CA C-39 Roofing Contractor study materials
CA C-39 Roofing Contractor study resources

CA C-39 Roofing Contractor study plan

CA C-39 Roofing Contractor · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Roofing Systems, Materials, and Installation Methods

  • Classify the major low-slope and steep-slope roof systems by membrane type, slope range, and typical substrate

  • List the physical and performance properties (tensile, elongation, fire rating, reflectivity, temperature limits) for at least eight common roofing materials

  • Sequence the installation steps for a steep-slope asphalt shingle assembly from underlayment through ridge cap

  • Identify the function of each flashing type: step, counter, valley, base, cricket, and drip edge

Your checkpoint

A one-page comparison matrix covering six roof systems against four performance attributes, hand-written or typed, with no gaps.

Week 2

Roofing Systems, Materials, and Installation Methods & Roof Framing, Sheathing, and Structural Considerations

  • Describe the installation sequence for single-ply (TPO/EPDM/PVC), modified bitumen, sprayed polyurethane foam, concrete tile, and standing-seam metal

  • Calculate required seam overlap, fastener spacing, and fastener count per square for three membrane types

  • Draw and label five critical flashing details (wall base, valley, pipe boot, curb, headwall) with correct layer order and lap direction

  • Trace the vertical load path from roof covering to foundation for a simple gable assembly

Your checkpoint

A labeled set of five hand-drawn flashing details showing correct shingle-course and membrane lap sequence, checked against a manufacturer's published detail.

Week 3

Roof Framing, Sheathing, and Structural Considerations

  • Compute rafter length, ridge height, and slope from span and pitch using the Pythagorean theorem without a reference table

  • Apply dead load and snow load values to select rafter size and spacing from a span table

  • Select sheathing thickness, panel orientation, and fastener schedule for a given rafter spacing and edge support condition

  • Explain the roles of collar ties, ridge beams, hip and valley framing, and ceiling/rafter ties in resisting load and thrust

  • Identify the causes and repair approaches for sagging, bowed, or rotted roof framing and sheathing

Your checkpoint

A ten-problem worked calculation set (rafter lengths, loads, sheathing selection) with shown work, scored at 80% or higher on self-check.

Week 4

Roof Framing, Sheathing, and Structural Considerations & Roofing Systems, Materials, and Installation Methods

  • Re-solve every missed problem from the Week 3 calculation set and write the correct method beside each

  • Deck-inspect a hypothetical attic scenario and write a deficiency list of framing, sheathing, and ventilation issues

  • Answer 40 mixed practice questions on systems, materials, and framing without notes, then review all misses

  • Summarize the top ten error patterns you found across Domains 1 and 2 in a single ranked list

Your checkpoint

A 40-question mixed diagnostic on Domains 1 and 2 completed cold, with a written error log scoring 75% or better.

Week 5

Estimating, Plans, and Specifications

  • Perform a full quantity takeoff from a provided roof plan: squares, ridge, hip, valley, eave, rake, and drip edge linear footage

  • Apply waste factors by product type and justify each percentage used

  • Read a written specification section and extract the submittal, warranty, and material requirements into a checklist

  • Build a bid by combining material, labor, equipment, overhead, and profit, then calculate the break-even and target price

  • Convert a plan's slope and dimensions into actual roof area using the pitch multiplier

Your checkpoint

A complete written takeoff and priced bid for a hypothetical 30-square re-roof, including waste, overhead, markup, and a one-paragraph scope narrative.

Week 6

Safety, Codes, and Industry Standards

  • State the OSHA fall-protection trigger height, the accepted systems, and the training and inspection requirements for each

  • Identify code requirements for attic and roof ventilation ratios, roof covering fire classification, and fastener type and spacing

  • Write a job hazard analysis for ladder placement, roof edge work, and material hoisting

  • Distinguish permit, inspection, and manufacturer-warranty requirements that affect a re-roof scope

Your checkpoint

A written JHA plus fall-protection plan for a two-story tear-off and re-roof, listing hazards, controls, and the responsible person per task.

Week 7

Business Management, Contract Law, and Project Administration

  • Draft the eight contract clauses a roofing contract must contain, including scope, change orders, payment, and warranty exclusions

  • Calculate retainage, progress billing amounts, and final payment for a sample project schedule of values

  • Explain preliminary notice, mechanic's lien, and stop-notice timelines and who must receive each document

  • Compare general liability, workers' compensation, and builder's risk coverage for a subcontractor

  • Describe the change-order and dispute-resolution process from written request through closeout

Your checkpoint

A sample eight-clause roofing contract plus a completed progress-billing worksheet with retainage calculated correctly.

Week 8

Roofing Systems, Materials, and Installation Methods & Roof Framing, Sheathing, and Structural Considerations & Estimating, Plans, and Specifications & Safety, Codes, and Industry Standards & Business Management, Contract Law, and Project Administration

  • Complete a full-length 100-question timed practice exam covering all five domains

  • Re-study the two weakest domains identified by the practice exam, using condensed notes only

  • Recite the key formulas and thresholds (rafter length, squares, waste, fall protection heights, ventilation ratios, lien timelines) from memory

  • Assemble a final one-page master sheet of the twenty facts you are most likely to forget

Your checkpoint

A timed 100-question practice exam scored at 80% or higher, with a one-page master fact sheet written from your own error log.

Milestones

Week 4: Score 75% or higher on the 40-question Domains 1-2 diagnostic and produce a written error log naming each mistake type.

Week 6: Produce both the priced 30-square bid and the written fall-protection JHA, and confirm you can state OSHA's fall-protection trigger height and the attic ventilation ratio from memory.

Week 8: Score 80% or higher on a timed 100-question mixed exam and hold a completed one-page master fact sheet for final review.