Nevada Masonry Contractor (C-18) Exam - Online Exam Prep

Prepare for the Nevada Masonry Contractor (C-18) trade examination with an online exam prep course designed around masonry construction, approved code-reference navigation, construction safety, and the practical trade knowledge associated with brick, concrete block, stone, mortar, grout, and specialty masonry work. This online preparation gives candidates a structured way to study the major C-18 subject areas while developing the code-navigation and practice skills needed for a timed open-book examination.

The Nevada C-18 Masonry classification is regulated by the Nevada State Contractors Board. The classification covers qualifying masonry work involving brick and other baked-clay products, rough-cut and dressed stone, artificial stone, precast blocks, and structural glass brick or block. Candidates preparing for this specialty contractor license should understand both practical masonry methods and the code requirements that apply to masonry construction.

The approved technical references used for this preparation are the International Building Code, 2018 and ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries. Candidates should become familiar with the organization of both references so applicable masonry requirements can be located efficiently during the examination.

Additional study references include Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA) and Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone by Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition. These books are not allowed into the C-18 trade examination. Candidates should use them during preparation to strengthen their understanding of masonry safety, concrete block, brick, stone, mortar, grout, tools, layout, cutting, installation, and practical construction methods.

Online exam prep allows candidates to organize the C-18 material into manageable categories rather than studying masonry as one broad subject. Concrete Block, Brick, Mortar and Grout, Specialty Masonry, Safety, and approved reference navigation can each receive focused attention.

The online format also makes it easier to revisit difficult topics, repeat practice-oriented review, and spend more time on weaker areas. A candidate who is already comfortable with brick work can focus additional attention on concrete block or mortar and grout, while another candidate may need more practice with the International Building Code or ACI masonry requirements.

Exam Details

The Nevada C-18 Masonry Contractor trade examination is administered through PSI for candidates who have received examination eligibility through the Nevada State Contractors Board.

• Exam: Nevada C-18 Masonry Contractor
• Number of Questions: 50
• Time Allowed: 2 hours
• Minimum Passing Score: 35 correct answers
• Testing Provider: PSI

The C-18 examination content is divided into five major technical areas:

• Safety: 5 questions
• Concrete Block: 20 questions
• Brick: 11 questions
• Specialty Masonry: 6 questions
• Mortar and Grout: 8 questions

Concrete Block is the largest individual category with 20 questions. Candidates should make concrete masonry units a major focus of preparation. Study should include layout, wall construction, bond patterns, cutting, alignment, openings, reinforcement concepts, placement, tools, materials, and practical concrete block installation methods.

Brick contains 11 questions and represents another substantial part of the examination. Candidates should review brick materials, coursing, bonds, joints, layout, cutting, openings, installation methods, workmanship principles, and the practical techniques used to build brick masonry assemblies.

Mortar and Grout contains eight questions. Candidates should understand the purpose and use of mortar and grout, mixing concepts, placement, joints, handling, application, and the relationship between masonry units, reinforcement, grout, and completed masonry construction.

Specialty Masonry contains six questions. Preparation should include rough-cut and dressed stone, artificial stone, structural glass brick or block, precast masonry products, specialty applications, and installation methods that extend beyond standard block and brick work.

Safety contains five questions. Candidates should review OSHA-related construction safety involving scaffolds, ladders, personal protective equipment, fall hazards, tools, cutting operations, lifting and material handling, and other hazards commonly associated with masonry work.

Because candidates have two hours for 50 questions, preparation should include both trade knowledge and efficient use of the approved references. Strong pacing helps prevent excessive time from being spent on individual code searches.

Open Book Test

The Nevada C-18 Masonry Contractor trade examination is an open-book test. Specific approved code references may be used during testing.

The approved exam-room references used for this preparation are:

• International Building Code, 2018
• ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries

The International Building Code supports preparation involving masonry-related building requirements, walls, materials, structural provisions, fire-resistance requirements, openings, and other code topics relevant to masonry construction.

Candidates should practice navigating the IBC by using the index, chapter organization, definitions, tables, section numbers, exceptions, and cross-references. The goal is to know how to find applicable information without having to search the entire book during the examination.

ACI 530/530.1-13 provides masonry-specific code requirements and specifications. Candidates should become familiar with the organization of this reference and practice locating information involving masonry materials, construction requirements, reinforcement, mortar, grout, and related technical provisions.

The following books are study references and are not allowed into the C-18 trade examination:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition

Because OSHA and Modern Masonry cannot be used during the examination, candidates should study those books for understanding and retention. Practical construction methods, safety procedures, tools, masonry materials, brick and block installation, stone work, mortar, and grout should become familiar enough to apply without referring to those books during testing.

An open-book exam still rewards preparation. Candidates who try to research every question can lose valuable time. The more practical masonry knowledge a candidate develops before test day, the easier it becomes to reserve reference searches for questions that truly require code verification.

Licensing Steps

The Nevada State Contractors Board regulates the C-18 Masonry Contractor classification. Passing the trade examination is one part of the overall contractor licensing process.

