Important Oregon NASCLA rule: passing the NASCLA Commercial General Building examination does not create an Oregon license. Oregon accepts the NASCLA result and waives the standard 16-hour pre-license training for candidates who have passed it, but the applicant still must pass Oregon's laws, rules, and business-practices examination and complete the CCB licensing process.
What Is the Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Exam?
The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is a standardized commercial construction trade exam accepted by participating contractor licensing agencies. Oregon's Construction Contractors Board is one of the agencies that accepts the examination.
The exam is designed for contractors who manage broad commercial building projects involving multiple trades. It covers project administration, bidding, contracts, site work, concrete, masonry, metals, wood construction, roofing, moisture protection, finishes, mechanical systems, plumbing systems, electrical coordination, accessibility, OSHA safety, building codes, and other general construction responsibilities.
NASCLA is especially useful for contractors who may eventually pursue licenses in more than one participating jurisdiction. Instead of repeating a similar commercial trade examination in every accepting state, a candidate can pass NASCLA and request that the official result be sent through the NASCLA National Examination Database.
NASCLA exam: 115 scored questions.
Additional questions: 10 unscored pretest items.
Time: 330 minutes, or 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Passing requirement: 81 correct scored answers.
Format: open book.
Oregon follow-up: separate Oregon CCB laws, rules, and business-practices exam.
The Oregon NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractors Complete Book Set combines Oregon-specific contractor business material with commercial general building references used for organized NASCLA preparation.
Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Licensing Path
NASCLA can satisfy the commercial trade-exam path, but Oregon still controls the final contractor license.
| Stage | Requirement | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Choose Oregon Endorsement | Select the CCB endorsement that matches the work your business will perform | Commercial General Level 1, Commercial General Level 2, residential endorsement, or another appropriate CCB classification |
| Apply for NASCLA | Obtain NASCLA exam eligibility before scheduling | Current NASCLA application, one-year eligibility period, PSI scheduling, and allowed attempts |
| NASCLA Trade Exam | Pass the Commercial General Building examination | 115 scored questions, 10 pretest questions, 330 minutes, 81 correct required |
| NASCLA Transcript | Send your NASCLA result to Oregon | Provide the official NASCLA transcript to the Oregon CCB through the approved process |
| Oregon Exam | Pass Oregon laws, rules, and business practices | 80 questions, 3 hours, 70% passing, open-book Oregon reference |
| CCB License Application | Complete Oregon licensing requirements | RMI, business registration, bond, insurance, workers' compensation status, endorsement requirements, and application documents |
Research Authority and Verification
The July 7, 2026 NASCLA/PSI bulletin, Oregon Construction Contractors Board licensing guidance, NASCLA participation information, and current 1 Exam Prep Oregon NASCLA materials were checked for this page.
| Verified Point | Authority | Current Result |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon acceptance | Oregon CCB / NASCLA | Oregon accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors |
| NASCLA exam format | PSI / NASCLA bulletin updated July 7, 2026 | 115 scored questions, 10 unscored pretest questions, 330 minutes, 81 correct required, open book |
| Pre-license training | Oregon Construction Contractors Board | Candidates who have passed the NASCLA commercial exam do not have to complete Oregon's standard 16-hour pre-license training |
| Oregon state exam | Oregon Construction Contractors Board | NASCLA candidates still pass the Oregon laws, rules, and business-practices examination |
| Commercial General Level 1 | Oregon CCB | $80,000 bond, $2 million aggregate liability coverage, and applicable eight-year key-employee experience requirement |
| Commercial General Level 2 | Oregon CCB | $25,000 bond, $1 million aggregate liability coverage, and applicable four-year key-employee experience requirement |
Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Exam Breakdown
The current NASCLA Commercial General Building examination contains 12 scored subject areas. The largest category is Procurement and Contracting Requirements with 31 questions.
General Requirements follows with 25 questions, while Site Construction contains 15. Together, those three categories account for 71 of the 115 scored questions, or about 61.7 percent of the scored exam.
The rest of the examination covers concrete, masonry, metals, wood, thermal and moisture protection, doors and glazing, finishes, mechanical and plumbing systems, and electrical systems.
This is why NASCLA preparation is not simply a building-code study session. You need commercial construction knowledge, contract and procurement skills, jobsite management, estimating, project coordination, safety knowledge, and the ability to find answers quickly across a large reference library.
