Nevada Class B licensing note: the B General Building classification applies when building construction or remodeling is the primary purpose and the project requires more than two unrelated building trades or crafts. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC/refrigeration and fire-protection work still require the appropriate specialty licensing to be self-performed.
What Is the Nevada B General Building Contractor License?
Nevada's Class B General Building license is designed for contractors whose main business is constructing or remodeling buildings and structures that shelter people, animals, property or other movable items.
The classification is used when the project requires more than two unrelated building trades or crafts and the licensed B contractor is acting as the prime contractor for the building project.
That makes the Class B exam broad. It is not just a framing test, concrete test or code test. It covers multiple construction disciplines because a general building contractor must understand how those systems fit together on a complete project.
Class B General Building: broad Nevada building-contractor classification for qualifying construction and remodeling projects involving multiple unrelated trades.
B-2 Residential and Small Commercial: a separate, more limited general-building classification with building-height restrictions.
Specialty work: plumbing, electrical, refrigeration/air-conditioning and fire-protection work cannot be self-performed under B alone without the required specialty license.
The Nevada B General Building Contractor Online Exam Prep Course includes test-taking techniques, guidance on highlighting and tabbing books, practice exams for the references, one year of online access and mobile-compatible study.
Nevada General Building Contractor Licensing Path
The trade examination is one part of the Nevada State Contractors Board licensing process.
| Step | Authority / Requirement | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| B General Building Classification | Nevada State Contractors Board | That full Class B matches the size and scope of the building projects you intend to contract |
| Trade Qualified Individual | Nevada State Contractors Board | Four years of qualifying experience within the 15 years before application |
| Management Qualified Individual | Nevada CMS Business and Law | Whether CMS testing is required or an applicable waiver is available |
| B Trade Examination | PSI | Current exam authorization, testing rules and reference editions |
| NASCLA Alternative | NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Exam | Whether your NASCLA score qualifies for Nevada's B trade-exam waiver process |
| Final Licensing | Nevada State Contractors Board | Financial responsibility, bond, fingerprints and remaining Board requirements |
Research Authority and Citation Count
Current Nevada State Contractors Board, PSI and 1 Exam Prep information was separated so the Class B trade exam, CMS exam and NASCLA waiver path are not mixed together.
| Verified Point | Citation Authority Count | Research Result |
|---|---|---|
| Class B scope | 2 Nevada primary sources | General building projects requiring more than two unrelated trades where building construction is the primary purpose |
| B trade exam format | Current PSI trade bulletin | 80 scored questions, 56 correct to pass and 3 hours |
| Trade exam weighting | Current PSI content outline | Eleven subject categories totaling 80 scored questions |
| Allowed exam references | Current PSI bulletin | IBC 2018 plus approved ACI concrete and masonry references |
| Trade experience | Current Board application and license requirement pages | Four years of qualifying experience within the previous 15 years |
| NASCLA waiver path | Nevada State Contractors Board | NASCLA Commercial General Building may support waiver of the Nevada B trade examination |
| 1 Exam Prep Nevada B course | Direct 1 Exam Prep course page | Test-taking techniques, book tabbing/highlighting guidance, practice exams and one year of online access |
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Nevada General Building Contractor Exam Breakdown
The current Nevada B General Building trade examination contains 80 scored questions. Candidates have three hours and need at least 56 correct answers to meet the current minimum passing score.
Concrete, Metals, and Plan Reading and Estimating are the largest categories at 12 questions each. Thermal and Moisture Protection follows with nine questions.
The remaining exam covers sitework, masonry, carpentry, doors and windows, drywall and finishes, safety and Nevada One Call. That broad mix makes sense for a general building license. The exam would be suspiciously easy if every question politely stayed inside your favorite trade.
License Nevada B General Building Contractor
Licensing Authority Nevada State Contractors Board
Testing Provider PSI
Questions 80 scored questions
Passing Score 56 correct answers / 70%
Time Allowed 3 hours
Exam Format Computer-based, open-book trade examination
Allowed Code International Building Code, 2018
Concrete Reference ACI 318-11 or ACI 318-14
Masonry Reference ACI 530/530.1-11 or ACI 530/530.1-13
Trade Experience 4 years of qualifying experience within the previous 15 years
Business & Law Nevada Contractor Management Survey unless an applicable waiver is approved
How to Study for the Nevada B General Building Exam
The B exam rewards candidates who understand how building systems connect. A concrete question may require plan-reading skill. A masonry question may involve structural requirements. A sitework question may turn into a Nevada One Call question before you know it.
Prioritize the largest subjects. Concrete, Metals, and Plan Reading and Estimating each contain 12 questions.
