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Idaho Manufactured Home Installer License Exam
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR
Idaho Manufactured Home Installer License Exam is administered by the Idaho Division of Building Safety (DBS) – Manufactured Home Program. The exam is based on the Idaho Administrative Code (IDAPA) 07.01.06 (Rules for Manufactured Home Installation) and the HUD Manufactured Home Installation Standards (24 CFR 3285 & 3286). Below is a summarized coverage of exam topics , followed by 250 randomized, scenario-based MCQs with answers and summarized rationales. SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (point form)
- Legal & Administrative : IDAPA 07.01.06, Idaho Code 44-2401, Division of Building Safety (DBS) authority, installer licensing & renewal (annual, November 1 deadline), insurance requirements, permit requirements.
- Site & Foundation : Soil bearing capacity, frost depth (Idaho 30-48 inches), foundation types (footings, piers, slabs), pier spacing, tie-downs, footing sizing, ground clearance (minimum 12 inches at perimeter, 18 inches under home for access).
- Anchorage & Stabilization : Over-the-top vs. frame ties, foundation straps, tie-down sizing, anchor depth, resistance to wind (110 mph), seismic zones.
- Transport & Set-Up : Towing, blocking before disconnect, marriage line connections for multi- section homes, roof seams, siding/trim.
- HUD Standards (24 CFR 3285/3286) : Load zones (wind, snow, seismic), installation manual requirements, manufacturer specifications vs. Idaho amendments.
- Utility Systems : Electrical (GFCI, disconnect), plumbing (water, waste, venting), gas lines (propane/natural gas, drip legs, interior vs. exterior), HVAC, tie-in requirements.
- Safety & Work Practices : Fall protection, excavation shoring, electrical lockout/tagout, flame retardant materials, fireblocking.
- Post-Installation Requirements : Certificate of Installation, final inspection, maintainability (clearance for access), skirting requirements (ventilation: 1 sq. ft. per 150 sq. ft. of crawlspace area). 1. A manufactured home is being installed in rural Idaho on a site with clay soil. Before placing footings, what must the installer do to ensure adequate bearing capacity?
A) Wet the soil to increase compaction B) Perform a soil bearing capacity test or use prescriptive values from HUD standards C) Pour footings 24 inches deeper than frost depth D) Assume clay is always adequate Answer: B – HUD and IDAPA require soil evaluation to ensure footings support the home’s load.
2. An installer forgets to install manufacturer-required tie-downs at the specified spacing. What is the most likely consequence during a DBS inspection? A) Verbal warning B) Final inspection failure, with required retrofit before occupancy C) No consequence if the home is single-wide D) Immediate fine of $ Answer: B – Improper anchorage is a life-safety violation and must be corrected before final approval. 3. What is the minimum ground clearance required for the perimeter of a manufactured home installed in Idaho? A) 6 inches B) 12 inches
D) Use expanding foam to fill the gap Answer: B – Marriage line connections must follow manufacturer’s instructions for structural integrity and weather resistance.
6. Under Idaho law, who is responsible for obtaining the installation permit before work begins? A) Homeowner B) Licensed installer C) Retailer of the manufactured home D) Municipality Answer: B – The licensed installer must pull the permit before beginning installation. 7. What is the minimum depth for footings in northern Idaho to prevent frost heave? A) 12 inches B) 24 inches C) 30 inches (varies; 30-48 inches depending on zone) D) 60 inches Answer: C – Frost depth in Idaho ranges from 30″ to 48″; footings must extend below frost line.
8. An installer uses untreated lumber for ground-contact piers in a crawlspace. Is this acceptable? A) Yes, if painted B) No – ground-contact lumber must be pressure-treated or naturally decay resistant C) Yes, for temporary support only D) No, only concrete blocks allowed Answer: B – Wood in contact with soil must be treated (UC4B or better) per HUD standards. 9. The installer notes that the home site slopes 10%. What additional step is required before setting the home? A) None – slope is acceptable up to 20% B) Excavate and create a level pad with compaction verification C) Install extra tie-downs only D) Reduce pier spacing Answer: B – Homes must be installed on a level, compacted pad; slopes require cut/fill or engineered foundation. 10. What is the minimum crawlspace access opening required under a manufactured home after installation?
D) Legal with homeowner’s waiver Answer: B – Idaho law requires a licensed installer for all manufactured home installations.
13. The HUD tag is missing from a manufactured home being installed. What should the installer do? A) Install anyway and note on permit B) Refuse installation or contact manufacturer/ID DBS for guidance C) Create a new HUD tag D) Ignore – not required for installation permit Answer: B – HUD certification label is required for legal installation; missing tag may indicate non- compliance. 14. How many square inches of crawlspace ventilation are required per 150 square feet of ground area under the home? A) 0.5 sq ft B) 1.0 sq ft C) 1.5 sq ft D) 2.0 sq ft Answer: B – HUD/Idaho require 1 sq ft of net free ventilating area per 150 sq ft of crawlspace area.
15. An installer uses foundation straps rated for 3,500 pounds. The home’s design requires 4,200-pound straps. Is this acceptable? A) Yes, straps are overrated B) No – straps must meet or exceed design loads C) Yes, if installed every pier D) No, but okay for single-wide Answer: B – Anchorage components must meet manufacturer or HUD-specified design loads. 16. During final inspection, the DBS inspector finds that the skirting has no ventilation openings. What is the required action? A) No action – skirting optional in Idaho B) Install ventilation (1 sq ft per 150 sq ft) C) Seal all openings to prevent pests D) Remove skirting Answer: B – Proper crawlspace ventilation is required to prevent moisture buildup. 17. The installer is working on a windy day with gusts up to 35 mph. What should they do when lifting a roof section?