Primary SEO Target Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep
National Trade Exam NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors
Oregon Licensing Authority Oregon Construction Contractors Board
Exam Administrator PSI
Scored Questions 115
Pretest Questions 10 unscored items
Time Allowed 330 minutes
Passing Requirement 81 correct scored answers
Exam Format Open book
Largest Category Procurement and Contracting Requirements, 31 questions
Current IBC Option 2021 or 2024 International Building Code
Oregon Follow-Up Exam 80 questions, 3 hours, 70% passing, open book
How to Study for the Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Exam
Study the exam by question weight and by reference book. NASCLA is open book, but the reference library is large enough to turn a simple lookup into an archaeological expedition if you have never practiced with the books.
Priority 1: Procurement and Contracting Requirements, 31 questions.
Priority 2: General Requirements, 25 questions.
Priority 3: Site Construction, 15 questions.
Navigation skill: identify the subject, choose the most likely book, use the index or permanent tabs, confirm the rule, answer, and move on.
The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Highlighted and Tabbed Book Set is designed to help candidates organize the approved reference library and practice faster open-book navigation.
Plans, Estimating, Construction Math and Reference Strategy
NASCLA questions can require construction calculations, estimating judgment, drawing interpretation, specification reading, and technical reference lookups. The goal is to build a repeatable problem-solving process instead of searching randomly through a mountain of books.
Simplified Oregon NASCLA exam-prep illustration for plans, estimating, contracts, codes, safety, and reference navigation.
- Estimating: practice quantity takeoffs, labor, material, equipment, overhead, markup, and bid interpretation
- Plans and Specifications: review dimensions, symbols, schedules, notes, sections, details, and specification coordination
- Contracts: understand bidding documents, subcontracting, change orders, payment, project administration, and contractor obligations
- Site Work: practice excavation, grading, utilities, trenching, stormwater, and sequencing questions
- Structural Work: review concrete, reinforcement, masonry, metals, wood, trusses, and commercial framing systems
- Building Envelope: study roofing, moisture protection, insulation, openings, glazing, exterior systems, and finishes
- Building Systems: understand coordination responsibilities involving mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems
Your Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Licensing Roadmap
Move from NASCLA eligibility through commercial trade testing, Oregon law testing, endorsement selection, and CCB licensing.
1
Choose the Oregon license endorsement
Determine whether your business needs Commercial General Contractor Level 1, Commercial General Contractor Level 2, a residential endorsement, or a combination of endorsements.
2
Apply for NASCLA exam eligibility
Apply through NASCLA's National Examination Database and receive approval before scheduling the commercial exam with PSI.
3
Build the NASCLA reference library
Gather the current approved books, verify code editions, organize permanent tabs, and learn which reference controls each major topic.
4
Prepare for the commercial trade exam
Study all 12 exam domains, emphasizing Procurement and Contracting, General Requirements, and Site Construction.
5
Pass the NASCLA examination
Complete the scored and pretest questions within the 330-minute testing period and answer at least 81 scored questions correctly.
6
Send your NASCLA transcript to Oregon
Use the NASCLA transcript process so the Oregon Construction Contractors Board can verify your passing commercial exam result.
7
Pass the Oregon contractor examination
Prepare separately for Oregon laws, rules, licensing responsibilities, contracts, business practices, insurance, safety, financial management, and lien law.
8
Complete the Oregon CCB license application
Designate the RMI, satisfy endorsement experience requirements, register the business when applicable, provide the required bond and liability insurance, address workers' compensation, and submit the CCB application.
NASCLA Commercial General Building Exam Weighting
The bars below compare the 115 scored questions in the current July 2026 PSI/NASCLA content outline.
Procurement and Contracting Requirements31 questions
General Requirements25 questions
Site Construction15 questions
Concrete6 questions
Metals6 questions
Mechanical and Plumbing Systems6 questions
Wood5 questions
Thermal and Moisture Protection5 questions
Finishes5 questions
Masonry4 questions
Doors, Windows and Glazing4 questions
Electrical Systems3 questions
High-value study fact: Procurement and Contracting Requirements, General Requirements, and Site Construction combine for 71 of the 115 scored questions. That is about 61.7 percent of the scored examination.
