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100+ Free NV B-2 Residential/Small Commercial Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NV B-2 Residential/Small Commercial Exam

80 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI Nevada Contractor CIB updated 3/25/2026

70%

Passing Score

PSI Nevada Contractor CIB updated 3/25/2026

3 hours

Time Allowed

PSI Nevada Contractor CIB updated 3/25/2026

USD 95

PSI Exam Fee (one portion)

PSI Nevada Contractor CIB updated 3/25/2026

Open Book

Book Policy

PSI Nevada Contractor CIB updated 3/25/2026

Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial General Building Contractor Examination is the official NSCB/PSI open book exam: 80 questions, 70% (56 of 80 points), 3 hours, USD 95 (bulletin 296, updated 3/25/2026). Official delivery: English and Spanish.

Sample NV B-2 Residential/Small Commercial Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NV B-2 Residential/Small Commercial exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Per 2018 IBC Section 1804.4, the ground immediately adjacent to a foundation shall be sloped away from the building at not less than which slope for a minimum distance of 10 feet, unless an approved alternate drainage method is used?
A.One unit vertical in 50 units horizontal (2-percent slope)
B.One unit vertical in 20 units horizontal (5-percent slope)
C.One unit vertical in 12 units horizontal (8-percent slope)
D.One unit vertical in 8 units horizontal (12.5-percent slope)
Explanation: IBC 1804.4 requires the finished grade next to the foundation to fall at least 1:20 (5 percent) for a minimum of 10 feet so surface water drains away from the building. An approved drain or swale may be used where the 10-foot slope cannot be provided. Ponding against the foundation is a common source of basement leaks and frost damage.
2Structural fill under a B-2 building footing is accepted in the field when in-place dry density is compared to which laboratory standard?
A.Only the soil's natural moisture content with no density test
B.A specified percentage of maximum dry density from a Standard or Modified Proctor test
C.The unconfined compressive strength of an undisturbed clay sample only
D.The liquid limit of the borrow material only
Explanation: Fill under footings and slabs is specified as a percentage of maximum dry density (often 95 percent) from ASTM D698 (Standard Proctor) or D1557 (Modified Proctor). Field density is checked with a nuclear gauge or sand-cone test. Moisture and classification tests support the result but do not replace the density comparison.
3A driveway is graded to drop 2 feet over a horizontal run of 40 feet. What is the slope, expressed as a percent?
A.2 percent
B.4 percent
C.5 percent
D.8 percent
Explanation: Percent slope equals rise divided by run, times 100. 2 ft ÷ 40 ft = 0.05, and 0.05 × 100 = 5 percent. That matches the IBC 1804.4 minimum grade-away slope of 1:20. Always use the same units for rise and run before converting to percent.
4Per 2018 IBC Sections 1809.4 and 1809.5, exterior footings on soil shall be at least 12 inches below the undisturbed ground surface and shall also be protected from frost by which method?
A.Extending below the local frost line, using an approved frost-protected design, or founding on solid rock
B.Stopping at the top of the sod layer if the soil is dry
C.Using a 4-inch mud slab in place of frost depth
D.Placing rigid insulation only on the top of the footing, with no other frost protection
Explanation: IBC 1809.4 sets a 12-inch minimum footing depth into undisturbed ground. IBC 1809.5 requires frost protection by extending below the frost line, using an ASCE 32 frost-protected shallow foundation, or founding on solid rock. Local frost depth is set by the jurisdiction and must be verified on the approved plans.
5A 60-foot by 80-foot building pad is cut an average of 9 inches. How many cubic yards of excavation are there, ignoring swell and waste?
A.100 cubic yards
B.133 cubic yards
C.200 cubic yards
D.360 cubic yards
Explanation: Convert 9 inches to 0.75 feet. Volume = 60 × 80 × 0.75 = 3,600 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to obtain cubic yards: 3,600 ÷ 27 = 133.3, which rounds to 133 cubic yards. Earthwork takeoffs always convert cubic feet to cubic yards for trucking and grading estimates.
6A continuous strip footing is 40 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 12 inches thick. How many cubic yards of concrete are required, ignoring waste?
A.2.0 cubic yards
B.3.0 cubic yards
C.4.0 cubic yards
D.8.0 cubic yards
Explanation: Volume = 40 × 2 × 1.0 = 80 cubic feet. 80 ÷ 27 = 2.96, which is ordered as about 3.0 cubic yards. Ready-mix is sold by the cubic yard, so convert every footing takeoff from cubic feet. Add the specified waste factor on the exam only when the problem asks for it.
7A 30-foot by 40-foot slab is 4 inches thick. Including 8 percent waste, how many cubic yards of concrete should be ordered?
A.14.8 cubic yards
B.16.0 cubic yards
C.17.8 cubic yards
D.22.2 cubic yards
Explanation: Net volume = 30 × 40 × (4/12) = 400 cubic feet = 14.81 cubic yards. Waste of 8 percent is 14.81 × 1.08 = 16.00 cubic yards. Order the waste-adjusted quantity; the net 14.8-yard figure leaves the slab short after over-excavation, pump loss, and uneven subgrade.
8Per 2018 IBC Section 1907.1, a concrete floor slab supported directly on the ground shall have a vapor retarder that is at least which of the following, unless an approved equivalent is used?
A.4-mil polyethylene with joints butted tight
B.6-mil polyethylene with joints lapped not less than 6 inches
C.10-mil polyethylene placed on top of the finished slab
D.Building paper with 2-inch laps and no polyethylene
Explanation: IBC 1907.1 requires a 6-mil polyethylene vapor retarder with joints lapped not less than 6 inches between the base course or subgrade and the slab, or an approved equivalent. The sheet limits soil moisture vapor that can damage interior finishes. It is not structural reinforcement and does not replace the granular base.
9Per 2018 IBC Section 1907.1, the minimum thickness of a concrete floor slab supported directly on the ground is which of the following?
A.2-1/2 inches
B.3-1/2 inches
C.5 inches
D.6 inches
Explanation: IBC 1907.1 sets a 3-1/2-inch minimum thickness for slabs supported directly on the ground. Plans often specify 4 inches for constructability and to cover welded-wire or rebar. Do not substitute a thinner mud slab or topping for the structural on-grade slab.
10Per ACI 318 concrete-cover rules referenced by 2018 IBC Chapter 19, what is the minimum concrete cover for cast-in-place reinforcement that is cast against and permanently exposed to earth?
A.3/4 inch
B.1-1/2 inches
C.2 inches
D.3 inches
Explanation: ACI 318 requires 3 inches of cover for reinforcement cast against and permanently exposed to earth, such as the bottom of a footing poured on soil. The extra cover protects steel from moisture and soil chemicals. Formed concrete exposed to weather uses a smaller cover, typically 1-1/2 or 2 inches depending on bar size.

