Mississippi Structural Steel Contractor - Online Exam Prep Course

Prepare for the Mississippi Structural Steel contractor examination with an online course designed around the technical knowledge, safety requirements, and reference-navigation skills connected to this specialty classification. The course helps candidates organize a demanding exam scope into manageable study areas covering structural steel erection, reinforcing steel, unbonded post-tensioning, steel decks, joists, joist girders, and OSHA construction safety.

The Mississippi Structural Steel classification involves the erection, placement, and installation of structural and reinforcing steel. It includes steel decks, joists, and girders, along with fabrication, riveting, welding, and rigging performed in connection with structural steel work.

Structural steel candidates must understand more than individual installation steps. Successful preparation requires familiarity with material handling, erection sequences, temporary stability, bridging, connections, reinforcing-bar placement, post-tensioning procedures, steel-deck installation, fall protection, hoisting, rigging, and general jobsite safety.

This online exam prep course provides an organized framework for reviewing those subjects. Trade-focused lessons help candidates connect technical concepts to the approved examination references, while practice-oriented preparation supports stronger reading accuracy, time management, and open-book navigation.

The course is designed for candidates who prefer a structured study plan instead of reading several technical publications without direction. Students can review each major examination area separately, identify topics that require additional attention, and practice applying information through exam-focused questions and reference exercises.

This product includes the online Structural Steel trade exam prep course only. Printed reference books are not included. Candidates are responsible for obtaining the approved editions required for study and examination-room use.

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 exam and must earn a minimum score of 70 percent to pass.

The official examination outline includes the following subject areas:

• Post-Tensioning: 10 questions involving unbonded post-tensioning materials, tendons, anchors, storage, handling, installation, stressing operations, field safety, and inspection fundamentals.
• Reinforcing Steel: 10 questions addressing reinforcing-bar placement, supports, tying, spacing, drawings, field handling, installation practices, and related construction procedures.
• Safety - OSHA Subpart R: 7 questions covering steel-erection safety, fall protection, structural stability, hoisting, rigging, decking, connections, and controlled-access practices.
• Safety - General: 6 questions involving personal protective equipment, tools, ladders, scaffolds, material handling, equipment, and common construction hazards.
• Steel Decks: 7 questions addressing deck materials, storage, handling, placement, fastening, attachment, openings, supports, installation practices, and safety.
• Steel Joists and Girders: 20 questions covering handling, hoisting, erection, bridging, temporary stability, placement, connections, installation sequences, and safe field procedures.

Steel joists and girders represent the largest section of the exam. Candidates should devote substantial preparation time to joist handling, erection sequences, bridging, stability, placement, connections, hoisting procedures, and related safety requirements.

Post-tensioning and reinforcing steel account for another significant portion of the test. Candidates should understand the materials, terminology, field responsibilities, installation steps, inspection considerations, and safe work practices associated with both systems.

The examination may contain questions developed from the approved references as well as questions based on practical trade knowledge and accepted industry practices. Candidates should understand the technical principles instead of relying entirely on locating every answer in a book.

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors determines all examinations required for each applicant. A separate Mississippi Law and Business Management examination may also be required as part of the licensing process. This online course focuses on the Structural Steel trade examination.

Open Book Test

The Mississippi Structural Steel 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 eliminate the need for preparation. With 60 questions and two hours available, candidates have an average of approximately two minutes for each question. Searching through every reference for every answer can make it difficult to complete the exam on time.

The course helps students connect each subject to the reference most likely to contain the needed information. Questions involving steel-erection safety may require 29 CFR Part 1926. Reinforcing-bar placement questions may lead to Placing Reinforcing Bars, while joist and girder questions may require Technical Digest No. 9.

Post-tensioning questions may involve the Level 1 Field Fundamentals reference. Steel-deck questions may require the Steel Deck Institute manual. Recognizing the correct source before beginning a search can reduce unnecessary page turning and improve time management.

Candidates should study with the same editions they plan to bring into the examination center. Familiarity with each book’s table of contents, index, chapter order, diagrams, terminology, and technical sections can make open-book navigation more efficient.

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. Permanent tabs are permitted. Temporary tabs, removable notes, loose papers, and unauthorized attached materials are not allowed. Candidates may not write in the references during the examination.

Students should review PSI’s current testing rules before preparing their books. Every reference may be inspected before admission to the testing room, and materials that do not comply with the examination requirements may be rejected.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the Structural Steel classification. Confirm that it matches the structural steel, reinforcing steel, steel deck, joist, girder, fabrication, riveting, welding, 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 examinations assigned to the contractor applicant.
4. Gather the supporting documents. Prepare the requested business, ownership, qualifying-party, experience, insurance, and other application materials.
5. Submit the application. Send the completed application and required documentation to the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
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 eligibility information to PSI.
8. Receive PSI scheduling instructions. Wait for the eligibility confirmation before attempting to schedule the examination.
9. Prepare for the Structural Steel exam. Use the online course, approved references, official content outline, and practice-oriented study methods to review the assigned topics.
10. Prepare for business and law. Complete separate preparation for the Mississippi Law and Business Management examination when required.
11. Take the assigned examinations. Follow PSI’s current registration, identification, calculator, reference-material, and testing-center procedures.
12. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. Passing the examinations is one part of the licensing process. The Board must approve the complete application before issuing a contractor 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, business information, qualifying-party details, experience, insurance, and supporting documentation before establishing examination eligibility.

