NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep Study Flash Cards

Prepare for the NASCLA commercial general building contractor examination with a high-volume study tool built for repeated, focused review. The NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep Study Flash Cards set includes 500 flash cards designed for candidates preparing for the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors.

The NASCLA examination covers a broad range of commercial construction knowledge. Candidates are expected to understand general construction requirements, site construction, concrete, masonry, metals, wood, thermal and moisture protection, doors and windows, finishes, mechanical and plumbing systems, electrical systems, estimating, project management, contracts, and other construction subjects. Preparing for that amount of material requires an organized study strategy.

These 500 NASCLA General Contractor exam prep flash cards make it easier to break a large examination outline into manageable review sessions. Instead of depending entirely on long reading sessions, you can use the cards to test yourself, reinforce important terminology and concepts, identify weak areas, and return to difficult material until it becomes more familiar.

Flash cards are particularly useful for an open-book contractor examination. Although approved references are available during the exam, candidates still need to recognize construction concepts, interpret questions, complete calculations, and know which reference is likely to contain the information they need. Familiarity with the subject matter can make reference navigation much more efficient.

The 500-card format gives candidates a substantial amount of material for repeated review. Use the cards alongside the approved NASCLA examination references, practice questions, construction calculations, plan-reading exercises, code study, and professional field experience. The goal is to build both trade knowledge and the ability to locate information efficiently during the examination.

You can also organize the cards according to confidence level. Keep cards you know well in one group, cards that need occasional review in another, and difficult cards in a high-frequency study group. This creates a practical way to concentrate more study time on the subjects that need it most.

Included: 500 NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep Study Flash Cards.

Exam Details

The official examination associated with this study product is the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors. NASCLA developed the examination as a standardized trade examination that can be accepted by participating contractor licensing agencies.

The examination contains 115 scored questions. Candidates must answer 81 questions correctly to achieve the required passing score. The examination provides 330 minutes, or 5½ hours, of testing time.

In addition to the scored questions, candidates are administered 10 non-scored pretest questions. These experimental questions are used in examination development and do not count toward the final score. Candidates are not identified which questions are scored and which are pretest questions.

The examination is administered by PSI Services LLC and is delivered by computer. Candidates must first receive approval through NASCLA before scheduling the examination with PSI.

The current examination content outline includes:

• General Requirements: 25 questions
• Site Construction: 15 questions
• Concrete: 6 questions
• Masonry: 4 questions
• Metals: 6 questions
• Wood: 5 questions
• Thermal and Moisture Protection: 5 questions
• Doors, Windows, and Glazing: 4 questions
• Finishes: 5 questions
• Mechanical and Plumbing Systems: 6 questions
• Electrical Systems: 3 questions
• Procurement and Contracting Requirements: 31 questions

Procurement and Contracting Requirements represents the largest single portion of the examination, while General Requirements and Site Construction also account for significant numbers of questions. Candidates should build a balanced study plan rather than concentrating only on hands-on construction subjects.

The examination also involves plans, diagrams, and construction documentation. A physical diagram and blueprint packet is provided at the testing center for use during the examination.

Open Book Test

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is an open-book test. Candidates may use the approved references identified in the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

Open book does not mean unrestricted materials are allowed. Only approved reference materials may be used. The references are not supplied at the examination center, so candidates are responsible for bringing the permitted books they plan to use.

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. They must otherwise remain unmarked and may not contain written-in notes or additional loose or attached papers.

References may be tabbed or indexed with permanent tabs only. Temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are prohibited and must be removed before the examination begins.

A silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator that meets PSI testing requirements may also be used.

Because there are numerous approved books, book navigation should be a major part of NASCLA exam preparation. Learn the index, table of contents, chapters, tables, and major subject areas of the references you expect to use most often. Practice locating information under time pressure instead of waiting until examination day to become familiar with the books.

Licensing Steps

The NASCLA examination is designed to streamline the trade-examination portion of contractor licensing in participating jurisdictions. It is not itself a contractor license. Candidates must still meet the licensing requirements of the state or jurisdiction where they intend to become licensed.

