Mississippi Structural Steel Contractor Book Package

Prepare for the Mississippi Structural Steel contractor examination with a complete technical reference package covering steel erection, reinforcing steel, unbonded post-tensioning, steel joists, joist girders, steel decks, and OSHA construction safety. This package brings together the books associated with the Structural Steel trade exam so candidates can build an organized study plan around the major knowledge areas tested.

The Mississippi Structural Steel Contractor Book Package is intended for contractors and qualifying individuals pursuing the Structural Steel specialty classification through the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. The classification includes the erection, placement, and installation of structural and reinforcing steel, including steel decks, joists, and girders, along with fabrication, riveting, welding, and rigging performed in connection with the work.

Structural steel contracting requires an understanding of installation procedures, safe erection practices, material handling, temporary stability, reinforcing-bar placement, post-tensioning fundamentals, deck attachment, joist bridging, hoisting, rigging, and fall protection. The included references address these responsibilities from several technical perspectives.

The OSHA construction reference supports preparation for steel-erection and general jobsite safety. The post-tensioning manual covers fundamental field procedures for unbonded systems. The reinforcing-bar reference addresses recommended placement practices, while the Steel Joist Institute and Steel Deck Institute publications cover joist, girder, and deck construction.

This listing is for the standard technical book package. Highlighting, permanent tabs, rental terms, course access, contractor application service, business formation, EIN filing, and the Mississippi Law and Business Management reference are not included unless purchased through a separately listed product or package.

The package uses the current examination-reference editions previously confirmed for the Mississippi PSI program, including Placing Reinforcing Bars, 9th Edition, and Technical Digest No. 9, 4th Edition, 2025.

Exam Details

The Mississippi Structural Steel contractor examination is administered by PSI after the Mississippi State Board of Contractors establishes the candidate’s eligibility. Applicants must complete the appropriate contractor license application and receive authorization before scheduling the examination.

The Structural Steel examination contains 60 questions. Candidates receive 2 hours to complete the test and must earn a minimum score of 70 percent to pass.

The examination covers the following technical subject areas:

• Post-Tensioning: Unbonded post-tensioning materials, tendon handling, anchorage, installation, stressing procedures, field safety, inspection, and related fundamentals.
• Reinforcing Steel: Reinforcing-bar placement, supports, tying, spacing, drawings, field handling, fabrication considerations, installation, and safe work practices.
• OSHA Steel-Erection Safety: Hoisting, rigging, structural stability, fall protection, controlled access, decking, connections, and steel-erection requirements.
• General Construction Safety: Personal protective equipment, scaffolds, ladders, tools, equipment, material handling, and common construction hazards.
• Steel Decks: Storage, handling, placement, attachment, fastening, supports, openings, installation procedures, and related safety considerations.
• Steel Joists and Joist Girders: Handling, hoisting, erection, bridging, temporary stability, placement, connections, installation sequences, and safe field practices.

Steel joists and joist girders represent a major part of the examination. Candidates should devote substantial study time to bridging, temporary stability, placement, connection procedures, erection sequences, hoisting, and safe handling.

Post-tensioning and reinforcing steel are also important areas. Candidates should understand the terminology, materials, installation steps, field responsibilities, safety requirements, and inspection considerations associated with each system.

Questions may be developed from the listed references and may also require practical trade knowledge or familiarity with accepted industry practices. Candidates should understand the technical concepts rather than depending entirely on finding every answer in a book during the examination.

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors determines all examinations assigned to an applicant. A separate Mississippi Law and Business Management examination may also be required. The NASCLA Mississippi business and law reference is not included in this Structural Steel trade-exam package.

Open Book Test

The Mississippi Structural Steel contractor examination is an open-book test. Candidates may bring the authorized references into the examination center, subject to PSI’s current rules for approved books and testing-room materials.

Open-book testing provides access to technical information, but it does not remove the need for preparation. Candidates must recognize the subject of a question, select the correct reference, locate the applicable section, and interpret the information within the available testing time.

With 60 questions and two hours, candidates have an average of approximately two minutes for each question. Searching through every book for every answer can make it difficult to finish the examination. A strong approach combines technical knowledge with efficient reference navigation.

Questions involving steel-erection safety may require 29 CFR Part 1926. Questions about tendon installation, anchorage, or stressing may require the post-tensioning field manual. Reinforcing-bar placement questions may lead to Placing Reinforcing Bars.

Questions involving steel joists, joist girders, bridging, and temporary stability may require Technical Digest No. 9. Steel-deck questions may require the Steel Deck Institute manual.

