Arizona NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course

Prepare for the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors with an online exam prep course built around the knowledge areas, reference materials, and navigation skills needed for this comprehensive contractor examination. The Arizona NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Online Exam Prep Course is designed for contractors pursuing eligible Arizona commercial or dual building classifications who want a structured way to prepare for the NASCLA trade exam.

The NASCLA commercial building examination covers a broad range of construction topics, including planning and estimating, project management, safety, site construction, concrete, masonry, structural metals, wood framing, thermal and moisture protection, doors and glazing, finishes, and specialty construction systems. Preparing effectively requires more than general field experience. Candidates also need to become comfortable researching technical information across an extensive reference library.

The course provides an organized study structure focused on trade knowledge, exam-oriented review, practice, and reference navigation. Instead of approaching the NASCLA examination as one enormous collection of unrelated books and subjects, candidates can work through the major construction topics systematically while developing the ability to identify where information is located.

Arizona recognizes the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors as an alternative to the applicable Arizona Registrar of Contractors trade examination for certain building contractor classifications. Passing the NASCLA examination does not itself issue an Arizona contractor license. Applicants must still satisfy the Arizona Registrar of Contractors requirements for the classification they are pursuing.

Exam Details

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is a standardized contractor trade examination accepted by participating licensing agencies, including the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

The examination contains 115 questions. Candidates must answer at least 81 questions correctly to pass. The examination allows 330 minutes, or 5 hours and 30 minutes, for completion.

The examination evaluates knowledge across major areas of commercial building construction. Current examination content includes:

• Planning and estimating
• Financial and project management
• Construction safety
• Site construction
• Concrete construction
• Masonry
• Metals
• Wood foundations and framing
• Thermal and moisture protection
• Doors, windows, and glazing
• Finishes
• Specialty equipment and conveyance systems

These subjects require candidates to work with both practical construction knowledge and detailed technical references. Questions may involve calculations, construction procedures, management concepts, code requirements, safety regulations, materials, specifications, or standard industry practices.

The size of the exam makes time management important. Candidates should develop a strategy for answering questions they know, researching questions that require a reference, and avoiding excessive time spent searching for a single answer.

Open Book Test

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is an open book test. Candidates may use permitted reference materials in accordance with the examination provider's rules.

Although the examination is open book, candidates should not expect to have enough time to look up every answer from scratch. With 115 questions and 330 minutes available, effective preparation should include repeated practice using the reference books.

Reference navigation is an important exam skill. Candidates should learn which publication addresses each major construction topic, become familiar with indexes and tables of contents, and practice finding specific regulations, tables, definitions, formulas, and construction requirements.

Open-book preparation is especially useful when working with references such as the International Building Code, OSHA regulations, ACI concrete standards, accessibility requirements, construction management books, and specialized trade manuals. Knowing which book to select before beginning a search can save valuable examination time.

Licensing Steps

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors, commonly referred to as AZ ROC, licenses contractors in Arizona. NASCLA examination acceptance can satisfy the applicable trade examination requirement for eligible Arizona building classifications, but applicants must complete the remainder of the Arizona licensing process.

1. Determine the appropriate Arizona license classification. Arizona offers separate commercial, residential, and dual contractor classifications. The classification should match the scope of work the business intends to perform.
2. Meet the experience requirements. Arizona requires a qualifying party with the experience, knowledge, and skills required for the applicable classification.
3. Prepare for and pass the required examinations. For eligible B-1, B-2, KB-1, and KB-2 applicants, the NASCLA Commercial General Building examination may be used in place of the applicable AZ ROC trade examination.
4. Complete Arizona's statutes and rules requirement. Arizona applicants must satisfy the state-specific examination or training requirement applicable to contractor licensing.
5. Establish the licensing entity. A sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation may apply. Corporations and LLCs must meet Arizona registration and good-standing requirements.
6. Obtain the required contractor license bond. Arizona contractor license bond requirements vary according to license type and applicable business volume.
7. Submit the contractor license application. Applicants must provide the Arizona Registrar of Contractors with the required application, qualifying-party information, supporting documents, and applicable fees.
8. Receive approval before contracting. Contractors must hold the proper Arizona license before submitting bids or performing work that requires contractor licensing.

