Georgia Residential Light Commercial Contractor Book Package

Prepare for the Georgia Residential–Light Commercial Contractor examination with a comprehensive collection of construction codes, safety regulations, trade references, and technical manuals used to study the major subjects covered by the licensing exam. The Georgia Residential Light Commercial Contractor Book Package brings together the reference materials candidates need to build familiarity with residential construction, light commercial construction, carpentry, concrete, masonry, excavation, steel construction, energy requirements, OSHA safety, and applicable building codes.

The Georgia Residential–Light Commercial Contractor exam covers a wide range of construction knowledge, which means candidates may need to work across several different books during their preparation. One question may involve residential framing, while another may require information related to commercial building codes, masonry construction, steel decking, OSHA regulations, concrete practices, excavation, trusses, or energy conservation. Having the appropriate reference library available during your study period allows you to practice locating information in the same types of materials used for the examination.

This book package is designed for candidates who want the required construction references in one organized package rather than purchasing each title individually. It provides a strong foundation for independent study, online exam preparation, practice questions, and repeated reference-navigation exercises.

Because the Residential–Light Commercial examination is open book, becoming familiar with your reference materials before test day is an important part of preparation. Simply having a book available does not automatically make an answer easy to find. Candidates benefit from knowing what each reference covers, how its chapters and indexes are structured, and which book is most likely to contain the information needed for a particular question.

Studying with the complete book package allows you to develop those skills over time. As you work through practice questions, you can identify the subject being tested, select the appropriate reference, locate the relevant chapter or section, and confirm the answer. Repeating this process helps turn a large collection of technical references into a practical exam-preparation system.

Exam Details

The Georgia Residential–Light Commercial Contractor trade examination contains 90 questions. Candidates are allowed 230 minutes to complete the examination. A score of 70 percent, or 63 correct answers, is required to pass.

The examination evaluates knowledge associated with residential and light commercial contracting, including practical construction knowledge, building codes, plans and specifications, construction practices, and other subjects relevant to the work performed by a Residential–Light Commercial contractor.

The trade examination covers several major areas of construction knowledge, including:

• Sitework, footings, and foundations
• Concrete and concrete reinforcement
• Metals
• Masonry
• Carpentry
• Roofing
• General code and construction knowledge
• Associated trades
• OSHA safety

The range of subjects helps explain why the reference library includes both broad code books and specialized trade publications. The International Building Code and International Residential Code provide core code information, while other references address specific areas such as concrete, masonry, trusses, excavation, gypsum construction, steel joists, steel decking, energy conservation, and workplace safety.

Candidates pursuing Georgia Residential–Light Commercial licensure by examination must also satisfy the applicable Georgia Business & Law examination requirement. The trade examination and Business & Law examination address different areas of contractor knowledge and should be prepared for accordingly.

Open Book Test

The Georgia Residential–Light Commercial Contractor trade examination is an open book test. Approved reference materials may be used during the examination subject to the testing provider's rules.

Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. They must otherwise remain unmarked and may not contain additional loose or attached papers. References may be indexed with permanent tabs. Temporary tabs, including removable Post-It-style tabs, are not permitted and must be removed before the examination begins.

The testing center does not provide the references for candidates. This makes it important to obtain the necessary books in advance and practice using them before test day.

For an open-book contractor examination, reference-navigation ability can be just as important as remembering construction concepts. Searching through hundreds of pages without a clear strategy can consume valuable examination time. Candidates should practice using tables of contents, indexes, chapter headings, code sections, definitions, tables, illustrations, and subject-specific references.

A useful study method is to begin each practice question by identifying the subject. Once you know whether the question concerns OSHA, concrete, masonry, residential code, commercial code, carpentry, excavation, trusses, gypsum, steel, or energy requirements, you can select the most appropriate book before starting the lookup.

Licensing Steps

The Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors regulates Residential–Light Commercial contractor licensure. Candidates applying by examination must complete the state licensing process in addition to preparing for and passing the applicable examinations.

