Nevada General Building Contractor (B) Books Allowed into Exam Package

Prepare for the Nevada General Building Contractor (B) examination with a focused Books Allowed into Exam Package containing the three technical references identified for exam-room use: International Building Code, 2018, ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary, and ACI 530/530.1-13 (2011 or 2013): Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries.

The Nevada General Building Contractor examination covers a broad range of construction knowledge, including sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, thermal and moisture protection, doors and windows, drywall and finishes, safety, plan reading, estimating, and Nevada One Call concepts. Because the examination spans multiple construction trades, candidates need a strong understanding of general building practices as well as the ability to navigate the approved code references efficiently.

This package is specifically designed for candidates who need the books allowed inside the Nevada General Building Contractor examination. It does not include the additional study-only references associated with the broader exam preparation package. Candidates who already have supplemental study materials can use this package to concentrate on the primary building, structural concrete, and masonry codes available during testing.

The International Building Code provides the broad building-code foundation, including occupancy, construction types, building limitations, fire protection, means of egress, structural provisions, and other requirements. ACI 318-14 provides detailed structural concrete requirements, while ACI 530/530.1-13 supports structural masonry preparation. Together, the three references cover major code-based areas encountered in general building construction.

Open-book testing still requires substantial preparation. The books contain extensive technical information, and candidates who are unfamiliar with their organization can lose valuable testing time searching for answers. Regular code-navigation practice before test day can help candidates recognize which reference applies and locate relevant information more efficiently.

What You Get

• International Building Code, 2018: Building-code reference covering occupancy, construction types, structural systems, fire protection, egress, building limitations, materials, and other requirements relevant to general building construction.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary: Structural concrete reference covering concrete materials, reinforcement, structural members, anchorage, development, durability, and other concrete requirements.
• ACI 530/530.1-13 (2011 or 2013): Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries: Structural masonry reference covering masonry materials, reinforcement, construction, design, and specifications.
• Exam-Room-Focused Package: This package is centered on the listed references intended for use during the Nevada B General Building examination.

Studying with the same books you plan to use during testing can help build familiarity with chapter organization, terminology, tables, structural provisions, and code relationships before exam day.

Exam Details

The Nevada B General Building Contractor trade examination contains 80 questions. Candidates are allowed 3 hours to complete the examination, and the minimum passing score is 56 correct answers.

Major examination subject areas include:

• Sitework
• Concrete
• Masonry
• Metals
• Carpentry
• Thermal and Moisture Protection
• Doors and Windows
• Drywall and Finishes
• Safety
• General Code, Plan Reading, and Estimating
• Nevada One Call

The broad content reflects the role of a General Building contractor. Candidates should understand how different building trades work together rather than concentrating exclusively on one specialty. Concrete, masonry, carpentry, metals, building-envelope systems, finishes, and sitework can all appear within the same general construction project.

With 80 questions in three hours, candidates have an average of approximately two minutes and fifteen seconds per question. Efficient testing requires knowing when to rely on trade knowledge and when a code lookup is worthwhile.

General Code, Plan Reading, and Estimating should receive consistent preparation. Candidates may need to interpret construction information, calculate quantities, understand dimensions, evaluate building requirements, or determine which code provision applies to a particular scenario.

Open Book Test

The Nevada General Building Contractor (B) examination is an open-book test with specific references permitted inside the examination room.

The books included in this package are:

• International Building Code, 2018
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
• ACI 530/530.1-13 (2011 or 2013): Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries

Candidates should become familiar with all three books before the examination. The International Building Code is particularly broad, so preparation should include learning how its chapters are organized and how the index, definitions, tables, and cross-references can help locate information.

For structural concrete questions, candidates should become comfortable using ACI 318-14. Study reinforcement terminology, concrete requirements, structural members, development, anchorage, cover, durability, and related technical provisions.

For structural masonry questions, practice with ACI 530/530.1-13. Candidates should understand where to find requirements involving masonry materials, reinforcement, grout, mortar, structural elements, and construction specifications.

Open-book preparation should include timed lookup exercises. Start with a practice question, identify whether it concerns the IBC, structural concrete, or masonry, and then locate the applicable section without browsing randomly through the book.

Candidates should also read surrounding provisions when necessary. Building codes frequently include exceptions, definitions, tables, referenced sections, and conditions that affect how a requirement applies.

Licensing Steps

The Nevada B General Building trade examination is one part of the contractor licensing process. Applicants must complete the applicable licensing requirements in addition to preparing for the trade test.

