Nevada Concrete Contractor (C-5) Exam Book Package

Prepare for the Nevada Concrete Contractor (C-5) trade examination with a comprehensive exam book package covering concrete construction, reinforcement, formwork, earthwork, concrete cutting, safety, code requirements, and practical field knowledge. This package combines the references approved for use during the C-5 examination with additional technical study materials that support the major subjects tested by PSI.

The Nevada C-5 Concrete classification covers work associated with preparing surfaces, placing reinforcement steel and other embedded materials that are essential to concrete construction, pouring and placing concrete, finishing and installing concrete, constructing and assembling forms, molds, slipforms, and pans, applying concrete sealants and waterproofing products, and sawing, cutting, drilling, and coring concrete and asphaltic paving material.

The exam-room-approved references included in this package are the International Building Code, 2018 and ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary. These books can be used during the open-book Nevada C-5 trade examination and should be part of regular study before test day.

The package also includes study materials covering OSHA construction safety, concrete formwork, quality concrete construction, excavation, and concrete cutting. These books are not allowed into the C-5 examination room, but they help candidates build the technical knowledge needed for questions involving safety, earthwork, formwork, concrete placement, and cutting methods.

A strong C-5 preparation strategy combines practical concrete knowledge with efficient code navigation. Candidates should understand concrete materials and placement, reinforcing steel, forms, earthwork, saw cutting, construction safety, finishing practices, and related field procedures while also developing the ability to locate specific requirements in the International Building Code and ACI 318-14.

Exam Details

The Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor trade examination is administered through PSI for candidates authorized to test through the Nevada State Contractors Board.

• Exam: Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Number of Questions: 60
• Time Allowed: 2 hours
• Minimum Passing Score: 42 correct answers

The current examination content is organized into the following subject areas:

• Safety: 6 questions
• Concrete-Earthwork: 7 questions
• Concrete: 15 questions
• Concrete-Reinforcement: 10 questions
• Concrete-Formwork: 12 questions
• Concrete-Cutting: 10 questions

Concrete is the largest individual category with 15 questions. Candidates should review concrete materials, mixing, placement, consolidation, curing, finishing, joints, quality-control concepts, surface preparation, sealants, waterproofing, and other practical concrete construction principles.

Concrete-Formwork accounts for 12 questions. Candidates should understand form construction, materials, layout, bracing, supports, stripping, loads, molds, slipforms, pans, and practical considerations involved in keeping forms stable and properly aligned during concrete placement.

Concrete-Reinforcement and Concrete-Cutting each account for 10 questions. Reinforcement preparation should include reinforcing steel, placement, cover, spacing, development concepts, embedded items, and applicable ACI requirements. Cutting preparation should include saw cutting, joint cutting, drilling, coring, timing, equipment, and field methods.

Concrete-Earthwork accounts for seven questions. Candidates should review excavation, grading, preparation, compaction, subgrade conditions, trenching relationships, drainage, and site preparation associated with concrete work.

Safety accounts for six questions and should not be overlooked. Candidates should understand construction hazards, personal protective equipment, tools, excavation safety, concrete operations, reinforcing work, formwork hazards, and cutting equipment safety.

Open Book Test

The Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor examination is an open-book test with specific references approved for use in the examination room.

The exam-room-approved books included in this package are:

• International Building Code, 2018
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary

The International Building Code, 2018 supports preparation involving building-code requirements that affect concrete construction, structural systems, materials, foundations, accessibility relationships, and other construction provisions relevant to C-5 work.

ACI 318-14 supports preparation involving structural concrete, reinforcing steel, concrete materials, placement requirements, reinforcement details, cover, development, structural provisions, and related concrete-code topics.

Candidates should practice using both books regularly before test day. Efficient reference navigation is important because 60 questions must be completed within two hours. Candidates who know whether a question is more likely to be answered in the IBC or ACI 318 can avoid unnecessary searching.

The following included study materials are not allowed into the C-5 examination:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
• SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
• Sawcutting Joints in Concrete, Bruce A. Suprenant, 1995
• Sawcutting Concrete Flatwork, Rosalie Johnston, 1994
• Taking the Tedium Out of Cutting, 1981
• Tips for Cutting Concrete, 1987

These references should be used during preparation to build practical knowledge that candidates can recall without having the materials available during the examination.

Licensing Steps

The Nevada State Contractors Board regulates the C-5 Concrete classification. Passing the C-5 trade examination is one component of the complete Nevada contractor licensing process.

