Important Utah rule: passing the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam does not automatically issue a Utah contractor license and is not currently a mandatory Utah B100 trade exam. Utah recognizes a passing NASCLA result as one approved way to satisfy the B100 general-classification two-year or 4,000-hour construction-experience requirement.
The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is a national commercial construction examination accepted by participating contractor licensing agencies. Utah is one of the participating jurisdictions.
For Utah, the relevant broad general building classification is the B100 General Building Contractor. The B100 classification is intended for general building construction that involves multiple construction trades.
Utah's current licensing structure does not require a separate B100 technical trade examination. Instead, general-classification applicants must satisfy the state's experience requirement. One accepted route is passing the NASCLA Commercial General Building examination.
Utah classification: B100 General Building Contractor.
Utah licensing authority: Utah Division of Professional Licensing.
NASCLA exam: Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors.
NASCLA testing provider: PSI.
Scored questions: 115.
Additional pretest questions: 10 unscored.
Possible questions presented: 125.
Time: 330 minutes.
Passing requirement: 81 correct scored answers.
Format: computer based and open book.
Utah use: accepted option for satisfying the general-classification experience requirement.
For Utah-specific online preparation, review the Utah NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Online Exam Prep Course .
NASCLA can help satisfy the Utah general-classification experience requirement, but the Utah license itself still comes from DOPL.
| Step | Authority / Requirement | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Select B100 | Utah DOPL | Confirm B100 General Building Contractor matches the work the business intends to perform |
| Identify the Qualifier | Utah DOPL | The business must identify the individual who qualifies the requested classification |
| Choose Experience Route | Utah DOPL | 4,000 paid construction hours, qualifying Utah contractor experience, construction-management degree, Utah PE license, NASCLA pass, or other recognized path |
| NASCLA Option | NASCLA / Utah DOPL | Passing NASCLA Commercial General Building can satisfy Utah's general-classification experience requirement |
| Prelicensure Education | Approved Utah Provider | General classifications generally require 25 hours plus a 5-hour Business and Law component unless a recognized alternative applies |
| Utah Business and Law | Prov / Utah DOPL | Complete the Business and Law requirement unless an allowed alternative or exemption applies |
| Business Registration | Utah Division of Corporations | Register the LLC, corporation, partnership, LLP, or applicable business entity |
| Insurance | Utah DOPL | Current application requires liability coverage and applicable workers' compensation documentation |
| Submit Application | Utah DOPL | Submit the completed contractor application only after applicable qualifications are satisfied |
Use current Utah DOPL, NASCLA, and PSI information as the final authority for licensing, exam eligibility, reference books, fees, insurance, and exam-center policies.
| Verified Point | Authority | Current Result |
|---|---|---|
| Utah licensing authority | Utah DOPL | Division of Professional Licensing |
| General building classification | Utah DOPL | B100 General Building Contractor |
| Utah trade exam | Utah DOPL | No separate B100 state trade examination currently required |
| Standard experience | Utah DOPL | At least 4,000 hours or two years of paid construction-industry experience |
| NASCLA alternative | Utah DOPL | Passing NASCLA Commercial General Building satisfies an accepted experience pathway |
| NASCLA scored questions | NASCLA / PSI | 115 |
| Pretest questions | PSI | 10 unscored questions |
| NASCLA passing score | PSI | 81 correct scored answers |
| NASCLA time | PSI | 330 minutes |
| NASCLA format | PSI | Computer based and open book |
| NASCLA application | NASCLA | $65 application fee, verify before submitting |
| NASCLA eligibility | NASCLA | One year after approval with up to three exam attempts |
| Utah Business and Law | Utah DOPL / Prov | Required for B100 unless an approved alternative or exemption applies |
| Business and Law format | Current published exam-prep information | 60 questions, 120 minutes, 70% passing, open book |
| Prelicensure education | Utah DOPL | 25-hour contractor course plus 5-hour Business and Law component for applicable general applicants |
| Liability insurance | Current Utah contractor application | $1 million per incident and $3 million aggregate minimum |
| Primary classification fee | Utah DOPL Fee Schedule | $175 base application fee plus applicable additional charges |
| Renewal fee | Utah DOPL Fee Schedule | $128 base renewal fee plus applicable additional charges |
| Renewal cycle | Utah DOPL | November 30 of odd-numbered years |
| Continuing education | Utah DOPL | 6 approved CE hours per licensing period |
Do not mix up the two exams: the NASCLA Commercial General Building exam is a national commercial construction exam. The Utah Contractor Business and Law exam is a separate Utah licensing requirement for applicable general-classification qualifiers.