Current NASCLA Commercial General Building References
The NASCLA exam uses a large open-book reference library. Always compare your books with the latest PSI/NASCLA bulletin before test day.
| Reference Group | Primary Study Use | Current Exam Note |
|---|---|---|
| International Building Code | Commercial building requirements, occupancy, construction type, fire protection, structural provisions, means of egress, and code coordination | Current bulletin permits the 2021 or 2024 IBC |
| NASCLA Contractors Guide, Basic 14th Edition | Business, project management, contracts, estimating, procurement, administration, insurance, financial topics, and contractor responsibilities | Listed in the July 2026 NASCLA reference library |
| Construction Jobsite Management + Construction Project Management | Scheduling, project controls, field supervision, documentation, quality, cost, communication, and closeout | Current bulletin allows listed 4th or 5th editions |
| 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA | Excavation, scaffolds, ladders, fall protection, PPE, material handling, tools, and construction safety | Current bulletin lists OSHA 1926-2023 with amendments or approved PSI excerpts |
| Concrete, Masonry, Steel and Wood References | ACI concrete requirements, reinforcing steel, precast, post-tensioning, masonry, steel deck, joists, carpentry, and truss bracing | Use the exact current editions listed in PSI's bulletin |
| Accessibility and Building Systems | ICC A117.1 accessibility plus mechanical, electrical, plumbing, roofing, exterior systems, gypsum, stormwater, and commercial coordination | Current bulletin lists ICC A117.1-2017 and Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition, 2024 |
How to Prepare for the NASCLA Open-Book Exam
Build these exam-prep habits
- Use the current PSI-listed reference editions
- Practice identifying the correct book before searching
- Highlight and underline useful reference material before testing
- Use permanent tabs and organized indexing
- Practice code, OSHA, estimating, plans, and contract lookups
- Train with timed question blocks
- Complete long practice sessions that build 330-minute stamina
Avoid these exam-prep mistakes
- Assuming open book means easy
- Using an unverified code edition
- Adding handwritten notes to NASCLA trade references
- Using temporary Post-it style tabs
- Adding loose or attached papers to approved references
- Searching several books without first identifying the subject
- Spending too long on one difficult lookup
Important distinction: NASCLA's current trade-exam rules allow highlighting, underlining, and indexing but otherwise require the trade references to remain unmarked. Oregon's separate state exam has its own reference rules, including Oregon CCB guidance allowing notes made in the Oregon manual before the exam. Follow the rules for the specific test you are taking.
NASCLA Exam vs Oregon CCB Contractor License
Passing NASCLA and becoming a licensed Oregon contractor are two different things.
NASCLA provides a commercial general building examination credential. Oregon's Construction Contractors Board decides whether the applicant meets Oregon's licensing, endorsement, business, examination, bond, insurance, experience, and administrative requirements.
For candidates who have already passed the NASCLA commercial exam, Oregon removes the normal 16-hour pre-license training requirement. That is a useful shortcut. It does not remove the Oregon state examination.
The Oregon test is based on the Oregon version of the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 2nd Edition. It contains 80 multiple-choice questions, allows three hours, requires 70 percent or 56 correct answers, and is open book.
Think of it this way: NASCLA proves you can handle broad commercial construction. Oregon still wants to know whether you understand Oregon's rules before handing you the keys to the licensing toolbox.
NASCLA Trade Exam vs Oregon Contractor Exam
Prepare for the two examinations separately because they test different knowledge.
| Exam / Requirement | Main Purpose | Important Difference |
|---|---|---|
| NASCLA Commercial General Building | Commercial construction trade knowledge across multiple disciplines | 115 scored questions + 10 pretest, 330 minutes, 81 correct required, large open-book technical library |
| Oregon CCB Contractor Exam | Oregon laws, rules, contractor business practices, licensing, contracts, insurance, safety, finance, and liens | 80 questions, 3 hours, 70% passing, Oregon-specific open-book manual |
| NASCLA Transcript | Prove the commercial trade exam was passed | Must be provided to Oregon through the accepted NASCLA transcript process |
| Responsible Managing Individual | Manage or supervise the construction activities of the Oregon licensed business | RMI must be an owner or employee of the business |
| Oregon CCB License | Legal authority to operate under the selected Oregon endorsement | Requires application, bond, insurance, endorsement qualification, business information, and other state requirements |
Oregon Commercial General Contractor Requirements
NASCLA Exam Candidate
Commercial Trade Credential
- Apply through NASCLA
- Receive examination approval
- Prepare the current reference library
- Complete 115 scored questions plus 10 pretest items
- Earn at least 81 correct scored answers
- Send the transcript to Oregon when applying
Commercial General Level 1
Oregon CCB Commercial Path
- Commercial General Contractor endorsement
- Same commercial work scope as Level 2
- Applicable eight-year key-employee experience requirement
- $80,000 CCB commercial bond
- $2 million aggregate liability insurance
- Oregon exam and RMI requirements
Commercial General Level 2
Oregon CCB Commercial Path
- Commercial General Contractor endorsement
- Same commercial work scope as Level 1
- Applicable four-year key-employee experience requirement
- $25,000 CCB commercial bond
- $1 million aggregate liability insurance
- Oregon exam and RMI requirements
Level 1 vs Level 2: Oregon states that there is no difference in the type or amount of commercial work the two Commercial General levels may perform. The major differences are the experience, bond, insurance, and continuing-education structures.