Learn the allowed books. The IBC and ACI references should feel familiar before test day. Open book is useful only when you know where to look.
Study the closed-book material. OSHA, excavation, gypsum, Nevada One Call, post-tensioning, steel-joist and other technical references are study materials but are not currently allowed in the B trade exam room.
Plan Reading, Estimating and Building Systems Strategy
General building exam preparation requires more than memorizing definitions. Candidates should be able to read plans, calculate quantities, understand structural materials and recognize which reference controls the question.
Simplified Nevada General Building exam prep illustration for plan reading, estimating and structural systems.
Use a repeatable method. Identify the trade, decide whether the question is code-based or field knowledge, perform the calculation and then confirm the controlling standard.
- Plan Reading: dimensions, symbols, schedules, elevations and construction details
- Estimating: areas, volumes, quantities, waste, labor and material takeoffs
- Concrete: reinforcement, placement, structural requirements and quality control
- Masonry: walls, reinforcement, mortar, structural requirements and installation
- Metals: structural steel, joists, erection and related jobsite practices
- Sitework: excavation, grading, utilities and Nevada One Call responsibilities
Your Nevada General Building Contractor Roadmap
Move from experience verification to Board approval, PSI testing and final Class B licensing.
1
Confirm Class B is the correct classification
Make sure the full General Building classification matches the projects and building scope your company intends to contract.
2
Document qualifying experience
The trade qualifier needs qualifying general-building experience within the 15 years before application.
3
Submit the contractor application
Provide experience documentation, business information and required application materials to the Nevada State Contractors Board.
4
Receive examination eligibility
The Board reviews qualifications before required examinations are scheduled through PSI.
5
Prepare for the B trade exam
Study all eleven subject areas and practice using the IBC and ACI references under a three-hour test rhythm.
6
Prepare for Nevada CMS
The Management Qualified Individual should prepare for Nevada business and law requirements unless an applicable waiver is approved.
7
Complete final licensing requirements
Finish applicable financial responsibility, bond, fingerprint and Board requirements before license issuance.
Nevada B General Building Exam Topic Weighting
These counts follow the current PSI Nevada B General Building examination outline. The visual bars compare each category with the largest 12-question sections.
Sitework 6 questions • 7.5%
Concrete 12 questions • 15%
Masonry 6 questions • 7.5%
Metals 12 questions • 15%
Carpentry 7 questions • 8.75%
Thermal and Moisture Protection 9 questions • 11.25%
Doors and Windows 4 questions • 5%
Drywall and Finishes 4 questions • 5%
Safety 5 questions • 6.25%
Plan Reading and Estimating 12 questions • 15%
Nevada One Call 3 questions • 3.75%
Nevada General Building Contractor Exam References
The current PSI bulletin separates exam-room-approved books from study-only references.
| Reference | Primary Study Use | Exam-Room Status |
|---|---|---|
| International Building Code, 2018 | General building-code requirements, occupancy, construction types, structural and life-safety provisions | Allowed |
| ACI 318-11 or ACI 318-14 | Structural concrete requirements | Allowed |
| ACI 530/530.1-11 or ACI 530/530.1-13 | Masonry structures and specifications | Allowed |
| 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA | Construction safety, fall protection, scaffolds, excavation and jobsite hazards | Study only |
| Technical Digest No. 9 | Handling and erection of steel joists and joist girders | Study only |
| Pipe and Excavation Contracting | Excavation, utilities and sitework | Study only |
| Gypsum Construction Handbook | Gypsum systems, drywall and finishes | Study only |
| Nevada One Call Law and Marking Guidelines | Underground utility location and excavation notification | Study only |
| Post-Tensioning Level 1 Field Fundamentals | Unbonded post-tensioning field procedures | Study only |
| Modern Masonry | Brick, block, stone and masonry construction practices | Study only |
| Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction | Concrete placement, finishing, curing and quality control | Study only |
How to Prepare for the Open-Book Nevada B Exam
Build these exam-prep habits
- Practice with the International Building Code 2018
- Learn the ACI concrete and masonry reference structure
- Use permanent tabs that comply with PSI rules
- Practice about two minutes and fifteen seconds per scored question
- Study OSHA and technical references before test day
- Practice plan reading and estimating calculations
- Complete full 80-question timed simulations
Avoid these exam-prep mistakes
- Bringing study-only books into the test center
- Using temporary Post-It-style tabs
- Writing notes inside approved exam references
- Ignoring Nevada One Call
- Studying only your strongest construction trade
- Trying to look up every field-knowledge answer
- Spending too long on one plan-reading calculation
Nevada B General Building vs B-2 Residential and Small Commercial
Nevada's full B General Building classification and B-2 Residential and Small Commercial classification are separate licenses.