The current NASCLA commercial examination contains 115 scored questions across twelve published subject areas. Ten additional unscored pretest questions may be mixed into the test.
The largest area is Procurement and Contracting Requirements with 31 scored questions. This includes topics connected to contracts, bidding, project administration, procurement, estimating, documentation, and contractor responsibilities.
General Requirements contains 25 questions and includes broad commercial construction knowledge, project administration, safety, code concepts, accessibility, quality, scheduling, and jobsite management.
Site Construction contains 15 questions covering areas such as excavation, earthwork, grading, utilities, stormwater, and site operations.
Concrete, Metals, and Mechanical and Plumbing Systems each contain 6 questions. Wood, Thermal and Moisture Protection, and Finishes each contain 5.
Masonry and Doors, Windows and Glazing each contain 4 questions, while Electrical Systems contains 3.
The top three categories contain 71 of the 115 scored questions. That is about 61.7 percent of the scored exam, so the study plan should not give every subject exactly the same amount of time.
Study the exam by weight and by reference. The test presents a huge library of information, so your job is not to memorize every page. Your job is to recognize which book probably owns the answer and get there quickly.
Procurement and Contracting: study contracts, subcontracts, bidding, estimating, scheduling, project documents, cost control, administration, risk, and contractor responsibilities.
General Requirements: review jobsite management, project management, building-code concepts, accessibility, OSHA, quality, coordination, and general commercial construction.
Site Construction: practice excavation, earthwork, grading, utilities, stormwater, trenching, and site sequencing.
Structural Work: review concrete, reinforcing steel, masonry, structural metals, steel deck, steel joists, wood framing, and truss bracing.
Building Envelope: review roofing, thermal protection, moisture protection, EIFS, doors, windows, glazing, and finishes.
Building Systems: understand enough mechanical, plumbing, and electrical coordination to manage a commercial building project.
The Utah NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Book Rental Package combines highlighted and tabbed references with online preparation for candidates who want the full open-book study library.
The NASCLA exam is less like carrying one code book and more like bringing a small construction library to a very serious speed-reading contest. A repeatable reference-selection system is one of the best ways to control the clock.
Utah NASCLA contractor preparation for commercial construction knowledge and fast open-book navigation.
Use NASCLA correctly: as an accepted Utah qualification option, then complete the remaining Utah contractor requirements.
Review Utah's B100 General Building Contractor scope and make sure it matches the projects your business intends to perform.
Use documented paid construction experience, qualifying Utah contractor experience, a construction-management degree, a Utah professional engineer license, or the NASCLA exam pathway.
Apply through the NASCLA National Examination Database, pay the current application fee, and wait for approval before scheduling with PSI.
Use the current PSI bulletin, obtain the approved books, prepare permitted permanent tabs, and practice book selection under time pressure.
Complete the open-book examination and earn at least 81 correct scored answers.
Complete the applicable approved prelicensure education and Utah Business and Law requirement unless you qualify for an allowed alternative.
Register the entity, obtain the EIN, secure liability insurance, and provide workers' compensation or the applicable coverage waiver.
Provide DOPL with the qualifier information, classification, exam documentation, business records, insurance, and other required application materials.
The current content outline contains 115 scored questions. The bars below compare each area with the largest 31-question category.
