Arizona Ceramic, Plastic and Metal Tile Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-48) Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package

The Arizona Ceramic, Plastic and Metal Tile Residential / Commercial Contractor (CR-48) Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package is designed for contractors preparing for the Arizona CR-48 Ceramic, Plastic and Metal Tile trade examination. This package brings together the OSHA safety, residential code, ANSI tile standards, TCNA tile handbook, tile setting, flooring, and tile installation references used to support organized exam preparation for Arizona’s residential/commercial tile contractor licensing process.

The CR-48 classification is focused on ceramic, plastic, metal, and related tile work in both residential and commercial settings. Candidates preparing for this exam should be ready to study plan reading, estimating, general tile knowledge, grout, finishing, adhesives, tile installation, and safety. The exam connects hands-on tile experience with industry standards, installation methods, code requirements, material knowledge, and reference book navigation.

This highlighted and tabbed book package helps make the study process more efficient. Tile references can include standards, installation methods, substrate preparation, mortar and adhesive requirements, grout details, waterproofing concepts, flooring systems, layout methods, and safety rules. Highlighted sections help guide review toward important material, while permanent tabs help candidates move through major subjects, standards, tables, definitions, installation details, and safety topics more quickly. For an open book contractor exam, the ability to locate information under time pressure is a major part of preparation.

This package is a strong fit for tile contractors, tile setters, flooring professionals, shower and tub enclosure installers, qualifying parties, business owners, remodelers, and tradespeople preparing for the Arizona CR-48 residential/commercial contractor classification. It is especially useful for candidates who have field experience with tile installation but need organized references for exam-focused study and open book test navigation.

What You Get

• Highlighted reference books: Key areas are highlighted to help candidates focus on important exam-related material during preparation.
• Permanent tabs: Tabs are placed to support faster movement through major topics, standards, code sections, installation details, safety rules, and reference areas.
• Residential and commercial tile study support: The package supports review across ceramic tile, clay tile, glass mosaic, metal tile, plastic tile, quarry tile, stone tile, terrazzo, surface preparation, adhesives, grout, finishing, layout, estimating, and safety.
• Organized exam preparation structure: The books are prepared to help reduce search time, improve reference familiarity, and support more productive study sessions.
• All books are highlighted and Tabbed.

Please allow up to 15 business days for tabbed and highlighted book package orders

Exam Details

The Arizona CR-48 Ceramic, Plastic and Metal Tile examination is administered through PSI for the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. The exam contains 80 questions. The minimum passing score is 70%, and the time allowed is 180 minutes.

The exam content areas include:

• Plan Reading and Estimating: 5 items
• General Tile Knowledge: 20 items
• Grout and Finishing: 10 items
• Adhesives: 7 items
• Tile Installation: 33 items
• Safety and Employee Protection: 5 items

The examination may include questions based on listed reference materials, trade knowledge, and general industry practices. Code questions are based on the specific code edition listed for the examination. Candidates should prepare with the correct code edition and become familiar with where major subjects, standards, installation methods, material requirements, safety provisions, and estimating information are located before test day.

The CR-48 exam is focused on tile work, but it covers a wide range of practical and technical knowledge. Candidates should be prepared for questions involving layout, measurement, substrate preparation, setting beds, mortar, adhesives, grout, finishing, cutting, setting, repair, tile types, stone tile, terrazzo, shower and tub enclosure work when part of the original contract, and employee safety. A strong study plan should follow the official content outline and use the references as practical tools rather than simply reading from front to back.

Open Book Test

The Arizona CR-48 Ceramic, Plastic and Metal Tile trade examination is an open book test using approved reference materials. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own approved references to the examination center.

The approved exam-room references listed for the CR-48 examination include Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018, ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017, American National Standard Specifications for the Installation of Ceramic Tile, 2017, and Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation, 2017.

Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the examination session. Candidates may not write, highlight, underline, or index references during the exam. Additional papers, whether loose or attached, are not permitted with approved references.

References may be tabbed or indexed with permanent tabs only. Permanent tabs are tabs that would tear the page if removed. Temporary tabs, removable sticky tabs, and loose papers are not permitted and must be removed before the examination begins. Downloaded references may be brought into the testing center only when bound, such as spiral-bound or placed in a binder after being hole-punched.

Setting Tile, 1995, Builders Guide to Floors, 1997, and Tile Manual, 1991 are study references connected to the examination content, but they are not listed as exam-room-approved references for the CR-48 examination. These books are useful for building tile knowledge, flooring preparation, installation methods, and trade familiarity during study.

Licensing Steps

Arizona contractor licensing is handled by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Applicants should begin by identifying the correct license classification and reviewing the examination requirements tied to that classification. The person completing the required examination process must serve as the qualifying party for the license.

