Mississippi Carpentry Contractor Exam Prep - Live Virtual + Self Study Training

Prepare for the Mississippi Carpentry Contractor examination with a combination of live virtual training and structured self-study designed around the technical references used for the state trade exam. This exam-prep program focuses on the major carpentry subjects candidates need to review, including rough carpentry, formwork, finish carpentry, framing systems, trusses, drywall, siding, insulation, windows and doors, building-code requirements, and OSHA construction safety.

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors identifies Carpentry and Framing as a test-required specialty classification. The scope includes construction, maintenance, and repair involving framing, rough carpentry, finish carpentry, formwork, windows, doors, drywall, insulation, siding, and a broad range of wood products and framing systems.

This training combines live virtual instruction with self-study preparation. Candidates can use the live sessions to work through major examination subjects and technical references while continuing their preparation independently through focused book review and reference-navigation practice.

The Mississippi Carpentry examination is administered by PSI as part of the licensing process overseen by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Applicants must first submit the applicable contractor license application and receive examination eligibility before scheduling the test.

The current Mississippi Carpentry examination contains 60 questions and requires a minimum score of 70% to pass.

The examination is open book. Candidates can use permitted references in the testing center when the books comply with PSI rules. Because the approved reference library covers building codes, OSHA requirements, rough framing, trusses, drywall, finish carpentry, cabinetry, and other specialized subjects, knowing how to navigate the books efficiently is an important part of preparation.

The training is organized around references including the 2021 International Building Code, 29 CFR Part 1926 OSHA regulations, Carpentry and Building Construction, the 2025 BCSI truss guide, Gypsum Construction Handbook, Finish Carpenter's Manual, and The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction. The Mississippi NASCLA Business, Law and Project Management guide supports preparation for the separate Law and Business Management requirement.

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 Carpentry Contractor examination contains 60 questions. Candidates must earn a minimum score of 70% to pass.

The examination content focuses on the following areas:

• Rough Carpentry and Formwork: approximately 45%
• Finish Carpentry: approximately 23%
• Drywall: approximately 12%
• Safety: approximately 10%
• Windows and Doors: approximately 5%
• Siding: approximately 3%
• Insulation: approximately 2%

Rough Carpentry and Formwork represents the largest portion of the examination. Candidates should devote significant preparation time to framing methods, floor systems, wall framing, roof framing, trusses, sheathing, form construction, structural wood components, layout, and general carpentry practices.

Finish Carpentry is another major subject. Preparation should include interior trim, cabinets, doors, stairs, railings, paneling, moldings, shelving, millwork, and other finished wood components.

Drywall, safety, windows and doors, siding, and insulation complete the major examination areas. Candidates should prepare across the entire outline because the trade classification itself covers a broad range of carpentry and associated work.

Open Book Test

The Mississippi contractor examinations administered through PSI are open-book tests. Candidates may bring permitted reference materials into the testing center when those references comply with current examination rules.

Open-book testing requires more than simply owning the correct books. Candidates need to know which reference is most likely to contain the answer and how to reach the relevant section quickly.

References may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before testing. 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 examination session.

For example, questions involving occupancy, building construction, general code requirements, structural provisions, or related building conditions may require the 2021 International Building Code. Fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, tools, or personal protective equipment may require 29 CFR Part 1926.

Questions involving roof framing, wall construction, floors, formwork, or general carpentry may be found in Carpentry and Building Construction. Truss installation and bracing questions may require the BCSI guide, while drywall questions may require the Gypsum Construction Handbook.

Timed reference-navigation practice can help candidates develop a repeatable process: identify the subject, select the correct reference, use the index or table of contents, locate the technical material, and verify the answer.

Licensing Steps

1. Select the Carpentry and Framing classification. Confirm that the Mississippi classification matches the type of contracting work the business intends to perform.
2. Complete the applicable contractor license application. Submit the required application information to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
3. Identify the qualifying party. The qualifying party is the individual responsible for satisfying the applicable examination requirement for the applicant.
4. Submit supporting documentation. Provide the business, qualifying-party, financial, insurance, tax, and other records required for the application type.
5. Receive examination eligibility. MSBOC reviews the application and notifies PSI when the qualifying party is eligible to test.
6. Schedule the examination. Follow the PSI registration instructions after receiving eligibility confirmation.
7. Prepare with live virtual and self-study training. Review rough carpentry, finish carpentry, drywall, safety, windows, doors, siding, insulation, and reference navigation.
8. Complete the required examinations. Follow PSI identification, security, calculator, and reference-material requirements.
9. Complete final Board review. Passing the examination does not automatically issue a license. The application and all applicable supporting requirements must also be approved.

