Arizona NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam Complete Book Set - Highlighted & Tabbed

The Arizona NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam Complete Book Set - Highlighted & Tabbed is designed for contractor candidates preparing for the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors with the full supplied reference set organized for open-book exam preparation. This package includes commercial construction, code, accessibility, safety, project management, concrete, masonry, roofing, excavation, steel, truss, gypsum, stormwater, EIFS, green building, and mechanical/electrical references, professionally highlighted and permanently tabbed to support faster lookup and more focused study.

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam is a standardized trade examination accepted by participating licensing agencies for commercial general building contractor applicants. Arizona applicants may use the NASCLA commercial general building exam path when accepted for the applicable contractor classification, but passing the NASCLA exam does not automatically issue an Arizona license. Candidates must still complete the Arizona Registrar of Contractors licensing process and meet all applicable state application requirements.

This book set is built for the open-book testing format. Open book does not mean easy. The NASCLA commercial building exam uses a large reference library, and candidates must know how to move through the books quickly under timed conditions. Highlighting and permanent tabs help organize the references so candidates can practice locating information with more confidence before test day.

Commercial general building work covers a wide range of construction responsibilities. Candidates may need to review project management, contracts, estimating, scheduling, safety, accessibility, concrete, masonry, structural steel, steel deck, precast concrete, wood trusses, carpentry, gypsum systems, roofing, excavation, stormwater, EIFS, green building, mechanical and electrical systems, and building code requirements. This complete highlighted and tabbed set gives candidates a structured way to study across the full reference list.

What You Get

• Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th
  Highlighted and tabbed reference for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and building systems coordination.
• ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  Highlighted and tabbed accessibility standard for accessible routes, clearances, fixtures, spaces, and usability requirements.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Highlighted and tabbed truss reference for handling, installing, restraining, and bracing wood truss systems.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Highlighted and tabbed construction reference covering framing, materials, tools, layout, and building fundamentals.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Highlighted and tabbed construction safety reference for OSHA jobsite safety requirements.
• Construction Jobsite Management 5th edition
  Highlighted and tabbed management reference for field supervision, jobsite planning, coordination, documentation, and controls.
• Construction Project Management, 5th edition
  Highlighted and tabbed project management reference for scheduling, estimating, contracts, administration, communication, and closeout.
• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th
  Highlighted and tabbed contractor reference for business, law, project management, contracts, risk, and administration.
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Highlighted and tabbed precast concrete erection reference for handling, bracing, rigging, connections, and installation coordination.
• Green Building Fundamentals, Michael Montoya, 2011, 2nd edition
  Highlighted and tabbed green building reference for sustainable construction concepts, energy, water, materials, and indoor environmental quality.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th edition
  Highlighted and tabbed gypsum reference for drywall systems, framing coordination, finishing, fire-rated assemblies, and installation practices.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008
  Highlighted and tabbed steel joist reference for handling, erection, bridging, bracing, and jobsite coordination.
• International Building Code, 2021
  Highlighted and tabbed building code reference for occupancy, construction type, fire-resistance, egress, structural provisions, and code navigation.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Highlighted and tabbed structural concrete code reference for reinforced concrete design and construction requirements.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  Highlighted and tabbed post-tensioning reference for unbonded PT field practices, installation, stressing, safety, and inspection awareness.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter 10th edition
  Highlighted and tabbed masonry trade reference for brick, block, stone, mortar, grout, reinforcement, and masonry methods.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Highlighted and tabbed excavation reference for trenching, pipe installation, backfill, soil conditions, equipment, and sitework practices.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction 11th Edition
  Highlighted and tabbed commercial construction reference for building methods, construction systems, sequencing, and trade coordination.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Highlighted and tabbed roofing reference for roofing systems, estimating, materials, installation, flashing, and roof construction practices.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Highlighted and tabbed reinforcing steel reference for rebar placement, supports, tying, splicing, tolerances, and concrete reinforcement practices.
• SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  Highlighted and tabbed steel deck reference for deck installation, fastening, welding, openings, diaphragm concepts, and construction guidelines.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  Highlighted and tabbed concrete construction reference for materials, placement, finishing, curing, troubleshooting, and quality control.
• Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites, United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Highlighted and tabbed stormwater reference for construction-site erosion control, sediment control, inspections, pollution prevention, and SWPPP planning.
• ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and EIFS with Drainage, 2017
  Highlighted and tabbed EIFS reference for exterior insulation and finish systems, drainage EIFS, materials, installation, and performance requirements.