1. Determine the appropriate license structure. Georgia provides licensing paths for individuals operating under their personal name or sole proprietorship as well as qualifying agents associated with business organizations.
2. Complete the appropriate application. Applicants must submit the required Georgia Residential–Light Commercial application and supporting documentation.
3. Document education and construction experience. Georgia provides qualifying pathways based on construction-related education, practical experience, or an acceptable combination of education and experience.
4. Document qualifying projects. Residential–Light Commercial applicants must provide qualifying project information and applicable project reference documentation.
5. Meet financial responsibility requirements. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility using one of the methods accepted by the Board.
6. Provide insurance documentation. General liability insurance is required, and workers' compensation insurance must be provided when applicable under Georgia law.
7. Receive authorization to take the examination. After the Board approves a candidate to sit for the exam, an examination approval letter provides registration instructions for PSI. Georgia states that examination approval letters are valid for one year.
8. Complete the required examinations. Candidates seeking Residential–Light Commercial licensure by examination must satisfy the applicable trade and Business & Law examination requirements.
9. Complete all remaining licensing requirements. Passing the examination is one component of the overall licensing process and does not by itself create a contractor license.

State Requirements

Georgia establishes specific qualification requirements for Residential–Light Commercial contractor applicants. Candidates may qualify through a combination of formal education and practical construction experience or through qualifying practical experience alone, depending on their background.

One recognized pathway includes a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in engineering, architecture, construction management, building construction, or another field acceptable to the Residential Division, together with at least one year of proven qualifying experience. Georgia also recognizes an acceptable combination of college-level academic credits and proven construction experience totaling at least four years in the aggregate.

Applicants must also demonstrate appropriate project experience and responsibility. The Georgia application process requires documentation associated with qualifying projects, employment history, and project references.

Residential–Light Commercial contractor applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility. Georgia identifies a minimum net worth of $25,000 as one method of satisfying this requirement. Other accepted methods include specified credit documentation, surety bonds, lines of credit, or letters of credit meeting the state's requirements.

Applicants must provide proof of general liability insurance in a minimum amount of $500,000 per occurrence. Workers' compensation insurance is also required when applicable under Georgia law.

After licensing, Residential–Light Commercial contractors are subject to continuing education requirements. Georgia requires six hours of acceptable continuing education each year for Residential–Light Commercial contractors. Continuing education compliance is a condition of license renewal.

Reference Books

The Georgia Residential Light Commercial Contractor Book Package includes the following construction and code references:

• International Building Code, 2018
  A major code reference for commercial and light commercial construction covering subjects such as occupancy, construction types, means of egress, structural requirements, fire and life safety, and general building-code provisions.
• International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018
  A primary residential code reference covering building planning, foundations, framing, roofing, structural provisions, and other requirements for one- and two-family residential construction.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  The federal construction safety regulations addressing workplace safety topics such as fall protection, scaffolding, excavation, personal protective equipment, ladders, construction operations, and related OSHA requirements.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  A practical construction reference covering carpentry methods, framing, building materials, layout, construction techniques, and other topics relevant to residential and light commercial construction.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  A specialized technical reference covering good practices for handling, installing, restraining, and bracing metal plate connected wood trusses.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  A concrete construction resource addressing concrete materials, reinforcement, placement, finishing, curing, quality practices, and field construction procedures.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  A masonry reference covering brick, concrete masonry units, stone, mortar, tools, layout, construction techniques, and practical masonry methods.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  A construction reference addressing excavation, trenching, grading, piping, equipment, site preparation, underground work, and related sitework practices.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
  A technical resource covering gypsum products, wall and ceiling systems, assemblies, installation practices, finishing techniques, and common gypsum construction applications.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
  A specialized reference addressing proper handling, erection, installation, and stability considerations for steel joists and joist girders.
• SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  A technical construction resource addressing practices associated with steel floor deck and roof deck installation and construction.
• International Energy Conservation Code, 2015
  A code reference addressing building energy-efficiency requirements, including provisions associated with the building envelope and other energy-conservation measures.

Learning the role of each book can reduce unnecessary searching during practice and on exam day. For example, an OSHA safety question should point you toward 29 CFR Part 1926, while a residential framing question may require the International Residential Code or the carpentry reference. Concrete, masonry, steel, excavation, gypsum, trusses, and energy-code questions may each require a different specialized source.

