Nevada Paving of Streets, Driveways and Parking Lot Contractor (A-16) Exam Book Package

Prepare for the Nevada Paving of Streets, Driveways and Parking Lot Contractor (A-16) examination with a focused book package built around the references used to support the trade exam. This package includes the Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook, Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, Nevada Department of Transportation, 2014, and Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law.

The Nevada A-16 examination is a closed-book test. The books in this package are intended for study before exam day and are not allowed into the examination center for the A-16 trade test. Candidates should therefore use the references to develop strong working knowledge of asphalt paving, excavation, grading, compaction, safety, traffic control, and underground utility marking requirements.

The A-16 classification covers examination, excavation, grading, compacting, alteration, and repair associated with the application of asphalt to streets, driveways, parking lots, boat ramps, and airport landing strips and taxiways. The exam reflects this scope by testing both paving-specific knowledge and the earthwork and safety principles that support successful asphalt construction.

The A-16 examination contains 40 questions, allows 1.5 hours for completion, and requires 28 correct answers to pass. The largest content areas are asphalt paving procedures and excavation, compaction, and grading, so candidates should devote significant preparation time to those subjects while still reviewing safety, traffic control, asphalt properties, and Nevada One Call requirements.

This package gives candidates a structured group of references covering the major knowledge areas behind the examination. The Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook supports asphalt production and placement study, Pipe and Excavation Contracting supports earthwork and excavation preparation, OSHA supports construction safety, the Nevada Department of Transportation specifications support paving and roadway standards, and the Nevada One Call material supports safe excavation around underground utilities.

What You Get

• Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook — study material for asphalt properties, paving operations, placement, compaction, equipment, and quality-focused paving practices.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting — preparation for excavation, grading, soil handling, compaction, equipment, trenching, and related earthwork concepts.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA) — construction safety reference covering jobsite hazards and safe work practices.
• Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, Nevada Department of Transportation, 2014 — Nevada-specific roadway and paving specification reference.
• Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law — study material for underground utility notification and marking practices.
• Closed-Book Exam Preparation: A complete group of references intended for preparation before the Nevada A-16 trade examination.

Exam Details

The Nevada A-16 Paving of Streets, Driveways and Parking Lots trade examination contains 40 questions. Candidates receive 1.5 hours to complete the test and must answer 28 questions correctly to pass.

The examination content is divided into the following subject areas:

• Excavation, Compaction and Grading: 12 questions
• Paving - Asphalt Paving Procedures: 14 questions
• Paving - Asphalt Properties and General Uses: 3 questions
• Safety: 5 questions
• Traffic Control: 3 questions
• Nevada One Call: 3 questions

Asphalt Paving Procedures is the largest single examination category with 14 questions. Candidates should understand the sequence of paving work from preparation of the base through placement and compaction of asphalt. Study should include paving equipment, material delivery, spreading, joints, rolling, compaction, surface quality, and common factors that affect finished pavement performance.

Excavation, Compaction and Grading accounts for 12 questions. Candidates should understand excavation methods, subgrade preparation, grading, moisture considerations, compaction, fill placement, equipment selection, and the relationship between a properly prepared foundation and the performance of the asphalt surface placed above it.

Safety represents 5 questions and should be studied as an important part of the trade rather than a separate topic. Paving work involves heavy equipment, traffic exposure, excavations, moving trucks, hot materials, tools, and active construction zones.

Traffic Control and Nevada One Call each account for 3 questions. Candidates should understand the importance of maintaining safe work zones and identifying underground facilities before excavation or grading begins.

Closed Book Test

The Nevada A-16 Paving of Streets, Driveways and Parking Lots examination is a closed-book test.

The references included in this package are intended for preparation before the examination. Candidates may not use these books during the A-16 trade test.

A closed-book exam requires a different preparation strategy from an open-book exam. Candidates should not rely on remembering where information appears in a reference. Instead, they should develop enough familiarity with the material to recognize concepts, select correct procedures, and apply trade knowledge without consulting a book.

Active recall is especially useful. After reviewing a section on asphalt compaction, for example, close the book and explain why compaction is necessary, what conditions influence it, and what can happen when pavement is not compacted correctly.

The same process can be used for excavation and grading. Candidates should be able to explain the basic sequence from excavation through subgrade preparation, fill placement, compaction, grading, and paving without looking back at the text.

Practice questions can help reinforce this method. When an answer is missed, return to the appropriate reference, review the underlying concept, and then test yourself again later without the book.