1. Confirm the General Building classification. Determine that the work the business intends to perform falls within Nevada's B General Building classification.
2. Identify the qualifying individual. The contractor application must designate the individual responsible for meeting the technical experience and trade examination requirements.
3. Document qualifying experience. The trade qualifier must demonstrate applicable experience in the classification requested.
4. Complete the Nevada contractor license application. Provide the required business, qualifying individual, experience, and supporting information.
5. Submit the application for review. The application must be reviewed before examination eligibility is issued.
6. Receive examination eligibility. The qualifying individual can schedule the required examination after receiving eligibility information.
7. Prepare for the B General Building trade examination. Review the major construction trades and practice using the approved code references.
8. Prepare for Business and Law. The Management Qualifier must satisfy the applicable Nevada business and law examination requirement unless an authorized waiver applies.
9. Complete the required examinations. Satisfy the examination requirements that apply to the contractor license application.
10. Complete remaining licensing requirements. Finish all other applicable requirements before the Nevada contractor license is issued.

Current Nevada licensing requirements generally call for the trade qualifier to demonstrate a minimum of four years of qualifying experience within the 15 years immediately preceding the application. The experience must relate to the specific classification requested.

State Requirements

The Nevada B General Building classification applies to contractors whose principal business involves constructing or remodeling buildings or structures where the work requires coordination of more than two unrelated building trades or crafts.

The General Building contractor typically serves as the prime contractor on a project where construction or remodeling of the building is the primary purpose. This makes the classification broader than a single specialty license and requires familiarity with multiple construction systems.

General Building work may involve concrete, masonry, structural framing, carpentry, building-envelope systems, openings, finishes, and other related trades. Candidates should therefore prepare for a broad technical examination rather than approaching it as a single-trade test.

The B classification does not automatically authorize a contractor to self-perform every specialty trade. Certain specialty work requires the appropriate specialty classification when the General Building contractor intends to perform that work directly.

The Nevada licensing process also includes requirements beyond the trade examination. Applicants must satisfy the applicable experience, business, financial, examination, and other licensing requirements before a contractor license can be issued.

The qualifying individual must provide the trade experience required for the classification. Current Nevada requirements generally require at least four years of applicable experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee, or contractor within the 15 years before the application is filed.

Reference Books

• International Building Code, 2018
  This comprehensive building code addresses occupancy classifications, building heights and areas, construction types, fire protection, means of egress, structural systems, materials, accessibility-related provisions, and other requirements affecting general building construction.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  This structural concrete reference addresses concrete materials, reinforcement, durability, structural members, development, anchorage, design requirements, detailing, and other provisions associated with reinforced concrete construction.
• ACI 530/530.1-13 (2011 or 2013): Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
  This masonry reference addresses structural masonry materials, reinforcement, mortar, grout, structural requirements, construction specifications, inspection considerations, and related masonry provisions.

These books should be used actively throughout preparation. The goal is not simply to bring them to the exam but to understand how each reference is organized and which subjects belong in each book.

Exam Room Approved Books

• International Building Code, 2018
  This is an exam-room reference included with the Nevada General Building Contractor (B) Books Allowed into Exam Package.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  This is an exam-room reference included for structural concrete preparation and code navigation.
• ACI 530/530.1-13 (2011 or 2013): Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
  This is an exam-room reference included for structural masonry preparation and code navigation.

This package is designed specifically around these exam-room references. It does not include the additional study-only books found in the full Nevada General Building Contractor Exam Book Package.

Test Information and Study Materials

A strong Nevada B General Building study plan should combine construction knowledge with targeted reference-navigation practice.

General Building Code preparation should begin with the International Building Code. Candidates should become familiar with occupancy classifications, construction types, allowable building size, fire-resistance concepts, means of egress, structural provisions, and other major sections.

Concrete should be studied using both the IBC and ACI 318-14. Review reinforcement, concrete strength, placement-related requirements, structural members, cover, anchorage, development, and durability concepts.

Masonry should include structural requirements, reinforcement, grout, mortar, wall systems, and construction specifications. ACI 530/530.1-13 is the primary reference in this package for detailed masonry requirements.

Metals should include general structural concepts, framing, supports, connections, and coordination with other building systems. Candidates should understand how structural systems relate to the building-code requirements found in the IBC.

Carpentry preparation should include framing terminology, walls, floors, roofs, openings, structural components, layout, and coordination with other trades. The IBC can provide code context for structural and building requirements.

Thermal and Moisture Protection should include roofing, insulation, flashing, waterproofing, moisture control, weather protection, and related building-envelope concepts.

Doors and Windows should be studied for opening requirements, installation considerations, egress-related provisions, safety concepts, and coordination with wall assemblies.

Drywall and Finishes should include gypsum systems, interior finishes, wall and ceiling assemblies, fire-resistance considerations, and general installation knowledge.

Safety should be studied as practical construction knowledge. General Building contractors coordinate multiple trades, which means candidates should understand common hazards associated with excavation, ladders, scaffolds, fall protection, material handling, tools, equipment, and active construction sites.

Plan Reading should receive regular practice. Candidates should become comfortable reading dimensions, elevations, sections, symbols, schedules, details, and notes. Construction plans frequently require candidates to connect information found in more than one part of a drawing set.