The CR-48 classification is the residential/commercial ceramic, plastic, and metal tile contractor classification. Because it is a dual classification, candidates should prepare for tile work in both residential and commercial settings. The exam content focuses on the trade knowledge, reference standards, installation methods, safety requirements, and estimating concepts connected to the classification.

For many new Arizona contractor license applicants, the licensing process also includes the Arizona Statutes and Rules Exam, also known as the SRE. The SRE is separate from the trade examination. The CR-48 trade exam focuses on tile work, installation methods, grout, adhesives, estimating, standards, and safety, while the statutes and rules requirement covers Arizona contractor law, rules, and regulatory responsibilities.

After the required examinations are completed, the applicant submits the completed contractor license application and supporting documentation to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Examination requirements must be completed before the application can be accepted for processing. Score reports must be submitted within the required period after passing the examination.

A practical licensing path includes confirming the CR-48 classification, studying the approved trade references, learning the open book testing rules, completing the Arizona statutes and rules requirement when applicable, scheduling and taking the PSI trade exam, and submitting the completed license application package to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

State Requirements

The Arizona CR-48 Ceramic, Plastic and Metal Tile classification allows the licensee to prepare a surface as required for the licensee to install or repair tile products on horizontal and vertical surfaces. The tile products covered by this classification include ceramic, clay, faience, metal, mosaic, glass mosaic, paver, plastic, quarry, stone tiles such as marble or slate, and terrazzo.

The classification includes installation of shower doors and tub enclosures when they are part of the original contract. Candidates should understand this boundary while studying and avoid confusing the CR-48 scope with unrelated plumbing, electrical, framing, or general remodeling classifications.

The trade exam content reflects the practical and technical knowledge needed for tile contracting. Candidates should be prepared for questions involving plan reading, estimating, surface preparation, tile layout, tile cutting, setting materials, mortar beds, adhesives, grout selection, finishing, installation standards, repair methods, safety, employee protection, and general trade practices used in residential and commercial tile work.

Arizona licensing involves more than passing the trade examination. Applicants may also need to satisfy business, entity, bonding, experience, background, application, and qualifying party requirements depending on the applicant’s structure and license type. The trade exam is one major step in the process, but the license is issued only after the Arizona Registrar of Contractors reviews and processes the completed application.

Reference Books

Please allow up to 15 business days for tabbed and highlighted book package orders.

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This construction safety reference supports safety and employee protection content and covers federal construction standards used to address jobsite hazards, worker protection, safe work practices, and construction safety requirements.
• International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018
  This residential code reference supports preparation for one- and two-family dwelling construction requirements, including code provisions that may connect to tile work, substrate conditions, wet areas, and residential construction details.
• ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017, American National Standard Specifications for the Installation of Ceramic Tile, 2017
  This tile standards reference supports preparation for ceramic tile installation methods, material specifications, adhesives, mortars, grouts, and industry-recognized installation requirements.
• Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation, 2017
  This tile handbook supports review of installation methods, substrate conditions, membranes, movement joints, wet areas, floors, walls, stone tile, glass tile, and industry-recognized tile assemblies.
• Setting Tile, 1995 (USED)
  This tile setting reference supports study of practical tile installation, layout, cutting, setting, substrates, mortar, grout, finishing methods, and field techniques used by tile setters.
• Builders Guide to Floors, 1997
  This flooring reference supports review of floor systems, substrate conditions, floor preparation, installation planning, underlayment concepts, and construction details that affect tile performance.
• Tile Manual, 1991 (USED)
  This tile trade reference supports review of tile materials, installation methods, layout, setting practices, grout, repair, and traditional tile construction knowledge.

Test Information and Study Materials

The Arizona CR-48 exam rewards candidates who combine tile installation experience with organized reference use. Since the exam contains 80 questions and allows 180 minutes, candidates should practice using their references before exam day. The goal is not to read entire chapters during the test. The goal is to know which book to use, where the topic is located, and how to confirm an answer efficiently.

Tile installation is the largest portion of the exam. Candidates should study surface preparation, substrates, mortar beds, tile layout, cutting, setting, movement joints, wet area installations, glass tile, stone tile, ceramic tile, quarry tile, paver tile, plastic tile, metal tile, and terrazzo-related concepts. The ANSI standards and TCNA handbook are especially important for understanding recognized installation methods and industry terminology.

General tile knowledge is also a major subject area. Candidates should review tile types, material characteristics, installation conditions, surface preparation, common failures, expansion and contraction, moisture concerns, tools, job sequencing, and the relationship between tile products and setting materials. This section often rewards candidates who understand both field practice and the language used in tile standards.

Grout and finishing questions may involve grout types, joint preparation, cleaning, curing, finishing methods, movement joints, sealants, appearance concerns, and proper installation practices. Candidates should understand how grout selection and finishing affect performance, appearance, sanitation, and long-term durability.

