Mississippi Heavy Construction Contractor Exam Complete Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package

Prepare for the Mississippi Heavy Construction Contractor exam with a coordinated package of technical reference books covering pipelines, excavation, paving, concrete, reinforcing steel, structural steel, welding, safety, and underground utility work. This package brings together the listed trade references in one convenient order so candidates can spend less time searching for individual books and more time becoming familiar with the materials used for exam preparation.

Every book in the package is highlighted and permanently tabbed. The highlighting draws attention to important regulations, definitions, installation practices, tables, construction procedures, and technical requirements. The tabs divide the references into useful chapters and subject areas, helping candidates navigate large books more efficiently during study sessions and timed practice.

The Mississippi Heavy Construction examination covers a wide range of civil and industrial construction topics. Candidates may need to locate information about water and sewer systems, gas piping, asphalt paving, excavation, soil compaction, grading, reinforcing bars, steel joists, welding, concrete mixtures, culvert installation, post-tensioning, traffic control, OSHA safety, and Mississippi excavation regulations. Organized references are an important part of preparing for an open-book test with numerous technical publications.

This product is a complete highlighted and tabbed trade-book package. It does not include a preparation course, book rental, application service, business formation, or the Mississippi Law and Business Management reference book. Candidates preparing for contractor licensing should obtain any additional materials required for the separate Mississippi Law and Business Management examination.

Please allow up to 15 business days for tabbed and highlighted book package orders. This preparation period allows the complete collection to be assembled, highlighted, permanently tabbed, and prepared for shipment.

What You Get

• Complete Heavy Construction Trade Book Set: The 14 technical references listed on this page.
• Highlighted Books: Important sections are marked to support focused review and reference navigation.
• Permanently Tabbed Books: Major chapters and technical subjects are organized with durable tabs suitable for open-book exam preparation.
• Coordinated Reference Package: Receive the listed books together instead of locating each publication separately.
• Prepared for Study: Use the books for subject review, practice questions, timed searches, and exam-reference familiarization.

The tabs and highlighting provide an organized starting point, but candidates should still study the books and practice locating information before taking the examination. Familiarity with each title, index, table of contents, and chapter structure is essential when working through a large reference library under a time limit.

Exam Details

The Mississippi Heavy Construction examination is associated with the commercial contractor licensing process administered by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. The examination is administered by PSI after the Board receives and reviews the contractor application and determines that the qualifying party is eligible to test.

The Heavy Construction exam contains 100 questions. Candidates are given four hours to complete the examination and must earn a score of at least 70 percent to pass.

The official scope of work includes sewer, water, and gas pipelines, grading and excavation, paving, and plant construction. The examination content outline includes the following areas:

• Water and sewer construction
• Gas systems
• Paving
• Excavation, compaction, and grading
• Construction safety
• Steel construction
• Piles and pile-related work
• Concrete construction
• Traffic control
• Welding
• Mississippi One-Call requirements

The trade examination may also include a limited number of unscored experimental questions. These questions are used for examination development and count against the available testing time, even though they are not included in the candidate’s final score.

Mississippi contractor applicants must also pass the Mississippi Law and Business Management examination unless an applicable licensing rule or approved waiver changes the examination requirement. The Law and Business Management book is not included in this trade-book package.

Open Book Test

The Mississippi Heavy Construction contractor examination is an open-book test. Candidates may bring permitted reference books into the PSI testing center, subject to the current examination rules.

An open-book exam still requires substantial preparation. The Heavy Construction reference set contains thousands of pages of regulations, technical standards, construction practices, tables, diagrams, and specifications. Candidates who see the books for the first time on test day may spend too much time deciding which reference to use or searching through unfamiliar chapters.

The books in this package are highlighted and indexed with permanent tabs. Temporary tabs, removable notes, and Post-it-style markers are not permitted under PSI’s published reference-material rules. Candidates should review the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin before the examination to confirm all testing-center requirements.