Candidates planning to use their NASCLA exam results in Arizona should make sure the classification they are pursuing accepts the NASCLA examination as an alternative to the Arizona trade exam.

State Requirements

Arizona contractor licensing is administered by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. Arizona issues commercial, residential, and dual contractor licenses based on the type and scope of construction work performed.

The B-1 General Commercial Contractor classification allows qualifying commercial building construction, alteration, repair, management, and supervision within the scope established by AZ ROC. Certain specialty work, including electrical, plumbing, air conditioning systems, boilers, swimming pools, spas, and water wells, must be subcontracted to appropriately licensed contractors.

Arizona also offers the B-2 General Small Commercial Contractor classification for qualifying commercial construction projects subject to the scope and project-value limitations established for that classification.

The KB-1 Dual Building Contractor classification combines the applicable scope of the B-1 General Commercial Contractor and B General Residential Contractor classifications. The KB-2 Dual Residential and Small Commercial classification combines the applicable residential and small commercial scopes.

AZ ROC recognizes the NASCLA Commercial General Building examination as an alternative trade examination for eligible B-1, B-2, KB-1, and KB-2 applicants. The NASCLA exam does not replace Arizona's entire licensing process or create a national contractor license.

Applicants must also meet the experience requirements established for the requested classification. Arizona identifies four years of qualifying hands-on or managerial experience for its B-1 and B-2 general commercial classifications.

Reference Books

The following references support preparation for the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination. Candidates should become familiar with the organization and subject matter of each applicable examination reference.

• Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition
  Covers mechanical and electrical building systems from a construction-management perspective, helping candidates review major systems encountered on commercial projects.
• ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  Provides technical accessibility requirements for building elements, spaces, routes, facilities, and features.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Addresses recommended practices for handling, installing, restraining, and bracing metal plate connected wood trusses.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Covers carpentry methods, framing, building materials, layout, structural components, and general construction practices.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Contains federal OSHA regulations applicable to construction-industry workplace safety.
• Construction Jobsite Management, 5th Edition
  Addresses jobsite supervision, coordination, personnel, productivity, planning, documentation, and field-management responsibilities.
• Construction Project Management, 5th Edition
  Provides information related to construction planning, administration, project controls, management, and coordination.
• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Edition
  Covers business practices, construction contracts, project management, financial concepts, and contractor management topics.
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Provides standards and guidance related to precast concrete product erection and field procedures.
• Green Building Fundamentals, Michael Montoya, 2011, 2nd Edition
  Introduces concepts and practices associated with sustainable and environmentally responsible building construction.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
  Covers gypsum products, assemblies, installation procedures, wall and ceiling systems, and related construction applications.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
  Addresses proper handling and erection procedures for steel joists and joist girders.
• International Building Code, 2021
  Provides commercial building requirements involving occupancy, construction type, means of egress, fire protection, structural provisions, accessibility coordination, and other code subjects.
• ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Provides structural concrete requirements related to reinforced concrete construction, materials, detailing, and structural systems.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  Addresses fundamental field practices and concepts related to unbonded post-tensioning systems.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  Covers masonry materials, tools, layout, brick, block, stone, and practical masonry construction methods.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Provides practical information concerning excavation, trenches, underground piping, equipment, site conditions, and related construction work.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition
  Covers a broad range of commercial construction methods, materials, building systems, and construction practices.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Addresses roofing systems, construction methods, materials, measurements, quantities, and estimating concepts.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Provides detailed guidance regarding reinforcing steel placement and field practices for reinforced concrete construction.
• SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  Addresses steel deck handling, installation, placement, construction practices, and related field considerations.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  Covers practical concrete construction methods, preparation, placement, finishing, quality control, and workmanship.
• ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and EIFS with Drainage, 2017
  Provides requirements and guidance concerning exterior insulation and finish systems and EIFS with drainage.
• Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites, United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Provides construction-site guidance for developing and implementing stormwater pollution prevention plans.