1. Confirm the C-18 classification. Determine that Masonry matches the type of contracting work the business intends to perform.
2. Identify the Trade Qualified Individual. Designate the person who will establish the required experience and trade qualification for the C-18 classification.
3. Document qualifying experience. Prepare acceptable records demonstrating relevant masonry experience.
4. Prepare the Nevada contractor application. Gather the required business, qualifier, experience, financial, and supporting information.
5. Submit the application to the Nevada State Contractors Board. The Board reviews the application before examination eligibility is issued.
6. Complete applicable background requirements. Follow the fingerprint and background procedures required during the contractor licensing process.
7. Provide applicable financial information. Nevada evaluates financial responsibility as part of contractor licensing.
8. Receive examination eligibility. Eligible candidates can proceed with required testing after the applicable qualifications have been reviewed.
9. Schedule the C-18 examination through PSI. Arrange the Masonry Contractor trade examination after receiving authorization.
10. Prepare for the C-18 trade exam. Review Concrete Block, Brick, Mortar and Grout, Specialty Masonry, Safety, and approved reference navigation.
11. Prepare for Nevada Business and Law. Nevada contractor applicants generally must also satisfy the Contractor Management Survey Business and Law requirement unless an applicable waiver is approved.
12. Complete applicable examinations. Meet the required trade and management examination requirements.
13. Complete final licensing requirements. Address applicable financial responsibility, bonding, and other Board requirements before license issuance.

For the standard Nevada licensing pathway, the Trade Qualified Individual generally must have at least four years of qualifying experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee, or contractor in the specific classification requested. The qualifying experience generally must have been gained within the 15 years immediately preceding the application.

State Requirements

The Nevada C-18 classification is a specialty contractor classification focused on masonry construction. Contractors should understand the authorized scope of the classification and perform work that falls within the license held by the business.

The classification covers qualifying work involving brick and other baked-clay products, rough-cut and dressed stone, artificial stone, precast blocks, and structural glass brick or block. These materials may be installed at random or in courses and may be laid with or without mortar.

The C-18 classification does not authorize applying tile to existing surfaces. Candidates should understand the distinction between masonry work covered by C-18 and work that requires another Nevada contractor classification.

The Trade Qualified Individual generally must demonstrate at least four years of experience at the journeyman, foreman, supervising employee, or contractor level in the specific classification requested. Nevada generally requires that experience to have been obtained within the 15 years immediately preceding the filing of the application.

Applicants should maintain clear documentation showing the type of masonry work performed and the period during which the experience was gained. Experience documentation is an important part of establishing trade qualification.

Nevada contractor licensing distinguishes between management and trade qualification. A single individual may serve as both the Management Qualified Individual and Trade Qualified Individual when all applicable qualifications are satisfied, or separate people may fulfill those responsibilities.

The Management Qualified Individual generally completes the Business and Law examination requirement, while the Trade Qualified Individual establishes the required experience and applicable trade qualification for C-18.

Financial responsibility, background requirements, contractor bonding, and a monetary limit are also part of the Nevada contractor licensing process. Passing the C-18 examination does not by itself result in license issuance.

Reference Books

• International Building Code, 2018
  This approved exam-room reference supports masonry-related building requirements, structural provisions, walls, materials, openings, fire-resistance requirements, and other code subjects relevant to the Nevada C-18 examination.
• ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
  This approved exam-room masonry code reference supports preparation involving masonry materials, construction requirements, reinforcement, mortar, grout, structural provisions, and related technical requirements.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This study reference supports masonry construction safety involving scaffolds, ladders, personal protective equipment, fall protection, tools, cutting operations, material handling, and other jobsite safety topics. This book is not allowed into the C-18 trade examination.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  This study reference supports practical preparation involving brick, concrete block, stone, mortar, grout, masonry tools, layout, installation, cutting, and construction methods. This book is not allowed into the C-18 trade examination.

The International Building Code and ACI masonry reference should be used regularly during preparation for code-navigation practice. Candidates should become comfortable locating information in both books rather than waiting until examination day to learn how the references are organized.

Modern Masonry should be used to strengthen practical trade knowledge. Candidates can review brick, block, stone, mortar, grout, layout, and installation procedures and connect those concepts with the code provisions found in the approved references.

OSHA preparation should focus on safety concepts that can be recalled without the book. Since the reference is not permitted in the C-18 trade examination, candidates should learn how to recognize safe and unsafe practices before testing.

Test Information and Study Materials

A productive Nevada C-18 study plan should reflect the examination weighting. Concrete Block alone represents 20 questions, making it especially important, while Brick, Mortar and Grout, Specialty Masonry, and Safety complete the exam outline.

Prioritize Concrete Block. Review concrete masonry units, layout, coursing, alignment, bonds, openings, cutting, reinforcement concepts, materials, and practical installation procedures.

Study Brick carefully. Review bonds, joints, coursing, layout, cutting, openings, brick types, installation methods, and workmanship principles.

Understand Mortar and Grout. Study materials, mixing, placement, joints, grout application, reinforcement relationships, and the role mortar and grout play in completed masonry systems.