Six-Week Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep Plan
Use the official exam weights to organize the reference library and build realistic open-book speed.
Week 1
Blueprint + Reference Setup
- Review all 12 scored domains
- Verify current reference editions
- Organize permanent tabs
- Map questions to books
- Take a diagnostic practice exam
Week 2
Procurement + Contracts
- Bidding
- Estimating
- Contracts
- Subcontracts
- Project administration
Week 3
General Requirements
- Jobsite management
- Scheduling
- OSHA safety
- Codes and accessibility
- Quality and documentation
Week 4
Site + Structural Work
- Excavation and grading
- Stormwater
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Metals and wood
Week 5
Envelope + Building Systems
- Roofing and moisture protection
- Doors, windows, and glazing
- Finishes
- Mechanical and plumbing
- Electrical coordination
Week 6
Full Simulation + Oregon Law
- Long NASCLA practice sessions
- 330-minute pacing plan
- Weak-area repair
- Oregon business and law review
- Exam-day reference check
How Hard Is the Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Exam?
The NASCLA exam is difficult because it combines broad commercial construction knowledge with a large reference library and a long testing period.
You may see 125 questions on the computer because the 115 scored questions are mixed with 10 unscored pretest items. You will not know which questions are experimental, so every question needs to be treated seriously.
The largest challenge for many candidates is not one impossible construction topic. It is reference selection. A candidate may know that the answer is somewhere in the books but waste several minutes searching the wrong publication.
The best preparation makes reference selection automatic. A question about fall protection points you toward OSHA. Structural concrete points you toward ACI and concrete references. Accessibility points you toward ICC A117.1. A contract-administration question probably belongs in the NASCLA business or project-management material.
Once you build that habit, open book becomes an advantage instead of a scavenger hunt involving two dozen very heavy clues.
Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Exam Day Checklist
Do this
- Confirm your PSI appointment and NASCLA eligibility
- Bring the required government-issued identification
- Bring the approved references you plan to use
- Verify your IBC and other code editions
- Use only compliant permanent tabs and indexing
- Bring an allowed silent nonprinting non-programmable calculator if desired
- Use a skip-and-return strategy for slow questions
Do not do this
- Bring temporary Post-it notes
- Bring handwritten NASCLA trade references
- Add loose or attached papers to books
- Assume references will be supplied at the testing center
- Use an unapproved code edition
- Spend too much time searching one book
- Forget that Oregon still has a separate state exam
Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep Options
NASCLA Online Exam Prep Course
Structured Commercial Exam Training
- Commercial general building topic review
- Open-book navigation strategy
- Highlighting and tabbing guidance
- Practice questions
- Simulated final examination
- Self-study and instructor-led options
Oregon NASCLA Complete Book Set
Oregon + Commercial Trade References
- Oregon contractor business reference
- Commercial project-management references
- IBC and accessibility material
- Concrete, masonry, metal, and wood references
- OSHA construction safety
- Building-system and envelope references
Oregon NASCLA Book Rental
Prepared References + Course Access
- Highlighted and tabbed rental references
- Oregon Business and Law study
- NASCLA commercial trade study
- Online course access
- Optional instructor-led classes
- Timed reference-navigation preparation
Oregon prep reminder: NASCLA trade preparation and Oregon laws, rules, and business-practices preparation are two different study jobs. Build separate study blocks for each exam so one does not get buried under the other.
Oregon NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam Prep
This Oregon-specific 1 Exam Prep reference package combines the Oregon licensing reference with the broad commercial construction library used for NASCLA preparation.
• Oregon accepts the NASCLA Commercial General Building examination
• Passing NASCLA can waive the normal 16-hour Oregon pre-license training requirement
• The current NASCLA exam contains 115 scored questions
• Candidates also receive 10 unscored pretest questions
• The exam allows 330 minutes
• At least 81 scored questions must be answered correctly
• The examination is open book
• Oregon candidates still complete the Oregon laws, rules, and business-practices exam
Practice with the reference library before exam day, because NASCLA rewards contractors who can recognize the topic and move to the correct book quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oregon and NASCLA
Yes. The Oregon Construction Contractors Board accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors as part of the Oregon contractor licensing process.
No. NASCLA is an examination credential, not an Oregon license. Applicants must still satisfy Oregon's licensing, endorsement, examination, RMI, bond, insurance, workers' compensation, business-registration, and application requirements.