1. Determine whether the licensing jurisdiction accepts the NASCLA examination. Participating agencies may accept NASCLA examination results in place of a state-specific trade examination for an applicable contractor classification.
2. Apply with NASCLA for examination approval. Candidates must be pre-approved before they can schedule the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination.
3. Receive eligibility to test. Once NASCLA approves the application, candidate eligibility information is provided to PSI.
4. Schedule the examination with PSI. Approved candidates can select an available examination date and testing location through PSI.
5. Prepare the approved reference books. Organize permitted references with highlighting, underlining, and permanent tabs in accordance with the examination rules.
6. Take and pass the NASCLA examination. Candidates must earn at least 81 correct answers out of 115 scored questions.
7. Access the NASCLA National Examination Database. Passing examination results are entered into the NASCLA National Examination Database, commonly known as NED.
8. Send an examination transcript to the applicable licensing agency. Candidates can electronically request that their NASCLA transcript be sent to participating agencies when applying for licensure.
9. Complete the jurisdiction’s contractor license application. The applicant must satisfy the additional requirements imposed by that particular licensing authority.
10. Complete additional examinations when required. A jurisdiction may require a separate business and law examination or other state-specific testing in addition to accepting the NASCLA trade examination.

NASCLA examination eligibility currently lasts one year from the application approval date. An eligible candidate may sit for the examination a maximum of three times during that one-year eligibility period. Candidates who do not pass within those attempts may reapply after the eligibility period expires.

State Requirements

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is accepted by participating state and territorial licensing agencies, but acceptance of the examination does not create a national contractor license.

After passing the NASCLA examination, candidates must apply directly to the licensing authority where they want to become licensed. Each participating agency establishes its own contractor classifications, experience requirements, financial requirements, insurance requirements, application procedures, business and law testing requirements, fees, and other licensing standards.

Participating jurisdictions include contractor licensing agencies in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, among others represented through the current NASCLA Commercial Exam program.

Some agencies administer the NASCLA examination as an option for a contractor classification, while others accept a passing NASCLA score obtained through another participating agency. The exact license classification available to a candidate depends on the rules of the licensing jurisdiction.

Passing the NASCLA exam can therefore reduce duplicate trade testing for contractors pursuing licenses in multiple participating jurisdictions, but applicants still need to complete each jurisdiction’s separate licensing process.

Reference Books

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination uses an extensive approved reference list. The current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin identifies the following materials for examination preparation and open-book use:

• Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition, 2024
  A construction-management reference covering mechanical and electrical building systems relevant to commercial projects.
• ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  A technical standard addressing accessibility requirements for buildings and facilities.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2018 Updated March 2020, or 2025 Edition
  A reference addressing proper handling, installation, restraint, and bracing of wood trusses.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016 Edition
  A building-trades reference covering carpentry methods, materials, layout, framing, and construction practices.
• Code of Federal Regulations, 29 CFR Part 1926, OSHA, 1926-2023 Edition with latest available amendments, or approved PSI OSHA Excerpts 2025
  A construction-safety reference covering federal OSHA requirements for jobsites, equipment, workers, and construction operations.
• Construction Jobsite Management, 4th Edition 2017 or 5th Edition 2024
  A construction-management reference addressing jobsite organization, supervision, scheduling, coordination, and project operations.
• Construction Project Management, 4th Edition 2014 or 5th Edition 2022
  A project-management reference covering planning, construction administration, scheduling, cost management, and project controls.
• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Basic 14th Edition
  A NASCLA reference covering business practices, contracting, law, project management, and other management subjects relevant to contractors.
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of Pre-Cast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  A technical reference addressing erection procedures and standards for precast concrete products.
• Green Building Fundamentals, 2nd Edition, 2011
  A reference covering sustainable construction concepts, green building practices, and environmentally responsible project considerations.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition, 2014
  A technical reference covering gypsum products, assemblies, installation methods, and finishing applications.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008
  A Steel Joist Institute reference addressing safe and proper handling and erection of steel joists and joist girders.
• International Building Code, 2021 or 2024
  A primary building-code reference covering commercial building requirements, occupancies, construction types, fire protection, structural provisions, accessibility, and related code subjects.
• ACI 318-14 or ACI 318-19 (2022), Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  A structural concrete code reference addressing reinforced concrete design and construction requirements.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning – Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 3rd Edition, 2003
  A reference covering field fundamentals associated with unbonded post-tensioning construction.
• Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, 9th Edition, 2020
  A masonry reference covering materials, construction methods, brick, block, stone, mortar, and related masonry practices.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting, 2011
  A construction reference addressing excavation, trenching, underground piping, earthwork, and related operations.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition, 2024
  A broad commercial construction reference covering building systems, materials, methods, and project practices.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, 1995, Reprinted 2022
  A roofing reference covering roof systems, materials, installation concepts, estimating, and construction practices.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices, 10th Edition, 2019 or Later Printing
  A technical reference addressing reinforcing-steel placement and field practices for concrete construction.
• SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck, 2016
  A Steel Deck Institute reference covering steel-deck installation, construction practices, and related technical requirements.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition, 2018
  A concrete construction reference addressing quality control, placement, finishing, curing, and practical concrete methods.
• Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites, 2007
  An EPA reference addressing construction-site stormwater pollution prevention planning and environmental controls.
• ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems with Drainage
  A technical standard covering exterior insulation and finish systems with drainage.

