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Public Works — California C-20 Practice Questions

12 questions · 5% of the Law & Business exam

Worked questions

1. Before bidding or performing covered public work, what should the contractor verify?

  • AThe owner may waive labor law
  • BA city business card replaces registration
  • Verify current DIR registration
  • DRegistration is needed only after final payment

Why C is correct

California public works has contractor and subcontractor registration requirements tied to bidding and performance. Private agreement cannot waive those statutory duties.

2. What is the core wage obligation on covered public work?

  • APay only the private-market bid rate
  • Meet prevailing-wage and payroll rules
  • CApply one statewide rate to every craft
  • DTreat every worker as an independent contractor

Why B is correct

Public works requirements depend on project, location, craft, classification, and dates. Contractors must use current official determinations and maintain supporting records.

3. A public-works foreman records total crew hours but not individual classifications, rates, or deductions. Why is that inadequate?

  • AThey permit false classifications if signed
  • BThey replace the construction schedule
  • They document payroll compliance
  • DThey are optional when workers are paid by check

Why C is correct

The best answer is: They document payroll compliance. Certified payroll supports verification of prevailing wages and other labor duties. Certification increases rather than removes the need for complete and truthful underlying time and payroll records. The new fact pattern changes the setting, not the governing rule or management control. The other choices either skip a required step, apply a different rule, or fail to address the stated risk.

4. A subcontractor is selected for a covered state project but has not checked its current public works registration. What must be verified before bid or work?

  • Verify current DIR registration
  • BA city business card replaces registration
  • CRegistration is needed only after final payment
  • DThe owner may waive labor law

Why A is correct

The best answer is: Verify current DIR registration. California public works has contractor and subcontractor registration requirements tied to bidding and performance. Private agreement cannot waive those statutory duties. The new fact pattern changes the setting, not the governing rule or management control. The other choices either skip a required step, apply a different rule, or fail to address the stated risk.

5. Payroll proposes paying a public-works laborer the company's ordinary private rate. What wage and related obligations govern instead?

  • AApply one statewide rate to every craft
  • BPay only the private-market bid rate
  • Meet prevailing-wage and payroll rules
  • DTreat every worker as an independent contractor

Why C is correct

The best answer is: Meet prevailing-wage and payroll rules. Public works requirements depend on project, location, craft, classification, and dates. Contractors must use current official determinations and maintain supporting records. The new fact pattern changes the setting, not the governing rule or management control. The other choices either skip a required step, apply a different rule, or fail to address the stated risk.

7 more in the bank

Answers and explanations for these are in the app.

  • A public-works contractor uses apprentices without checking program and dispatch requirements. What should occur?
  • Before listing or mobilizing a subcontractor on covered public work, what should be verified?
  • How should a contractor select the prevailing wage rate for a public-works worker?
  • Why are accurate certified payroll records critical?
  • A contractor sends apprentices to public work without checking dispatch, ratio, wage, or approved-program rules. Which requirements must be addressed?
  • A public-works payroll clerk chooses a wage rate from a neighboring county and a different craft because it is lower. How should the proper rate be selected?
  • Before listing a subcontractor on covered public work, the prime checks price but not license, DIR registration, classification, or debarment status. What eligibility review is needed?

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