Georgia Residential Light Commercial Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course

Georgia Residential Light Commercial Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course

If you’re applying for a Georgia Residential – Light Commercial Contractor license (Individual or Qualifying Agent), PSI’s Candidate Information Bulletin states you must pass two exams: the Residential – Light Commercial Contractor trade exam and the Georgia Business & Law exam. 

This online exam prep course is built to help you study with structure, strengthen your understanding of the PSI content outline, and practice the kind of decision-making the exam expects across code, trade knowledge, and safety.

Exam Details

• Trade exam: Georgia Residential – Light Commercial Contractor Exam (PSI) 
• Trade exam questions: 90 
• Trade exam time limit: 230 minutes 
• Trade exam passing score: 70% (63 correct) 
• Trade exam fee: $72
• Business & Law exam: Georgia Business & Law Exam (PSI) 
• Business & Law questions: 50
• Business & Law time limit: 120 minutes 
• Business & Law passing score: 70% (35 correct) 
• Business & Law exam fee: $60 

Residential – Light Commercial content outline (PSI): 

• Sitework, Footings and Foundation (8)
• Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement (8)
• Metals (5)
• Masonry (6)
• Carpentry (16)
• Roofing (10)
• General Code and Construction Knowledge (20)
• Associated Trades (10)
• OSHA Safety (7)

Open Book Test

PSI states the Georgia Residential – Light Commercial trade exam is an OPEN BOOK exam and allows a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator in the examination center. 

PSI also states reference materials may be highlighted, underlined, and/or indexed, but must be otherwise unmarked (not written in) and may not contain additional papers (loose or attached). PSI also states references may be tabbed/indexed with permanent tabs only; temporary tabs (such as Post-It notes) are not allowed and must be removed before the exam begins. 

PSI states the Georgia Business & Law exam is also OPEN BOOK and follows the same reference-handling rules (highlighting/underlining/indexing allowed; permanent tabs only; no loose papers). 

Licensing Steps

1. Apply for the correct license type: Residential – Light Commercial (Individual or Qualifying Agent). PSI states eligibility to test is determined by the Board. 
2. Receive exam approval: PSI states you are eligible to take the examination(s) for 1 year from the date of your exam approval letter.
3. Schedule with PSI: After approval, register and schedule both exams with PSI (Trade + Business & Law). 
4. Pass both exams within the eligibility period: PSI states you must pass both exams within the 1-year eligibility period. 
5. Know your attempt rules: PSI explains attempt/retake limits and waiting periods if you do not pass within the allowed attempts. 

State Requirements

Georgia contractor licensing for this path is regulated by the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors (Georgia Secretary of State). Use the Board’s guidance for application status, exam registration information, and licensing questions tied to your application type.

Reference Books

Residential – Light Commercial Contractor Exam (PSI) reference list: PSI states the following references are allowed in the examination center for this open-book exam. 

• International Building Code, 2018
  Code reference used for building/code questions for Light Commercial.
• International Residential Code, 2018
  Residential code reference used for core residential code requirements.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), with latest available amendments
  OSHA construction safety standards used for the OSHA Safety section.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2010 or 2016 (Student Edition)
  Carpentry and construction fundamentals used for framing and trade knowledge topics.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2018 (Updated March 2020)
  Truss handling/bracing best practices tied to roof/structural safety and installation topics.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 2005, 3rd Edition
  Concrete quality and placement guidance supporting concrete/reinforcement questions.
• Georgia Accessibility Code, latest edition
  Accessibility requirements referenced for code and compliance topics.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 8th Edition (2015)
  Masonry reference for brick/block/stone materials and installation concepts.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Dave Roberts, 2011
  Sitework and excavation fundamentals supporting sitework/associated trades.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition (2014)
  Drywall/gypsum systems reference supporting associated trades and construction knowledge.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition (2008)
  Steel joist/joist girder handling and erection guidance supporting metals/structural topics.
• SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck, 2006
  Steel deck construction reference supporting metals and structural construction knowledge.
• International Energy Conservation Code, 2015
  Energy conservation requirements supporting code and construction knowledge questions.
• Georgia State Amendments to the State Minimum Standard Codes
  Georgia amendments that modify adopted codes for state-specific requirements.

Georgia Business & Law Exam (PSI) reference list: 

• 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 Georgia Business & Law exam.

Test Information and Study Materials

• Open-book success is navigation: PSI allows approved references in the room, but your time is limited—build “find-and-confirm” speed with the index and table of contents. 
• Keep your books exam-compliant: PSI prohibits loose/attached papers and writing in the books; permanent tabs only.
• Plan for two exams: PSI requires passing both the Light Commercial trade exam and Business & Law for this license.
• Calculator rule: PSI permits a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator. 

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Georgia Residential – Light Commercial candidates prepare with a practical, organized approach—so you can study more efficiently and feel more confident on test day.

• Outline-aligned study structure: Focus your time across the same subject areas PSI lists, helping you avoid gaps.
• Practice-oriented preparation: Build comfort with exam-style questions that require applying code and construction concepts under time pressure.
• Reference navigation habits: Improve your pacing with planned lookups, clean organization, and exam-compliant tabbing strategy.
• Confidence-building routine: A clear plan helps reduce overwhelm and supports steady progress toward scheduling and exam day.

FAQ

What exams are required for a Georgia Residential – Light Commercial Contractor license?

PSI states all candidates must pass the Residential – Light Commercial Contractor trade exam and the Georgia Business & Law exam.

How many questions are on the Residential – Light Commercial exam?

PSI lists 90 questions for the Residential – Light Commercial trade exam. 

How long do I have to complete the Residential – Light Commercial exam?

PSI lists a time allowance of 230 minutes. 

Is the Georgia Residential – Light Commercial exam open book?

Yes. PSI states the Residential – Light Commercial exam is OPEN BOOK and lists the allowed references for the examination center. 

Can I highlight and tab my books?

PSI states references may be highlighted, underlined, and/or indexed, but must be otherwise unmarked and may not contain additional papers. PSI also states references may be tabbed/indexed with permanent tabs only; temporary tabs must be removed before the exam begins.

Do I need to pass Business & Law too?

Yes. PSI states the Business & Law exam is required along with the Light Commercial trade exam for this license path.

What is the exam fee?

PSI’s bulletin lists the trade exam fee as $72 and the Business & Law exam fee as $60.