Test Information and Study Materials

With 115 scored questions, 10 additional pretest questions, a 330-minute testing period, and an extensive reference library, the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam rewards organized preparation.

Use the 500 flash cards in smaller sections instead of trying to work through the entire deck at once. Study a manageable group, test yourself without immediately checking the answer, and separate missed cards for additional review. Continue mixing previously learned cards into later sessions to reinforce long-term recall.

Pay particular attention to Procurement and Contracting Requirements, General Requirements, and Site Construction because these three areas account for a substantial portion of the scored examination. At the same time, continue reviewing concrete, masonry, metals, wood, roofing and moisture protection, finishes, mechanical systems, plumbing, and electrical systems.

Practice using your approved reference books while studying. When you miss a flash card, locate that subject in the relevant reference. This helps you reinforce the concept while learning where information is located.

Plan reading and blueprint interpretation should also be included in your study routine. Because a diagram and blueprint packet is provided during the exam, candidates should be comfortable reading construction documents and relating them to code, estimating, and construction questions.

Time management matters as well. With a large number of questions and references, avoid spending excessive time searching one book for one difficult answer. Practice identifying the subject first, selecting the most likely reference, and navigating directly to the applicable chapter, table, index entry, or code section.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps NASCLA candidates build a more organized study routine around one of the most comprehensive contractor trade examinations. The 500 NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep Study Flash Cards provide a practical way to add active recall and repetition to your preparation.

Instead of relying only on passive reading, flash cards require you to retrieve information and recognize where additional study is needed. This can help you focus your time on weaker subjects while continuing to reinforce concepts you already understand.

1 Exam Prep supports trade-focused review across construction methods, project management, code knowledge, safety, estimating, contracts, and building systems. Preparation can also include practice-oriented study with construction calculations, plans, technical references, and questions that require you to apply information rather than simply recognize terminology.

Reference navigation is especially important for the NASCLA open-book format. 1 Exam Prep encourages candidates to combine content review with regular use of the approved books so that important references become familiar before examination day.

Whether you use the flash cards for daily review, alongside an exam-prep course, or together with your NASCLA reference books and practice questions, the objective is to create a structured preparation system that helps you study consistently and approach the examination with stronger familiarity and confidence.

FAQ Section

How many NASCLA General Contractor study flash cards are included?

This product includes 500 NASCLA General Contractor Exam Prep Study Flash Cards.

What NASCLA examination are these flash cards designed for?

They are designed to support preparation for the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors.

How many questions are on the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam?

The examination contains 115 scored questions plus 10 non-scored pretest questions.

How many questions do I need to answer correctly to pass?

Candidates must answer at least 81 of the 115 scored questions correctly.

How long is the NASCLA exam?

Candidates receive 330 minutes, or 5½ hours, to complete the examination.

Is the NASCLA General Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is open book, and candidates may use approved references that comply with PSI examination rules.

Can I highlight and tab my NASCLA books?

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed. Permanent tabs are permitted. Temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are not allowed, and written notes or additional papers may not be added to the references.

Does passing the NASCLA exam give me a national contractor license?

No. The NASCLA examination is not a national contractor license. Participating licensing agencies may accept the examination in place of their applicable trade exam, but candidates must still meet the licensing requirements of each jurisdiction where they apply.

Who administers the NASCLA examination?

PSI Services LLC delivers the examination after a candidate has received examination approval through NASCLA.

Is the NASCLA exam computer based?

Yes. The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination is administered by computer at authorized testing locations.

How many times can I take the exam during my eligibility period?

NASCLA currently permits an eligible candidate to sit for the examination up to three times during the one-year eligibility period that begins with application approval.

Should I study the approved books in addition to these flash cards?

Yes. The flash cards are a study supplement. Candidates should also work extensively with the approved references because the examination is open book and effective book navigation is an important part of preparation.

How should I use the 500 flash cards?

Divide the cards into manageable study groups, test yourself before checking each answer, and isolate difficult cards for more frequent review. Combine flash-card study with approved-reference navigation, calculations, plan reading, code review, and practice questions.