Nevada Concrete Contractor (C-5) Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package

Prepare for the Nevada Concrete Contractor (C-5) trade examination with a comprehensive Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package built around concrete construction, reinforcement, formwork, earthwork, concrete cutting, construction safety, and code navigation. This package combines the references approved for use during the Nevada C-5 examination with additional technical study materials that support the major subjects tested on the trade exam.

The Nevada C-5 Concrete classification covers preparing surfaces, placing reinforcing steel and other embedded materials 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 support code-based preparation involving concrete construction, reinforcement, structural requirements, foundations, materials, and related building-code provisions.

The package also includes study-only references covering OSHA construction safety, formwork, concrete quality, excavation, and concrete cutting. These materials are not allowed into the C-5 trade examination but are useful for building the technical knowledge candidates need to answer questions involving safety, formwork, earthwork, field procedures, and concrete cutting.

All books in this package are highlighted and tabbed to support organized study and more efficient reference navigation. Highlighting helps draw attention to important material, while tabs make it easier to move between major subjects during preparation. Candidates should use the books regularly before test day so the highlighted sections and tab locations become familiar.

A highlighted and tabbed reference package can be especially useful for an open-book examination because candidates must work efficiently under a time limit. The books do not replace technical preparation, but they can help support faster navigation when a specific code requirement needs to be located.

Please allow up to 15 business days for tabbed and highlighted book package orders.

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 examination is divided 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 exam category with 15 questions. Candidates should review concrete materials, placement, consolidation, curing, finishing, joints, surface preparation, sealants, waterproofing, quality-control concepts, and common field practices.

Concrete-Formwork accounts for 12 questions. Preparation should include form materials, bracing, supports, loads, layout, stripping, molds, slipforms, pans, alignment, and practical formwork procedures.

Concrete-Reinforcement contains 10 questions. Candidates should understand reinforcing steel, placement, cover, spacing, embedded materials, development concepts, and related ACI requirements.

Concrete-Cutting also accounts for 10 questions. Candidates should prepare for topics involving saw cutting, joint cutting, flatwork cutting, drilling, coring, equipment use, timing, and practical cutting methods.

Concrete-Earthwork accounts for seven questions and may include excavation, site preparation, grading, subgrade conditions, trenching relationships, compaction, and other earthwork considerations that affect concrete construction.

Safety accounts for six questions. Candidates should understand common hazards associated with reinforcing steel, formwork, excavation, concrete placement, cutting equipment, tools, personal protective equipment, and other jobsite operations.

Open Book Test

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

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 requirements, foundations, structural systems, materials, and other code provisions related to concrete work.

ACI 318-14 supports preparation involving structural concrete, reinforcing steel, materials, cover, placement, development, construction provisions, and other concrete requirements.

The included approved references are highlighted and tabbed to support efficient navigation. Candidates should still become familiar with the organization of each book. A tab is most effective when the candidate already understands what subject it points to and when the reference should be used.

The following books and study materials are not allowed into the C-5 trade 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 study-only references should be used before test day to build the knowledge needed for questions that must be answered without having those materials in the examination room.

Licensing Steps

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

1. Confirm the C-5 classification. Determine that Concrete Contracting matches the work the business intends to perform.
2. Identify the qualifying individual. Designate the person who will satisfy the applicable experience and examination requirements.
3. Document qualifying experience. Prepare records showing relevant concrete work involving placement, finishing, reinforcement, formwork, excavation, cutting, drilling, coring, sealants, waterproofing, and related responsibilities.
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, earthwork, cutting, safety, and approved-reference navigation.
11. Complete applicable contractor management requirements. Nevada contractor licensing also 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 work involving surface preparation and placement of reinforcing steel and other embedded materials essential to concrete construction.

The classification also covers pouring, placing, finishing, and installing concrete and constructing and assembling forms, molds, slipforms, and pans used in concrete construction.