Licensing Steps

The A-16 trade examination is one part of the Nevada contractor licensing process. Applicants must complete the applicable qualification, application, examination, and licensing requirements before a contractor license is issued.

1. Confirm the A-16 classification. Make sure the Paving of Streets, Driveways and Parking Lots subclassification matches the work the business intends to perform.
2. Identify the qualifying individual. The contractor application must designate the individual responsible for meeting the applicable qualification requirements.
3. Document qualifying experience. Prepare the work-history information required for the classification.
4. Submit the Nevada contractor license application. Complete the applicable application and supporting documentation.
5. Receive examination eligibility. After the application and experience requirements are reviewed, the qualifying individual receives authorization to schedule the required examination.
6. Prepare for the A-16 trade exam. Study asphalt paving, excavation, grading, compaction, safety, traffic control, and Nevada One Call requirements.
7. Prepare for Business and Law. The qualifying individual is generally required to complete the Nevada Business and Law examination in addition to the trade examination unless an applicable waiver is granted.
8. Complete the required examinations. Take the applicable trade and business examinations associated with the license application.
9. Complete remaining licensing requirements. Finish the additional state requirements associated with license issuance.

State Requirements

Nevada classifies A-16 Paving of Streets, Driveways and Parking Lots as a General Engineering subclassification.

The scope covers examination, excavation, grading, compacting, alteration and repair in the application of asphalt to streets, driveways, parking lots, boat ramps, and landing strips and taxiways for an airport.

This scope explains why the examination combines paving knowledge with excavation and grading. Asphalt performance depends heavily on the condition of the foundation below the pavement. Contractors must understand how to prepare subgrades, establish grade, compact material properly, and create suitable conditions for asphalt placement.

The classification also involves work around public travel areas and active construction zones, which makes traffic control and safety important. Depending on the project, contractors may also need to identify underground utilities before excavation or grading begins.

Nevada contractor licensing also requires completion of the applicable state application and qualification process. Examination eligibility is issued after the application is submitted and the qualifying requirements are met.

Reference Books

• Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook
  This reference supports study involving asphalt materials, production, transport, placement, paving equipment, compaction, joints, surface quality, and the practical procedures used in hot-mix asphalt paving. It is especially important for the asphalt paving procedures and asphalt properties portions of the A-16 examination.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This reference supports preparation involving excavation, grading, trenching, soil handling, compaction, equipment, backfilling, and general earthwork practices. These subjects directly support the excavation, compaction, and grading portion of the exam.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This construction safety reference supports preparation involving excavation safety, personal protective equipment, heavy equipment, tools, work zones, fall hazards, electrical hazards, and other construction workplace requirements relevant to paving operations.
• Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, Nevada Department of Transportation, 2014
  This Nevada roadway reference supports preparation involving construction requirements, roadway work, paving-related specifications, materials, procedures, and quality expectations associated with transportation construction in Nevada.
• Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law
  This reference supports preparation involving excavation notification, underground utility awareness, marking practices, and the responsibilities associated with reducing damage to underground facilities before excavation work begins.

Test Information and Study Materials

A productive A-16 study plan should reflect the exam weighting. The two largest areas, asphalt paving procedures and excavation, compaction, and grading, account for most of the examination and should receive the largest share of study time.

Asphalt Paving Procedures should include job preparation, base conditions, asphalt delivery, placement, spreading, screed operation, rolling, compaction, joints, temperature considerations, and overall pavement quality.

Candidates should understand the sequence of a paving operation and how individual steps affect one another. A paving crew cannot correct every problem at the surface. Poor grading or inadequate compaction beneath the pavement can contribute to later pavement failure.

Asphalt Properties and General Uses should include basic understanding of hot-mix asphalt materials and their use in streets, parking lots, driveways, ramps, and airport paving applications. Candidates should understand how material condition, placement practices, and compaction contribute to pavement performance.

Excavation study should include safe and efficient removal of material, site preparation, underground utility awareness, excavation equipment, and maintaining suitable conditions for subsequent grading and paving work.

Grading should include establishing elevations, preparing subgrade, controlling slope and drainage, and producing a foundation suitable for asphalt placement. Proper grade is essential because pavement must both support traffic and direct water appropriately.

Compaction should include the purpose of densification, moisture considerations, lifts, equipment, and the importance of achieving a stable base. Candidates should understand that compaction applies to both supporting earthwork and asphalt pavement.

Paving Equipment should include trucks, pavers, rollers, compactors, graders, excavators, and related construction equipment. Candidates should understand the general purpose of each machine and how it fits into a paving operation.

