Free NCCER Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker Knowledge Assessment Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the NCCER Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Worker Knowledge Assessment practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A rebar worker measures a rectangular slab area as 12 ft long and 8 ft wide. What area should be used when estimating the reinforcement layout?

   1. A. 96 square feet
   2. B. 40 square feet
   3. C. 192 square feet
   4. D. 1,152 square feet

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The OSHA Technical Manual states, "Area is length times width with the measure of each side in the same units for both length and width for square feet (feet2) or square meters (m2)." Multiplying 12 ft by 8 ft gives 96 square feet; the other results reflect adding the dimensions, doubling the product, or converting one dimension to inches.

   Reference: OSHA Technical Manual, Section X, Chapter 1: Metric System Conversion — Section II, Area and volume

2. 2A worker selecting a single-handle hand tool expects to apply high force while installing reinforcement. Which handle-diameter range does the NIOSH guide recommend for a power task?

   1. A. 1/4 to 1/2 inch
   2. B. 3/4 to 1 inch
   3. C. 1 1/4 to 2 inches
   4. D. 2 1/2 to 3 inches

   Answer: C

   Explanation: NIOSH advises for single-handle power tasks, "Select a tool that feels comfortable with a handle diameter in the range of 1 1/4 inches to 2 inches." The other ranges are different grip sizes, including the much smaller range suggested for precision tasks.

   Reference: NIOSH, Easy Ergonomics: A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools — Tips for Selecting Hand Tools, item 1, page 8

3. 3A worker is tying reinforcing bars in a flat horizontal mat. Which named tie does CRSI describe as the simplest tie usually used for this position?

   1. A. Snap Tie
   2. B. Wrap and Snap Tie
   3. C. Saddle Tie
   4. D. Figure Eight Tie

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CRSI states, "Detail A: “Snap Tie” (diagram upper left) is the simplest and is usually used for rebar in a flat horizontal position." The other named ties are real alternatives described for different placing situations.

   Reference: CRSI, Reinforcing Bar Placing — Bar Tying Requirements, Detail A

4. 4A worker installs a cover over a deck hole on a rebar placement area outside any roadway or vehicle aisle. If workers, tools, and bars may impose 750 pounds at once, what minimum load must the cover support without failure?

   1. A. 750 pounds
   2. B. 1,125 pounds
   3. C. 1,500 pounds
   4. D. 2,250 pounds

   Answer: C

   Explanation: OSHA states, "All other covers shall be capable of supporting, without failure, at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, and materials that may be imposed on the cover at any one time." Twice the anticipated 750-pound combined load is 1,500 pounds.

   Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall Protection Systems Criteria — 29 CFR 1926.502(i)(2)

5. 5A crane will hoist a long bundle of reinforcing bars that might bend if lifted at too few points. Which rigging member does CRSI identify for this purpose?

   1. A. Spreader bar
   2. B. Lifting sling
   3. C. Rigging shackle
   4. D. Crane hook

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CRSI defines a "SPREADER BAR—A steel beam suspended from a crane, having two or more hooks or shackles to which slings are attached to eliminate the possibility of bending reinforcing bars in a bundle due to handling." A sling, shackle, or hook is part of the lift but does not itself supply the described multi-point beam.

   Reference: CRSI, Reinforced Concrete Terminology — SPREADER BAR definition

6. 6A rebar worker needs the quantities, sizes, lengths, and bending dimensions for bars to be placed. Which project record is defined by CRSI as containing that combination?

   1. A. Bar list
   2. B. Mill test report
   3. C. Beam elevation
   4. D. Delivery manifest

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CRSI defines "BAR LIST—Bill of materials, where all quantities, sizes, lengths and bending dimensions of the reinforcing bars are shown." The other records do not have this specified bill-of-materials role.

   Reference: CRSI, Reinforced Concrete Terminology — BAR LIST definition

7. 7Oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders will be stored at a rebar jobsite without a separating fire barrier. What minimum separation does OSHA require between the oxygen cylinders and the fuel-gas cylinders?

   1. A. 10 feet
   2. B. 15 feet
   3. C. 20 feet
   4. D. 25 feet

   Answer: C

   Explanation: OSHA requires oxygen cylinders in storage to be separated from fuel-gas cylinders by "a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m)" or by a qualifying barrier. With no barrier in this scenario, the minimum is 20 feet.

   Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.350: Gas welding and cutting — 29 CFR 1926.350(a)(10)

8. 8A crew lays out contraction joints in a 4-inch slab on grade. Using NRMCA's example spacing, about how far apart should the joints be?

   1. A. About 5 feet
   2. B. About 10 feet
   3. C. About 15 feet
   4. D. About 20 feet

   Answer: B

   Explanation: NRMCA states, "the joint spacing for a 4-inch [100 mm] thick slab should be about 10 feet [3 m]." The slab in the question matches that example.

   Reference: NRMCA CIP 6: Joints in Concrete Slabs on Grade — CIP 6, HOW to Construct Joints, item a

9. 9A crew is placing fresh concrete for a slab. Where should each batch be deposited to limit unnecessary horizontal movement?

   1. A. As close as possible to its final position
   2. B. At the center for later distribution
   3. C. In separate piles for later joining
   4. D. At the near edge for later pushing

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The American Cement Association directs crews to "Deposit the material only as fast as it can be handled, and as close as possible to its final position." The other locations require avoidable movement.

   Reference: American Cement Association: Working with Concrete — Working with Concrete, Placing Concrete

10. 10A crew uses manufactured single-post shores in tiers beneath a deck form. Which alignment does OSHA require for the tiered posts?

    1. A. Vertically aligned
    2. B. Horizontally offset
    3. C. Alternating in direction
    4. D. Angled toward the edge

    Answer: A

    Explanation: OSHA states, "The single post shores shall be vertically aligned." That rule applies to the tiered posts described.

    Reference: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.703: Requirements for cast-in-place concrete — 29 CFR 1926.703(b)(8)(ii)