Additional authorized work includes applying concrete sealants and waterproofing products and sawing, cutting, drilling, and coring concrete and asphaltic paving material.

This broad scope means candidates should prepare for the complete concrete construction process rather than focusing only on finishing. Study should include site preparation, reinforcement, formwork, placement, finishing, curing, waterproofing, cutting, drilling, coring, and related safety practices.

Formwork and reinforcement are particularly important areas because together they account for 22 of the 60 exam questions. Candidates should understand how forms support concrete during placement and how reinforcing steel and embedded materials contribute to the completed system.

Concrete cutting is also a major part of the classification and examination. Sawing, joint cutting, coring, drilling, and related equipment should receive dedicated preparation time.

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

Reference Books

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

The approved books are prepared with highlighting and tabs to help candidates organize important information and improve navigation during study. Candidates should use the prepared books regularly so the highlighted material and tab locations become familiar before the examination.

Please allow up to 15 business days for tabbed and highlighted book package orders.

Test Information and Study Materials

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

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

Study formwork thoroughly. Review form materials, bracing, supports, layout, alignment, loads, molds, pans, slipforms, stripping, and practical field procedures.

Review reinforcement. Understand reinforcing steel, embedded materials, placement, cover, spacing, and structural relationships. Practice using ACI 318-14 to locate applicable requirements efficiently.

Prepare for concrete cutting. Study saw-cut timing, joint cutting, flatwork cutting, drilling, coring, equipment, and field techniques. With 10 questions devoted to concrete cutting, this is a major exam subject.

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

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

Practice IBC navigation. Become familiar with the location of foundation, structural, material, and other building-code provisions relevant to concrete work.

Practice ACI navigation. Use the highlighted and tabbed ACI 318-14 reference to build familiarity with reinforcement, materials, cover, structural concrete, and related requirements.

Use timed reference exercises. Candidates have two hours for 60 questions. Practice identifying the correct reference and locating information efficiently without spending too much time on a single question.

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, and confidence-building study structure.

This Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package combines the exam-room-approved International Building Code and ACI 318-14 with technical study materials covering formwork, concrete quality, excavation, cutting, and safety.

Highlighting and tabs support more efficient study by helping candidates move between important subjects and commonly reviewed sections. The best results come from using the prepared books regularly so the organization becomes familiar before exam day.

Reference-navigation preparation focuses on recognizing whether a question is more likely to require the International Building Code or ACI 318-14. Learning to choose the right book before searching can save valuable exam time.

The additional study materials provide technical depth for subjects that cannot be handled through an exam-room lookup. Formwork, cutting, earthwork, safety, and quality concrete construction all require working knowledge that candidates should develop before testing.

Practice-oriented preparation can also help identify weak areas. A candidate with strong concrete placement experience may need more work with ACI reinforcement requirements, while another may need more review of cutting, forms, excavation, or safety.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the Nevada C-5 Highlighted & Tabbed 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.

Are all books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. All books and study references included in this package are highlighted and tabbed.

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 materials are study references and are not allowed into the C-5 examination.

Is the Nevada C-5 exam open book?

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

How many questions are on the C-5 exam?

The Nevada C-5 examination contains 60 questions.

How much time is allowed for the 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.

Why are highlighting and tabs useful?

Highlighting can draw attention to important material, while tabs help organize major sections and support faster reference navigation during preparation and the timed examination.

Do highlighted and tabbed books replace studying?

No. Candidates should still understand concrete construction, reinforcement, formwork, cutting, earthwork, safety, and code requirements. Highlighting and tabs are navigation tools that support preparation.

Why are study-only books included?

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

How long should I allow for my order?

Please allow up to 15 business days for tabbed and highlighted book package orders.

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

No. Passing the trade examination is one part of the licensing process. Applicants must also complete the applicable Nevada State Contractors Board licensing requirements.

Who is this package best for?

This package is designed for Nevada C-5 candidates who want the approved exam-room references and broader concrete study materials already organized with highlighting and tabs for focused exam preparation.