About the NV B-2 Residential/Small Commercial Exam

The Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial General Building Contractor Examination is the official Nevada State Contractors Board trade or management examination administered by PSI Services LLC. The official exam has 80 scored questions. Passing is 70% (56 of 80 points) in 3 hours. The examination is open book. Approved center references include International Building Code, 2018 (allowed in center). PSI lists USD 95 for one examination portion and USD 140 if taken with CMS; otherwise USD 95 per trade exam (Candidate Information Bulletin updated 3/25/2026). NSCB requires a separate CMS examination for most new applicants, plus a USD 300 application fee and a USD 600 biennial license fee. PSI also offers this examination in Spanish; this bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation, not an official translation. It does not replace required trade experience, board approval, fingerprints, bonding, or the official examination.

Assessment

Open Book computer-based multiple-choice. International Building Code, 2018 (allowed in center)

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

70% (56 of 80 points)

Exam Fee

USD 95 (PSI Services LLC (for the Nevada State Contractors Board))

NV B-2 Residential/Small Commercial Exam Content Outline

5%

Sitework

Site preparation (4 items)

12%

Concrete

Concrete construction (10 items)

12%

Masonry

Masonry construction (10 items)

6%

Metals

Metals (5 items)

15%

Carpentry

Framing and carpentry (12 items)

11%

Thermal and Moisture Protection

Waterproofing and insulation (9 items)

4%

Doors and Windows

Doors and windows (3 items)

5%

Drywall and Finishes

Drywall and finishes (4 items)

12%

Safety

OSHA construction safety (10 items)

12%

General Code, Plan Reading and Estimating

Code, plans, and estimating (10 items)

4%

Nevada One-Call

Nevada One-Call / 811 (3 items)

How to Pass the NV B-2 Residential/Small Commercial Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% (56 of 80 points)
  • Assessment: Open Book computer-based multiple-choice. International Building Code, 2018 (allowed in center)
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam fee: USD 95

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

NV B-2 Residential/Small Commercial Study Tips from Top Performers

1Distribute study time to the official bulletin 296 content outline (updated 3/25/2026)
2Use only the PSI-listed references; temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are prohibited
3Confirm NSCB experience documentation before scheduling with PSI
4This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial General Building Contractor Examination?

The official PSI examination has 80 scored questions. Passing is 70% (56 of 80 points) within 3 hours (Candidate Information Bulletin 296, updated 3/25/2026).

How much does the NV B-2 Residential/Small Commercial exam cost?

PSI lists USD 95 for one examination portion. Two portions cost USD 140 only if the second portion is CMS. NSCB charges a separate USD 300 application fee and USD 600 biennial license fee.

Is the NV B-2 Residential/Small Commercial exam open book?

Yes. PSI lists this examination as open book. International Building Code, 2018 (allowed in center)

Do I still need the CMS examination?

CMS is the required Nevada business-and-law examination. Most new applicants must pass CMS and a trade examination for the requested classification. In most cases you will not retake an exam if you have actively served as a qualified employee in the same classification within the last four years.