State Requirements

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors identifies Carpentry and Framing as a test-required specialty classification.

The classification covers construction, maintenance, and repair involving framing, rough carpentry, finish carpentry, and formwork.

Its scope also includes associated specialties such as windows, doors, drywall, insulation, and siding.

Wood-product work within the classification can include subflooring, wood floors, siding, doors, roof decking, truss members, sheathing, framing systems, trusses, soffit, fascia, staircases, railings, treads, risers, handrails, paneling, trim, cabinetry, interior and exterior windows, and incidental hardware.

The classification also includes pergolas, decks, and gazebos as referenced in the International Building Code.

Applicants must submit the required contractor application before taking required examinations. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors reviews the qualifying-party information and notifies PSI when the candidate is eligible to test.

Mississippi applicants are also required to complete the Law and Business Management examination, subject to applicable licensing provisions. The trade examination and Law and Business Management examination are separate parts of the licensing process.

Passing the Carpentry examination alone does not automatically issue a contractor license. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors must also approve the completed application and applicable supporting documentation.

Reference Books

• NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Mississippi 6th Edition
  Supports preparation for Mississippi contractor business and law requirements, including licensing, contracts, estimating, financial management, project administration, labor responsibilities, risk management, and business operations.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), with Latest Available Amendment
  Supports preparation involving construction safety, fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, personal protective equipment, hand and power tools, material handling, electrical hazards, and other OSHA requirements relevant to carpentry work.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2010 or 2016
  Supports preparation involving framing, floors, walls, roofs, stairs, forms, sheathing, tools, materials, layout, exterior construction, interior construction, and general carpentry methods.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Supports preparation involving handling, installation, temporary restraint, permanent restraint, bracing, storage, and safe erection of metal-plate-connected wood trusses.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
  Supports study involving gypsum board products, wall and ceiling assemblies, framing coordination, fastening, joint treatment, finishing, fire-resistant construction, and common drywall installation practices.
• Finish Carpenter's Manual, Jim Tolpin, 1993
  Supports preparation involving interior trim, doors, moldings, stairs, cabinetry, built-ins, layout, measuring, fitting, fastening, and finish carpentry techniques.
• The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture and Cabinet Construction
  Supports preparation involving cabinetry, case construction, joints, doors, drawers, hardware, frames, panels, shelving, and woodworking methods relevant to finish carpentry.
• International Building Code, 2021
  Supports preparation involving building construction requirements, structural coordination, means of egress, fire and life safety, accessibility, materials, interior finishes, and other code provisions relevant to carpentry and framing.

Test Information and Study Materials

A practical Mississippi Carpentry study plan should begin with Rough Carpentry and Formwork, the largest examination category.

Review floor framing, including joists, beams, girders, subflooring, openings, bearing conditions, and connections. Candidates should understand how individual framing members work together to support loads.

Study wall framing, including plates, studs, headers, openings, corners, partitions, sheathing, and general layout. Understand the sequence from layout through erection and bracing.

Roof framing should include rafters, ridges, hips, valleys, roof slopes, decking, trusses, and related components. Practice recognizing common framing terminology and interpreting roof layouts.

The BCSI guide should be used to review metal-plate-connected wood trusses. Study handling, storage, erection, restraint, and bracing because trusses can be unstable until the required restraint and bracing systems are installed.

Review formwork for concrete construction, including layout, supports, bracing, dimensions, alignment, and removal concepts. Forms must maintain their intended shape while resisting construction loads.

Finish Carpentry is the second major study area. Use the Finish Carpenter's Manual and furniture and cabinet construction reference to strengthen practical finish-work knowledge.

Review interior doors, frames, casing, base molding, crown and other trim, cabinets, shelving, paneling, stairs, handrails, and related finished components.

Finish carpentry depends heavily on accurate measurement, layout, fitting, alignment, and fastening. Small errors can become highly visible in completed work.

Cabinet construction preparation should include case components, frames, doors, drawers, shelves, joints, hardware, and installation concepts.

Drywall represents another significant exam category. Use the Gypsum Construction Handbook to study gypsum board types, wall and ceiling applications, fastening, joints, finishing, and assembly requirements.

Review how gypsum systems coordinate with wood or metal framing and how installation details affect the finished surface.

Windows and Doors preparation should include rough openings, framing, positioning, fastening, alignment, flashing-related coordination, and finish trim.

