coat system over metal lath is applied scratch first (scarified to key the next coat), then the brown (leveling) coat, then the finish (decorative) coat. Total nominal thickness is 7/8 inch (3/8 + 3/8 + 1/8).

3What is the primary cementitious binder in a portland cement plaster (stucco) base coat?

A.Portland cement, typically with Type S lime and aggregate

B.Gypsum cement only

C.Magnesium phosphate cement

D.Lime putty without any cement

Explanation: Portland cement is the primary binder in portland cement plaster. ASTM C926 base coat mixes combine portland cement, Type S lime for workability, and graded aggregate; gypsum is used in interior plasters, not exterior stucco.

4What does the acronym CILB stand for in Florida contractor licensing?

A.Construction Industry Licensing Board

B.Contractor Inspection and Licensing Bureau

C.Certified Industry Licensing Board

D.Construction Installers Licensing Branch

Explanation: CILB is the Construction Industry Licensing Board, the DBPR board that regulates certified construction contractors in Florida, including the plaster and lath specialty trade.

5The Plaster and Lath trade knowledge exam is administered for which category of Florida contractor?

A.Division II specialty contractor

B.Division I general contractor

C.Division III residential contractor

D.Unlimited plumbing contractor

Explanation: Florida construction contractors are split into Division I (general, building, residential) and Division II (specialty trades). Plaster and Lath is a Division II specialty trade; candidates take the Business and Finance exam plus the Plaster and Lath Trade Knowledge exam.

6Under the standard CILB experience path for a Certified Plaster and Lath Specialty Contractor, what is the typical minimum qualifying experience?

A.Four years of experience including at least one year as a foreman

B.Two years of experience with no foreman requirement

C.Six years of experience all as a journeyman

D.One year of experience plus a high school diploma

Explanation: The standard CILB qualifying path requires four years of construction experience including at least one year as a foreman, or an approved education-plus-experience combination (e.g., a four-year construction-related degree plus one year of applicable experience).

7What does 'open-book' mean for the Plaster and Lath trade knowledge exam administered at Pearson VUE?

A.Candidates may bring only DBPR-approved reference books into the testing room and use them during the exam

B.Candidates may bring any books, notes, photocopies, and electronic devices

C.Candidates may leave the room to consult online resources during the exam

D.The exam is taken at home with unrestricted references

Explanation: The exam is open-book, but only DBPR-approved references on the current reference list may be brought in. Handwritten notes, photocopies, moveable tabs (e.g., Post-it flags), and electronic devices are not allowed; existing handwriting must be blackened or whitened out.

8What is the key functional difference between gypsum plaster and portland cement plaster (stucco)?

A.Portland cement plaster is hydraulic and suitable for exterior exposure; gypsum plaster is not water-resistant and is used for interior work

B.Gypsum plaster is hydraulic and used for exteriors; portland cement plaster is for interiors only

C.Both are identical in composition and use

D.Portland cement plaster sets by evaporation only with no chemical reaction

Explanation: Portland cement plaster sets by hydraulic hydration and is durable in exterior weather exposure, making it the standard for stucco. Gypsum plaster is not water-resistant and is used for interior walls and ceilings where moisture is not present.

9Which Florida Administrative Code rule creates the Plaster and Lath Specialty Contractor category and states its scope of work?

A.Rule 61G4-15.100, Certified Specialty Contractors

B.Rule 61G4-15.015, Certification of Specialty Structure Contractors

C.Rule 61G4-15.032, Certification of Swimming Pool Specialty Contractors

D.Rule 61G4-15.027, Pollutant Storage System Specialty Contractors

Explanation: Rule 61G4-15.100, F.A.C., Certified Specialty Contractors, is the rule the CILB adopted to create the newer voluntary specialty categories, and its paragraph (1)(l) defines the plaster and lath specialty contractor. The same rule also covers structural masonry, structural carpentry, structural steel, the marine sub-specialties, and window and door installation.

10Which Florida Statute authorizes the Construction Industry Licensing Board to regulate certified specialty contractors including plaster and lath?

A.Chapter 489, Florida Statutes (Contracting)

B.Chapter 455, Florida Statutes (Business and Professional Regulations)

C.Chapter 553, Florida Statutes (Building Construction Standards)

D.Chapter 633, Florida Statutes (Fire Safety)

Explanation: Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, Part I, is the Contractors law that creates the CILB and authorizes it to certify and regulate construction contractors, including the plaster and lath specialty trade. Section 489.113(6)(b), F.S., directs the board to establish specialty categories by rule, and Rule 61G4-15.100(1)(l), F.A.C., is the rule that implements the plaster and lath scope.

About the FL Plaster/Lath Exam

The Florida Certified Plaster and Lath Specialty Contractor trade knowledge exam covers the coating of surfaces with portland cement plaster (stucco), gypsum plaster, lime, and aggregate, and the lathing work that supports it. Content spans plaster systems (three-coat scratch/brown/finish and two-coat over solid bases), lath types (expanded metal, self-furring, paper-backed, wood, gypsum board), ASTM C926 application and C1063 lath installation, mix proportioning and water-cement ratio, curing, accessories (corner beads, casing beads, control joints, weep screeds), substrates, the Florida Building Code, EIFS basics, and jobsite safety. Candidates must also pass the Business and Finance exam for licensure.