The full B classification covers qualifying general building projects without the B-2 height limitation. Nevada describes B-2 as covering qualifying structures that do not exceed three stories above the ground and one story below the ground.
Both classifications involve general building knowledge, but they have separate PSI examination outlines. Candidates should make sure their application, exam prep and reference package match the exact classification requested.
Choose B when: your intended general-building scope requires the full Nevada General Building classification.
Choose B-2 when: your intended scope fits Nevada's residential and small-commercial limitations and the Board confirms that classification fits the business.
Nevada General Building Exam Path Comparison
The Nevada B trade exam, CMS exam and NASCLA path serve different purposes.
| Path | Main Purpose | Important Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada B General Building | Full Nevada general-building contractor classification | Broad prime-contractor building scope involving multiple unrelated trades |
| Nevada B Trade Exam | Tests general-building technical competency | 80 questions, 56 correct to pass, 3 hours |
| Nevada CMS | Tests contractor business and law knowledge | Separate examination for the Management Qualified Individual |
| NASCLA Commercial General Building | Accredited multi-jurisdiction commercial general-building examination | May qualify a Nevada B applicant for trade-exam waiver consideration |
| Nevada B-2 | Residential and small-commercial general building | Separate classification with height limitations and a separate PSI outline |
Nevada General Building Contractor License Requirements
Trade Qualified Individual
Experience Requirement
- Four years of qualifying experience
- Experience must generally fall within the previous 15 years
- Journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor experience can qualify
- Approved training may substitute for up to three years
- Experience must support the B General Building classification
B Exam Candidate
Trade Exam Focus
- Sitework
- Concrete and masonry
- Structural metals
- Carpentry
- Thermal and moisture protection
- Plan reading and estimating
- Safety and Nevada One Call
Contractor Business
Licensing Follow-Through
- Management qualifier requirements
- CMS business and law exam
- Financial responsibility
- Fingerprint and background requirements
- Contractor bond
- Final Board approval
Six-Week Nevada General Building Exam Prep Plan
Break the broad Class B exam into manageable construction systems and reference-navigation blocks.
Week 1
Exam Setup, Sitework and Safety
- Confirm PSI authorization
- Organize allowed references
- Review sitework
- Study excavation safety
- Review Nevada One Call
Week 2
Concrete
- ACI navigation
- Reinforcement
- Placement
- Formwork concepts
- Quality concrete practices
Week 3
Masonry and Metals
- Masonry reference navigation
- Brick and block systems
- Structural steel
- Steel joists
- Post-tensioning basics
Week 4
Carpentry and Building Envelope
- Framing concepts
- Thermal protection
- Moisture protection
- Doors and windows
- Weatherproofing systems
Week 5
Finishes, Plans and Estimating
- Drywall systems
- Construction finishes
- Plan symbols
- Takeoffs and quantities
- Estimating calculations
Week 6
Full Exam Simulation
- 80-question practice
- Three-hour pacing
- IBC navigation drills
- ACI lookup practice
- Final PSI rule review
How Hard Is the Nevada General Building Contractor Exam?
The Nevada B exam is challenging because it spreads 80 questions across eleven construction subjects. A candidate can be excellent at concrete and still lose points in metals, moisture protection, estimating or Nevada One Call.
Three hours for 80 scored questions gives an average of about two minutes and fifteen seconds per question. That makes book-navigation speed important, especially on code, structural and calculation questions.
The best preparation combines field knowledge with reference familiarity. You want the IBC and ACI books to feel like familiar tools, not mysterious bricks that happen to contain thousands of pages.
Nevada General Building Exam Day Checklist
Do this
- Confirm your PSI Nevada B examination authorization
- Bring the required identification
- Bring only currently approved exam references
- Use permanent tabs that comply with PSI rules
- Bring an allowed non-programmable calculator if needed
- Maintain a steady exam pace
- Leave time to review flagged questions
Do not do this
- Bring study-only OSHA or trade books into the exam
- Use temporary tabs
- Bring loose papers
- Write notes inside the approved references
- Confuse B with B-2
- Ignore plan-reading questions
- Spend ten minutes hunting for one answer
Nevada General Building Contractor Exam Prep Options
B General Building Online Course
Structured Nevada Exam Prep
- Test-taking techniques
- Book highlighting and tabbing guidance
- Practice exams for reference books
- General building trade review
- One year of online access
- Android and iOS compatible
Nevada B Exam Book Package
Reference-Based Study
- Building-code preparation
- Concrete references
- Masonry references
- Safety study
- Excavation and Nevada One Call
- Construction reference review
NASCLA Commercial General Building
Alternative Trade-Exam Path
- NASCLA-accredited exam preparation
- Commercial general building topics
- Multi-state reference set
- Project management
- Code and safety review
- Potential Nevada B trade-exam waiver path
Know the Nevada Class B Scope Before Test Day
Nevada General Building exam prep covers much more than one construction trade.