Test Information and Study Materials

A complete book package gives candidates the opportunity to prepare with the actual references throughout the study process. This is especially important for an open-book examination because speed comes from familiarity. Candidates who regularly practice with their books can become more comfortable recognizing chapter structures, terminology, indexes, tables, and technical diagrams.

Begin by learning which subjects belong in which reference. You do not need to memorize every page. Instead, develop a mental map of the library. Know which book covers residential codes, which covers broader commercial building requirements, which is dedicated to OSHA, and which references address individual trades.

Next, practice lookups using construction questions. Identify the key term in the question and use the index or table of contents to narrow the search. Once you locate a relevant section, read surrounding provisions carefully. Code questions can involve exceptions, definitions, table notes, limitations, or related sections that affect the correct answer.

Timed practice can also help candidates build a realistic exam strategy. With 90 questions and 230 minutes available, some questions will need to be answered more quickly than others. Questions that require detailed reference searches may take longer, while familiar trade concepts may be answered with less lookup time.

Organizing your preparation by exam subject can make a large library easier to manage. Spend dedicated study sessions on foundations and sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, roofing, general code knowledge, associated trades, and OSHA safety. Combine subject review with reference-navigation exercises so that content knowledge and book familiarity develop together.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Georgia contractor candidates with organized preparation focused on the knowledge and reference-navigation skills needed for an open-book licensing examination. A large collection of construction references can feel difficult to manage at first, but a structured study approach helps break the material into practical subjects and manageable study sessions.

Using the Georgia Residential Light Commercial Contractor Book Package alongside exam preparation allows students to practice with the codes and technical references associated with the trade exam. Instead of relying only on memorization, candidates can develop the ability to identify where information is located and retrieve it efficiently.

Trade-focused review can help reinforce construction knowledge in carpentry, concrete, masonry, foundations, roofing, metals, sitework, associated trades, and safety. Reference-navigation practice helps students become more comfortable with indexes, code sections, definitions, tables, technical manuals, and specialized construction publications.

1 Exam Prep emphasizes practical preparation, organized study guidance, repetition, and confidence-building study structure. The goal is to help candidates become more familiar with both the construction concepts and the reference materials they will encounter while preparing for the Georgia Residential–Light Commercial Contractor examination.

Is the Georgia Residential Light Commercial Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The Georgia Residential–Light Commercial Contractor trade examination is open book. Candidates may use approved reference materials in accordance with the testing provider's examination rules.

How many questions are on the Georgia Residential Light Commercial Contractor exam?

The trade examination contains 90 questions.

How much time is allowed for the exam?

Candidates are allowed 230 minutes to complete the Residential–Light Commercial Contractor trade examination.

What score is required to pass?

A minimum score of 70 percent, or 63 correct answers, is required to pass the trade examination.

Are the books provided at the testing center?

No. The testing provider states that the examination references are not provided at the examination center. Candidates should obtain the appropriate references and prepare with them before test day.

Can the books be highlighted and tabbed?

Reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed under the examination rules. Permanent tabs may be used. Temporary tabs such as removable Post-It notes are not permitted. References must otherwise remain unmarked and may not contain additional loose or attached papers.

Why should I study with the books before the examination?

An open-book examination still requires efficient reference navigation. Studying with the books beforehand helps you learn which reference applies to each subject and where important chapters, tables, definitions, and code provisions are located.

Does this package include references for OSHA safety?

Yes. The package includes Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926, which contains federal OSHA construction safety regulations.

Does Georgia require a Business & Law exam?

Yes. Candidates pursuing Georgia Residential–Light Commercial licensure by examination must satisfy both the Residential–Light Commercial Contractor trade examination and the applicable Business & Law examination requirement.

Does purchasing the book package qualify me for a Georgia contractor license?

No. The book package is intended for exam preparation. Applicants must independently satisfy Georgia's application, education, experience, project, financial responsibility, insurance, examination, and other applicable licensing requirements.

Who should use the Georgia Residential Light Commercial Contractor Book Package?

This package is designed for candidates preparing for the Georgia Residential–Light Commercial Contractor examination who want a complete collection of relevant construction references for study, practice questions, code research, and open-book reference-navigation preparation.