1. Confirm the C-5 classification. Determine that Concrete Contracting matches the type of work the business intends to perform.
2. Identify the qualifying individual. Designate the person who will satisfy applicable experience and examination requirements.
3. Document qualifying experience. Prepare records showing relevant work with concrete placement, finishing, reinforcing steel, forms, earthwork, cutting, drilling, coring, sealants, waterproofing, and related concrete construction.
4. Prepare the Nevada contractor license application. Gather business information, qualifier information, experience documentation, financial information, and required supporting materials.
5. Submit the application. The Nevada State Contractors Board reviews the applicant's qualifications before examination eligibility is established.
6. Complete applicable background requirements. Follow required disclosure, fingerprint, and background procedures.
7. Meet financial responsibility requirements. Provide the applicable financial information required during the licensing process.
8. Receive examination eligibility. Candidates required to test can proceed with scheduling after authorization.
9. Schedule the C-5 examination through PSI. Arrange the Concrete Contractor trade examination after receiving eligibility.
10. Prepare for the trade examination. Review concrete, reinforcement, formwork, cutting, earthwork, safety, and approved-reference navigation.
11. Complete applicable contractor management requirements. Nevada contractor licensing includes management qualification in addition to the trade examination.
12. Complete remaining licensing requirements. Satisfy applicable financial, bonding, background, and other Nevada State Contractors Board requirements before license issuance.

State Requirements

The Nevada C-5 Concrete classification authorizes a contractor to prepare surfaces and place reinforcement steel and other embedded materials essential to concrete construction; pour, place, finish, and install concrete; construct and assemble forms, molds, slipforms, and pans; apply concrete sealants and other waterproofing products; and saw, cut, drill, and core concrete and asphaltic paving material.

This scope requires candidates to understand several stages of concrete construction rather than focusing only on placement and finishing. A C-5 contractor may encounter earthwork preparation, reinforcing steel, formwork, placement, finishing, curing, cutting, sealing, drilling, and other related tasks within a project.

Formwork and reinforcement are especially important because they directly influence the shape, stability, and structural behavior of concrete construction. Candidates should understand proper preparation, bracing, reinforcing placement, embedded materials, and practical field procedures.

Concrete cutting is also a significant part of the classification and represents 10 questions on the examination. Sawing, coring, drilling, and joint cutting should be treated as major study subjects rather than minor specialty topics.

For the standard Nevada contractor licensing pathway, the qualifying individual generally must document at least four years of qualifying experience within the applicable experience period required by the Nevada State Contractors Board.

Passing the C-5 trade examination alone does not automatically result in contractor license issuance. Applicants must also complete applicable management, financial responsibility, bonding, background, and other Nevada licensing requirements.

Reference Books

• International Building Code, 2018
  Exam-room-approved reference supporting preparation involving building-code requirements, foundations, structural construction, materials, and other provisions relevant to Nevada concrete contracting.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Exam-room-approved concrete-code reference supporting structural concrete, reinforcement, materials, placement, cover, development, construction requirements, and related technical provisions.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Study reference supporting construction safety, personal protective equipment, excavation hazards, tools, formwork, reinforcing operations, concrete work, and other jobsite safety topics. This reference is not allowed into the C-5 examination.
• SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition
  Study reference supporting formwork design concepts, construction, loads, bracing, supports, stripping, materials, and practical formwork procedures. This book is not allowed into the examination.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  Study reference supporting concrete materials, placement, finishing, curing, quality practices, troubleshooting, and practical field construction. This book is not allowed into the examination.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Study reference supporting earthwork, excavation, grading, trenching, site preparation, and related construction concepts. This book is not allowed into the examination.
• Sawcutting Joints in Concrete, Bruce A. Suprenant, 1995
  Study material supporting sawcut joint timing, placement, purpose, and practical concrete-cutting considerations. This reference is not allowed into the examination.
• Sawcutting Concrete Flatwork, Rosalie Johnston, 1994
  Study material supporting flatwork saw cutting, equipment, methods, timing, and field procedures. This reference is not allowed into the examination.
• Taking the Tedium Out of Cutting, 1981
  Study material supporting practical concrete-cutting techniques and equipment considerations. This reference is not allowed into the examination.
• Tips for Cutting Concrete, 1987
  Study material supporting concrete-cutting methods, equipment use, and practical field considerations. This reference is not allowed into the examination.

Exam Room Approved Books

• International Building Code, 2018
  Approved for use during the Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor trade examination.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Approved for use during the Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor trade examination.

The remaining books and articles in this package are study materials and are not permitted in the C-5 examination room. Candidates should use them during preparation to build the trade knowledge needed for questions that cannot be answered through an approved code lookup.