• Class B is Nevada's full General Building classification
• Projects generally involve more than two unrelated building trades or crafts
• The current B trade exam contains 80 scored questions
• Candidates need 56 correct answers under the current PSI outline
• The current exam is open book and allows specific IBC and ACI references
• Concrete, Metals, and Plan Reading and Estimating are the largest current categories
• Specialty electrical, plumbing, HVAC and fire-protection work requires the corresponding specialty license for self-performance
Study the whole building, not just the trade you know best.
Nevada General Building Contractor Exam Prep FAQ
Nevada Class B Licensing
The Nevada B General Building classification applies to construction or remodeling of buildings where the primary purpose is building construction and the project requires more than two unrelated building trades or crafts.
The Nevada State Contractors Board licenses Nevada General Building Contractors and determines whether applicants meet the classification and experience requirements.
The current Nevada contractor application requires the trade qualified individual to document at least four years of qualifying experience within the 15 years immediately before filing the application.
Qualifying training from an accredited college, university or equivalent program accepted by the Board may satisfy up to three years of the experience requirement.
A Nevada B General Building Contractor cannot self-perform plumbing, electrical, refrigeration and air-conditioning or fire-protection specialty work without the appropriate specialty license.
The full B General Building classification is broader. B-2 Residential and Small Commercial is limited to qualifying buildings that do not exceed three stories above the ground and one story below the ground.
Nevada B General Building Exam
PSI administers Nevada contractor examinations after the Nevada State Contractors Board determines examination eligibility.
The current PSI Nevada B General Building trade examination contains 80 scored questions.
Candidates currently receive three hours to complete the Nevada B General Building trade exam.
The current minimum passing score is 56 correct answers out of 80 questions, which equals 70 percent.
Yes. PSI currently lists the Nevada B General Building trade examination as open book.
The current PSI bulletin allows the International Building Code 2018, ACI 318-11 or ACI 318-14, and ACI 530/530.1-11 or ACI 530/530.1-13.
Concrete, Metals, and Plan Reading and Estimating each contain 12 scored questions, making them the largest categories in the current outline.
Yes. The current PSI outline includes three scored questions on Nevada One Call.
Open-Book Prep and NASCLA
Nevada generally requires a Management Qualified Individual to pass the Contractor Management Survey business and law examination unless an applicable waiver is approved.
Nevada states that applicants for a full B General Building license may be considered for waiver of the state trade exam after passing the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building examination and providing the required transcript. Other Nevada licensing requirements still apply.
PSI allows approved references to be highlighted, underlined and indexed before the examination. Permanent tabs are allowed. Written notes, loose papers and temporary tabs such as Post-It notes are prohibited.
The course includes test-taking techniques, guidance for tabbing and highlighting reference books, practice exams for each book, one year of online access and Android and iOS compatible study.
No. Passing the examination is only part of licensing. Applicants must also satisfy Nevada State Contractors Board application, experience, management, financial responsibility, background, bond and other applicable requirements.
Watch: Nevada General Building Contractor Exam Reference Preview
Watch this related 1 Exam Prep course preview covering Training and Certification of Field Personnel Level 1, a study reference used for Nevada General Building Contractor (B) exam preparation. The video reviews field construction practices, materials, installation procedures, inspection, safety, quality control and techniques for navigating contractor exam reference materials.
Nevada General Building exam prep note: 1 Exam Prep identifies this reference as applicable to the Nevada General Building Contractor (B) exam path. Use the video as supporting study material together with the current Nevada State Contractors Board requirements, PSI exam outline and the approved exam-room references for your scheduled examination.
Nevada General Building Contractor Exam Prep Resources
Use current Nevada State Contractors Board and PSI requirements together with focused general-building study materials from 1 Exam Prep.
Nevada B General Building Online Course Nevada B Online Practice Questions Nevada B Exam Book Package Nevada B Books Allowed Into Exam Nevada B Highlighted & Tabbed Books Nevada B Live Virtual + Self Study Nevada NASCLA General Building Prep Nevada Contractor License Requirements Nevada Contractor Application Nevada Licensure by Endorsement Nevada PSI Contractor Exams Contact 1 Exam Prep
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Nevada General Building Exam Prep
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