Biggest study target: Procurement and Contracting, General Requirements, and Site Construction combine for 71 of 115 scored questions, or about 61.7% of the scored examination.
The NASCLA exam uses a large open-book reference library. Always use the current PSI/NASCLA bulletin for the final approved editions.
| Reference | Primary Study Use | Preparation Focus |
|---|---|---|
| International Building Code, 2021 or 2024 | Commercial building code, occupancy, construction types, fire protection, egress, accessibility, structural provisions | Major code reference |
| NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Basic, 14th Edition | Contracts, project management, business, procurement, financial concepts, risk, administration | Procurement and Contracting |
| Construction Jobsite Management, 5th Edition | Field supervision, productivity, scheduling, documentation, safety, coordination | General Requirements |
| Construction Project Management, 5th Edition | Planning, scheduling, cost control, contracts, project controls, closeout | Management and contracting |
| 29 CFR Part 1926 | Federal construction safety requirements | OSHA and jobsite safety |
| ACI 318-14 or ACI 318-19 | Structural concrete requirements and commentary | Concrete |
| The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition | Concrete placement, finishing, curing, quality, field practices | Concrete construction |
| Placing Reinforcing Bars, 10th Edition | Reinforcing-steel placement, supports, splices, tolerances, field practices | Concrete reinforcement |
| Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition | Broad commercial construction materials, methods, systems, and sequencing | General technical review |
| Modern Masonry | Brick, block, stone, mortar, masonry methods, estimating | Masonry |
| Carpentry and Building Construction | Foundations, framing, floors, walls, roofs, carpentry methods | Wood |
| BCSI Guide | Wood truss handling, installation, restraint, and bracing | Wood structural systems |
| SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck | Steel deck handling, placement, fastening, installation | Metals |
| Technical Digest No. 9 | Steel joist and joist-girder handling and erection | Metals |
| Pipe and Excavation Contracting | Excavation, trenching, underground utilities, equipment, site operations | Site Construction |
| ICC A117.1-2017 | Accessible and usable buildings and facilities | Accessibility |
| Roofing Construction and Estimating | Roofing systems, materials, flashing, estimating, installation | Thermal and Moisture Protection |
| Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition | Gypsum wall and ceiling systems, assemblies, installation, finishes | Finishes |
| Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition | Mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, electrical, lighting, and controls coordination | Building systems |
| Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan | Erosion, sediment control, stormwater, inspections, documentation | Site and environmental requirements |
Reference warning: the NASCLA library changes over time. The current bulletin permits specific editions and may offer alternatives for certain references. Verify every book against the current PSI/NASCLA bulletin before test day.
Current NASCLA reference rules: approved materials may generally be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. References must otherwise remain unmarked, may not contain additional loose or attached papers, and may be tabbed with permanent tabs. Temporary tabs must be removed.
Utah's B100 General Building Contractor classification covers broad general building work within the scope established by Utah construction-trade law and administrative rule.
The classification includes a broad range of specialty-contractor work, but Utah specifically excludes certain classifications such as general electrical, residential electrical, general plumbing, residential plumbing, factory-built housing, elevator contracting, limited-scope licensing, and portions of HVAC work.
Electrical and plumbing work remain specially regulated. A B100 contractor does not simply absorb an unrestricted electrical or plumbing license because the project has a lot of walls.
Classification warning: always review the current Utah B100 scope before bidding work that includes electrical, plumbing, HVAC, elevator, factory-built housing, or another specially regulated classification. Subcontracting or additional licensing may be required.
