Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation Contractor - Books & Courses Rental Package

The Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation Contractor - Books & Courses Rental Package is designed for contractors preparing for the Arkansas commercial grading, drainage, and excavation trade exam. This package combines rental reference books with online course access so candidates can study the trade material, practice using the required references, and prepare for the open-book exam with a more organized plan.

Commercial grading and drainage work requires a strong understanding of earthwork, surveying, concrete, curbs and gutters, culverts, pipe installation, excavation practices, stormwater management, and OSHA construction safety. Contractors in this classification may perform site preparation, drainage construction, clearing, grubbing, rip rap, pipe and structure work, culvert work, and related excavation services on commercial projects. The exam reflects that range of knowledge by testing practical trade topics and safety concepts tied to the approved reference materials.

This rental package is a practical option for contractors who need the required books for study and exam preparation without purchasing the full reference set outright. The included course access helps organize your preparation around the exam content outline, while the rental books give you the reference materials needed to study the topics and build open-book navigation skills.

For open-book contractor exams, the books are not just reading material. They are tools. Candidates should know where key topics are located, how each reference is organized, and how to move from an exam question to the correct book section quickly. This package supports that process by pairing the required references with online preparation that helps guide your study time.

The Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation Contractor - Books & Courses Rental Package is especially useful for excavation contractors, grading contractors, drainage contractors, sitework professionals, equipment operators, and business owners preparing for Arkansas contractor licensing. It provides a structured preparation path for candidates who want to review the trade areas, study with the books, and approach the exam with greater confidence.

What You Get

Exam Details

The Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation trade examination contains 30 questions. Candidates are allowed 75 minutes to complete the exam. A passing score is 70%, which means a candidate must answer at least 21 questions correctly.

The exam content outline includes the following subject areas:

• Earthwork / Surveying: 10 items
• Concrete: 6 items
• Curbs and Gutters: 5 items
• Culverts: 5 items
• OSHA Safety: 4 items

The examination may also include experimental questions. Experimental questions are used for exam development and are not scored. Candidates should answer every question and manage the testing time carefully.

The examination is administered by computer for Arkansas contractor licensing. Candidates have access to an online calculator during the exam, and personal calculators are not permitted. Candidates should arrive prepared with the required identification and approved references that meet the exam-room rules.

The trade exam focuses on grading, drainage, excavation, concrete, culverts, curbs and gutters, earthwork, surveying, and OSHA safety. Arkansas contractor candidates may also need to complete the Arkansas Contractor Business and Law Examination as part of the licensing process. The business and law exam is separate from this trade exam and focuses on contractor management, contracts, financial management, labor laws, lien laws, tax laws, insurance, bonding, project management, and Arkansas contractor rules and regulations.

Open Book Test

The Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation trade exam is an open-book test. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own approved reference materials to the examination center. The testing center does not provide the references for the candidate.

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the examination session. Candidates may not write, highlight, underline, annotate, or add indexing to the books during the exam. All markings must be completed before the exam begins.

Permanent tabs are allowed. Temporary removable tabs, sticky notes, Post-it notes, and loose papers are not allowed. Candidates should make sure their books are organized in a way that complies with the testing rules before arriving at the exam center.

Open-book testing requires preparation. The time limit makes it important to know the references before exam day. A candidate who has studied the books, practiced locating topics, and reviewed the major trade areas will be better positioned than a candidate who tries to search through unfamiliar books for the first time during the exam.

This Books & Courses Rental Package helps candidates prepare for the open-book format by combining rental references with online course access. The books support reference lookup and technical review, while the course helps bring structure to the study process. Together, they help candidates focus on the tested topics and develop stronger familiarity with the materials used for the exam.

Licensing Steps

Arkansas commercial contractor licensing is handled by the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board. Contractors performing qualifying commercial work at or above the state’s commercial project threshold must hold the correct contractor license classification. Commercial projects generally include work that is not single-family residential construction, and the project amount includes labor and materials.

The first step is identifying the correct classification. For this package, the focus is the Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation Contractor classification. This classification is connected to grading, drainage, pipe and structures, culverts, clearing, grubbing, rip rap, excavation, and related commercial sitework.

