Chicago Illinois Brick Masonry Contractor 302 (B Card) Book Package

Prepare for the Chicago Illinois 302 Brick Masonry Contractor B Card examination with a focused three-book package covering masonry materials, brick and block installation, masonry tools and equipment, estimating, business math, and construction safety.

The Chicago Brick Masonry Contractor examination is required for candidates pursuing the B Card masonry contractor license in the City of Chicago. The written examination is administered through Continental Testing Services for the City of Chicago and is designed to measure the knowledge expected of masonry contractors working with brick and related masonry systems.

This package includes the exact three references identified for both the B Card and C Card masonry examinations: Masonry Skills, 7th Edition, Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Builders, 6th Edition, and Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, Part 1926 (OSHA).

For the B Card examination, candidates should concentrate on brick masonry materials, construction methods, layout, joints, tools, equipment, fasteners, quantity calculations, estimating, business math, and jobsite safety. The official examination outline places the greatest emphasis on Masonry Installations and Safety Regulations, making practical installation knowledge and safe work practices especially important.

This book package is designed to support structured study across the full published exam outline. Candidates can use the references to strengthen technical understanding, practice masonry calculations, review installation procedures, and reinforce OSHA requirements before testing.

What You Get

• Masonry Skills, 7th Edition (2015)
• Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Builders, 6th Edition (2008)
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)

These references provide broad preparation for the brick masonry knowledge areas identified in the official Chicago B Card study guide. Together, they address masonry products, installation techniques, tools, equipment, drawings, layout, estimating, calculations, and construction safety.

Exam Details

The Chicago 302 Brick Masonry Contractor B Card examination is administered through Continental Testing Services.

The official candidate guide states that the examination is timed for 3 hours. Candidates who earn a score of 70 or higher receive a passing result and may proceed with the applicable licensure process.

All examination questions are multiple choice, with one correct answer and three incorrect choices.

The published B Card examination content outline is:

• Masonry Materials – 17%
• Masonry Installations – 25%
• Masonry Tools, Equipment & Fasteners – 14%
• Quantity Surveying & Estimating – 11%
• Business Math – 11%
• Safety Regulations – 23%

Masonry Installations is the largest section at 25% of the examination. Candidates should be comfortable with laying brick and block, mortar joints, reinforcement, control and expansion joints, wall construction, structural relationships, and proper installation methods.

Safety Regulations represents 23% of the exam, making OSHA preparation a major part of the study plan. Candidates should review scaffolding, ladders, personal protective equipment, masonry saws, material handling, fall protection, excavation hazards, and general construction safety requirements.

Masonry Materials accounts for 17%, while Masonry Tools, Equipment and Fasteners account for 14%. Quantity Surveying and Estimating and Business Math each represent 11%.

Closed Book Test

The Chicago Brick Masonry Contractor B Card examination is a closed book test. The official Continental Testing Services candidate guide states that candidates are not permitted to use books, notes, or other reference materials during the examination.

Candidates should therefore prepare to answer questions from retained technical knowledge rather than relying on reference lookup during testing.

The testing rules permit candidates to bring a non-programmable, non-printing, solar- or battery-powered portable or pocket calculator. The official guide also instructs candidates to bring two sharpened Number 2 black-lead pencils.

Because reference materials cannot be used during the exam, preparation should focus on understanding masonry principles, installation practices, estimating methods, calculations, tools, and safety requirements well enough to recognize and apply them without searching the books.

Licensing Steps

The Chicago B Card examination is part of the City of Chicago masonry contractor licensing process.

1. Meet the minimum age requirement. Candidates applying for the Chicago Brick Masonry Contractor examination must be at least 21 years old.
2. Apply for the Chicago 302 Brick Masonry Contractor examination. Submit the required examination application and supporting documentation through the current City of Chicago and Continental Testing Services process.
3. Prepare for the B Card examination. Study masonry materials, installation methods, tools, equipment, estimating, business math, and OSHA safety requirements.
4. Use the recommended references during preparation. Work with Masonry Skills, the Concrete Masonry Handbook, and OSHA construction regulations.
5. Practice without reference books. Because the actual examination does not permit books or notes, include closed-book practice sessions in the study routine.
6. Complete the written examination. Candidates have three hours to complete the B Card exam.
7. Achieve the required passing score. Candidates earning a score of 70 or higher receive a passing notice.
8. Complete the applicable City of Chicago licensing process. Candidates who pass receive information needed to proceed toward licensure as a Brick Masonry Contractor.

State Requirements

The Chicago Brick Masonry Contractor license is a City of Chicago license. The B Card examination is specifically tied to brick masonry contractor licensure within Chicago.

The official Chicago Masonry Contractors candidate guide identifies three related license examination paths. A candidate must pass the B Card examination to be licensed as a Brick Masonry Contractor. A candidate must pass the C Card examination to be licensed as a Concrete Masonry Contractor. A candidate who passes both examinations may qualify for the Masonry Contractor A Card.

The current application materials require candidates to be at least 21 years old. Applicants should complete the examination and licensing steps required by the City of Chicago for the classification they are pursuing.

The B Card examination focuses specifically on brick masonry contractor knowledge. Candidates pursuing the Concrete Masonry Contractor C Card should prepare for a different examination outline with additional concrete-specific references.

Reference Books

• Masonry Skills, 7th Edition (2015)
  A comprehensive masonry training reference covering brick, block, mortar, tools, equipment, layout, installation methods, drawings, estimating, construction procedures, safety, and practical masonry skills. The official B Card sample questions cite this book extensively.
• Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Builders, 6th Edition (2008)
  Provides technical information on concrete masonry units, materials, construction, joints, reinforcement, moisture control, structural considerations, detailing, and other subjects relevant to masonry contractors.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Provides federal construction safety requirements addressing scaffolds, ladders, fall protection, personal protective equipment, material handling, tools, equipment, and other hazards encountered during masonry work.

