Kentucky contractor law only: each answer shows the KRS section or regulation it was written from.
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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. Bank checked October 12, 2026.
What the examination bulletin says about the exam
Questions
30
To pass
21 of 30 right (70%)
Time limit
90 minutes
Fee
$60
Retakes
After a wait of 10 days.
Format
Open book, multiple choice with four options, on a computer at a test center.
Pass mark
70 percent, set by 815 KAR 8:010 for HVAC and 815 KAR 35:060 for electrical licensing examinations. The bulletin itself prints none.
Who takes it
Master HVAC contractor candidates who test with the International Code Council. They must pass it and a technical HVAC examination.
Content outline
Business structure practices and licensing 10%; estimating and bidding 13%; contractors and acceptance 8%; project management and planning 13%; financing and re
Electrical contractors
The department's electrical bulletin of 2020 describes a separate electrical contractor examination: 40 questions in an hour and a half, open book, on business
On this page
Questions on the law only. Estimating, project management, financing and the other reference-book subjects are not asked.
A business entity applies for an electrical contractor's license. Who may it designate to take the examination?815 KAR 35:060, Section 4, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
A master electrician dies while a business relies on that license. How long may the department let the business keep using the license to pull permits?KRS 227A.140, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
A terminated electrical license may be reinstated without examination if the application is made within what time?KRS 227A.100, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
An electrical contractor is not a master electrician. What must the contractor do?KRS 227A.010(4), Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
An initial application for an electrical license is never completed. When is it void?815 KAR 35:060, Section 1, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
Does the electrical licensing law stop a homeowner from repairing the wiring of his or her own home?KRS 227A.030, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
For how long is a passing score on an electrical licensing examination valid?815 KAR 35:060, Section 4, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
Show all 85 questions (78 more)
Electrical contractor licensing, continued
For how many electrical contractors may one master electrician serve as the qualifying master electrician?KRS 227A.010(4), Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How long is the grace period after an electrical license expires, during which the licensee may still practice and renew with a late fee?KRS 227A.100, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How much continuing education must an applicant for renewal of an electrical license show?KRS 227A.100, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How often is a Kentucky electrical license renewed?KRS 227A.100, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How soon after a revocation may a former licensee petition the department for reinstatement?KRS 227A.110, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
In an emergency, unlicensed nonresident electricians may work in Kentucky. For how many days in a calendar year, at most, without applying for a license?KRS 227A.030, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
In which court may a party aggrieved by a disciplinary action of the department bring an action?KRS 227A.120, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
The license holder a business relies on leaves the business. By when must it employ another licensed person?KRS 227A.140, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
On what condition does Kentucky license by endorsement an applicant licensed in another state?KRS 227A.070, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
The state electrical licensing law supersedes local licensing ordinances. Which local rules does it leave in place?KRS 227A.020, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What general liability insurance must an electrical contractor applicant show?KRS 227A.060(1), Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What is the minimum passing score on a Kentucky electrical licensing examination?815 KAR 35:060, Section 4, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
What is the penalty for violating the prohibitions of KRS 227A.020, such as posing as a licensed electrical contractor?KRS 227A.130, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
When may an unlicensed person perform work usually done by an electrician?KRS 227A.020, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Which agency administers and enforces Kentucky's electrical licensing law?KRS 227A.040, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Whom must an electrical contractor's insurance policy name as certificate holder?815 KAR 35:060, Section 6, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
Within how many days must a company tell the department that its electrical contractor or master electrician has died?815 KAR 35:060, Section 10, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
HVAC contractor licensing 19
A city has its own licensing law that asks contractors for insurance. What is the effect of the state HVAC proof of insurance?KRS 198B.668, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
A master HVAC contractor lets more than one person use the license. What does the statute make of that fact?KRS 198B.672, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Besides codes and industry practice, what must the master HVAC contractor examination test?815 KAR 8:010, Section 4, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
For whose HVAC work is the master HVAC contractor primarily responsible?815 KAR 8:010, Section 1, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
