PHRC Report #D7: Test Item Development for the PBA Certified Residential Contractor Program

Date: July 1995

Author(s): J. Julo and J.H. Willenbrock

BACKGROUND:

In the Fall of 1992, the Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) began investigating the possibility of developing, implementing, and administering a state-wide certification program for builders and remodelers. The purpose of this certification program would be to add credibility to the image and mission of the Pennsylvania Builders Association by establishing an appropriate level of competency for its members, and in time, to improve the image of the association and the home building and remodeling industry within state government and in the eyes of the housing consumer.

Phase 1 of this project involved assisting PBA’s Knowledge Work Group in examining the issue of competency. The Pennsylvania Housing Research Center generated PHRC Report # 35; Suggested Competency Standards for the Pennsylvania Builders Association State-Wide Certification Program, which suggested definitions of the domain of knowledge for the home building industry and assisted in determining the minimum standards and definitions of basic competence within that domain necessary for an individual to be categorized, at a minimum, as a competent home builder or remodeler.

The Pennsylvania Builders Association, and in particular the Knowledge Work Group, deemed Phase 1 of this project a success and asked the PHRC to continue providing assistance in the development of the certification program. The primary purpose of Phase 2 of this research project was to assist PBA with further refining the content areas and developing a competency examination.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS:

The object of this report was to assist the Pennsylvania Builders Association with the development of a competency examination for their certified residential contractor program. This report represents the development of a pool of 423 questions. The report is divided into two parts. Part A contains test items (questions) for the trade examination and Part B contains the test items for the business management and law examination.

WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU:

This report represents the culmination of the project and completes the Knowledge Work Group’s charge as assigned by the Certification Steering Committee.

WHAT'S NEXT?

This report provides the pool of questions which PBA will draw from in developing the actual certification examinations given to builder/developer members of PBA.