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100+ Free NM CID GB-2 Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NM CID GB-2 Exam

75%

Passing Score

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

80 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

225 min

Time Allowed

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

USD 134.53

PSI Exam Fee

PSI NM Contractor Bulletin 4/3/2026

NM CID GB-2 is an 80-question PSI residential building contractor exam, 75% pass, 225 minutes, USD 134.53 (bulletin 4/3/2026).

Sample NM CID GB-2 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NM CID GB-2 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Per IRC 2021 R401.3, lots shall be graded so that the finish grade falls not fewer than which amount within the first 10 feet away from foundation walls?
A.2 inches
B.4 inches
C.6 inches
D.12 inches
Explanation: IRC 2021 R401.3 requires the grade to fall not fewer than 6 inches within the first 10 feet so surface water drains away from the foundation. Where lot lines or other barriers prevent that fall, drains or swales must still move water away from the structure. Impervious surfaces within 10 feet of the foundation must slope not less than 2 percent away from the building.
2NMAC 14.7.3.12 replaces IRC R403.1.4 and requires all exterior footings for a New Mexico dwelling to be placed at least how far below grade?
A.6 inches
B.8 inches
C.12 inches
D.24 inches
Explanation: NMAC 14.7.3.12 deletes the model IRC R403.1.4 text and substitutes a statewide minimum: all exterior footings shall be placed at least 12 inches (305 mm) below grade. Where frost applies, the depth must also satisfy R403.1.4.1 and R403.1.4.2. Local frost-line depths in northern New Mexico often exceed 12 inches, so the 12-inch rule is a floor, not a substitute for the county frost depth.
3On a GB-2 house in Santa Fe County, the local frost depth is published as 24 inches. Per IRC 2021 R403.1.4.1 and NMAC 14.7.3.12, what is the correct minimum depth to the bottom of an exterior spread footing that is not a frost-protected shallow foundation?
A.12 inches below grade, because that is the New Mexico statewide minimum
B.18 inches below grade, matching a common Sandoval County recommendation
C.24 inches below finished grade so the footing bottom is below the local frost line
D.36 inches below grade, the IRC default frost depth for all mountain jurisdictions
Explanation: NMAC 14.7.3.12 sets a 12-inch floor, then requires the depth also to conform to R403.1.4.1 frost protection. Exterior footings that are not insulated FPSF systems must be below the locally established frost line. Santa Fe’s commonly used 24-inch frost depth therefore governs. The GB-2 contractor must use the AHJ frost depth from Table R301.2, not a one-size statewide number.
4Per IRC 2021 R403.1.4.1, exterior footings shall be placed on undisturbed natural soils or engineered fill and shall not be placed on which of the following?
A.Compacted granular engineered fill
B.Frozen soil
C.Native caliche that has been inspected and accepted
D.Undisturbed sandy gravel
Explanation: IRC 2021 R403.1.4.1 requires exterior footings to be placed on undisturbed natural soils or engineered fill and forbids placement on frozen soil. Concrete placed on ice or frozen ground can settle when the soil thaws and will not develop a reliable bearing surface. Frozen ground must be thawed or over-excavated to competent unfrozen material before the pour.
5Per IRC 2021 R403.1.6, wood sole plates on a concrete foundation shall be anchored with bolts not less than which diameter, embedded not less than 7 inches, and spaced not more than 6 feet on center?
A.3/8 inch
B.1/2 inch
C.5/8 inch
D.3/4 inch
Explanation: IRC 2021 R403.1.6 requires 1/2-inch-diameter anchor bolts embedded not less than 7 inches into concrete or grouted masonry cells and spaced not more than 6 feet on center. Each plate section needs at least two bolts, with one bolt not more than 12 inches and not closer than seven bolt diameters from each end. NMAC 14.7.3.14 adds that the bolts must sit at least 2 inches from the exterior edge of the concrete when the plate is cantilevered for slab-edge insulation.
6A 2x6 exterior wall sole plate is cantilevered over a New Mexico slab-on-grade to make room for perimeter insulation. Per NMAC 14.7.3.14, what is the maximum cantilever and the minimum distance from the exterior concrete edge to the anchor bolts?
A.1/2 inch cantilever; bolts 1 inch from the exterior edge
B.1 inch cantilever; bolts centered in the plate
C.1-1/2 inches cantilever; bolts not less than 2 inches from the exterior edge
D.3 inches cantilever; bolts 4 inches from the exterior edge
Explanation: NMAC 14.7.3.14 replaces IRC R602.3.4. A 2x6 or wider exterior bottom plate may cantilever a maximum of 1-1/2 inches from the slab to accommodate perimeter insulation if the remaining bearing can carry the load. Anchor bolts must be at least 2 inches from the exterior edge of the concrete. A 2x4 plate is limited to a 1/2-inch cantilever under the same rule.
7In Seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2, IRC 2021 R403.1.3.1 requires which horizontal reinforcement in a concrete stem wall with a concrete footing?
A.One No. 3 bar at mid-height of the stem wall only
B.One No. 4 bar within 12 inches of the top of the stem wall and one No. 4 bar 3 to 4 inches from the bottom of the footing
C.Two No. 5 bars in the footing only, with no stem-wall steel
D.One No. 6 bar at the top of the footing and none in the stem wall
Explanation: IRC 2021 R403.1.3.1, which applies in SDC D0, D1, and D2, requires at least one No. 4 horizontal bar within 12 inches of the top of the stem wall and one No. 4 horizontal bar 3 to 4 inches from the bottom of the footing. Where a construction joint is used between the footing and stem, vertical No. 4 bars at not more than 4 feet on center must hook to the bottom of the footing and extend at least 14 inches into the stem. Several New Mexico mountain jurisdictions map into these seismic categories, so GB-2 candidates must know the prescriptive steel.
8NMAC 14.7.3.10 defines unbalanced backfill height as the difference between the exterior finish ground level and which interior measuring point when an interior slab-on-grade is in contact with the foundation wall?
A.The bottom of the footing
B.The top of the interior concrete slab
C.The underside of the first-floor joists
D.The top of the stem wall
Explanation: NMAC 14.7.3.10 defines unbalanced backfill height as the difference between exterior finish grade and the lower of the top of the concrete footing or the interior finished ground level. Where an interior slab-on-grade contacts the interior face of the foundation wall, the measurement is permitted to the top of that slab. That height is the value used in IRC foundation-wall thickness and reinforcement tables.
9Before excavating footings for a New Mexico GB-2 dwelling, the contractor must have underground utilities marked by calling which nationwide number?
A.311
B.411
C.811
D.911
Explanation: 811 is the national Call Before You Dig number. New Mexico One Call marks public utilities so the excavation does not strike gas, electric, communications, or water lines. Private lines on the lot, such as a septic force main or electric run to a well, are the contractor’s responsibility to locate after the public marks are in place.
10Backfill against a new concrete foundation wall should be placed only after the wall has gained sufficient strength and, where required, after dampproofing or waterproofing is complete. Which placement practice is correct?
A.Dump large unbroken clods and construction debris directly against the wall to speed the backfill
B.Place soil in lifts, keep large rocks and construction debris away from the wall face, and avoid heavy equipment surcharge next to an unbraced wall
C.Surcharge the unbraced wall immediately with a loaded dump truck to compact the first lift
D.Omit drainage stone and a drain pipe whenever the site soils are clay
Explanation: Foundation walls must be braced or have the first-floor diaphragm in place before unbalanced backfill is placed, and backfill should be placed in lifts without large rocks or debris against the wall. Heavy equipment surcharge next to an unbraced wall is a common cause of wall failure. IRC R405 still requires drainage provisions; clay soils increase, rather than reduce, the need for a drain and filter.

