PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

100+ Free TN BC-A,b(sm) Practice Questions

Prepare for the Tennessee Residential/Small Commercial (BC-A,b(sm)) 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 Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors Examinations

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

Tennessee Business and Law Examination

Practice Questions

Tennessee CMC Plumbing and HVAC Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

Tennessee Combined (BC) Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

Tennessee Commercial (BC-B) Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

Tennessee Commercial/Industrial (BC-B,C) Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

Tennessee Electrical (CE) Contractor Examination

Practice Questions
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: TN BC-A,b(sm) Exam

100 Q

Official Exam Questions

Prov TN Contractor CIB 2026.07.13

73%

Passing Score

Prov TN Contractor CIB 2026.07.13

5 hr

Time Allowed

Prov TN Contractor CIB 2026.07.13

USD 53

Prov Exam Fee

Prov TN Contractor CIB 2026.07.13

Open Book

Book Policy

Prov TN Contractor CIB 2026.07.13

Tennessee Residential/Small Commercial (BC-A,b(sm)) Contractor Examination is the official Board/Prov open-book exam: 100 questions, 73%, 5 hours, USD 53 (bulletin dated 2026.07.13). Official delivery is English.

Sample TN BC-A,b(sm) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your TN BC-A,b(sm) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1On a floor plan drawn at a scale of 1/4 inch = 1 foot, a partition measures 2-1/2 inches on the drawing. What is the actual wall length?
A.8 feet
B.10 feet
C.12 feet
D.14 feet
Explanation: At 1/4 inch = 1 foot, each inch on the drawing equals 4 feet. 2.5 × 4 = 10 feet. The same result comes from dividing 2.5 by 0.25.
2How many board feet are in a takeoff of twenty 2×8 studs that are each 12 feet long? Use nominal dimensions.
A.160 board feet
B.240 board feet
C.320 board feet
D.384 board feet
Explanation: Board feet = (thickness × width × length in feet) ÷ 12. One 2×8×12 is (2 × 8 × 12) ÷ 12 = 16 board feet. Twenty pieces are 20 × 16 = 320 board feet.
3A straight exterior wall is 40 feet long and studs are spaced 16 inches on center. Ignoring openings, how many studs are required if both end studs are counted?
A.30 studs
B.31 studs
C.32 studs
D.40 studs
Explanation: Convert length to inches: 40 × 12 = 480 inches. Spaces = 480 ÷ 16 = 30. Studs = spaces + 1 = 31. Always add one for the closing end stud on a continuous equally spaced wall.
4A 40-foot by 60-foot garage slab is 4 inches thick. How many cubic yards of concrete should be ordered if an 8 percent waste factor is added?
A.27 cubic yards
B.30 cubic yards
C.32 cubic yards
D.36 cubic yards
Explanation: Volume = 40 × 60 × (4 ÷ 12) = 800 cubic feet. 800 ÷ 27 = 29.63 cubic yards. Adding 8 percent: 29.63 × 1.08 = 32.0 cubic yards. Order the waste-adjusted quantity, not the neat theoretical volume.
5In roofing takeoff, one roofing square equals which area of roof surface?
A.10 square feet
B.50 square feet
C.100 square feet
D.144 square feet
Explanation: A roofing square is 100 square feet of roof surface. Bundles per square vary by product, but the square itself is always 100 square feet. Convert roof area to squares by dividing square feet by 100.
6A utility trench is 20 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 3 feet deep. How many cubic yards of excavation is that, to the nearest tenth?
A.2.7 cubic yards
B.6.7 cubic yards
C.8.9 cubic yards
D.240 cubic yards
Explanation: Volume = 20 × 4 × 3 = 240 cubic feet. Convert with 27 cubic feet per cubic yard: 240 ÷ 27 = 8.89, which rounds to 8.9 cubic yards.
7A simple gable roof covers a 28-foot by 40-foot rectangle. The roof pitch is 6:12. Using a 6:12 slope factor of 1.118, how many roofing squares of field shingles are needed if 10 percent waste is added?
A.11 squares
B.13 squares
C.14 squares
D.16 squares
Explanation: Plan area = 28 × 40 = 1,120 square feet. Roof area = 1,120 × 1.118 = 1,252 square feet. Add 10 percent waste: 1,252 × 1.10 = 1,377 square feet. Squares = 1,377 ÷ 100 = 13.77, so order 14 squares.
8A 6:12 roof has a horizontal run of 16 feet from eave to ridge. What is the rise from the top of the wall plate to the ridge?
A.6 feet
B.8 feet
C.12 feet
D.16 feet
Explanation: A 6:12 pitch rises 6 inches for every 12 inches of run, or 6/12 = 0.5 foot of rise per foot of run. 16 × 0.5 = 8 feet of rise.
9Which drawing typically shows wall locations, room names, door and window symbols, and overall building dimensions used for a residential framing takeoff?
A.Floor plan
B.Site grading plan only
C.Electrical single-line diagram
D.Door hardware schedule only
Explanation: The floor plan is the primary sheet for wall layout, room sizes, openings, and overall dimensions. Elevations, sections, and schedules supplement it, but carpenters start the framing takeoff from the floor plan.
10A lumber takeoff of 1,800 board feet is neat quantity with no waste. If the estimator adds 10 percent waste for cutting and unusable ends, how many board feet should be purchased?
A.1,800 board feet
B.1,890 board feet
C.1,980 board feet
D.2,160 board feet
Explanation: Purchased quantity = neat takeoff × (1 + waste). 1,800 × 1.10 = 1,980 board feet. Waste covers kerf, unusable shorts, and typical cutting loss on a residential frame.