During preparation, practice identifying the principal subject in each question. A trench-safety question may direct you to OSHA regulations, while a ductile iron pipe question may require the installation guide. Asphalt production and compaction questions may involve the paving handbook, while gas transmission questions may involve ASME B31.8. Recognizing the subject quickly can reduce unnecessary searching.

Licensing Steps

The examination is one part of the Mississippi commercial contractor licensing process. Applicants must complete the required application process with the Mississippi State Board of Contractors before scheduling the examination.

1. Select the appropriate classification. Confirm that Heavy Construction matches the work the business plans to perform.
2. Complete the commercial contractor application. Provide the requested information about the business, owners, qualifying party, experience, finances, insurance, taxes, and references.
3. Collect the supporting documentation. Required items may include financial records, insurance certificates, business-registration documents, tax identification numbers, experience information, reference letters, and proof connecting the qualifying party to the applicant.
4. Submit the application to the Board. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors reviews the application and notifies the applicant when information is missing.
5. Receive testing eligibility. After the qualifying party is approved to test, the Board sends the candidate’s eligibility information to PSI.
6. Schedule the examinations. Follow the PSI registration instructions to schedule the required Heavy Construction and Law and Business Management examinations.
7. Prepare with the reference books. Study the technical subjects and practice using the highlighted and tabbed books under timed conditions.
8. Take the required tests. Bring acceptable identification, permitted references, and any approved testing materials.
9. Complete final license review. Passing the exams does not automatically issue the license. All application requirements must be completed before the Board’s final review.
10. Maintain the license. After issuance, the contractor is responsible for renewal and continuing compliance with applicable licensing requirements.

State Requirements

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors regulates commercial contractor licensing in Mississippi. Heavy Construction is a major commercial classification and requires a trade examination.

Applicants for a major commercial classification must provide a reviewed or audited financial statement prepared and signed by a certified public accountant. The financial statement must demonstrate the minimum net worth required for a major classification. A compilation does not satisfy the reviewed or audited financial-statement requirement.

Commercial applicants must provide proof of general liability insurance meeting the Board’s minimum coverage requirements. The insured business name should match the name used on the contractor application. Workers’ compensation documentation is required when the applicant has five or more employees.

Corporations, limited liability companies, and other registered entities must provide proof of good standing with the Mississippi Secretary of State. The legal business name used on the application should match the entity’s official registration record, insurance certificate, financial statement, and tax documents.

The application also requires business tax identification information, references, experience in the requested classification, and documentation connecting the qualifying party to the applicant. Candidates should follow the current commercial application instructions when preparing their submission.

Reference Books

• Included Book: Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Covers reinforcing-bar placement, supports, splicing, handling, detailing, tolerances, and recommended field practices for reinforced concrete construction.
• Included Book: Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Contains federal construction-safety regulations addressing excavation, fall protection, personal protective equipment, scaffolding, steel erection, equipment, material handling, and other jobsite requirements.
• Included Book: Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe
  Provides guidance on handling, trench preparation, bedding, joining, installation, backfilling, testing, and accepted field practices for ductile iron piping systems.
• Included Book: Pipe Welding Procedures, 2003
  Reviews pipe-welding processes, joint preparation, welding positions, electrodes, materials, procedures, and common field applications.
• Included Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Covers excavation methods, trenching, grading, soil conditions, equipment use, estimating, pipe installation, jobsite safety, and production practices.
• Included Book: Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition
  Addresses unloading, storage, handling, placement, bridging, erection, and stability considerations for steel joists and joist girders.
• Included Book: Hot Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook
  Explains asphalt production, transportation, placement, paving equipment, compaction, quality control, and hot-mix asphalt construction practices.
• Included Book: Pipefitter’s Handbook
  Provides field-reference information for pipe measurements, fittings, layouts, calculations, valves, materials, and common pipefitting procedures.
• Included Book: State of Mississippi Regulation of Excavation, Chapter 13 – Regulation of Excavations Near Underground Utility Facilities
  Addresses Mississippi notification, excavation, and damage-prevention responsibilities for work performed near underground utility facilities.
• Included Book: ASME Code for Pressure Piping – B31.8, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems, 2018
  Provides requirements for gas transmission and distribution piping systems, including materials, construction, welding, inspection, testing, operation, and maintenance.
• Included Book: Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning – Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  Introduces unbonded post-tensioning materials, components, field installation, stressing procedures, safety practices, and inspection considerations.
• Included Book: Concrete Pipe and Box Culvert Installation, 2019
  Explains foundations, bedding, excavation, placement, joining, backfilling, inspection, and installation practices for concrete pipe and box culverts.
• Included Book: Mississippi Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2004
  Contains Mississippi specifications for construction methods, materials, measurement, workmanship, quality requirements, and road and bridge operations.
• Included Book: Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  Covers concrete materials, mixture proportioning, production, placement, curing, testing, strength, durability, and quality-control practices.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin preparation by dividing the examination outline into manageable study groups. Water, sewer, gas, paving, excavation, safety, steel, piles, concrete, traffic control, welding, and Mississippi One-Call requirements can each be reviewed as separate subject areas before moving into mixed practice.