Test Information and Study Materials

Masonry Materials accounts for 17% of the B Card examination. Candidates should understand brick and concrete masonry units, mortar, grout, reinforcement, sealants, masonry accessories, moisture behavior, absorption, curing, and material properties.

The official sample questions demonstrate that candidates may need to understand practical characteristics such as brick absorption rate, mortar behavior, shrinkage in concrete masonry, and the purpose of control and expansion joints.

Masonry Installations represents 25% of the exam. Review laying procedures, coursing, bonding patterns, mortar joints, anchors, reinforcement, walls, openings, flashing, control joints, expansion joints, cleaning, and general workmanship.

Candidates should understand not only what a masonry component is but how and why it is installed. Questions may require recognition of the correct installation method, identification of improper construction practices, or application of practical masonry knowledge to a jobsite situation.

Masonry Tools, Equipment & Fasteners accounts for 14%. Study masonry saws, hammers, chisels, levels, trowels, mixers, scaffolding, lifting equipment, power tools, fasteners, and related equipment.

The official sample examination includes tool-use and equipment-safety questions, such as the proper use of a tile hammer and the response to an overheated masonry saw motor. Candidates should understand both tool function and safe operation.

Quantity Surveying & Estimating accounts for 11%. Candidates should be prepared to calculate quantities of brick, block, mortar, and other masonry materials. Review nominal and actual dimensions, wall area, course height, unit counts, waste, openings, and basic estimating procedures.

The official sample test includes questions requiring candidates to determine the number of masonry courses in a wall and the number of blocks required for a specified wall length. Repeated practice with unit dimensions and wall measurements can help build speed.

Business Math also represents 11%. Candidates should be comfortable with multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, percentages, productivity calculations, unit conversions, and basic construction arithmetic.

One official sample problem asks candidates to calculate average brick production per mason per hour based on total bricks laid, crew size, and working time. Similar calculations require careful reading and a clear understanding of the requested unit.

Safety Regulations account for 23%, making safety one of the most important areas of preparation. Review OSHA construction standards related to masonry operations, scaffolding, ladders, fall hazards, personal protective equipment, masonry saws, material handling, and chemical exposure.

The official sample test includes questions involving scaffold requirements and protective clothing when using acid cleaners. Candidates should understand the purpose of OSHA requirements and recognize unsafe practices.

A useful preparation routine is to study one examination category at a time, then complete mixed practice questions without books. Since the actual exam is closed book, practice should gradually shift from reference-assisted study to recall-based testing.

When a practice question is missed, return to the appropriate reference and review the surrounding material rather than memorizing only the answer. This can help build enough context to answer differently worded questions on the actual examination.

Candidates should also practice calculations with the same type of non-programmable calculator permitted at the testing site. Familiarity with the calculator can reduce errors and save time on estimating and business-math problems.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Chicago Brick Masonry Contractor candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, masonry calculations, safety review, and structured study based on the official B Card examination outline.

The Chicago Illinois Brick Masonry Contractor 302 B Card Book Package provides the three recommended references candidates can use to study masonry materials, installation procedures, tools, equipment, estimating, business math, and OSHA requirements.

Because the examination is closed book, preparation should move beyond simply finding answers in the references. Candidates can use the books to develop understanding first, then reinforce that knowledge through practice questions and recall-based review.

1 Exam Prep encourages candidates to organize preparation according to the official exam percentages, giving additional attention to Masonry Installations and Safety Regulations while still reviewing every published category.

The goal is to help candidates strengthen masonry knowledge, improve construction calculations, reinforce safe work practices, and approach the Chicago 302 Brick Masonry Contractor B Card examination with a more organized study structure.

What is the Chicago Brick Masonry Contractor B Card?

The B Card is the examination and license classification associated with Brick Masonry Contractor licensure in the City of Chicago.

Who administers the Chicago 302 Brick Masonry Contractor exam?

The examination is administered through Continental Testing Services for the City of Chicago.

How long is the B Card examination?

The official candidate guide states that the examination is timed for 3 hours.

What score is required to pass?

Candidates who score 70 or higher receive a passing result.

Is the Chicago Brick Masonry Contractor B Card exam open book?

No. The examination is a closed book test. Books, notes, and other reference materials are not permitted during the examination.

Can I use a calculator during the exam?

The official testing rules permit a non-programmable, non-printing, solar- or battery-powered portable or pocket calculator.

What is the largest section of the B Card exam?

Masonry Installations is the largest category at 25% of the examination.

How much of the exam covers safety?

Safety Regulations account for 23% of the examination, making OSHA preparation one of the most important areas of study.

Does the exam include masonry estimating?

Yes. Quantity Surveying and Estimating accounts for 11% of the examination.

Does the exam include math?

Yes. Business Math represents 11% of the B Card examination and may involve productivity, measurements, quantities, percentages, and construction calculations.

What is the difference between the B Card and C Card?

The B Card is associated with Brick Masonry Contractor licensure, while the C Card is associated with Concrete Masonry Contractor licensure. Candidates who pass both examinations may qualify for the Masonry Contractor A Card.

What books are recommended for the B Card examination?

The official study guide identifies Masonry Skills, 7th Edition, Concrete Masonry Handbook for Architects, Engineers and Builders, 6th Edition, and 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA as references for the B Card examination.

Why use the Chicago Illinois Brick Masonry Contractor 302 B Card Book Package?

The package brings together all three references identified for the B Card exam so candidates can prepare for masonry materials, installations, tools, estimating, business math, and OSHA safety in one organized study package.