Estimating should include common construction calculations involving area, volume, quantities, materials, and dimensions. Candidates should practice calculations rather than relying on memorized formulas without understanding how they apply.

For IBC navigation, begin by learning the broad chapter structure. Knowing whether a question concerns occupancy, egress, fire resistance, building size, structural requirements, or another major category can dramatically narrow the search.

For ACI 318-14, practice locating provisions by subject rather than attempting to memorize every section number. Structural concrete questions may involve reinforcement, anchorage, development, concrete cover, strength, or structural members.

For ACI 530/530.1-13, become familiar with the distinction between code requirements and specification-related material. Practice identifying masonry terminology and locating requirements associated with reinforced and unreinforced masonry construction.

Timed practice is valuable because the examination allows three hours for 80 questions. Give yourself a limited period for each lookup. If a search takes too long, mark the question during practice and return later. This helps develop a testing strategy that prevents one difficult lookup from consuming too much time.

Practice questions should also be used to identify weak subjects. If concrete questions are difficult, spend additional time with ACI 318. If masonry questions take too long, work more with ACI 530/530.1. If general building-code questions are challenging, increase navigation practice with the International Building Code.

Open-book preparation should always combine code use with construction knowledge. A candidate who understands the trade can recognize what a question is asking before beginning the lookup, which makes the reference books much more useful.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Nevada General Building Contractor candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, code navigation, and a structured approach to the broad B General Building examination.

The Books Allowed into Exam Package provides the building, concrete, and masonry references candidates can use for focused preparation and exam-room navigation. Working with these references before test day helps candidates become familiar with the same code material they will rely on during testing.

The International Building Code supports preparation across a wide range of building subjects, while ACI 318-14 gives candidates a dedicated structural concrete reference. ACI 530/530.1-13 provides the detailed masonry requirements needed for structural masonry questions.

1 Exam Prep encourages active preparation rather than passive reading. Candidates can work through practice questions, identify the applicable reference, locate the relevant provision, and review the reasoning behind the answer.

Reference navigation can improve through repetition. Candidates who repeatedly use the IBC, ACI 318, and ACI 530/530.1 can develop a clearer understanding of where information is located and reduce unnecessary searching during the examination.

Trade-focused review is also important because the Nevada B exam spans multiple unrelated construction crafts. Strong preparation should connect code requirements to practical building work involving sitework, concrete, masonry, framing, building-envelope systems, openings, finishes, and construction coordination.

Practice-oriented preparation can help reveal weaknesses before test day. Candidates can spend additional time on the books and subjects that cause the most difficulty and build a more balanced understanding of the overall examination.

The goal is to help candidates approach the Nevada General Building Contractor examination with stronger construction knowledge, greater familiarity with the approved references, and a more organized strategy for open-book testing.

What books are included in the Nevada General Building Contractor (B) Books Allowed into Exam Package?

The package includes International Building Code, 2018, ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary, and ACI 530/530.1-13 (2011 or 2013): Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries.

Is the Nevada B General Building examination open book?

Yes. The Nevada B General Building trade examination is an open-book test with specific approved references.

Which books are included for exam-room use?

The package contains the International Building Code 2018, ACI 318-14, and ACI 530/530.1-13 references used for exam-room code navigation.

How many questions are on the Nevada B General Building exam?

The examination contains 80 questions.

How much time is allowed for the Nevada B exam?

Candidates have 3 hours to complete the trade examination.

What score is required to pass?

The minimum passing score is 56 correct answers out of 80 questions.

Why is the International Building Code included?

The International Building Code supports preparation for occupancy, construction types, fire protection, means of egress, structural provisions, building limitations, and other general building-code requirements.

Why is ACI 318-14 included?

ACI 318-14 provides detailed structural concrete requirements involving materials, reinforcement, anchorage, development, durability, structural members, and other concrete provisions.

Why is ACI 530/530.1-13 included?

ACI 530/530.1-13 supports preparation for structural masonry requirements, specifications, materials, reinforcement, mortar, grout, and masonry construction.

Should I practice using the books before test day?

Yes. Repeated code-navigation practice can help candidates locate applicable information more efficiently and become more comfortable with the structure of the references before the examination.

What subjects should I study for the Nevada General Building exam?

Preparation should include sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, thermal and moisture protection, doors and windows, drywall and finishes, safety, plan reading, estimating, general code requirements, and Nevada One Call concepts.

Does this package include the study-only Nevada B books?

No. This package is focused specifically on the listed books intended for exam-room use. Candidates seeking the broader collection of study references should use the full Nevada General Building Contractor Exam Book Package.

Does this package guarantee a passing score?

No. This package provides technical references to support organized study and code navigation. Examination results depend on each candidate's preparation, knowledge, and performance.