CR Practice Test

The Certified Remodeler (CR) credential from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry is aimed at remodeling business owners and staff who meet its experience rules. This page explains the 200-question, 4-hour online exam, lists the official content areas, and links free practice sets for each topic, so you can find weak spots before test day.

CR Exam at a Glance

What changed for CR in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Eligibility changed to 5 years continuous remodeling experience; firm with ≥90% remodeling sales; 16 hours CE or CR prep course (previously 5 years remodeling experience; firm with ≥90% remodeling sales; 16 hours CE or CR prep course).^[1]
• Oct 27, 2026: Registration deadline changed to Confirm by replying to NARI email sent one month before exam period (previously Confirm by replying to NARI's email sent one month before the exam period).^[2]
• Oct 27, 2026: Testing window changed to November 30 – December 13, 2026 (previously Nov 30 – Dec 13, 2026 (then May 3–16, Aug 9–22 and Nov 29–Dec 12, 2027)).^[2]

What the CR is and how it works

According to National Association of the Remodeling Industry, “After certification enrollment and preparation, you must pass a 200-question, 4-hour, multiple-choice, online exam proctored by a live online proctor to ensure examination integrity.”^[1]

The Certified Remodeler credential is awarded by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). To apply you must be employed by or own a firm that derives at least 90% of its sales from remodeling, have 5 years of continuous remodeling experience, and have completed 16 hours of continuing education or the CR prep course.

The exam has 200 multiple-choice questions and a 4-hour time limit. It is taken online with a live remote proctor, who watches through your cell phone camera. You can test from home at any time during the exam period, which runs November 30 to December 13, 2026. About a month before the period opens, NARI staff email you, and you confirm you plan to test by replying to that email.

The certification fee is $600 for NARI members and $850 for non-members, and it includes your first exam attempt. Each retake costs $50. Results arrive within 30 days of the end of the exam period. You are told only pass or fail. No numeric score is given and exams are not returned for review. The credential is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually.

Fees, dates and requirements can change. Check the NARI website before you apply, and treat it as the final word on anything on this page.

CR content outline and where to practise each area

The content areas below are copied from the official CR content outline published by National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.

Worked examples: how to reason through CR questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What is the MOST effective way to stay current with developments in building codes & standards for Certified Remodeler?

1. Participating in professional development, industry events, and peer collaboration
2. Reading only internal communications
3. Relying on experience gained early in career
4. Following a single expert opinions

Answer: A. Participating in professional development, industry events, and peer collaboration

Explanation:

The correct answer is professional development, industry events and peer collaboration. Together they bring in formal teaching, news of recent changes, and the practical experience of other remodelers, so you see developments from several directions.

Reading only internal communications is wrong because it limits you to what your own company already knows. Relying on experience from early in your career is wrong because codes and standards are revised over time, and old habits can become out of date. Following a single expert's opinion is wrong because any one person can be mistaken or have a narrow view.

The rule to remember: when a question asks how to stay current, choose the answer that draws on several varied, ongoing sources rather than one source or past experience.

Example 2

Question: In Certified Remodeler, which factor MOST influences the selection of appropriate maintenance & repair procedures?

1. The specific requirements and constraints of the situation
2. Personal preference of the practitioner
3. The most recently developed technique only
4. Cost as the sole determining factor

Answer: A. The specific requirements and constraints of the situation

Explanation:

The correct answer is the specific requirements and constraints of the situation. A repair method has to fit the material, the condition of the existing work, the rules that apply and what the client needs, so the job itself should drive the choice.

Personal preference is wrong because what a practitioner likes does not make a method suitable. The most recently developed technique only is wrong because a newer method is not automatically a better fit, and it may not suit the conditions. Cost as the sole determining factor is wrong because price matters but cannot outweigh performance, safety and durability.

The rule to remember: answers with words like only, sole or personal usually fail, and the answer that starts from the conditions of the job is usually right.

Example 3

Question: What information must appear on a home improvement contract in most US states?

1. Only the total project price and start date
2. Contractor's name, license number, address, project description, price, payment schedule, and estimated completion date
3. Only the homeowner's name and project address
4. A list of all subcontractors and their insurance policies

Answer: B. Contractor's name, license number, address, project description, price, payment schedule, and estimated completion date

Explanation:

The correct answer lists the contractor's name, license number, address, project description, price, payment schedule and estimated completion date. A contract with these items protects both sides, because it shows who is responsible, what will be built, what it costs and when payments and completion are due.

Only the total price and start date is wrong because it leaves out the scope, payment terms and contractor identification. Only the homeowner's name and project address is wrong because it says nothing about the work or the money. A list of all subcontractors and their insurance policies is wrong because it is not what most states require to be written into the contract itself.

The rule to remember: a sound contract identifies the parties, defines the work, and fixes price, payment and timing. Exact requirements vary by state, so check your own.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official material. Read the NARI page for the credential and the list of content areas, then compare it with the table above. Work out which areas you handle every day and which you rarely touch.

Next, take one practice set for each content area, starting with the areas you know least. Read the explanation for every answer, including the ones you got right, because the wrong options often show you how the exam tries to mislead. Keep a short list of the topics you miss, and go back to the NARI course or your own reference material for those.

Repeat the sets that gave you trouble, and aim to explain each answer in your own words rather than recognise it. Then take mixed practice from the main practice test so you get used to switching between topics, as the real exam does.

Because the exam runs for 4 hours, practise sitting for long stretches without breaks, with a timer. Before the exam period, confirm you plan to test by replying to the NARI email, and check that your phone camera and internet connection will work for the live proctor. Our questions are written by us and are not real exam questions, so use them to find gaps, not to predict the exam.

Sources & last verified

1. National Association of the Remodeling Industry — number of questions, time limit, exam fee, retake fee (official source). “After certification enrollment and preparation, you must pass a 200-question, 4-hour, multiple-choice, online exam proctored by a live online proctor to ensure examination integrity.” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.
2. National Association of the Remodeling Industry — passing score, delivery, score release, testing window (official source). “If you pass, you will be notified that you have successfully completed the credentialing process. Your numeric score will not be provided, and completed exams…” Verified Oct 27, 2026 · source checked Oct 23, 2026.
3. National Association of the Remodeling Industry — other (official source). “building codes and construction law” Verified Oct 28, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.