Test Information and Study Materials

A productive C-5 study plan should reflect the examination weighting. Concrete, Formwork, Reinforcement, and Cutting account for most of the 60 questions and should receive the greatest amount of preparation time.

Prioritize concrete fundamentals. Review materials, mixing, placement, consolidation, finishing, curing, joints, surface preparation, waterproofing, sealants, and quality practices.

Study formwork thoroughly. Understand form materials, bracing, supports, layout, loads, molds, pans, slipforms, stripping, alignment, and common field practices.

Review reinforcement. Practice locating requirements in ACI 318-14 while developing working knowledge of reinforcing steel, cover, spacing, placement, embedded materials, and structural relationships.

Prepare for concrete cutting. Study saw-cut timing, joint cutting, drilling, coring, flatwork cutting, equipment use, and practical cutting methods. The concrete-cutting category contains 10 questions, making it a major exam subject.

Review earthwork. Study excavation, subgrade preparation, grading, drainage, trenching relationships, compaction, and site conditions that affect concrete construction.

Prepare for safety. Use OSHA during study to reinforce safe practices involving excavation, tools, reinforcing steel, formwork, cutting equipment, and general construction operations.

Practice IBC and ACI navigation. Learn which reference is most likely to contain the answer before searching. This can save valuable time during the two-hour examination.

Use timed practice. Candidates have two hours for 60 questions. Practice maintaining a steady pace and avoid spending excessive time on one difficult reference lookup.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation when applicable, and confidence-building study structure.

The C-5 examination covers more than basic concrete placement. Candidates must prepare for formwork, reinforcing steel, earthwork, concrete cutting, safety, code requirements, and practical field methods. An organized study plan helps divide these subjects into manageable areas.

Reference-navigation preparation focuses on the International Building Code and ACI 318-14, the books permitted during the trade examination. Candidates can practice identifying whether a question belongs in the IBC or ACI reference and locating the applicable section efficiently.

The additional study books and articles provide technical depth in formwork, excavation, concrete quality, safety, and concrete cutting. These materials help candidates build knowledge that must be recalled without having the references available on exam day.

Practice-oriented preparation can help identify weaker areas. A candidate with extensive concrete-finishing experience may need more review of reinforcement or ACI navigation, while another may need additional work with forms, earthwork, cutting, or safety.

By combining approved exam-room references with concrete-focused technical study materials and structured preparation, 1 Exam Prep helps candidates build a focused approach to the Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What books are included in the Nevada C-5 Exam Book Package?

The package includes the International Building Code, 2018; ACI 318-14; OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926; SP-4 Formwork for Concrete; The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction; Pipe and Excavation Contracting; and the listed concrete-cutting study materials.

Is the Nevada C-5 examination open book?

Yes. The Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor trade examination is open book with designated approved references.

Which books are allowed into the C-5 examination?

The International Building Code, 2018 and ACI 318-14 are the exam-room-approved references included in this package.

Which books are not allowed into the exam?

OSHA, SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, Pipe and Excavation Contracting, and the listed concrete-cutting study materials are not allowed into the examination.

How many questions are on the Nevada C-5 exam?

The examination contains 60 questions.

How much time is allowed for the C-5 exam?

Candidates have two hours to complete the examination.

What score is required to pass?

The minimum passing score is 42 correct answers out of 60 questions.

What is the largest C-5 exam category?

Concrete is the largest individual category with 15 questions, followed by Concrete-Formwork with 12 questions.

Does the C-5 exam include concrete cutting?

Yes. Concrete-Cutting accounts for 10 questions and includes knowledge related to sawing, joint cutting, drilling, coring, equipment, and related field practices.

What does the Nevada C-5 classification cover?

The classification covers surface preparation, reinforcement, concrete placement and finishing, forms and molds, concrete sealants and waterproofing products, and sawing, cutting, drilling, and coring concrete and asphaltic paving material.

Why are study-only books included if they cannot be taken into the exam?

The study-only references support technical preparation in safety, formwork, excavation, concrete quality, and cutting methods that candidates should understand before test day.

Should I practice with both approved exam books?

Yes. Candidates should become familiar with both the International Building Code and ACI 318-14 and learn which reference applies to different types of questions.

Does passing the C-5 exam automatically issue a Nevada contractor license?

No. Passing the trade examination is one part of the licensing process. Applicants must also satisfy applicable experience, management qualification, financial responsibility, bonding, background, and other Nevada State Contractors Board requirements.

Who is this package best for?

This package is designed for candidates preparing for the Nevada C-5 Concrete Contractor examination who want both the approved exam-room code books and the broader technical study references used for concrete, formwork, reinforcement, earthwork, safety, and cutting preparation.