Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course

Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course

If you’re applying for a Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor license (Individual or Qualifying Agent), you must pass the Residential-Basic Contractor trade exam and the Georgia Business & Law exam. This online exam prep course is built to help you study with structure, strengthen core construction knowledge, and practice the same subject areas listed in PSI’s candidate bulletin—so you can prepare with clarity and confidence.

Because Georgia’s Residential-Basic exam is open-book, strong preparation is a combination of understanding the concepts and learning to navigate your approved references efficiently under a timed exam.

Exam Details

• Testing provider: PSI
• Required exams for Residential-Basic licensure: Residential-Basic Contractor Exam + Georgia Business & Law Exam
• Residential-Basic Contractor Exam: 80 questions
• Time allowed (Residential-Basic): 200 minutes
• Minimum passing score (Residential-Basic): 70% (56 correct)
• Exam fee (Residential-Basic Individual): $72
• Exam fee (Residential-Basic Qualifying Agent): $72
• Georgia Business & Law Exam: 50 questions
• Time allowed (Business & Law): 120 minutes
• Minimum passing score (Business & Law): 70% (35 correct)
• Exam fee (Business & Law): $60

Residential-Basic content outline (PSI):

• Sitework, Footings and Foundation (8)
• Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement (8)
• Masonry (5)
• Carpentry (16)
• Roofing (8)
• General Code and Construction Knowledge (18)
• Associated Trades (10)
• OSHA Safety (7)

Open Book Test

The Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor Exam is an OPEN BOOK exam. PSI states candidates may use a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator in the examination center.

Reference rules (PSI): Approved reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and/or indexed, but they must be otherwise unmarked (not written in) and may not contain additional papers (loose or attached). PSI also states the references are not available in the examination center.

Tabs rule (PSI): References may be tabbed/indexed with permanent tabs only. Temporary tabs (such as Post-It notes) are not allowed and must be removed from the reference before the exam will begin.

Licensing Steps

1. Complete the correct application: PSI’s bulletin directs candidates to print and complete the appropriate application through the Board’s site and submit it to the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.
2. Receive approval to test: PSI states that if your completed application is approved, you will be notified how to contact PSI for registration.
3. Schedule your exams with PSI: Register for the Residential-Basic Contractor Exam and the Georgia Business & Law Exam.
4. Pass both exams within your eligibility period: PSI states you are eligible to take the examination(s) for 1 year from the date of your exam approval letter and must pass both the Business & Law and the trade exam within that 1-year period.
5. Understand attempts and retakes: PSI states that on your first exam approval you are given 2 attempts to pass both exams within the 1-year eligibility period. If you fail either exam twice, PSI states you must wait at least 1 year after taking the last exam before taking it a third or subsequent time. PSI also states that after failing either exam during your first eligibility period, you will be given only 1 attempt on your next exam approval eligibility period.

State Requirements

Georgia contractor licensing is regulated by the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, and examinations are administered by PSI. Eligibility for examination is determined by the Board, and your exam results are forwarded to the Board for processing.

Reference Books

PSI lists the following references as allowed in the examination center for the Residential-Basic Contractor Exam (open-book):

• International Residential Code, 2018
  Primary residential code reference used for code and construction knowledge questions.
• Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), with latest available amendments
  Construction safety standards used for OSHA and jobsite safety questions.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2010 or 2016 (Student Edition)
  Carpentry and construction fundamentals used for framing and core building knowledge.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2018 (Updated March 2020)
  Truss handling and bracing best practices used for roof/structural safety concepts.
• The Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 2005, 3rd Edition
  Concrete fundamentals used for concrete and reinforcement topic areas.
• Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, 8th Edition (2015)
  Masonry reference used for brick/block/stone knowledge.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting, 2011
  Excavation and piping fundamentals often tied to sitework and associated trades.
• International Energy Conservation Code, 2015
  Energy conservation concepts used for code-related questions.
• Georgia State Amendments to the State Minimum Standard Codes
  Georgia amendments reference used for state-specific code differences.

PSI lists the following reference as allowed in the examination center for the Georgia Business & Law Exam (also open-book):

• Georgia-NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, 3rd Edition
  Business, law, and project management reference used for the Business & Law examination.

Test Information and Study Materials

• Open-book doesn’t mean “lookup everything”: Train your pace by practicing “find-and-confirm” lookups using the index and table of contents.
• Build a clean, compliant book setup: PSI allows highlighting/underlining/indexing and permanent tabs, but prohibits writing in books and prohibits loose or attached papers.
• Study by the PSI outline: Organize your prep around the eight Residential-Basic content areas so nothing gets skipped.
• Don’t ignore safety: OSHA Safety is a separate scored area—prepare for jobsite safety concepts and standards.
• Plan for two exams: Residential-Basic candidates must also pass Business & Law, so build a study schedule that covers both within your eligibility window.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Georgia contractor candidates prepare with a structured, practice-oriented approach that supports both knowledge-building and exam-day readiness. Our course is designed to keep your study organized, reinforce trade-focused concepts, and build confidence with the open-book process—without relying on guesswork.

• Outline-aligned study structure: Focus your time on the same topic areas PSI lists for the Residential-Basic exam.
• Practice-oriented preparation: Reinforce key concepts through repetition and application so you’re training for question-style thinking, not just reading.
• Reference navigation habits: Build faster lookups with index practice, consistent organization, and compliant tabbing strategies.
• Confidence-building routine: A clear plan helps reduce overwhelm and supports steady progress toward scheduling and test day.

FAQ

Do I have to pass Business & Law for a Georgia Residential-Basic license?

Yes. PSI states that for licensure in Georgia as a Residential-Basic Contractor (Individual or Qualifying Agent), all candidates must pass the Residential-Basic Contractor Exam and the Georgia Business & Law Exam.

How many questions are on the Georgia Residential-Basic exam?

PSI lists 80 questions for the Residential-Basic Contractor Exam.

How long do I have to complete the Residential-Basic exam?

PSI lists a time allowance of 200 minutes.

Is the Georgia Residential-Basic exam open book?

Yes. PSI states the Residential-Basic Contractor Exam is OPEN BOOK and lists the allowed references for the examination center.

Can I highlight and tab my books for the exam?

PSI states reference material may be highlighted, underlined, and/or indexed, but must be otherwise unmarked (not written in) and may not contain additional papers. PSI also states references may be tabbed/indexed with permanent tabs only, and temporary tabs must be removed before the exam will begin.

How long is my exam approval valid?

PSI states you are eligible to take the examination(s) for 1 year from the date of your exam approval letter, and you must pass both the Business & Law and trade exam within that 1-year eligibility period.

What are the exam fees for Residential-Basic and Business & Law?

PSI lists the Residential-Basic exam fee as $72 (Individual or Qualifying Agent) and the Business & Law exam fee as $60.