About the TN BC-A,b(sm) Exam

The Tennessee Residential/Small Commercial (BC-A,b(sm)) Contractor Examination is the official Board combined trade examination administered by Prov beginning July 1, 2026. The official exam has 100 questions. Passing is 73% in 5 hours. The examination is open book. Prov lists USD 53 per attempt (Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin dated 2026.07.13). The Board lists Res/SmCom (BC-A,b(sm)) for projects less than USD 750,000. Candidates must also pass Business and Law. The Board charges a separate USD 250 initial application fee. This bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation. It does not replace required trade experience, board approval, financial statements or bonds, or the official examination.

Assessment

Open-book computer-based multiple-choice. Prov lists 2021 IBC, 2018 IRC, commercial and residential study guides, and OSHA 29 CFR 1926. Remote Examroom testing is available.

Time Limit

5 hours

Passing Score

73% (73 of 100)

Exam Fee

USD 53 (Prov, Inc. (for the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors))

TN BC-A,b(sm) Exam Content Outline

12%

Estimating and Plan Reading

Estimating, Plan Reading (12 items)

8%

General Code

General Code (8 items)

5%

Sitework

Sitework (5 items)

5%

Footings and Foundations

Footings and Foundations (5 items)

10%

Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement

Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement (10 items)

7%

Masonry

Masonry (7 items)

12%

Carpentry

Carpentry (12 items)

2%

Doors, Windows, and Stairs

Doors, Windows, and Stairs (2 items)

2%

Interior Finish

Interior Finish (2 items)

6%

Structural Steel

Structural Steel (6 items)

10%

Roofing, Siding, and Insulation

Roofing, Siding, and Insulation (10 items)

3%

Plumbing Concepts

Plumbing Concepts (3 items)

3%

HVAC Concepts

HVAC Concepts (3 items)

3%

Electrical Concepts

Electrical Concepts (3 items)

8%

OSHA Safety

OSHA Safety (8 items)

4%

Exterior Finish

Exterior Finish (4 items)

How to Pass the TN BC-A,b(sm) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 73% (73 of 100)
  • Assessment: Open-book computer-based multiple-choice. Prov lists 2021 IBC, 2018 IRC, commercial and residential study guides, and OSHA 29 CFR 1926. Remote Examroom testing is available.
  • Time limit: 5 hours
  • Exam fee: USD 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

TN BC-A,b(sm) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Distribute study time to the official Prov BC-A,b(sm) content outline (bulletin dated 2026.07.13)
2Carpentry and roofing remain heavier than on the full commercial exam
3Moveable tabs and Post-it notes are prohibited in the Prov center
4This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official Prov form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Tennessee BC-A,b(sm) Contractor Examination?

The official Prov examination has 100 questions. Passing is 73% within 5 hours (Tennessee Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin dated 2026.07.13).

How much does the Tennessee BC-A,b(sm) exam cost?

Prov lists USD 53 per attempt, including retakes. The Board charges a separate USD 250 initial contractor application fee.

What project size does Tennessee BC-A,b(sm) cover?

The Board lists Res/SmCom (BC-A,b(sm)) for projects less than USD 750,000. Prov describes the exam as combining residential construction authority with limited commercial construction privileges.

Do I also need the Business and Law exam?

Yes. Every new contractor applicant must pass the Tennessee Contractor Business and Law Examination in addition to any required trade examination.