After identifying the proper classification, candidates should prepare for the required trade examination. Because this exam is open book, preparation should include both trade knowledge review and reference navigation practice. Candidates should study the official exam content areas and work with the approved books before scheduling or taking the exam.

Next, candidates complete the required examination process. Exam registration information should match the candidate’s legal identification. Candidates should bring the required identification and approved reference books to the testing center and follow all exam-room rules for book markings, tabs, and materials.

Commercial contractor candidates may also need to pass the Arkansas Contractor Business and Law Examination. This is a separate exam that covers the business, legal, financial, and administrative responsibilities of contractors operating in Arkansas.

After completing testing requirements, applicants continue through the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board application process. The board reviews applications and determines whether the applicant meets the requirements for the requested license classification. Passing the exam is an important step, but licensing approval is issued through the licensing board.

State Requirements

The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board oversees commercial contractor licensing in Arkansas. A commercial contractor license is generally required for qualifying commercial construction work of $50,000 or more, including labor and materials. Contractors should make sure the license classification matches the type of work they plan to perform.

The commercial grading and drainage excavation classification applies to work involving grading, drainage, pipe and structures, culverts, clearing, grubbing, rip rap, excavation, and related sitework. This makes the classification important for contractors involved in commercial site development, earthmoving, drainage systems, water control, culvert installation, and excavation operations.

Contractor licensing is separate from exam preparation. Purchasing a rental package, accessing an online course, studying the references, or passing the trade exam does not automatically issue a license. The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board reviews applications and determines whether a contractor qualifies for licensure.

Commercial excavation and drainage work can affect site safety, stormwater flow, erosion control, structural performance, access, utilities, and long-term project function. Proper licensing supports lawful contracting activity and helps protect contractors, customers, workers, and the public. Contractors should also comply with all applicable safety standards, project requirements, contract obligations, and local rules that apply to the work being performed.

Reference Books

This Books & Courses Rental Package includes the following rental references for Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation Contractor exam preparation:

• Included Rental Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This construction safety reference covers OSHA standards for construction work, including excavation safety, trenching hazards, protective systems, access and egress, inspections, equipment hazards, and general jobsite safety responsibilities.
• Included Rental Book: Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  This concrete reference explains concrete materials, mixture proportioning, placement, curing, strength, durability, and quality control concepts that support the concrete portion of the grading and drainage exam.
• Included Rental Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This excavation and pipe installation reference addresses trenching, pipe work, backfill, compaction, excavation planning, soil considerations, equipment use, and practical field methods used by excavation contractors.
• Included Rental Book: Design and Construction of Urban Stormwater Management Systems, 1992
  This stormwater reference focuses on drainage planning, runoff control, stormwater system design, construction considerations, and water-management principles for developed sites.

These references support the major exam content areas. The OSHA reference supports safety questions related to excavation hazards and construction jobsite requirements. The concrete reference supports concrete questions involving materials, mixtures, placement, curing, strength, and quality control. Pipe and Excavation Contracting supports field practices related to trenching, pipe installation, backfill, and compaction. Design and Construction of Urban Stormwater Management Systems supports drainage, runoff, and stormwater management concepts central to grading and drainage work.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following references are approved for use in the Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation trade exam:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This OSHA construction safety reference is approved for exam-room use and supports questions related to construction safety, excavation hazards, trenching, protective systems, inspections, and jobsite requirements.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
  This concrete reference is approved for exam-room use and supports questions related to concrete materials, mixture design, strength, durability, placement, curing, and quality control.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This excavation reference is approved for exam-room use and supports questions related to pipe installation, trenching, backfill, compaction, excavation planning, soil conditions, and practical field practices.
• Design and Construction of Urban Stormwater Management Systems, 1992
  This stormwater reference is approved for exam-room use and supports questions related to drainage systems, runoff management, water-control principles, and stormwater construction.

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the exam. Candidates may not mark the references during the exam. Permanent tabs are allowed, but temporary removable tabs and loose papers are not allowed.