Review Specialty Masonry. Study stone, artificial stone, precast masonry products, structural glass brick or block, and other specialty masonry conditions.

Prepare for Safety. Review scaffolding, ladders, PPE, fall hazards, tools, cutting operations, lifting, and material handling. Since OSHA is not allowed in the exam room, study these topics for recognition and recall.

Practice International Building Code navigation. Work repeatedly with the IBC to locate masonry-related provisions, definitions, tables, and structural requirements.

Practice ACI masonry navigation. Become familiar with the structure of ACI 530/530.1-13 and learn where common requirements involving reinforcement, mortar, grout, and masonry construction are located.

Use Modern Masonry for practical understanding. Connect trade procedures from the study book with the code requirements found in the IBC and ACI reference.

Work with practice-oriented questions. Practice questions can help identify whether additional study is needed in block, brick, mortar and grout, specialty masonry, safety, or reference navigation.

Review missed questions by category. Repeated mistakes in one area should lead to focused review of that subject rather than random repetition of the entire course.

Practice under timed conditions. Candidates have two hours for 50 questions. Timed preparation can help build pacing and improve decisions about when an approved reference lookup is worth the time.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Nevada Masonry Contractor candidates through organized study guidance, masonry-focused trade review, practice-oriented preparation, approved code-reference navigation, and confidence-building study structure.

The online format helps candidates divide the C-18 examination into manageable subjects. Concrete Block, Brick, Mortar and Grout, Specialty Masonry, Safety, International Building Code navigation, and ACI masonry navigation can each receive dedicated review.

Trade-focused preparation helps candidates connect practical masonry methods with code requirements. Understanding how masonry units, reinforcement, mortar, grout, tools, layout, and workmanship fit together supports stronger preparation than memorizing isolated answers.

Practice-oriented study encourages candidates to apply what they learn. Exam-style questions can reveal whether a candidate needs additional review in concrete block, brick, specialty masonry, mortar and grout, safety, or code navigation.

Reference-navigation preparation focuses on the International Building Code and ACI masonry reference because these are the approved technical references available during the C-18 examination. Repeated practice can help candidates use those books efficiently when a code lookup is needed.

The study-only books support knowledge that must be developed before examination day. Modern Masonry reinforces practical brick, block, stone, mortar, grout, and tool knowledge, while OSHA helps candidates prepare for jobsite safety questions.

Online study also allows candidates to revisit difficult subjects and adjust preparation based on their progress. Candidates who need more work on Concrete Block can devote additional time to that section, while others may focus on Brick, Mortar and Grout, Safety, or code navigation.

By combining organized online study, masonry trade review, practice-oriented preparation, approved reference navigation, safety study, and practical masonry preparation, 1 Exam Prep provides a structured path for professionals pursuing the Nevada C-18 Masonry Contractor license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nevada C-18 Masonry exam open book?

Yes. The C-18 trade examination is open book with specific approved code references permitted in the examination center.

Which books are allowed into the C-18 examination?

The approved references used for this preparation are the International Building Code, 2018 and ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries.

Which books are not allowed into the Nevada C-18 exam?

Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA) and Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone by Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition are study references and are not allowed into the C-18 trade examination.

How many questions are on the Nevada C-18 examination?

The C-18 Masonry Contractor examination contains 50 questions.

How much time is allowed for the C-18 exam?

Candidates have two hours to complete the trade examination.

What score is required to pass?

The minimum passing score is 35 correct answers out of 50 questions.

What is the largest section of the C-18 exam?

Concrete Block is the largest category with 20 questions, followed by Brick with 11 questions.

Does the exam include mortar and grout?

Yes. Mortar and Grout is a dedicated C-18 examination category and contains eight questions.

Does the examination include masonry safety?

Yes. Safety is part of the C-18 exam. OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 is used for preparation but is not allowed into the trade examination.

What work does the Nevada C-18 classification cover?

The classification covers qualifying masonry work involving brick, baked-clay products, rough-cut and dressed stone, artificial stone, precast blocks, and structural glass brick or block. It does not authorize applying tile to existing surfaces.

How much qualifying experience does Nevada generally require?

The Trade Qualified Individual generally must have at least four years of qualifying experience as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee, or contractor in the requested classification, with that experience generally gained within the preceding 15 years.

Does Nevada also require Business and Law?

Nevada contractor applicants generally must satisfy the Contractor Management Survey Business and Law requirement in addition to the applicable trade qualification unless an approved waiver applies.

Why should I practice with both approved code references?

The International Building Code and ACI masonry reference cover different parts of masonry regulation. Familiarity with both can help candidates locate applicable requirements more efficiently during the timed examination.

How should I use Modern Masonry for preparation?

Use Modern Masonry to strengthen practical knowledge involving brick, block, stone, mortar, grout, layout, tools, and installation methods. Since the book is not allowed into the exam, focus on understanding and retaining the material.

How does online exam prep help with the C-18 examination?

Online preparation lets candidates study each exam category separately, revisit difficult masonry subjects, practice code navigation, work through exam-style questions, and focus additional time on weaker areas.