Yes. Oregon states that applicants who have already passed the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors do not have to complete the standard 16-hour pre-license training.
Yes. NASCLA candidates must still pass Oregon's examination covering laws, rules, and business practices.
NASCLA Exam Basics
The current July 2026 PSI/NASCLA bulletin lists 115 scored questions plus 10 additional unscored pretest questions.
Yes. The 115 scored questions are accompanied by 10 unscored pretest questions. The experimental questions are mixed into the examination and are not identified.
Candidates currently receive 330 minutes, or five hours and thirty minutes.
The current PSI bulletin requires at least 81 correct answers out of the 115 scored questions.
Yes. The examination is open book, and candidates are responsible for bringing the approved references they want to use.
The current NASCLA bulletin gives an approved candidate a one-year eligibility period and allows a maximum of three examination attempts during that period.
NASCLA Exam Content
Procurement and Contracting Requirements is the largest current category with 31 scored questions.
The current content outline assigns 25 scored questions to General Requirements.
Site Construction currently contains 15 scored questions.
Procurement and Contracting, General Requirements, and Site Construction combine for 71 of the 115 scored questions, which is about 61.7 percent of the scored exam.
NASCLA Reference Books
The July 2026 NASCLA bulletin currently allows the 2021 or 2024 International Building Code for the Commercial General Building Contractor exam.
Yes. The current PSI rules allow approved reference material to be highlighted and underlined before the examination.
Yes. Permanent tabs and indexing are currently permitted. Temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are not allowed.
No. Current NASCLA PSI rules state that the trade references must otherwise remain unmarked and may not contain additional loose or attached papers.
No. The current bulletin states that the reference materials will not be available at the examination center. A physical diagram or blueprint packet is provided onsite, but candidates bring their permitted books.
Oregon State Exam
The Oregon Construction Contractors Board currently lists 80 multiple-choice questions.
Candidates currently receive three hours.
The current passing score is 70 percent, which means 56 correct answers out of 80 questions.
Yes. Oregon currently allows the approved Oregon reference manual during the exam. The manual may be highlighted, underlined, and tabbed before testing, and Oregon CCB guidance also permits handwritten notes made before the examination. Do not write in the manual during the test.
Oregon Commercial General Endorsements
Commercial General Contractor Level 1 is an Oregon CCB commercial endorsement for contractors arranging or performing an unlimited amount of building trades on commercial property. Current requirements include the applicable eight-year key-employee experience requirement, an $80,000 bond, and $2 million aggregate liability insurance.
Commercial General Contractor Level 2 has the same commercial work scope as Level 1, but current requirements include the applicable four-year key-employee experience requirement, a $25,000 bond, and $1 million aggregate liability insurance.
Yes. Oregon states that there is no difference in the type or amount of commercial work that can be performed by a Commercial General Level 1 or Level 2 contractor.
RMI means Responsible Managing Individual. The RMI is an owner or employee of the licensed business who manages or supervises its construction activities and satisfies the applicable examination requirement.
1 Exam Prep
Yes. 1 Exam Prep offers NASCLA Commercial General Building online preparation with structured topic review, highlighting and tabbing guidance, practice questions, exam strategy, and simulated testing.
Yes. Oregon options include complete commercial general building book sets, Oregon contractor business-law material, prepared reference packages, and rental options.
NASCLA uses a large reference library. Organized highlighting and permanent tabs can help you practice a faster question-to-reference lookup process during open-book preparation.
Watch: NASCLA Examination Commercial General Building Contractor
Watch this related 1 Exam Prep NASCLA video for an overview of Commercial General Building Contractor exam preparation, reference books, open-book study strategy, and the NASCLA examination path.
Oregon exam-prep tip: this video covers the NASCLA Commercial General Building examination generally. For Oregon licensing, also prepare separately for the Oregon CCB laws, rules, and business-practices examination.
Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep Resources
Use current NASCLA, PSI, Oregon CCB, and 1 Exam Prep information together. Recheck the official bulletin before testing because reference editions and examination procedures can change.
Oregon NASCLA Exam Prep Collection NASCLA Online Exam Prep Course Oregon NASCLA Complete Book Set NASCLA Highlighted & Tabbed Books Oregon NASCLA Book Rental Oregon Business & Law Highlighted Book Current NASCLA PSI Bulletin Apply for the NASCLA Exam NASCLA National Examination Database Oregon CCB License Requirements Oregon CCB Bond and Insurance Requirements Contact 1 Exam Prep
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Oregon NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep
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