Siding preparation should include substrate conditions, layout, fastening, edges, joints, openings, corners, and weather-resistant installation concepts.

Insulation is a smaller examination category but remains part of the Carpentry and Framing scope. Review common building insulation materials, installation locations, fitting, continuity, and coordination with framing.

OSHA Safety should receive consistent review. Carpentry work frequently exposes workers to falls, ladders, scaffolds, power tools, saws, nailers, lifting, temporary framing, and material-handling hazards.

Review fall protection for elevated work and unprotected edges. Framers frequently work on floors, roofs, scaffolds, and temporary structures where fall hazards are present.

Ladder safety is also important for carpentry and finish work. Study proper selection, placement, access, and use.

Review safe operation of circular saws, table saws, miter saws, drills, nailers, grinders, and other common tools. Guards, personal protective equipment, cords, workpiece control, and proper operating procedures are important.

Use the 2021 International Building Code during preparation to reinforce the building requirements associated with framing, construction systems, fire and life safety, egress, and other code-related conditions.

Reference navigation should be practiced as a separate skill. Rather than reading every book from beginning to end, learn how the indexes, chapter headings, tables of contents, figures, and technical tables are organized.

When a practice question involves truss bracing, go directly to the BCSI reference. When it involves drywall, use the Gypsum Construction Handbook. When it involves trim or cabinets, begin with the finish carpentry references.

This process helps reduce random searching during an open-book examination.

Live virtual training can provide an organized framework for working through the books, while self-study gives candidates additional opportunities to repeat searches and review difficult subjects.

As the examination approaches, use mixed-topic practice that moves from rough framing to finish carpentry, drywall, code questions, windows, doors, siding, insulation, and OSHA safety.

The goal is to become comfortable not only with carpentry knowledge but also with deciding where to look when the answer must be confirmed in an approved reference.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Mississippi Carpentry Contractor 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 technical books and major subjects associated with the Mississippi Carpentry examination. Candidates can work through rough carpentry, formwork, finish carpentry, drywall, trusses, windows, doors, siding, insulation, building-code requirements, and OSHA safety in an organized sequence.

Because the examination is open book, preparation includes learning how to navigate the reference materials efficiently. Candidates can practice using indexes, tables of contents, illustrations, code provisions, and subject-specific manuals to confirm answers.

Live virtual training provides structured guidance through major examination subjects, while self-study allows candidates to revisit challenging material and continue practicing independently.

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

How many questions are on the Mississippi Carpentry Contractor exam?

The Mississippi Carpentry examination contains 60 questions.

What score is required to pass the Mississippi Carpentry exam?

Candidates must earn a minimum score of 70% to pass.

Is the Mississippi Carpentry examination open book?

Yes. The Mississippi contractor examinations administered through PSI are open book, subject to current rules governing permitted references and testing-room materials.

What is the largest subject on the Mississippi Carpentry exam?

Rough Carpentry and Formwork is the largest examination category and represents approximately 45% of the test.

Does the exam cover finish carpentry?

Yes. Finish Carpentry represents approximately 23% of the examination.

Does the exam include drywall?

Yes. Drywall is a significant examination category, and the reference list includes the Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition.

Does the examination cover wood trusses?

Yes. The technical references include the 2025 BCSI guide addressing handling, installation, restraint, and bracing of metal-plate-connected wood trusses.

Does the exam include OSHA safety?

Yes. Safety is part of the examination, and 29 CFR Part 1926 is included in the reference list.

Does this training include live virtual instruction?

Yes. This product combines live virtual training with structured self-study preparation.

Where can I view the Live Class Schedule?

Click Here to View the Current Live Class Schedule.

What work does the Mississippi Carpentry and Framing classification cover?

The classification covers framing, rough and finish carpentry, formwork, windows, doors, drywall, insulation, siding, wood floors, decking, trusses, sheathing, stairs, railings, trim, cabinetry, and related carpentry work within the established classification scope.

Who administers the Mississippi Carpentry examination?

The examination is administered by PSI as part of the Mississippi State Board of Contractors licensing process.

Do I need Board approval before scheduling the exam?

Yes. The applicant must submit the applicable contractor license application, and MSBOC must notify PSI of the qualifying party's examination eligibility before scheduling.

Do Mississippi Carpentry applicants also need Law and Business Management?

Mississippi applicants must satisfy the applicable Law and Business Management examination requirement in addition to a required trade examination.

Does passing the Carpentry 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 training guarantee that I will pass the Mississippi Carpentry examination?

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