A custodian handles a corrosive drain opener that could splash the eyes. What must be provided in the work area?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.151, paragraph (c). Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Safety
A drill is found with a cut in the jacket of its cord. What does the electrical safety rule say to do with it?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.334, paragraph (a)(2)(ii). Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Safety
A maintenance worker must clear a jam in a trash compactor that could start without warning. What does the lockout standard require before the work begins?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.147, paragraph (c)(1). Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Safety
A worker wants to take a full bucket of tools up a portable ladder by hand. What does the ladder rule say about loads while climbing?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.23, paragraph (b)(13). Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Safety
In the "pull, aim, squeeze, sweep" steps for a fire extinguisher, where is the nozzle aimed?U.S. Fire Administration, Fire Extinguishers. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Safety
Who must assess a workplace to decide whether its hazards call for personal protective equipment (PPE)?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.132, paragraph (d)(1). Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Safety
Show all 50 questions (44 more)
Tools and Materials 6
A heavy mirror is to hang on a hollow drywall partition, between studs. Which fastener has wings that open inside the wall?Wikipedia, Toggle bolt. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Tools and Materials
A paint label says one gallon covers 400 square feet. Two coats are planned on 600 square feet of wall. How many gallons should be ordered?Written to the NOCTI Job Ready Credential Blueprint for Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Tools and Materials; the answer is arithmetic on the numbers in the question, worked twice
A tape measure is marked in sixteenths of an inch. A reading falls on the fifth mark past 7 inches. What is the measurement?Written to the NOCTI Job Ready Credential Blueprint for Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Tools and Materials; the answer is arithmetic on the numbers in the question, worked twice
How are roofing nails specified when they are ordered?US Army FM 5-426, Carpentry (1995), chapter 2, nails. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Tools and Materials
The miter joints of a wooden picture frame need reinforcing from the back. Which fastener is made for joints and splices in small boards?US Army FM 5-426, Carpentry (1995), chapter 2, fasteners. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Tools and Materials
The struck end of a cold chisel has spread into a mushroom shape. What does the hand tool rule say about impact tools?OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.301, paragraph (c). Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Tools and Materials
Carpentry 7
A room gets new gypsum board on its walls and its ceiling. Which surface is covered first?US Army FM 5-426, Carpentry (1995), chapter 9. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Carpentry
Asphalt shingles are being replaced on a small roof. Which nails does the Army carpentry manual call best for fastening them?US Army FM 5-426, Carpentry (1995), chapter 7, asphalt-shingle roofs. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Carpentry
Plywood wall sheathing is being nailed off. How far apart are the nails at the panel edges and elsewhere on the panel?US Army FM 5-426, Carpentry (1995), chapter 6, sheathing. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Carpentry
Vinyl siding is going on a wall. After the corner trim is up, what is set level along the bottom before the first panel?US Army FM 5-426, Carpentry (1995), chapter 6, siding. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Carpentry
Where should the joints between gypsum board panels fall?US Army FM 5-426, Carpentry (1995), chapter 9. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Carpentry
Which drawing shows the locations of the studs, plates, sills and bracing, one wall at a time?US Army FM 5-426, Carpentry (1995), chapter 1, framing plans. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Carpentry
Which joints does base molding get at the corners of a room?US Army FM 5-426, Carpentry (1995), chapter 9, moldings. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Carpentry
Painting and Wall Covering 3
An old enamel door is still glossy. What must be done to the surface before it is repainted?TM 5-618, Paints and Protective Coatings (Departments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, 1981), paragraph 1.4.2, surface condition. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Painting and Wall Covering
In which year did the federal government ban the sale of lead-based paint for use in homes?U.S. EPA, Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, Background. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Painting and Wall Covering
