Mississippi Building Construction Contractor Exam Prep - Live Virtual + Self Study Training

Prepare for the Mississippi Building Construction Contractor examination with a combination of live virtual training and structured self-study designed around the technical references used for the state-specific exam. This exam-prep program is built for contractors and qualifying parties who want organized guidance across building codes, plan reading, estimating, site work, concrete, masonry, structural metals, carpentry, roofing, excavation, construction safety, and Mississippi-specific underground utility requirements.

The Mississippi Building Construction classification covers commercial, residential, and industrial structures. Exam preparation requires candidates to move between multiple technical subjects and multiple reference books, making organization and book familiarity especially important.

This training combines live virtual instruction with self-study preparation. The live component gives candidates structured instruction centered on the exam references, while self-study allows additional time to review construction subjects, practice locating information, reinforce calculations, and become more comfortable navigating the books used for the examination.

The Mississippi Building Construction state-specific examination is administered by PSI as part of the licensing process overseen by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Applicants must submit their contractor application and receive testing eligibility before scheduling the examination.

The current state-specific Building Construction examination contains 80 questions. Candidates are allowed 3 hours to complete the test and must earn a minimum score of 70% to pass.

The examination is open book. Candidates may use permitted reference materials that comply with PSI testing-center rules. Open-book testing makes reference navigation an important part of preparation because the complete reference set covers thousands of pages of construction codes, safety regulations, tables, technical procedures, and trade information.

The training is organized around the Mississippi Building Construction reference list, including the 2021 International Building Code, 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA regulations, concrete, masonry, reinforcing steel, roofing, carpentry, structural steel joist, excavation, post-tensioning, Mississippi utility-protection, and contractor business-law references.

Live Class Schedule

The live training schedule is organized around the books and technical references used on the exam. Click Here to View the Current Live Class Schedule

Exam Details

The Mississippi Building Construction state-specific examination contains 80 questions. Candidates receive 3 hours to complete the test and must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%.

The examination content outline includes:

• Site Work: 6 questions
• Concrete: 12 questions
• Masonry: 6 questions
• Metals: 10 questions
• Carpentry: 7 questions
• Thermal and Moisture Protection: 7 questions
• Doors and Windows: 3 questions
• Finishes: 3 questions
• Safety: 8 questions
• General Code, Plan Reading, and Estimating: 15 questions
• Mississippi One Call: 3 questions

General Code, Plan Reading, and Estimating is the largest category with 15 questions. Candidates should be comfortable reading construction plans, interpreting dimensions, using building-code tables, calculating quantities, and identifying code requirements associated with occupancy, construction type, fire protection, means of egress, accessibility, and general building construction.

Concrete accounts for 12 questions, while Metals accounts for 10. Safety contributes 8 questions. Carpentry and Thermal and Moisture Protection each contribute 7 questions, while Site Work and Masonry each contribute 6.

The examination also includes Doors and Windows, Finishes, and Mississippi One Call requirements. Candidates should prepare across the complete outline rather than concentrating on only one construction specialty.

Mississippi Building Construction applicants may choose between the Mississippi state-specific trade examination and the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors. These are separate examination paths with different structures and reference lists. This training is organized around the Mississippi state-specific Building Construction examination and the references listed on this page.

Open Book Test

The Mississippi Building Construction examination is an open-book test. Candidates may bring permitted reference materials into the testing center when those books comply with PSI testing rules.

Open-book testing does not eliminate the need for preparation. With a large technical reference set and a three-hour time limit, candidates should know which book is most likely to contain the answer before beginning a search.

References may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. Permanent tabs are permitted. Temporary tabs, removable notes, loose papers, and Post-it-style markers are not permitted. Candidates may not write in their reference books during the testing session.

Book-navigation practice should be part of the study process. For example, a code question involving occupancy, construction type, fire resistance, accessibility, or means of egress may require the 2021 International Building Code. A question involving fall protection, excavation, scaffolds, ladders, or personal protective equipment may require 29 CFR Part 1926.

Questions involving concrete, reinforcing steel, post-tensioning, masonry, roofing, carpentry, structural steel joists, or excavation may require separate technical references.

Timed practice can help candidates develop a repeatable search process: identify the subject, choose the most likely reference, use the index or table of contents, locate the relevant section, and verify the answer.

Licensing Steps

1. Select the Building Construction classification. Confirm that the classification matches the commercial, residential, or industrial building work the company intends to perform.
2. Complete the contractor application. Submit the required business and qualifying-party information to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
3. Identify the qualifying party. The application must identify the individual who will satisfy the applicable examination requirements.
4. Gather supporting documentation. Prepare the business, experience, financial, insurance, tax, reference, and qualifying-party information required for the application.
5. Submit the application for Board review. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors reviews the application before examination eligibility is issued.
6. Receive testing eligibility. Once approved to test, the qualifying party can proceed with PSI registration.
7. Schedule the required examinations. Follow PSI registration and testing instructions after eligibility is issued.
8. Prepare with live virtual and self-study training. Review the technical subjects and practice navigating the reference books used on the examination.
9. Complete the required examinations. Follow all PSI identification, calculator, security, and reference-material requirements.
10. Complete final licensing review. Passing the examination does not automatically issue a license. The Board must also approve the completed application and supporting requirements.

State Requirements

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors identifies Building Construction as a test-required major commercial classification.

The classification applies to building work involving commercial structures and single-dwelling or multiple-dwelling residential structures. The scope can include new construction, additions, alterations, conversions, expansions, reconstruction, renovations, and rehabilitation of existing structures.

Related work can include landscaping, earthwork, parking areas, driveways, sidewalks, and other improvements associated with building projects.

The contractor application must identify a qualifying party who satisfies the applicable examination requirement for the business. Applicants must also submit the business and licensing records required for their application type.

These requirements may include entity-registration documents, financial information, insurance records, tax information, experience history, professional references, and qualifying-party documentation.

The legal business name should be consistent across the contractor application and supporting records. Incomplete or inconsistent application information can interfere with testing eligibility or final license review.

Mississippi applicants must also complete the Law and Business Management examination unless an applicable approved exception changes that requirement. The Law and Business examination is separate from the technical Building Construction trade examination.

Reference Books

• NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Mississippi 6th Edition
  Supports preparation involving Mississippi contractor licensing, business organization, estimating, bidding, contracts, project management, financial practices, labor responsibilities, risk management, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• International Building Code, 2021
  Supports preparation involving occupancies, construction types, fire protection, means of egress, accessibility, materials, inspections, building systems, and general code requirements.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), with Latest Available Amendment
  Supports preparation involving construction safety, fall protection, excavation, scaffolds, ladders, personal protective equipment, electrical hazards, steel erection, tools, equipment, and material handling.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition
  Supports preparation involving unloading, storage, handling, erection, bridging, placement, and stability of steel joists and joist girders.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Supports preparation involving building layout, floors, walls, framing, roofs, stairs, finishes, tools, materials, and common carpentry practices.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  Supports study involving concrete materials, mixture proportioning, production, placement, curing, strength, durability, testing, and quality control.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Dave Roberts, 2011
  Supports preparation involving excavation, trenching, grading, soils, equipment, drainage, underground utilities, estimating, safety, and field-production practices.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Supports study involving roofing systems, materials, flashing, installation methods, estimating, quantities, and construction procedures.
• State of Mississippi Regulation of Excavation, Chapter 13 – Regulation of Excavations Near Underground Utility Facilities
  Supports preparation involving Mississippi excavation notification, utility-location, damage-prevention, and contractor responsibilities near underground facilities.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 2003
  Supports preparation involving post-tensioning materials, system components, field installation, stressing, safety, and inspection fundamentals.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 9th or 10th Edition
  Supports preparation involving masonry materials, mortar, brick, concrete block, stone, layout, bonding, walls, estimating, and construction practices.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices, 10th Edition
  Supports study involving reinforcing-bar placement, supports, splicing, detailing, handling, tolerances, and field procedures.

Test Information and Study Materials

A practical study plan should follow the official examination outline. Begin with General Code, Plan Reading, and Estimating, then move through concrete, metals, safety, carpentry, masonry, roofing, and site work.

Use the 2021 International Building Code regularly. Learn the organization of the chapters, definitions, tables, exceptions, and index. Practice locating occupancy classifications, construction types, fire-resistance requirements, means of egress, accessibility provisions, and other commonly tested building requirements.

Plan-reading practice should include dimensions, details, sections, schedules, elevations, and construction notes. Estimating should include areas, volumes, material quantities, concrete, masonry, carpentry, roofing, and other common building calculations.

Concrete preparation should connect mixture properties with reinforcing steel, placement, curing, testing, quality control, and post-tensioning. Candidates should understand concrete as a complete construction system rather than isolated material definitions.

Metals preparation should include structural steel joists, joist girders, handling, storage, erection, bridging, stability, and applicable OSHA safety requirements.

Masonry review should include brick, block, stone, mortar, layout, bonding, wall construction, material quantities, and common masonry methods.

Carpentry preparation should include framing, floors, walls, stairs, roof construction, sheathing, finishes, tools, and construction sequence.

Thermal and Moisture Protection preparation should include roofing, flashing, weather protection, and related building-envelope concepts.

Site Work should include excavation, grading, trenching, soil conditions, equipment, drainage, underground utilities, and jobsite production.

Mississippi One Call preparation should include the state-specific requirements for excavation near underground utility facilities and damage prevention.

Safety accounts for 8 questions. Review OSHA requirements involving fall protection, excavation, ladders, scaffolds, steel erection, personal protective equipment, tools, electrical hazards, and material handling.

Use practice questions as reference-navigation exercises. Identify the principal subject, choose the most likely book, locate the supporting section, and confirm the answer from the reference.

Live virtual training can help provide structure around these subjects, while self-study gives candidates additional opportunities to work through the books and practice locating information independently.

As the examination approaches, use mixed-topic practice rather than studying only one book at a time. The actual examination can move quickly from code to concrete, safety, masonry, roofing, estimating, metals, or excavation.

Open-book success depends on knowing where information is likely to be found. Familiarity with the reference set can reduce unnecessary searching and leave more time for reading the question carefully.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Mississippi Building Construction candidates through organized live virtual instruction, structured self-study, trade-focused review, reference navigation, practice-oriented preparation, and confidence-building study structure.

The training is designed around the books and technical subjects associated with the Mississippi state-specific Building Construction examination. Candidates can work through building code, concrete, metals, safety, carpentry, masonry, roofing, excavation, plan reading, estimating, and Mississippi-specific requirements in an organized sequence.

Because the exam is open book, reference navigation is a major part of preparation. Practice helps candidates become more familiar with indexes, tables of contents, technical tables, code chapters, definitions, diagrams, and subject-specific manuals.

Live virtual training gives candidates an organized environment for reviewing major examination topics, while self-study allows additional time to revisit difficult subjects and practice using the references independently.

The goal is to help candidates approach the Mississippi Building Construction Contractor examination with stronger technical knowledge, better reference-navigation skills, improved estimating ability, greater safety awareness, and a more organized study process without guaranteeing a passing score or contractor license.

How many questions are on the Mississippi Building Construction exam?

The Mississippi state-specific Building Construction examination contains 80 questions.

How much time is allowed for the exam?

Candidates receive 3 hours to complete the examination.

What score is required to pass?

The minimum passing score for the Mississippi state-specific Building Construction examination is 70%.

Is the Mississippi Building Construction exam open book?

Yes. The examination is open book, subject to PSI rules governing permitted references and testing-room materials.

Does this training include live virtual instruction?

Yes. This product combines live virtual training with self-study preparation organized around the Mississippi Building Construction examination references.

Where can I view the Live Class Schedule?

Click Here to View the Current Live Class Schedule.

Does the exam include plan reading and estimating?

Yes. General Code, Plan Reading, and Estimating is the largest category on the examination with 15 questions.

Does the exam cover concrete?

Yes. Concrete accounts for 12 questions.

Does the exam include structural metals?

Yes. Metals accounts for 10 questions, and the reference list includes material addressing steel joists and joist girders.

Does the examination include OSHA safety?

Yes. Safety accounts for 8 questions, and 29 CFR Part 1926 is included in the reference list.

Does the exam cover masonry and carpentry?

Yes. Masonry accounts for 6 questions and Carpentry accounts for 7 questions.

Does the exam cover Mississippi underground utility requirements?

Yes. Mississippi One Call accounts for 3 questions, and the reference list includes the State of Mississippi regulation governing excavation near underground utility facilities.

Do I also need to prepare for Mississippi Law and Business?

Mississippi contractor applicants must satisfy the applicable Law and Business Management examination requirement unless an approved exception applies.

Does passing the exam automatically issue a Mississippi contractor license?

No. Passing the examination is one part of the licensing process. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors must also approve the application and applicable supporting requirements.

Does this exam prep guarantee a passing score?

No. This training is designed to support organized preparation. Examination performance depends on each candidate's study, construction experience, reference-navigation skills, estimating ability, technical knowledge, and performance on test day.