Exam Details

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is a trade examination designed for commercial general building contractor licensing in participating jurisdictions. The exam contains 115 scored questions, and candidates are allowed 330 minutes to complete the test. The passing score is 70%, which requires 81 correct answers.

The exam is broad because commercial general building contractors are responsible for coordinating many areas of construction. Candidates should be ready for questions involving project management, procurement, contracts, scheduling, estimating, safety, jobsite controls, accessibility, site construction, structural systems, building envelope work, interior systems, and trade coordination.

The exam may include questions based on code requirements, construction standards, trade references, general industry practices, and practical contractor judgment. Because the reference set is large, preparation should include learning which book supports which topic. A concrete question may point to ACI 318, the concrete construction guide, the reinforcing bar book, post-tensioning material, or a general construction reference. A structural steel question may point to steel joists, steel deck, precast concrete, or the International Building Code.

Project management questions may involve jobsite administration, schedules, procurement, submittals, RFIs, change orders, closeout, communication, and contract responsibilities. Site construction questions may include excavation, pipe installation, grading, drainage, stormwater controls, erosion control, and jobsite safety. Trade coordination questions may involve concrete, masonry, metals, wood systems, roofing, gypsum, EIFS, mechanical and electrical systems, and commercial construction sequencing.

Code and standard questions may require candidates to navigate the 2021 International Building Code, ICC A117.1 accessibility standard, ACI concrete provisions, EIFS standard, and other listed references. Safety questions may require OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 navigation, including fall protection, scaffolds, ladders, excavation, personal protective equipment, tools, equipment, material handling, and hazard recognition.

Open Book Test

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam is an open-book test using approved references. Candidates bring their own allowed reference books to the testing center, and the books must comply with testing rules. References may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the examination session begins.

During the exam, candidates may not write, highlight, underline, or index inside the books. Any markings, notes, highlighting, underlining, or indexing must be completed before exam day. This makes a highlighted and tabbed book set valuable because the references are already organized for study and timed lookup practice.

Reference materials may be tabbed or indexed with permanent tabs only. Permanent tabs are tabs that would tear the page if removed. Temporary removable tabs, including Post-it style tabs or other removable markers, are not allowed and must be removed before the exam begins.

Candidates may use a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator in the examination center. Loose papers and additional attached papers are not allowed with approved references. Downloaded references may be brought into the testing center only when properly bound, such as spiral bound or placed in a binder after being hole-punched.

Open book does not replace preparation. Candidates still need construction knowledge, code familiarity, safety awareness, management understanding, and the ability to choose the correct reference quickly. With a large NASCLA book set, the biggest challenge is often not whether the information exists. The challenge is finding the right information fast enough to answer accurately within the time limit.

Licensing Steps

Arizona contractor licensing is handled by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Candidates using the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam should begin by confirming the Arizona classification they intend to apply for and whether the NASCLA exam satisfies the trade examination requirement for that classification.

The person who satisfies the examination requirement is commonly the qualifying party for the license. The qualifying party is connected to the contractor license application and is responsible for demonstrating knowledge in the classification. Passing the NASCLA exam is an examination step, not a license by itself.

A practical preparation path begins with reviewing the licensing goal, gathering the correct reference set, studying the NASCLA content areas, and practicing open-book lookup under timed conditions. Candidates should divide study time across business and project management, safety, building code, accessibility, sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, roofing, gypsum, EIFS, stormwater, green building, mechanical/electrical systems, and commercial construction practices.

After passing the NASCLA exam, candidates may need to transmit or report their passing result through the applicable NASCLA process and then complete the Arizona Registrar of Contractors application requirements. The state application may include business information, qualifying party information, bonding, financial responsibility items, and other licensing materials required by Arizona.

State Requirements

Arizona accepts different examination paths depending on the contractor classification. The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam may be used for applicable general building classifications when accepted by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Candidates should match the exam path to the classification they plan to pursue.