Questions

50 scored questions

Time Limit

2.5 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$135 registration + $40 trade exam administration (Florida DBPR Bureau of Education and Testing; administered by Professional Testing, Inc. and Pearson VUE)

FL Plaster/Lath Exam Content Outline

9.5%

Introduction to Plaster and Lath

Scope of the Florida plaster and lath specialty trade, Florida Statute Chapter 489 and Rule 61G4-15.015, Division II classification, CILB experience and application requirements, and open-book exam format.

18%

Materials Science

Portland cement, gypsum, Type S lime, quicklime slaking, graded aggregate, admixtures, fibers, mix water quality, and ASTM standards C926, C1063, C847; gypsum vs portland cement plaster properties and substrates.

9.5%

Tools and Equipment

Hawks, trowels, floats, darbies, screeds, scarifiers, corner trowels, paddle mortar mixers, plaster pumps and spray guns, and their correct use in three-coat and two-coat application.

18%

Lathing Techniques

Expanded metal, self-furring, paper-backed, wood, and gypsum board lath; ASTM C1063 fastener spacing and laps; water-resistive barrier (two layers of Grade D paper); corner beads, casing beads, control joints, weep screeds; lath over masonry.

18%

Plaster Mixing and Application Techniques

Mixing order and proportioning, retempering limits, scratch (3/8 in), brown (3/8 in), and finish (1/8 in) coat thicknesses, keying over lath, moist curing intervals, cold- and hot-weather precautions, and two-coat vs three-coat systems per ASTM C926.

Building Codes and Standards

Florida Building Code Building and Residential volumes, Chapter 14 Exterior Walls, wind load resistance for cladding, water-resistive barrier and opening flashing, ASTM C926/C1063 references, barrier vs water-managed EIFS, and vapor retarder placement in hot-humid climates.

Safety Practices

PPE for wet cement and silica dust, OSHA 29 CFR 1926 ladder, scaffold, and fall protection requirements, mixer guarding and lockout, safe lifting, and chemical (alkaline) burn prevention.

Project Management and Estimation

Material takeoff (lath, accessories, cement, lime, sand, finish), labor productivity, scheduling and installation sequence, waste factors, weather impacts, change orders, and quality control inspection points.

How to Pass the FL Plaster/Lath Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Exam length: 50 questions
Time limit: 2.5 hours
Exam fee: $135 registration + $40 trade exam administration

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

FL Plaster/Lath Study Tips from Top Performers

1Build a content-to-book map: ASTM C926 for plaster application and mix proportions, ASTM C1063 for lath installation, the Gypsum Construction Book and Plastering Skills for materials and techniques, the Florida Building Code Building/Residential for water-resistive barrier and wind load provisions, and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 for safety.

2Practice tabbing by task (mix ratios, coat thicknesses, lath fastener spacing, WRB layers, control joint spacing, curing intervals, fall protection trigger heights) rather than by chapter so you can find high-frequency lookups quickly under the 3 minutes per question average.

3Drill the calculations: cement/sand/lime proportions by volume, coverage per 80-lb bag at 3/8 inch, total base coat volume from wall area, lath squares (1 square = 100 sq ft), corner bead linear feet, fastener counts, water-cement ratio by weight, and material estimates with waste factor.

4Learn the FBC water management path cold: two layers of Grade D paper, flashing with end dams at openings, weep screed at the base, control joints at substrate changes and floor lines, and the panel area/dimension-ratio limits for joint spacing.

5Use a two-pass strategy on test day: answer quick knowledge and easy lookup questions first, mark long calculations and uncertain code questions for review, and keep your reference setup identical to the one you trained with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these the real CILB exam questions?

No. These are independently written study questions built from the official CILB Plaster and Lath content outline. They are an English-language MCQ study aid and do not reproduce CILB's item bank or substitute for the official open-book examination.

What is the format of the exam?

50 scored multiple-choice questions, 2.5 hours, open-book, computer-based at Pearson VUE centers, administered through Professional Testing, Inc. Passing score 70%.

Is the exam open-book?

Yes. Candidates may bring only the approved references listed on the DBPR Construction Examinations Reference Lists (current edition). Handwritten notes, photocopies, moveable tabs, and electronic devices are not allowed.

What experience is required?

Generally 4 years of trade experience including at least 1 year as a foreman, or a qualifying combination of education and experience; confirm with DBPR.

100+ Free FL Plaster/Lath Practice Questions

Explore More Florida CILB Certified Contractor Examinations

Florida Certified Building Contractor Exam

Florida Certified Commercial Pool/Spa Contractor Exam

Florida Certified Garage Door Installation Specialty Contractor Exam

Florida Certified Gas Line Specialty Contractor Exam

Florida Certified Glass and Glazing Specialty Contractor Exam

Florida Certified Gypsum Drywall Specialty Contractor Exam