The adhesives category should be studied through the ANSI reference and practical tile references. Candidates should review mortar, adhesive, bonding material requirements, substrate compatibility, application methods, curing conditions, and material limitations. Adhesive questions may require candidates to distinguish between products, installation methods, and acceptable use conditions.

Plan reading and estimating questions may involve measurements, quantities, layout, waste, coverage, dimensions, material takeoffs, and project planning. Candidates should practice tile calculations and become comfortable using a calculator. Estimating requires both math and trade judgment because cuts, layout, pattern, waste, and surface conditions can affect material quantities.

The safety and employee protection category should be studied through the OSHA reference. Candidates should become familiar with major construction safety topics such as personal protective equipment, ladders, scaffolds, power tools, hand tools, silica and dust concerns, material handling, electrical hazards, hazard communication, and general jobsite safety. Learning the layout of OSHA Part 1926 helps candidates find safety information more efficiently.

The International Residential Code should be used for residential construction context. Candidates should become familiar with how the code is organized and where to locate provisions that may connect to wet areas, wall and floor assemblies, interior finish conditions, and one- and two-family dwelling requirements.

Setting Tile, Builders Guide to Floors, and Tile Manual are useful study references for building practical trade knowledge. Candidates can use these books to strengthen their understanding of flooring systems, tile setting methods, substrate preparation, installation sequencing, and field techniques that support the broader exam content.

A practical study method is to work through the content outline one subject at a time. Start with tile installation and general tile knowledge because they represent the largest portions of the exam. Then move into grout and finishing, adhesives, plan reading and estimating, and safety. During each study session, candidates should use the highlighted and tabbed books under timed conditions to build speed and familiarity.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps contractor candidates prepare with organized study materials, trade-focused review, and reference navigation support. This highlighted and tabbed book package is designed to help Arizona CR-48 candidates study the approved references and supporting tile study materials with a clearer structure.

For many candidates, the challenge is not only knowing how to set tile. The challenge is knowing where to find information quickly inside large standards, handbooks, code books, and safety references. 1 Exam Prep helps simplify that process by preparing books with highlights and tabs that support focused review and faster navigation.

The highlighted sections help direct attention to important material, while the tabs make it easier to move between major subjects during study sessions. Candidates can use the package to review tile installation, general tile knowledge, grout, finishing, adhesives, plan reading, estimating, OSHA safety, residential code, ANSI standards, TCNA methods, floor preparation, and practical tile setting in a more organized way.

1 Exam Prep’s approach is practical and exam-focused. The goal is to help candidates study with less confusion, use their references more effectively, and build confidence through consistent preparation. No book package can guarantee a passing score or license approval, but organized references can make the preparation process clearer, more efficient, and easier to manage.

FAQ Section

Is the Arizona CR-48 Ceramic, Plastic and Metal Tile exam open book?

Yes. The Arizona CR-48 trade exam is open book using approved reference materials. Candidates must bring their own approved references and follow the testing center rules for highlighting, annotations, indexing, and permanent tabs.

How many questions are on the Arizona CR-48 exam?

The exam contains 80 questions. The minimum passing score is 70%, and the time allowed is 180 minutes.

What topics are covered on the CR-48 exam?

The exam covers plan reading and estimating, general tile knowledge, grout and finishing, adhesives, tile installation, and safety and employee protection.

Which books are allowed in the examination center?

The approved exam-room references listed for the CR-48 examination include Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018, ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017, and Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation, 2017.

Are all books in this package allowed in the exam room?

No. Setting Tile, 1995, Builders Guide to Floors, 1997, and Tile Manual, 1991 are study references connected to exam preparation, but they are not listed as exam-room-approved references for the CR-48 examination.

Can I write in my books during the exam?

No. References may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the exam, but candidates may not write, highlight, underline, or index references during the examination session.

Are removable tabs allowed?

No. Tabs must be permanent. Permanent tabs are tabs that would tear the page if removed. Temporary sticky tabs and removable tabs are not permitted.

What work does the Arizona CR-48 classification cover?

The CR-48 classification allows the licensee to prepare surfaces as required to install or repair tile products on horizontal and vertical surfaces, including ceramic, clay, faience, metal, mosaic, glass mosaic, paver, plastic, quarry, stone tile such as marble or slate, and terrazzo. Shower doors and tub enclosures are included when part of the original contract.

Who administers the Arizona CR-48 trade exam?

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors has contracted with PSI to conduct the trade examination program for Arizona contractor licensing.

Is this package helpful for experienced tile setters?

Yes. Field experience is valuable, but the exam also requires candidates to use standards, code books, and safety references efficiently. Highlighted and tabbed books help experienced tile professionals connect practical knowledge with the references used for the exam.