Candidates should review the table of contents, index, chapter organization, illustrations, diagrams, technical terms, and major subject divisions in every reference. Repeated practice can help build a mental map of the books and reduce unnecessary searching.

Approved references may be prepared according to current PSI rules. Candidates should review the latest Candidate Information Bulletin before adding highlighting, underlining, indexes, or tabs. Loose papers, removable notes, and unauthorized inserts should not be placed inside examination-room references.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the Structural Steel classification. Confirm that the classification matches the structural steel, reinforcing steel, deck, joist, girder, welding, fabrication, riveting, rigging, and related work the business intends to perform.
2. Select the appropriate application. Complete the Mississippi contractor application that applies to the intended project scope and business structure.
3. Designate the qualifying individual. Identify the person who will complete the required examinations on behalf of the contractor applicant.
4. Gather supporting documentation. Prepare the business, ownership, qualifying-party, experience, insurance, and other information required by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
5. Submit the application. Send the completed application and required supporting documents to the Board for review.
6. Respond to application requests. Provide missing information, corrections, explanations, or additional documents requested during the review process.
7. Receive examination eligibility. The Board determines which examinations the qualifying individual must complete and sends the eligibility information to PSI.
8. Receive PSI scheduling instructions. Wait for the eligibility confirmation before scheduling the examination.
9. Study the approved references. Use the books in this package to review post-tensioning, reinforcing steel, OSHA safety, steel decks, joists, and joist girders.
10. Take the assigned examinations. Bring acceptable identification and the authorized books while following PSI’s testing-center procedures.
11. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. Passing an examination is one part of the process. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors must approve the complete application before issuing a license.

State Requirements

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors regulates commercial contractors, residential contractors, roofers, and specialty contractor classifications. Structural Steel is a tested specialty classification.

The classification covers the erection, placement, and installation of structural and reinforcing steel. It includes steel decks, joists, and girders, together with fabrication, riveting, welding, and rigging performed in connection with structural steel operations.

Applicants must submit the appropriate contractor license application before testing. The Board reviews the classification request, qualifying-party information, business details, experience, insurance, and supporting documentation before establishing examination eligibility.

Each contractor applicant must designate a qualifying individual. The qualifying individual completes the examinations assigned to the company and must maintain the relationship with the licensed business required by the Board.

Documentation may be required to establish the qualifying individual’s ownership, officer status, employment, or another accepted relationship to the applicant. The Board determines whether the submitted documentation satisfies the applicable requirements.

Applicants must complete all examinations and application requirements assigned by the Board. PSI administers the examinations, but the Mississippi State Board of Contractors retains authority over classification approval, applicant eligibility, qualifications, and license issuance.

Passing the Structural Steel examination does not automatically issue a contractor license. The applicant must satisfy all applicable business, qualifying-party, experience, insurance, documentation, examination, and Board-review requirements.

After licensing, contractors must perform work within the Structural Steel classification and maintain current business and qualifying-party information. Changes involving the business name, ownership, qualifying individual, address, or company status should be handled through the appropriate Board procedures.

Reference Books

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), with Latest Available Amendments
  This federal construction-safety reference covers steel erection, fall protection, hoisting, rigging, structural stability, decking, scaffolds, ladders, personal protective equipment, tools, equipment, material handling, and general jobsite hazards. It supports preparation for both steel-erection safety and broader construction-safety questions.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 2003
  This Post-Tensioning Institute reference addresses unbonded tendons, anchorage components, materials, storage, handling, installation, stressing operations, field procedures, safety, inspection, and the responsibilities of personnel working with post-tensioning systems.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices, 9th Edition
  This Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute reference supports preparation involving reinforcing-bar placement, supports, tying, spacing, drawings, identifying marks, field handling, fabrication considerations, installation practices, and safe jobsite procedures.
• Technical Digest No. 9 - Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 4th Edition, 2025
  This Steel Joist Institute reference covers joist and joist-girder handling, unloading, storage, hoisting, placement, bridging, temporary stability, erection sequence, connections, and related field safety practices.
• Steel Deck Institute Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  This technical manual covers steel-deck storage, handling, placement, attachment, fastening, supports, openings, construction procedures, installation practices, coordination, and safety considerations.

The five references work together to cover the technical scope of the Structural Steel examination. No single book addresses every subject. Candidates should understand the purpose of each title and become comfortable selecting the proper reference based on the topic presented.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following technical references are included for preparation and approved reference use associated with the Mississippi Structural Steel trade examination:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), with Latest Available Amendments
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 2003
• Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices, 9th Edition
• Technical Digest No. 9 - Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 4th Edition, 2025
• Steel Deck Institute Manual of Construction with Steel Deck

Candidates should compare their books with the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin before test day. Edition changes may affect wording, page locations, illustrations, technical procedures, tables, and section organization.