How does the statute class practicing HVAC contracting without a required license?KRS 198B.686, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How long must an applicant have worked as a journeyman HVAC mechanic under a master HVAC contractor to qualify for the master license?KRS 198B.658, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How many hours of HVAC work in twelve continuous months make up one year of experience?815 KAR 8:010, Section 5, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
How often is an HVAC license renewed?KRS 198B.664, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How often, at least, must HVAC licensing examinations be given?KRS 198B.660, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How old must an applicant for a master HVAC contractor's license be?KRS 198B.658, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Is cleaning duct work the "practice of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contracting"?KRS 198B.650, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
On what property may an unlicensed individual owner do HVAC work under the exemption for owners?KRS 198B.674, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What general liability insurance must a person, firm or corporation carry to practice HVAC contracting?KRS 198B.668, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What property damage insurance must an HVAC contractor carry?KRS 198B.668, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What score must an applicant reach on a Kentucky HVAC licensing examination?815 KAR 8:010, Section 4, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
When may one master HVAC contractor represent more than one firm?KRS 198B.678, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Where must a master HVAC contractor's license number appear?KRS 198B.670, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Which of these is a "major repair" under the HVAC law?KRS 198B.650, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Which work is exempt from the HVAC licensing law?KRS 198B.674, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Lien law 12
A bond is given to release a lien before judgment. For what amount?KRS 376.100, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
A contractor is paid by the owner on a job where liens may be imposed. What must the contractor do with the money?KRS 376.070, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
A subcontractor works on an owner-occupied single family home under a contract with the builder. Within how many days after its last work must it notify the owner to hold a lien?KRS 376.010, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
A supplier with no contract with the owner has a claim over $1,000. Within how many days after the last item is furnished must it notify the owner in writing?KRS 376.010, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
After filing a lien statement, how soon must the claimant mail a copy to the property owner?KRS 376.080, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
For how much rental of equipment used on the work may a lien be claimed?KRS 376.010, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
From what time does a properly asserted mechanic's lien take effect?KRS 376.010, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
The owner-occupant of a single family home paid the contractor in full before any subcontractor sent a lien notice. What lien may the subcontractor hold for work covered by that payment?KRS 376.010, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What is the ceiling on the total of all mechanics' liens on one improvement?KRS 376.010, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Where is a mechanic's lien statement filed?KRS 376.080, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Within what time after ceasing to labor or furnish materials must a mechanic's lien statement be filed?KRS 376.080, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Within what time must an action be brought to enforce a mechanic's lien?KRS 376.090, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Construction contracts and payment 12
A construction contract says the subcontractor gives up all lien rights under KRS Chapter 376. How does the law treat that clause?KRS 371.405, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
A contract clause bars any court action over disputes. What may a construction contract require in place of litigation?KRS 371.405, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
A contractor is paid by the contracting entity. Within what time must it pay its subcontractors their undisputed amounts?KRS 371.405, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
An undisputed request for payment is still unpaid 25 business days after it was submitted. What must the contractor do?KRS 371.405, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How long do a postsecondary institution and a board of education have to pay an undisputed request for payment?KRS 371.405, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
To which construction does the Kentucky Fairness in Construction Act not apply?KRS 371.425, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Until half of a construction project is complete, how much retainage may be withheld from an undisputed payment?KRS 371.410, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What interest does a contracting entity owe on an undisputed payment that is late?KRS 371.405, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What is the limit on retainage held after 51 percent of the project is complete?KRS 371.410, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
When must a court award costs and attorney's fees to the prevailing party in an action to enforce the construction payment law?KRS 371.415, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Within what time after substantial completion must retainage be released, less the amount allowed for uncompleted work?KRS 371.410, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Within what time must a contracting entity pay a contractor after receiving a timely, properly completed, undisputed request for payment?KRS 371.405, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Labor law 8
An employee is discharged. By when must all wages earned be paid?KRS 337.055, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