New wood trim shows knots and pitch streaks. What do they get before the finish paint goes on?TM 5-618, Paints and Protective Coatings (Departments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, 1981), paragraph 1.4.2, surface condition. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Painting and Wall Covering
Masonry 4
Old brick joints are being tuck-pointed with fresh mortar. When are the refilled joints tooled?US Army FM 5-428, Concrete and Masonry (1998), paragraph 7-21. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Masonry
What are the weep holes above the flashing in a brick wall for?US Army FM 5-428, Concrete and Masonry (1998), chapter 9, flashing. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Masonry
What is applied to the outside of a below-grade brick foundation wall to make it watertight?US Army FM 5-428, Concrete and Masonry (1998), paragraph 9-73. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Masonry
Why are wood forms treated with oil before concrete is placed in them?US Army FM 5-428, Concrete and Masonry (1998), paragraph 4-56. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Masonry
Electrical 6
A building has a backup generator. Which device switches the load between utility power and the generator?Wikipedia, Transfer switch. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Electrical
A circuit is locked off before a light fixture is replaced. How is it confirmed that the circuit is dead?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.333, paragraph (b)(2)(iv)(B). Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Electrical
A fluorescent tube has no filament to glow. Which part of the fixture sets up the voltage within the tube?US Army FM 5-424, Theater of Operations Electrical Systems (1997), chapter 2, fluorescent lamps. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Electrical
A stairway light is to be switched from three locations. Which set of switches does that?US Army FM 5-424, Theater of Operations Electrical Systems (1997), chapter 3, four-way switching. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Electrical
A worn receptacle is replaced with a three-wire type. What is the third wire of a three-wire receptacle for?US Army FM 5-424, Theater of Operations Electrical Systems (1997), chapter 2, receptacles. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Electrical
On an electrical plan, a lighting outlet symbol has the letter X added to it. What does the X mark?US Army TM 5-704, Construction Print Reading in the Field, chapter 3, symbols for electrical fixtures and controls. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Electrical
Plumbing 6
A frozen aboveground water pipe is to be thawed with heat. What is the first step?US Army FM 3-34.471, Plumbing, Pipe Fitting, and Sewerage (2001), paragraph 3-9. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Plumbing
How deep must outside water supply pipes be buried so that they do not freeze?US Army FM 3-34.471, Plumbing, Pipe Fitting, and Sewerage (2001), paragraph 1-33. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Plumbing
In a centrifugal pump, which rotating part carries the vanes?US Army FM 3-34.471, Plumbing, Pipe Fitting, and Sewerage (2001), paragraph 11-2. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Plumbing
On a plumbing plan, what does the standard abbreviation CO beside a symbol stand for?US Army TM 5-704, Construction Print Reading in the Field, chapter 3, plumbing symbols. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Plumbing
Pipes bang when a valve is shut quickly. What causes this water hammer?US Army FM 3-34.471, Plumbing, Pipe Fitting, and Sewerage (2001), paragraph 1-12. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Plumbing
Water keeps running in a water closet. After the tank is emptied, which part is unscrewed and checked for damage or wear?US Army FM 3-34.471, Plumbing, Pipe Fitting, and Sewerage (2001), chapter 4, tank mechanism repairs. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Plumbing
General Maintenance 6
A cracked steel railing is repaired by arc welding. What produces the heat that makes the weld?US Army TM 9-237, Welding Theory and Application (1976), paragraph 3-2. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), General Maintenance
A hardwired smoke alarm in a rental unit still works when tested. After how many years is the whole alarm replaced anyway?U.S. Fire Administration, Smoke Alarms, maintenance tips. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), General Maintenance
How must portable fire extinguishers be kept in a building where employees work?OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.157, paragraph (c)(1). Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), General Maintenance
To save heating energy, an office gets a programmable (setback) thermostat. What does it do?Wikipedia, Programmable thermostat. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), General Maintenance
Two furnace filters are rated MERV 8 and MERV 13. What does the higher MERV rating mean?U.S. EPA, What is a MERV rating?. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), General Maintenance
Which exit door hardware lets people open the door by pushing a horizontal bar?Wikipedia, Crash bar. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), General Maintenance
Grounds and Equipment Maintenance 3