Exam Room Approved Books

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination uses approved reference materials for the open-book exam. Candidates should prepare with the editions identified for the current examination and follow the testing provider's rules governing books and permitted markings.

Reference preparation should focus on legal exam-day navigation methods. Candidates should become comfortable locating material through permanent organization, indexes, chapter structures, tables, and other permitted reference features before arriving at the testing center.

Test Information and Study Materials

The NASCLA examination rewards candidates who can combine construction knowledge with efficient research skills. An effective study plan should divide the reference library into manageable subject groups rather than treating every book as equally important for every question.

Begin with the examination content outline. Match each subject with the most relevant references, then practice questions requiring you to move between practical construction manuals, codes, safety regulations, and technical standards.

For OSHA questions, learn how 29 CFR Part 1926 is organized. For commercial code questions, practice navigating the 2021 International Building Code. Concrete preparation should include both practical concrete construction concepts and technical ACI requirements. Similar subject-specific preparation can be applied to masonry, structural steel, wood framing, roofing, accessibility, and project management.

Timed practice can help develop better exam habits. Candidates should practice deciding when an answer can be selected from existing knowledge and when opening a reference is necessary. When research is required, identify the likely book first and then use its index or organizational structure to narrow the search.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps contractor candidates organize the large amount of information associated with the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination. The online exam prep course provides a structured approach to trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, and reference navigation.

The course is designed to help candidates understand how the different exam subjects fit together and build a repeatable preparation routine. Instead of relying only on field experience or attempting to memorize entire reference books, candidates can focus on major exam topics while practicing how to find technical information efficiently.

Reference-navigation training is especially valuable for an exam with an extensive book list. Familiarity with the International Building Code, OSHA regulations, construction management references, concrete standards, masonry materials, accessibility requirements, and specialized trade publications can make study sessions more productive.

1 Exam Prep also emphasizes confidence-building through organization and practice. Consistent study, realistic question practice, and familiarity with the reference materials can help candidates approach the NASCLA examination with a clearer strategy and stronger understanding of the tested construction subjects.

Is the Arizona NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is an open-book examination that permits approved reference materials under the testing provider's rules.

How many questions are on the NASCLA Commercial General Building exam?

The examination contains 115 questions. Candidates must answer at least 81 questions correctly to achieve the required passing score.

How much time is allowed for the NASCLA exam?

Candidates receive 330 minutes, or 5 hours and 30 minutes, to complete the examination.

Does Arizona accept the NASCLA Commercial General Building exam?

Yes. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors accepts the NASCLA Commercial General Building examination as an alternative to the applicable trade examination for eligible B-1, B-2, KB-1, and KB-2 applicants.

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

No. Passing the NASCLA exam can satisfy an applicable trade examination requirement, but applicants must still meet the Arizona Registrar of Contractors requirements for their chosen license classification.

How much experience is required for an Arizona General Commercial Contractor classification?

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors identifies four years of qualifying hands-on or managerial experience for the B-1 General Commercial Contractor and B-2 General Small Commercial Contractor classifications.

What is the Arizona B-1 General Commercial Contractor classification?

The B-1 classification covers qualifying commercial building construction, alteration, repair, supervision, and management within the scope established by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.

Can I use the NASCLA exam in more than one state?

The NASCLA Accredited Examination is accepted by participating state licensing agencies. Passing the exam does not create a national license, and contractors must separately meet each jurisdiction's licensing requirements.

Why is reference navigation important for the NASCLA exam?

The exam covers many technical subjects using a large reference library. Practicing how to identify the appropriate book and quickly locate specific information can help candidates use their available examination time more efficiently.

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