The NASCLA exam is designed to reduce repeated trade testing for contractors applying in participating jurisdictions, but it does not replace state-specific licensing requirements. Arizona applicants must still meet Arizona’s application rules, classification requirements, qualifying party requirements, bonding requirements, and any other state licensing conditions.

Commercial general building work is broad. A contractor may coordinate sitework, foundations, concrete, masonry, steel, wood framing, roofing, exterior systems, interior systems, accessibility requirements, safety compliance, stormwater controls, and subcontractor activities. This book set supports that broad knowledge base by covering both field construction and project administration.

Reference Books

• Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th
  Supports study in MEP coordination, system basics, building services, and construction manager responsibilities.
• ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  Supports accessibility study for usable spaces, clearances, accessible routes, fixtures, and building features.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Supports study in wood truss handling, temporary restraint, bracing, installation sequence, and jobsite safety.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Supports study in framing, materials, tools, layout, roof systems, wall systems, and construction fundamentals.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Supports construction safety preparation for OSHA standards and jobsite hazard control.
• Construction Jobsite Management 5th edition
  Supports field management, supervision, quality control, documentation, logistics, and jobsite communication.
• Construction Project Management, 5th edition
  Supports project delivery, scheduling, estimating, contracts, procurement, administration, and closeout.
• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th
  Supports contractor business, law, contracts, project management, risk, financial practices, and administration.
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Supports precast concrete erection, connections, bracing, handling, rigging, and installation coordination.
• Green Building Fundamentals, Michael Montoya, 2011, 2nd edition
  Supports sustainable construction, green building strategies, energy concepts, water use, materials, and indoor environmental quality.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th edition
  Supports drywall systems, gypsum board, finishing, framing coordination, fire-rated assemblies, and interior construction.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008
  Supports steel joist handling, erection, bridging, bracing, placement, and coordination.
• International Building Code, 2021
  Supports code navigation for occupancy, construction type, fire-resistance, egress, structural provisions, and building requirements.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Supports structural concrete code requirements, reinforced concrete design concepts, materials, and construction provisions.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  Supports unbonded post-tensioning field practices, stressing, installation, safety, and inspection concepts.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter 10th edition
  Supports masonry study in brick, block, stone, mortar, grout, reinforcement, layout, and wall construction.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Supports excavation, trenching, pipe installation, soil conditions, backfill, equipment, and sitework safety.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction 11th Edition
  Supports commercial construction systems, sequencing, methods, trade coordination, and building practices.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Supports roofing materials, estimating, installation, flashing, waterproofing, and roof construction methods.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Supports reinforcing steel placement, tying, supports, splicing, tolerances, and concrete reinforcement practices.
• SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  Supports steel deck installation, fastening, welding, openings, deck types, and construction guidelines.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  Supports concrete materials, placement, finishing, curing, troubleshooting, repair, and quality practices.
• Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites, United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Supports stormwater pollution prevention, erosion control, sediment control, inspections, and SWPPP planning.
• ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and EIFS with Drainage, 2017
  Supports EIFS and EIFS with drainage installation, materials, substrate preparation, detailing, and performance requirements.

Exam Room Approved Books

This complete highlighted and tabbed package includes the supplied references for the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam. Candidates should bring only the references allowed by current testing rules and make sure all books comply with open-book exam requirements before test day.

• Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th
  Reference for MEP coordination and building systems.
• ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  Reference for accessibility and usability requirements.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Reference for wood truss handling, installation, restraint, and bracing.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Reference for carpentry and building construction fundamentals.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Reference for construction safety standards.
• Construction Jobsite Management 5th edition
  Reference for field supervision and jobsite administration.
• Construction Project Management, 5th edition
  Reference for project planning, scheduling, estimating, and administration.
• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th
  Reference for contractor business, law, and project management.
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Reference for precast concrete erection.
• Green Building Fundamentals, Michael Montoya, 2011, 2nd edition
  Reference for sustainable construction and green building concepts.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th edition
  Reference for gypsum systems and drywall construction.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008
  Reference for steel joist and joist girder erection.
• International Building Code, 2021
  Reference for commercial building code navigation.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Reference for structural concrete code requirements.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  Reference for unbonded post-tensioning field fundamentals.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter 10th edition
  Reference for masonry trade knowledge.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Reference for excavation and pipe installation.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction 11th Edition
  Reference for commercial construction practices.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Reference for roofing construction and estimating.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Reference for reinforcing steel placement.
• SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  Reference for steel deck construction.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  Reference for concrete construction quality.
• Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites, United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Reference for stormwater pollution prevention planning.
• ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and EIFS with Drainage, 2017
  Reference for EIFS and EIFS with drainage.