Each contractor applicant must designate a qualifying individual. This person 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 contractor applicant. The Board determines whether the submitted information satisfies the applicable requirements.

PSI administers the examination, but the Mississippi State Board of Contractors retains authority over applicant eligibility, classification approval, qualifications, required examinations, and license issuance.

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

After licensing, contractors must operate 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

The following references support preparation for the Mississippi Structural Steel trade examination. Printed books are not included with this online course.

• 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, decking, structural stability, scaffolds, ladders, personal protective equipment, tools, equipment, material handling, and general jobsite hazards.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 2003, 3rd Edition
  This Post-Tensioning Institute reference addresses tendons, anchors, materials, storage, handling, placement, installation, stressing operations, field procedures, safety, inspection, and fundamental unbonded post-tensioning responsibilities.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices, 2011 or Later Printing, 9th Edition
  This Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute reference supports preparation involving reinforcing-bar placement, supports, tying, spacing, drawings, identifying marks, fabrication considerations, field handling, 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 unloading, storage, handling, hoisting, placement, bridging, temporary stability, erection sequence, connections, and related field-safety practices.
• Manual of Construction with Steel Deck, 2016
  This Steel Deck Institute manual covers steel-deck storage, handling, placement, attachment, fastening, supports, openings, installation procedures, construction coordination, and safety considerations.

The five references work together to cover the examination’s technical scope. No single book addresses every subject. Candidates should understand the purpose of each title and become comfortable selecting the correct reference based on the topic of a question.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following technical references are approved for use 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, 3rd Edition
• Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices, 2011 or Later Printing, 9th Edition
• Technical Digest No. 9 - Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 4th Edition, 2025
• Manual of Construction with Steel Deck, 2016

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

Only references authorized for the scheduled examination should be brought into the testing center. Books may be inspected before testing begins, and candidates are responsible for removing temporary tabs, loose papers, removable notes, and unauthorized inserts.

Students should practice with the same references they plan to use during the examination. Repeated use can improve familiarity with indexes, chapter layouts, technical terms, illustrations, and permanent tab locations when applicable.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin preparation by dividing the exam into its six official content areas. Create separate study sessions for post-tensioning, reinforcing steel, OSHA Subpart R, general safety, steel decks, and steel joists and girders.

Use the post-tensioning field reference to review tendon materials, anchors, storage, handling, installation, stressing operations, field safety, and inspection. Learn the sequence of field procedures and the terminology used to describe system components.

Use Placing Reinforcing Bars to review bar supports, tying methods, spacing, placement, drawings, identifying marks, field handling, and installation practices. Understand how reinforcing steel is organized, supported, secured, and coordinated before concrete placement.

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

Use Technical Digest No. 9 to study steel joists and joist girders. Focus on unloading, storage, hoisting, bridging, placement, temporary stability, connection procedures, erection sequence, and safe field practices.

Use the Steel Deck Institute manual to review deck handling, support conditions, placement, attachment, fastening, openings, storage, 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 instruction. The course helps students turn a technical reference list into a manageable preparation plan.

Trade-focused lessons address the major subjects associated with the exam, including post-tensioning, reinforcing-bar placement, steel-erection safety, general jobsite safety, steel decks, joists, and joist girders.

Practice-oriented preparation helps candidates apply technical information instead of relying only on passive reading. Working through questions can reveal weak areas, improve reading accuracy, and strengthen the ability to recognize the correct procedure or reference.

Reference-navigation guidance supports the open-book format. Students can practice identifying which book applies to each subject and using tables of contents, indexes, headings, diagrams, technical terminology, and permanent tabs more efficiently.

The course also encourages a consistent study structure. Candidates can divide the examination material into manageable sessions, revisit difficult subjects, complete timed practice, and build familiarity with the approved books before test day.

No online course can guarantee 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 does the Mississippi Structural Steel online course cover?

The course covers post-tensioning, reinforcing steel, OSHA steel-erection safety, general construction safety, steel decks, steel joists, joist girders, and open-book reference navigation.

How many questions are on the Structural Steel exam?

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 use the approved references during the examination, subject to PSI’s current testing-center rules.

Are the printed reference books included?

No. This product includes the online Structural Steel trade exam prep course. The approved printed references must be obtained separately.

Does the course use the current PSI reference editions?

Yes. Course preparation is organized around the current listed references, including Placing Reinforcing Bars, 9th Edition, and Technical Digest No. 9, 4th Edition, 2025.

Does the course include Mississippi business and law preparation?

No. This course focuses on the Structural Steel trade examination. Business and law preparation is available through separately listed products and packages.

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.

Will the course help me use the reference books?

Yes. Reference-navigation preparation helps candidates identify the correct book and locate technical information more efficiently during open-book study and practice.

What work does the Structural Steel classification cover?

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

Does completing the course issue a contractor license?

No. Applicants must complete the state application process, pass the examinations assigned to them, satisfy the applicable licensing requirements, and receive approval from the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.

Does the online course guarantee that I will pass?

No. The course provides organized preparation and study support, but examination results depend on the candidate’s knowledge, effort, reference-navigation skills, time management, and performance.