Only references authorized for the scheduled examination should be brought into the testing center. The books may be inspected before admission, and unauthorized materials may be rejected.

The Mississippi NASCLA business and law guide is associated with the separate Law and Business Management examination. It is not included in this Structural Steel trade book package.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin preparation by dividing the examination into its major subject areas. Create separate study sessions for post-tensioning, reinforcing steel, OSHA steel-erection safety, general construction safety, steel decks, steel joists, and joist girders.

Use the post-tensioning field manual to review tendon materials, anchors, storage, handling, placement, installation, stressing operations, field safety, and inspection. Pay close attention to terminology and the correct sequence of procedures.

Use Placing Reinforcing Bars to study bar supports, tying methods, spacing, drawings, field handling, placement, fabrication considerations, and installation practices. Learn how reinforcing bars are identified, organized, supported, and secured.

Use 29 CFR Part 1926 to review OSHA steel-erection rules and general construction safety. Connect the standards to practical work involving elevated operations, fall exposure, hoisting, rigging, decking, structural stability, scaffolds, ladders, equipment, and personal protective equipment.

Use Technical Digest No. 9 to review steel joists and joist girders. Focus on unloading, storage, hoisting, placement, bridging, temporary stability, connections, erection sequences, and safe installation.

Use the Steel Deck Institute manual to study deck storage, handling, support conditions, placement, attachment, fastening, openings, construction coordination, and safe installation procedures.

Complete practice questions under timed conditions. Before opening a reference, identify the subject and select the book most likely to contain the answer. This method can reduce unnecessary searching and improve examination time management.

Review every missed question carefully. Determine whether the error came from limited technical knowledge, selecting the wrong reference, misreading a safety requirement, overlooking a procedure step, misunderstanding terminology, or spending too much time searching.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Mississippi Structural Steel candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, and reference-navigation strategies. A complete book package provides the technical foundation needed to prepare for the varied construction and safety subjects included on the trade examination.

Organized study helps candidates divide preparation into manageable categories. Post-tensioning, reinforcing steel, safety, decks, joists, and girders can be reviewed separately before the subjects are combined through practice questions and jobsite scenarios.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages candidates to apply technical information instead of relying only on passive reading. Working through questions can reveal weak areas, improve interpretation, and strengthen the ability to choose the correct reference efficiently.

Reference navigation is particularly important during an open-book examination. Candidates should become comfortable using indexes, tables of contents, diagrams, headings, technical terms, and cross-references before test day.

A consistent study routine can help candidates approach the exam with a clearer strategy and greater familiarity with the reference set. Candidates should use the same books throughout preparation that they plan to bring into the examination center.

No book package guarantees a passing examination score, testing eligibility, or contractor license. Results depend on the candidate’s technical knowledge, study effort, application status, reference-navigation skills, time management, and examination performance.

FAQ Section

What books are included in the Mississippi Structural Steel Contractor Book Package?

The package includes 29 CFR Part 1926, the unbonded post-tensioning Level 1 field manual, Placing Reinforcing Bars, Technical Digest No. 9, and the Steel Deck Institute Manual of Construction with Steel Deck.

How many questions are on the Structural Steel examination?

The examination contains 60 questions. Candidates receive two hours and must earn a minimum score of 70 percent.

Is the Mississippi Structural Steel examination open book?

Yes. Candidates may bring the authorized references into the testing center, subject to PSI’s current reference-material rules.

Does this package use the current PSI reference editions?

Yes. The package includes Placing Reinforcing Bars, 9th Edition, and Technical Digest No. 9, 4th Edition, 2025, along with the other listed technical references.

Are the books highlighted and tabbed?

No. Highlighting and permanent tabs are not listed as part of this standard book package.

Does this package include an online course?

No. This listing includes the five Structural Steel trade-exam reference books only.

Does the package include the Mississippi business and law book?

No. The NASCLA Mississippi business and law guide is not included in this technical trade-exam package.

Are these rental books?

No rental period or refundable deposit is included. This product is presented as a standard Structural Steel contractor exam book package.

Do I need Board approval before scheduling the examination?

Yes. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors must establish the qualifying individual’s eligibility before PSI permits examination scheduling.

What work is covered by the Structural Steel classification?

The classification covers the erection, placement, and installation of structural and reinforcing steel, including steel decks, joists, girders, fabrication, riveting, welding, and related rigging.

Does purchasing this book package guarantee that I will pass?

No. The books provide the technical references needed for preparation, but examination results depend on the candidate’s knowledge, study effort, navigation skills, time management, and performance.