Study related books together. Underground utility preparation may combine the ductile iron pipe guide, concrete pipe and box culvert reference, excavation manual, Pipefitter’s Handbook, Mississippi excavation regulations, OSHA standards, and ASME B31.8. Concrete preparation may involve reinforcing bars, post-tensioning, mixture design, culvert installation, and state specifications.

Use the highlighting to identify important material, but learn how each reference is organized. Review every table of contents and index. Pay attention to chapter names, definitions, diagrams, specification numbers, appendices, charts, and tables.

Complete timed navigation drills throughout the study process. Choose a topic, identify the likely reference, open the correct tab, and locate the supporting information. Repeated searches help candidates build speed and reduce uncertainty when moving between books.

Practice questions should be used as reference exercises rather than memorization exercises. After answering a question, locate the applicable information in the book and confirm why the answer is correct. This approach strengthens technical understanding while improving open-book navigation skills.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps candidates organize the reference-book portion of their Mississippi Heavy Construction exam preparation. Instead of locating and preparing each publication separately, customers receive the listed trade books as one coordinated package.

The books are highlighted and permanently tabbed to support more efficient review. Organized references help candidates move between safety regulations, pipeline installation guidance, paving procedures, concrete information, structural steel practices, welding materials, and Mississippi-specific requirements.

Reference navigation is an important skill for a timed open-book exam. The prepared books give candidates a practical foundation for learning where information is located and completing repeated navigation exercises. Students can focus on technical review, keyword recognition, timed searches, and building familiarity with the complete book set.

Preparation should remain active and consistent. Candidates should work through practice questions, study the major content areas, review unfamiliar terminology, and use the books regularly before test day. The goal is to approach the examination with an organized reference system and a clear method for locating information.

Are all books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. Every book included in this package is highlighted and permanently tabbed to support organized study and reference navigation.

How long does order preparation take?

Please allow up to 15 business days for tabbed and highlighted book package orders. The preparation period allows the complete set to be assembled and organized before shipment.

Is this a book rental package?

No. This product is a complete highlighted and tabbed book package, not a rental package.

Does this package include a preparation course?

No. This product includes the listed trade reference books only. Course access and application services are not included.

Does this package include the Mississippi Law and Business book?

No. The Mississippi Law and Business Management reference book is not included in this package. This collection contains the listed Heavy Construction trade references.

Is the Mississippi Heavy Construction exam open book?

Yes. The examination is open book, subject to PSI’s current rules for permitted references, permanent tabs, markings, and testing-room materials.

How many questions are on the Heavy Construction exam?

The Mississippi Heavy Construction exam contains 100 questions. Candidates are allowed four hours and must earn at least 70 percent to pass.

Can highlighted and tabbed books replace studying?

No. The prepared references support navigation, but candidates should study the technical subjects and practice locating information before taking the examination.

Does passing the exam automatically issue a license?

No. Passing the required examinations is only one part of the licensing process. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors must also approve the completed application and supporting documents.