Test Information and Study Materials

The NASCLA commercial general building exam requires a disciplined study plan because the reference set is large. Candidates should begin by grouping the books by topic: management, codes and standards, sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, wood, envelope, interiors, MEP, safety, and environmental controls.

Management preparation should include contracts, bidding, scheduling, project documentation, jobsite supervision, submittals, RFIs, change orders, closeout, quality control, and risk management. Construction management questions often test practical judgment as much as book lookup.

Code preparation should include the 2021 International Building Code and ICC A117.1. Candidates should practice using chapter structure, tables, definitions, indexes, and tabs. Code navigation is faster when candidates understand whether a question belongs in occupancy, construction type, egress, accessibility, fire-resistance, structural provisions, or materials.

Trade preparation should include concrete, reinforcing steel, post-tensioning, masonry, steel joists, steel deck, precast concrete, wood trusses, carpentry, roofing, gypsum systems, EIFS, and mechanical/electrical coordination. The strongest preparation connects field knowledge with the reference most likely to answer each question.

Safety and site preparation should include OSHA, excavation, stormwater pollution prevention, jobsite logistics, erosion control, fall protection, scaffolds, ladders, material handling, and hazard recognition. Candidates should practice finding safety topics quickly because OSHA questions can span many subparts.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps contractor candidates prepare with organized study tools built around real exam needs. For the Arizona NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam, this highlighted and tabbed complete book set gives you the supplied references in a format designed for practical study and open-book navigation.

The highlighting helps draw attention to important sections inside the books. The permanent tabs help candidates move through the references more quickly. Together, they create a study structure that supports review, repetition, and faster lookup during timed practice.

1 Exam Prep’s approach supports trade-focused review, code navigation, safety awareness, project management preparation, reference familiarity, and confidence-building study habits. The goal is to help candidates build a clear routine: review the exam scope, study the references, learn the tab system, practice timed lookup, and enter the exam with a stronger command of the materials.

This package does not replace preparation, but it can make preparation more efficient. Instead of beginning with plain books and creating a system from scratch, candidates receive references that are already highlighted and tabbed. That structure gives each study session a clear starting point and helps reduce the confusion that can come with large open-book exams.

Who is this book set for?

This complete highlighted and tabbed book set is for candidates preparing for the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors. It is designed for qualifying party candidates, commercial general contractors, construction supervisors, project managers, business owners, and contractors seeking a commercial general building exam path accepted by participating licensing agencies.

Is the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The NASCLA commercial general building exam is open book for approved references. Candidates may bring allowed references into the testing center when the books comply with rules for highlighting, annotations, indexing, tabs, and loose materials.

How many questions are on the NASCLA commercial general building exam?

The exam has 115 scored questions. Candidates are allowed 330 minutes, and the passing score is 70%, which requires 81 correct answers.

Are the books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. The books in this package are professionally highlighted and permanently tabbed to support study, reference lookup, and open-book exam preparation.

Can I use temporary tabs in the exam room?

No. Temporary removable tabs, including Post-it style tabs, are not allowed. References may be tabbed or indexed with permanent tabs only.

Does passing the NASCLA exam automatically give me an Arizona license?

No. Passing the NASCLA exam satisfies an examination step when accepted for the applicable classification. Candidates must still complete the Arizona Registrar of Contractors licensing process and meet all applicable state requirements.

What topics should I study?

Candidates should study project management, contracts, estimating, scheduling, safety, accessibility, building code, sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, wood systems, roofing, gypsum, EIFS, stormwater, green building, mechanical and electrical systems, and trade coordination.

Does this package guarantee that I will pass?

No. This package is a study and reference-navigation tool. Exam results depend on preparation, construction knowledge, study time, test-taking habits, and the candidate’s ability to use the references effectively.