About the NM CID GB-2 Exam

The New Mexico CID GB-2 examination is the official residential building contractor exam, published as Part 1. The official open-book PSI exam has 80 scored questions, a 75% passing standard (60 points), and 225 minutes allowed. Allowed references include NMAC Title 14, New Mexico Residential Building Code NMAC 14.7.3 (2021), IRC 2021, IECC 2021, and the remaining GB-2 bulletin list (concrete, roofing, BCSI, carpentry, masonry, excavation, and OSHA 29 CFR 1926). PSI lists the fee at USD 134.53 (bulletin updated 4/3/2026). This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid, not an official PSI form, and is distinct from the generic nm-general-contractor practice route.

Assessment

Published as GB-2 Residential Building Contractor Part 1. Also used as Part 1 of the GB-98 combination. This identity is the standalone residential examination.

Time Limit

225 minutes

Passing Score

75% (60 of 80 points)

Exam Fee

USD 134.53 (PSI Services LLC (for New Mexico Construction Industries Division))

NM CID GB-2 Exam Content Outline

11%

Sitework, Footings, and Foundations

Sitework and foundations (9 items)

11%

Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement

Residential concrete (9 items)

8%

Masonry

Residential masonry (6 items)

15%

Carpentry

Residential carpentry (12 items)

13%

Roofing

Residential roofing (10 items)

15%

Associated Trades

Associated residential trades (12 items)

18%

General Code, Plan Reading, and Estimating

Code, plans, and estimating (14 items)

10%

OSHA Safety

OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (8 items)

How to Pass the NM CID GB-2 Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% (60 of 80 points)
  • Assessment: Published as GB-2 Residential Building Contractor Part 1. Also used as Part 1 of the GB-98 combination. This identity is the standalone residential examination.
  • Time limit: 225 minutes
  • Exam fee: USD 134.53

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

NM CID GB-2 Study Tips from Top Performers

1General code/plan reading/estimating is the largest GB-2 slice (14 of 80). Tab IRC 2021 and NMAC 14.7.3.
2This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GB-2 the same as GB-98?

No. GB-2 is the standalone 80-question residential building contractor exam (USD 134.53). GB-98 is the two-part general building combination that includes the GB-2 examination plus a 100-question Part 2 (USD 269.06).