A bag of lawn fertilizer is labeled with three numbers, such as 18-20-10. Which three nutrients do they stand for?Wikipedia, Labeling of fertilizer. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Grounds and Equipment Maintenance
A string trimmer has a small two-stroke engine. How does that engine get its lubricating oil?Wikipedia, Two-stroke oil. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Grounds and Equipment Maintenance
Mulch is spread over the soil around newly planted shrubs. Which of these is a reason for applying it?Wikipedia, Mulch. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), Grounds and Equipment Maintenance
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) 3
How does a heat pump warm a house in winter?Wikipedia, Heat pump. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
In the refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner, what does the refrigerant do as it passes through the evaporator coils?US Army TM 9-8000, Principles of Automotive Vehicles (1985), chapter 37, refrigeration cycle. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
What job does a thermocouple do in the safety device of a gas-powered heating appliance?Wikipedia, Thermocouple. Written to NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance (4012), HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the competency list of the Job Ready Credential Blueprint for Building Trades Maintenance (code 4012, version 01, copyright 2012) that NOCTI publishes at https://www.nocti.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/JRBldgTrdsMaint4012.pdf , read 2026-10-15 and again 2026-10-16: a written assessment of 171 questions in 3 hours over ten areas (Safety 12%; Tools and Materials 12%; Carpentry 13%; Painting and Wall Covering 5%; Masonry 8%; Electrical 12%; Plumbing 12%; General Maintenance 13%; Grounds and Equipment Maintenance 7%; HVAC 6%), plus a performance assessment of five jobs. This bank holds 50 in those proportions. Every rule and definition was read on 2026-10-15 or 2026-10-16 on the public page named under its question: OSHA standards in 29 CFR 1910 and 1926 on osha.gov; the U.S. Fire Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; the US Army manuals FM 5-426 Carpentry (1995), FM 5-428 Concrete and Masonry (1998), FM 3-34.471 Plumbing, Pipe Fitting, and Sewerage (2001), FM 5-424 Theater of Operations Electrical Systems (1997), TM 5-704 Construction Print Reading in the Field, TM 5-618 Paints and Protective Coatings (1981), TM 9-237 Welding Theory and Application (1976) and TM 9-8000 Principles of Automotive Vehicles (1985), in the copies at archive.org; and Wikipedia. Every length, area and count is made up for the drill, and each computed answer is arithmetic that was worked twice. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site. The military manuals are works of the United States government approved for public release, and no question or example is copied from them.
How it works
Fifty questions of our own for the NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance test, sorted by the ten areas of Job Ready blueprint 4012. This free practice test is unofficial and not affiliated with NOCTI, which does not endorse or review it.
Read the full guide
Ten areas, in the blueprint's shares
Carpentry and General Maintenance are 13% each of the written assessment. Safety, Tools and Materials, Electrical and Plumbing are 12% each, Masonry 8%, Grounds and Equipment Maintenance 7%, HVAC 6% and Painting and Wall Covering 5%.
Timed like the real one
A timed round of all 50 questions in 53 minutes keeps the pace of the written assessment. The blueprint prints no pass mark, so the result is the number right.
What stays in the shop
The five performance jobs are left to the shop: constructing a carpentry frame, sweating piping, rough wiring, hanging and finishing drywall, and finish wiring a switch and a light.
Maintenance safety answers cite the general industry rules in 29 CFR 1910, such as 1910.147 for lockout and 1910.333 for testing a circuit dead.
Paint: square feet times coats, divided by the coverage on the label, gives the gallons to order.
Fire extinguisher steps: pull the pin, aim low, squeeze the lever, sweep side to side.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance test?
The Job Ready blueprint, code 4012, lists 171 written questions in 3 hours, given in one, two or three sessions. The five performance jobs take another 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Is this also practice for the NOCTI Teacher test in building trades maintenance?
It covers the same ground. The Teacher assessment, code 5264, has 166 questions in 3 hours over the same ten areas, with small shifts: Electrical 13%, HVAC 7%, Painting and Wall Covering 6%.
How is Building Trades Maintenance different from Building Construction Occupations?
Maintenance, code 4012, leans toward upkeep: painting, grounds, HVAC and general maintenance are areas of it. Building Construction Occupations, code 4111, leans toward new work, with Carpentry at 28% and an Energy Efficiency area.
Where is the NOCTI Building Trades Maintenance blueprint?
NOCTI posts it free at nocti.org/credentials/blueprints. The PDF gives the competencies, the weight of each area and ten sample questions. Those samples were left out of this bank.