Test Information and Study Materials

The Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation exam is focused, but each subject area matters. With 30 questions and 75 minutes, candidates should be prepared to answer questions efficiently and use the approved references when needed. The exam content outline shows that earthwork and surveying is the largest portion of the exam, followed by concrete, curbs and gutters, culverts, and OSHA safety.

Earthwork and surveying topics may include grade control, elevations, slopes, cut and fill, layout, drainage direction, excavation planning, and soil movement. Commercial grading work requires contractors to understand how site preparation affects drainage, access, utilities, concrete features, structures, and finished project performance.

Concrete topics may include materials, mixture characteristics, placement, curing, strength, durability, and quality control. Concrete can appear in curbs, gutters, culvert structures, drainage channels, pads, and other site improvements connected to grading and drainage work.

Curbs and gutters help collect and direct surface water. Candidates should understand how these components work with the larger grading plan and how they affect surface drainage. Culverts move water under access roads, drives, and other site features, so candidates should review placement, bedding, cover, alignment, backfill, compaction, and flow considerations.

OSHA safety is a critical part of excavation work. Candidates should study hazards related to cave-ins, protective systems, access and egress, inspections, equipment movement, water accumulation, falling loads, and changing soil conditions. OSHA safety knowledge is important for both exam preparation and real jobsite responsibility.

A strong study plan should include reviewing the content outline, reading the assigned references, using the online course materials, practicing open-book lookup, and returning to weak areas before exam day. The course access included in this package helps candidates study with structure, while the rental books provide the technical references needed for the exam.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps contractors prepare with organized study resources designed around contractor exam requirements. The Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation Contractor - Books & Courses Rental Package gives candidates access to the rental references and online preparation needed to study more effectively.

Contractor exams can be challenging because they combine trade knowledge with open-book reference navigation. Many candidates know the work from the field but need help organizing that knowledge for a timed exam. 1 Exam Prep supports that transition by helping candidates review the tested trade areas and connect the exam topics to the correct reference materials.

The rental book format gives candidates access to the needed references for preparation, while the online course helps bring structure to study time. Instead of reviewing topics randomly, candidates can focus on the exam categories: earthwork and surveying, concrete, curbs and gutters, culverts, and OSHA safety.

Reference navigation is especially important for this exam. Candidates should know where OSHA construction safety standards are located, where concrete mixture information appears, where excavation and pipe installation practices are discussed, and where stormwater management concepts are explained. Studying with the books and course together can help improve that familiarity before exam day.

This package does not guarantee a passing score, licensing approval, or a specific business outcome. It is designed to help candidates study with structure, use the required references more effectively, and approach the Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation Contractor exam with a clearer preparation plan.

FAQ Section

What is included in this Books & Courses Rental Package?

This package includes rental access to the listed reference books and 6 months of course access for Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation Contractor exam preparation.

What is the price of this package?

The package total is $720. The package includes a $250 refundable deposit.

Is the Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation exam open book?

Yes. The exam is open book. Candidates may bring approved references into the testing center, provided the books follow the exam rules for markings, tabs, and allowed materials.

How many questions are on the exam?

The exam has 30 questions. Candidates are allowed 75 minutes, and a passing score is 70%, or 21 correct answers.

What topics are covered on the exam?

The exam covers earthwork and surveying, concrete, curbs and gutters, culverts, and OSHA safety. Earthwork and surveying is the largest section of the content outline.

Can I use the rental books during the exam?

The approved reference books may be used during the open-book exam when they comply with the testing rules. Candidates are responsible for bringing approved references and following all exam-room requirements.

Can the books be highlighted or tabbed?

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, annotated, and indexed before the examination session. Permanent tabs are allowed. Temporary removable tabs, sticky notes, and loose papers are not allowed.

Does this package include the Arkansas Business and Law exam prep?

This package is focused on the Arkansas Commercial Grading & Drainage, Excavation Contractor trade exam. Business and law preparation is separate from this trade package.

Does this package guarantee that I will pass the exam?

No. No exam prep package can guarantee a passing score. This package is designed to help you study with organized course support, rental references, and open-book preparation tools.