At what rate must work over forty hours in a work week be paid?KRS 337.285, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
For how long must an employer keep its record of hours worked and amounts paid?KRS 337.320, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How does the rest period relate to the lunch period and to pay?KRS 337.365, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How often, at least, must a Kentucky employer pay wages?KRS 337.020, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
On payday, wages must be paid up to a day not more than how many days earlier?KRS 337.020, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What rest period must an employer give?KRS 337.365, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Within what part of the shift must an employee's lunch period fall?KRS 337.355, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Insurance, workers' compensation and safety 10
A contractor has paid compensation to the employee of an uninsured subcontractor. What may the contractor do?KRS 342.610, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
A contractor subcontracts part of a job to a firm that has not secured workers' compensation. Who is liable to the subcontractor's injured employee?KRS 342.610, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
An electrical contractor applicant is not required to carry workers' compensation. What must it give the department?815 KAR 35:060, Section 6, Kentucky Administrative Regulations (Legislative Research Commission)
An employee files a safety complaint under the occupational safety and health law. What does the law forbid?KRS 338.121, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Does an employer's liability for workers' compensation depend on fault?KRS 342.610, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How many employees must a non-agricultural employer have before it is mandatorily subject to the workers' compensation chapter?KRS 342.630, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What are the two ways an employer may secure its workers' compensation liability?KRS 342.340, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
What does KRS 338.031 require of each employer?KRS 338.031, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Which worker is exempt from workers' compensation coverage?KRS 342.650, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
Who must tell the department when an HVAC licensee's required insurance is canceled?KRS 198B.668, Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission)
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written from the Kentucky Revised Statutes as the Legislative Research Commission publishes them (database last updated 10/11/2026): Chapter 227A (electricians and electrical contractors; https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=38354), KRS 198B.650 to 198B.689 (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), KRS 376.010 to 376.100 (mechanics' and materialman's liens), KRS 371.400 to 371.425 (construction contracts), and sections of Chapters 337, 338 and 342, and from 815 KAR 35:060 and 815 KAR 8:010. Each section was read on 2026-10-12. The examination outlines are the two bulletins the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction links from its licensing page (https://dhbc.ky.gov/newstatic_info.aspx?static_id=292): the Kentucky Contractor/Trades Examination Information Bulletin of January 17, 2026 (https://www.iccsafe.org/wp-content/uploads/CO_KY.pdf) and the Kentucky Electrical Licensing Candidate Information Bulletin of 2020 (https://dhbc.ky.gov/Documents/KYELEC_CIB%202020.07.20.pdf), read 2026-10-12. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site. The statutes and regulations are public law of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. No question is taken from a state examination or from any study guide.
How it works
This unofficial Kentucky business and law practice test asks 85 questions on state law: electrical and HVAC licensing, liens, contracts and workers' compensation. Estimating and accounting are not asked. Not affiliated with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction.
Read the full guide
Which licenses take it
The department licenses electrical and HVAC contractors. A master HVAC contractor candidate who tests with the International Code Council passes examination 231, Kentucky Business and Law, plus a technical examination. The electrical contractor examination in the department's other bulletin is also a business and law test.
What this page covers
Six subjects, each from public law: KRS Chapter 227A and 815 KAR 35:060 for electrical contractors, KRS 198B.650 to 198B.689 and 815 KAR 8:010 for HVAC, the lien law in KRS Chapter 376, the Kentucky Fairness in Construction Act, wage and hour law, and workers' compensation.
The insurance floors differ: $1,000,000 general liability for an electrical contractor, $500,000 liability and $300,000 property damage for HVAC.
Lien deadlines run 75 days, 120 days, six months and twelve months. Learn what starts each clock.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the Kentucky Business and Law exam?
Thirty multiple-choice questions in one hour and thirty minutes, open book, by the examination bulletin of January 17, 2026. State regulations set the pass mark for these licensing examinations at 70 percent.
Is this Kentucky business and law free practice test the real exam?
No. It is free, unofficial practice written from Kentucky statutes and regulations. The Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction and the International Code Council did not write or review it, and no examination question appears here.
Does an electrical contractor take the Kentucky Business and Law exam?
An electrical contractor takes a test of the same kind. The department's electrical bulletin of 2020 describes it: 40 questions in an hour and a half on business, contract, labor, licensing, lien and tax subjects, given by a provider the department approves.
What does the lien law part of the exam cover?
Kentucky's mechanics' lien statutes, KRS 376.010 to 376.100: who has a lien, the notices owed to an owner, the six months to file a statement and the twelve months to sue. The department posts a copy for candidates.