NASCLA is an examination credential. B100, R100, and E100 are Utah contractor classifications. They are not interchangeable names for the same thing.
| Credential / Classification | Main Purpose | Exam or Qualification Role | Important Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCLA Commercial General Building | Standardized commercial building examination accepted by participating jurisdictions | Utah accepts a passing result as one way to satisfy general-classification experience | Not a Utah contractor license |
| B100 General Building Contractor | Broad general building construction | Requires general-classification qualifications and Utah Business and Law unless an alternative applies | Primary Utah classification targeted by this page |
| R100 Residential / Small Commercial | Residential and limited small-commercial construction within Utah scope | Separate Utah general classification | Narrower scope than B100 |
| E100 General Engineering Contractor | General engineering and public/private works within Utah scope | Separate Utah general classification | Engineering construction rather than general building |
| Utah Business and Law | Contractor business, licensing, bidding, contracts, finance, labor, liens, tax, risk, and safety | Separate requirement for applicable Utah general qualifiers | Not replaced simply by passing NASCLA |
Current liability insurance: the current Utah contractor application lists minimum general liability coverage of $1,000,000 per incident and $3,000,000 aggregate, with DOPL listed as certificate holder. Always use the latest application because Utah requirements can change.
Build commercial construction knowledge, reference-navigation speed, and Utah licensing awareness together.
The NASCLA Commercial General Building examination is challenging because it combines broad commercial construction knowledge with a large open-book reference library.
The exam allows 330 minutes. With 115 scored questions and 10 additional pretest questions, you may see 125 total questions.
That works out to roughly 2 minutes and 38 seconds per presented question.
The difficult part is often not recognizing that a question is about concrete, roofing, or contracts. The difficult part is knowing exactly which one of your many references will answer it fastest.
A candidate who searches randomly can lose ten minutes without technically getting anything wrong. That is an impressive achievement, but unfortunately PSI does not award points for it.
Strong candidates practice technical knowledge and book navigation together. Every practice question should also be a reference-location drill.
Book-room reality: NASCLA candidates are responsible for bringing approved physical references that comply with current PSI rules. Practice moving through the real books before exam day. A perfectly tabbed book that you have never opened is mostly a very expensive decoration.
Need Utah Business and Law preparation? Review the Utah Business and Law Online Exam Prep Course .
Candidates who prefer physical references can also review the Utah Business and Law Book Package .

This Utah-specific 1 Exam Prep credential image is directly related to the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor path for Utah candidates.
• Utah B100 General Building Contractor pathway
• NASCLA Commercial General Building preparation
• 115 scored questions
• 10 additional unscored pretest questions
• 330-minute testing period
• 81 correct scored answers required
• Open-book commercial construction exam
• Procurement and contracting
• General requirements and site construction
• Concrete, masonry, metals, wood, and finishes
• Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical coordination
Build the knowledge and build the navigation speed. The NASCLA exam covers nearly every major part of commercial building construction, but the Utah license still requires the Utah-specific licensing steps after the exam qualification is complete.
Utah B100 Licensing
NASCLA Exam Basics
NASCLA Application
Exam Topics
Books and Open-Book Rules
Utah Business and Law
Utah Application and Renewal
1 Exam Prep
Watch this related 1 Exam Prep NASCLA General Contractor video for guidance on the Commercial General Building examination, open-book reference preparation, commercial construction topics, and contractor exam strategy.
Utah study tip: the NASCLA technical exam is standardized across participating jurisdictions, so the commercial construction study strategy transfers well. For Utah licensing, pair that NASCLA preparation with the current B100 requirements and the separate Utah Business and Law path.
Use current NASCLA, PSI, and Utah DOPL information together with focused 1 Exam Prep commercial contractor courses, reference packages, book rentals, Utah Business and Law preparation, and licensing support.
Final verification rule: use the current NASCLA/PSI bulletin for exam books and testing rules, and use the current Utah DOPL application for B100 licensing, insurance, fees, education, qualifier, and business requirements. Both can change, and construction exams have enough surprises already.
Build stronger commercial construction knowledge, faster open-book reference navigation, better contract and project-management skills, confidence with sitework, concrete, masonry, steel, wood, roofing, finishes, OSHA, building systems, and a clearer understanding of how NASCLA fits the Utah B100 licensing path.
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Utah NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep