Mississippi Building Construction Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course

Prepare for the Mississippi Building Construction Contractor examination with a self-paced online course designed around the trade subjects and reference materials associated with the state-specific exam. The course provides 3 months of online access, allowing candidates to review technical topics, practice reference navigation, and build a structured study routine from any location with internet access.

The Mississippi Building Construction examination covers a broad range of commercial, residential, and industrial construction knowledge. Candidates may encounter questions involving building codes, site work, concrete, masonry, structural metals, carpentry, roofing, moisture protection, safety, plan reading, estimating, excavation, and underground utility requirements. Preparing for this range of material requires an organized plan and familiarity with several technical references.

This self-paced online course helps candidates divide the exam content into manageable study areas. Students can work through the material according to their schedules during the three-month access period, spend additional time on difficult subjects, and return to key topics as needed. The course is designed to support experienced construction professionals preparing for the licensing examination; it does not teach the complete building construction trade or replace practical field experience.

Open-book exam preparation involves more than memorizing definitions or practice-question answers. Candidates must learn how the reference books are organized, recognize which publication is most likely to contain an answer, and locate the applicable code section, table, construction procedure, or technical explanation efficiently. The course supports this process through trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, and reference-navigation guidance.

This course includes 3 months of self-paced online access. Physical books, highlighted books, tabbed books, application service, business formation, and licensing services are not identified as included with this course. Candidates should obtain the applicable references separately and use them throughout their preparation.

Exam Details

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

The examination contains 80 questions. Candidates are allowed 3 hours to complete the test and must earn a score of at least 70 percent to pass.

The examination content is divided among the following subject areas:

• 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 represent the largest portion of the exam. Candidates should be prepared to interpret construction requirements, dimensions, quantities, plans, material information, and common project conditions. The 2021 International Building Code supports preparation for occupancy classifications, construction types, fire protection, means of egress, accessibility, materials, and other general building requirements.

Concrete, metals, safety, carpentry, masonry, roofing, and site work also represent substantial areas of preparation. Candidates should understand how the listed references connect to these subjects and practice selecting the appropriate book for different question types.

Mississippi contractor applicants must also complete the Mississippi Law and Business Management examination unless an applicable licensing exception changes that requirement. The included course reference list contains the NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Mississippi, 6th Edition, which supports preparation for contractor business and law topics.

Open Book Test

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

An open-book format does not eliminate the need for detailed preparation. The Building Construction references contain thousands of pages of code provisions, safety regulations, construction procedures, diagrams, tables, calculations, and technical explanations. Candidates who are unfamiliar with the books may lose valuable time searching through unrelated sections.

References may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. Permanent tabs may be used to identify major chapters and technical subjects. Temporary tabs, removable notes, loose papers, and Post-it-style markers are not permitted. Candidates may not write in their references during the testing session.

The online course helps students approach reference navigation as a repeatable process. Begin by identifying the primary subject of the question. Select the book most likely to cover that subject. Use the table of contents, index, permanent tabs, chapter headings, code sections, or technical tables to locate the supporting material.

For example, a question involving occupancy, fire resistance, construction type, accessibility, or means of egress may require the International Building Code. A question about fall protection, scaffolding, excavation safety, or personal protective equipment may involve 29 CFR Part 1926. Concrete, masonry, roofing, reinforcing steel, carpentry, and structural-steel questions may require separate trade references.

Students should practice with the applicable books throughout the three-month course-access period. Repeated use can help candidates become more familiar with the location of important information and develop a more efficient approach to the timed examination.

Licensing Steps

The Mississippi contractor licensing process begins with an application to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Candidates cannot schedule the required examinations until the Board receives the application, reviews the submission, and sends the qualifying party’s eligibility information to PSI.

1. Select the Building Construction classification. Confirm that the classification matches the commercial, residential, or industrial building work the applicant intends to perform.
2. Complete the contractor application. Provide the requested information about the applicant, business structure, ownership, qualifying party, experience, finances, insurance, taxes, and references.
3. Identify the qualifying party. Name the individual who will satisfy the applicable examination requirements on behalf of the business.
4. Gather the supporting documents. Prepare the records required for the applicant’s business structure, classification, and licensing circumstances.
5. Submit the application to the Board. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors reviews the application and notifies the applicant when information is missing or incomplete.
6. Receive testing eligibility. After the qualifying party is approved to test, the Board sends eligibility information to PSI.
7. Schedule the required examinations. Follow the instructions provided by PSI after receiving confirmation of eligibility.
8. Prepare with the online course and references. Use the three-month access period to review trade subjects, study business and law topics, and practice reference navigation.
9. Complete the examinations. Follow PSI’s identification, security, reference-material, and testing-center requirements.
10. Complete final Board review. Passing the examinations does not automatically issue a license. The application and supporting documentation must also be complete and approved.

This online course does not include application service. Applicants remain responsible for completing the official forms, supplying accurate information, submitting supporting documents, and responding to requests from the licensing authority.

State Requirements

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors regulates contractor licensing in the state. Building Construction is a major commercial classification associated with commercial, residential, and industrial structures.

The classification can include new construction, additions, alterations, conversions, expansions, reconstruction, renovations, rehabilitation, and related improvements. Applicants should select a classification that accurately reflects the construction work their business intends to offer and perform.

The application must identify a qualifying party who satisfies the applicable examination requirement for the applicant. The qualifying party must maintain the relationship with the business required by the Board and provide the requested supporting information.

Applicants must submit the records required for their license type and business structure. These may involve entity information, financial documentation, insurance records, tax identification, construction experience, professional references, and qualifying-party documentation.

Business names and identifying information should remain consistent throughout the application. The name used on the contractor application should correspond with the applicant’s entity records, insurance documentation, financial information, and tax records.

Passing the Building Construction examination is only one part of the licensing process. Applicants must also satisfy the Mississippi Law and Business Management examination requirement unless an approved exception applies. The Board must receive and approve a complete application before issuing the license.

Reference Books

The course preparation is organized around the following Mississippi Building Construction and Law and Business references. Physical books are not identified as included with the online course and should be obtained separately.

• NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Mississippi, 6th Edition
  Covers Mississippi contractor licensing, business organization, estimating, bidding, contracts, financial management, project administration, employment responsibilities, risk management, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• International Building Code, 2021
  Provides requirements for occupancy classifications, construction types, building heights and areas, fire protection, means of egress, accessibility, materials, inspections, and general building construction.
• Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), with Latest Available Amendment
  Contains federal construction-safety regulations addressing fall protection, excavation, ladders, scaffolds, 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
  Addresses unloading, storage, handling, placement, bridging, erection procedures, and stability considerations for steel joists and joist girders.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Covers construction layout, floors, walls, framing, roofs, stairs, exterior finishes, interior construction, tools, materials, and common carpentry practices.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  Explains concrete materials, mixture proportioning, production, placement, curing, testing, strength, durability, and quality-control practices.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Dave Roberts, 2011
  Covers excavation methods, trenching, grading, soil conditions, equipment, estimating, drainage, pipe installation, safety, and field-production practices.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Provides information on roofing systems, materials, flashing, installation methods, measurements, quantities, labor, estimating, and construction procedures.
• State of Mississippi Regulation of Excavation, Chapter 13 – Regulation of Excavations Near Underground Utility Facilities
  Addresses Mississippi notification, excavation, and damage-prevention responsibilities for work performed near underground utility facilities.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning – Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 2003
  Introduces post-tensioning materials, system components, installation practices, tendon placement, stressing procedures, safety considerations, and field-inspection fundamentals.
• Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 9th or 10th Edition
  Covers masonry materials, tools, mortar, brick, concrete block, stone, layout, bonding, walls, arches, estimating, and construction practices.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices, 10th Edition
  Provides guidance on reinforcing-bar placement, supports, splicing, detailing, handling, tolerances, and recommended field procedures.

Test Information and Study Materials

A productive preparation plan should follow the exam outline and combine technical review with active reference practice. Begin with general code, plan reading, and estimating because this is the largest exam category. Continue with concrete, metals, safety, carpentry, masonry, roofing, and site work.

Use the International Building Code regularly. Become familiar with its definitions, chapter organization, tables, exceptions, occupancy classifications, construction types, fire-resistance requirements, means of egress, and accessibility provisions. Read the complete applicable section rather than relying on one isolated sentence.

Concrete preparation should connect mixture design, reinforcing-bar placement, post-tensioning, curing, strength, testing, and jobsite safety. Masonry review should include materials, mortar, brick, block, stone, layout, bonding patterns, wall construction, and estimating.

Carpentry and roofing preparation should address framing, floors, walls, stairs, roof systems, flashing, moisture protection, materials, quantities, and installation methods. Metals preparation should include steel joists, joist girders, bridging, handling, erection, stability, and OSHA requirements.

Site-work preparation should cover excavation, grading, trenching, drainage, soil conditions, equipment, underground utility notification, and damage prevention. Students should connect Mississippi excavation regulations with related material in the OSHA and excavation references.

Timed practice can help candidates measure progress. Select a group of questions, identify the correct reference for each one, and locate the supporting information within a fixed period. Record searches that take too long and repeat them until the appropriate book and section become easier to recognize.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Mississippi Building Construction candidates organize a broad examination outline into a practical three-month study plan. The self-paced format allows students to work around professional and personal schedules while maintaining access to the online course material throughout the access period.

Trade-focused review connects building codes with concrete, masonry, carpentry, roofing, structural metals, excavation, safety, plan reading, and estimating. This approach helps candidates understand how the subjects overlap and which references are most useful for different question types.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages active use of the books. Candidates can work on keyword recognition, index searches, code navigation, technical tables, and timed reference exercises instead of relying only on passive reading.

The course also supports confidence-building study structure. Candidates can divide the material into manageable sections, identify weaker subjects, revisit difficult concepts, and gradually progress to mixed-topic practice that requires switching between several references.

1 Exam Prep does not guarantee a passing score, licensing approval, or examination outcome. The course provides organized study guidance and reference-navigation support, while each candidate remains responsible for obtaining the books, completing the preparation, submitting the licensing application, and meeting state requirements.

How long is course access?

The course includes 3 months of online access.

Is the course self-paced?

Yes. The online course is self-paced, allowing candidates to review the material according to their schedules during the three-month access period.

Are physical reference books included?

No physical books are identified as included with this course. Candidates should obtain the applicable reference books separately and use them during study and reference-navigation practice.

Is the Mississippi Building Construction exam open book?

Yes. The state-specific Building Construction examination is open book, subject to PSI’s current rules for permitted references, permanent tabs, markings, and examination-room materials.

How many questions are on the examination?

The Mississippi Building Construction examination contains 80 questions. Candidates are allowed three hours and must earn at least 70 percent to pass.

Does the course cover Mississippi Law and Business preparation?

The course reference list includes the NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Mississippi, 6th Edition, supporting preparation for contractor business and law subjects.

Does the course include application service?

No application service is identified as included. Applicants remain responsible for completing the official contractor application and submitting the required supporting documents.

Does the course teach the complete construction trade?

No. The course is designed for exam preparation and does not replace construction education, technical training, or practical field experience.

Does passing the examination automatically issue a license?

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

Does the course guarantee a passing score?

No. Examination performance depends on the candidate’s experience, preparation, understanding of the references, study habits, and performance on test day.