Safety should be studied using OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926. Paving crews may work near moving vehicles, heavy equipment, hot asphalt, excavations, tools, and changing site conditions. Candidates should understand basic jobsite hazard recognition and protective practices.

Traffic Control is important whenever paving work affects streets or other travel areas. Candidates should understand the purpose of controlling vehicles and pedestrians around an active construction zone and maintaining a safe environment for both workers and the public.

Nevada One Call preparation should include the importance of notifying the appropriate utility notification system before excavation, recognizing utility markings, and protecting underground facilities during construction.

The Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction can help candidates become familiar with Nevada-specific roadway construction requirements. Focus on understanding how specifications establish expectations for materials, workmanship, construction procedures, and quality.

For a closed-book exam, candidates should turn each reading session into a recall exercise. After studying asphalt joints, for example, close the book and write down the main considerations from memory. Then compare your response with the reference and identify what was missed.

Another effective method is to organize preparation by job sequence. Begin with utility notification and site safety, continue through excavation and grading, then study base preparation, asphalt delivery, placement, compaction, joints, traffic control, and final pavement quality.

This sequence-based approach can make the material easier to remember because it connects individual exam topics to the way a paving project progresses in the field.

Practice questions should be used to identify weak subjects. If a candidate consistently misses compaction questions, additional time should be spent reviewing soil preparation and rolling procedures. If Nevada One Call questions are difficult, return to the marking and notification material and strengthen recall.

Short, repeated study sessions can be more productive than reading every book once. Rotate between paving, earthwork, safety, traffic control, and utility marking so that all exam categories remain fresh.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Nevada A-16 candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference-based learning, and confidence-building study structure.

The A-16 examination is closed book, so preparation should focus on understanding the material rather than depending on exam-room references. The books in this package give candidates a structured foundation for asphalt paving, excavation, grading, compaction, safety, roadway specifications, and underground utility awareness.

The Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook supports the largest examination category by helping candidates review practical paving procedures and asphalt concepts. Pipe and Excavation Contracting reinforces earthwork and grading knowledge, while OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 supports construction safety preparation.

The Nevada Department of Transportation Standard Specifications adds state-specific roadway construction material, and Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law supports preparation for underground utility and excavation notification questions.

1 Exam Prep encourages candidates to combine reading with active recall and practice. Study a subject, close the book, answer questions without assistance, and then return to the reference to correct weak areas.

The goal is to help candidates approach the Nevada A-16 Paving of Streets, Driveways and Parking Lots examination with stronger trade knowledge, better retention, and a more organized closed-book study strategy without guaranteeing a passing score or licensing approval.

How many questions are on the Nevada A-16 exam?

The Nevada A-16 Paving of Streets, Driveways and Parking Lots examination contains 40 questions.

How much time is allowed for the A-16 examination?

Candidates are allowed 1.5 hours to complete the examination.

How many correct answers are required to pass?

Candidates must answer 28 questions correctly to pass the A-16 trade examination.

Is the Nevada A-16 examination open book?

No. The Nevada A-16 examination is a closed-book test.

Can I bring these books into the examination room?

No. The books in this package are intended for preparation before the closed-book A-16 trade examination.

What is the largest subject on the A-16 exam?

Paving - Asphalt Paving Procedures is the largest content area with 14 questions.

How many excavation, compaction, and grading questions are on the exam?

The examination includes 12 questions covering excavation, compaction, and grading.

Does the A-16 examination include safety questions?

Yes. The exam includes 5 safety questions, and OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 supports preparation for this area.

Does the exam cover traffic control?

Yes. Traffic Control accounts for 3 questions on the examination.

Does the A-16 exam include Nevada One Call questions?

Yes. Nevada One Call accounts for 3 questions on the examination.

Why is the Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook included?

The handbook supports study involving asphalt materials, paving procedures, placement, equipment, compaction, joints, and general pavement construction practices.

Why is Pipe and Excavation Contracting included?

This book supports preparation involving excavation, grading, compaction, equipment, soil handling, and related earthwork subjects that make up a major portion of the A-16 exam.

Why is the Nevada DOT specification book included?

The Nevada Department of Transportation specifications support study involving roadway construction, paving requirements, materials, procedures, and Nevada-specific construction standards.

How should I study for this closed-book examination?

Use repeated review, active recall, practice questions, and job-sequence study. Read a subject, close the reference, and test whether you can explain or apply the concept without looking back at the book.

Does this book package guarantee that I will pass?

No. The package provides study references designed to support preparation. Examination results depend on each candidate's trade experience, preparation, knowledge, retention, and performance on test day.