C) 2″ is acceptable if slope is increased D) Notify homeowner and proceed Answer: B – Plumbing must follow manufacturer installation manual and Idaho plumbing code.
20. The home’s water line enters the crawlspace through an unsealed opening. What is the correct action? A) Leave for ventilation B) Seal the opening with fire-rated sealant or foam to prevent pest entry and heat loss C) Install a screen over the hole D) Nothing – it’s within acceptable tolerance Answer: B – Penetrations must be sealed to prevent pest/rodent entry and energy loss. 21. What type of insurance must an Idaho manufactured home installer carry? A) General liability insurance (minimum limits per DBS) B) Workers’ compensation if applicable C) Both A and B D) No insurance required Answer: C – State rules require general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
22. A home is installed on a site with deep snow potential. What consideration must be made for skirting? A) Skirting is optional in snow zones B) Skirting must be designed to resist snow load (e.g., vented, removable or reinforced) C) No special requirement D) Use metal skirting only Answer: B – Skirting must not collapse under snow; some areas require removable or fortified skirting. 23. An installer uses a 2×4 as a temporary brace during set-up. Under what condition is this allowed? A) Never – 2x4s are not structural B) As a temporary brace only, before final blocking C) As permanent blocking substitute D) Only for the first 24 hours Answer: B – Temporary bracing is allowed if secure; permanent support requires proper piers/blocking. 24. The installer notices that the home’s roof is a 6:12 pitch and will be accessed during installation. What safety measure is required? A) No safety measure for low slope
D) Automatic license suspension Answer: A – Unpermitted work is a violation and may require re-inspection fees.
27. A new manufactured home is installed on a site with no existing utility connections. Who is responsible for trenching from the property line? A) Installer B) Homeowner C) Utility company D) Either installer or subcontractor, per contract; installer must coordinate Answer: D – The installer is responsible for coordinating hookups unless contract states otherwise. 28. The HUD installation manual specifically requires a vapor retarder (6-mil poly) in the crawlspace. The installer does not install it because “it’s not in Idaho code.” Is this correct? A) Yes – Idaho overrides HUD B) No – HUD standards apply; vapor retarder is required unless site-specific waiver C) Only required in eastern Idaho D) Optional for the installer
Answer: B – HUD installation standards (24 CFR 3285) apply in Idaho unless IDAPA specifically amends them.
29. What is the minimum height of skirting ventilation openings above finished grade? A) 0 inches – at grade allowed B) 4 inches to prevent water entry C) 6 inches D) 12 inches Answer: B – Ventilation openings should be at least 4 inches above grade to prevent water entry. 30. An installer is working alone and needs to lift a heavy section of the home. What is the safest practice? A) Use a pry bar alone B) Use mechanical lifting equipment and never work beneath unsupported load C) Rig ropes and pull manually D) Dig a ramp for the section Answer: B – Safe lifting requires equipment rated for the load and never working under suspended loads.
B) No – hollow cores must be filled with grout or concrete if used for structural support C) Only for single-wide D) Yes, if topped with wood Answer: B – Structural piers require solid concrete blocks or filled cores.
34. The installer is setting a home in a flood zone. What additional requirement applies? A) No special requirement B) Home must be elevated above base flood elevation with engineered anchors C) Skirting must be flood-vented D) Both B and C Answer: D – Flood zones require elevation and flood vents. 35. An installer changes the tie-down pattern from manufacturer’s specification because “the soil is good.” Is this permitted? A) Yes, installer’s judgment B) No – tie-down pattern and load values must follow manufacturer or engineered design C) Only if soil compaction test passed
D) Only for rear of home Answer: B – Altering anchorage without engineering is a violation.
36. The installation inspection reveals that the home’s main disconnect is 50 feet from the exterior wall. What is the code requirement? A) No distance limit B) Within 30 feet and within sight of the home’s electrical equipment C) 100 feet max D) Within 10 feet Answer: B – Disconnect must be within sight and accessible (NEC 550). 37. The installer uses galvanized steel straps for tie-downs. The manufacturer specifies stainless steel. Is this acceptable? A) Yes, galvanized is stronger B) No – materials must match manufacturer specifications C) Yes, if painted D) Only for outdoor use Answer: B – Manufacturer’s material specifications must be followed.
B) No – must use a laser or water level, and check multiple points across all sections C) Only for multi-section D) Only for exterior walls Answer: B – A single bubble level is insufficient; multiple points and precision required.
41. The installer is connecting the natural gas line to the home. What must be installed at the point of entry? A) A shut-off valve and drip leg (sediment trap) B) A flexible hose only C) A union inside the home D) Nothing – direct connection allowed Answer: A – Gas codes require an accessible shut-off and sediment trap. 42. A home is installed on a slope where the downhill side has 36 inches of clearance instead of 12 inches. Is this acceptable? A) No – clearance must be consistent 12 inches B) Yes, but must have safety railing C) Yes, but must have steps
D) Yes – additional clearance is not a violation Answer: D – More than minimum clearance is allowed, but access and safety must be considered.
43. An installer uses wood shims to level the home frame. The shims are stacked 1.5 inches thick. Is this allowed? A) Yes, any thickness B) No – shims shall not exceed 1 inch total and must be secure C) Only for temporary leveling D) Yes, if pressure-treated Answer: B – Shims beyond 1 inch can crush or move; proper blocking required for large gaps. 44. The marriage line siding seam is covered with aluminum trim but no sealant. What is the requirement? A) Sealant required for weather-tightness B) Aluminum trim is sufficient C) Only if home is in high wind zone D) Only on the roof seam Answer: A – Siding seams must be sealed to prevent moisture infiltration.
