Nevada Residential And Small Commercial (B-2) Exam - Online Exam Prep

Prepare for the Nevada Residential and Small Commercial (B-2) contractor examination with an online exam prep program focused on general building construction, residential code requirements, structural concrete, carpentry, masonry, excavation, drywall, construction safety, thermal and moisture protection, plan reading, estimating, and Nevada One Call requirements. This course provides an organized way to prepare for the broad range of trade knowledge represented on the Nevada B-2 examination while strengthening code-navigation and test-taking skills.

The Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial classification is regulated by the Nevada State Contractors Board. It covers qualifying construction and remodeling of houses and other structures that support, shelter, or enclose persons, animals, or other property, provided those structures do not extend more than three stories above ground and one story below ground.

Because the B-2 classification covers multiple areas of general building construction, candidates should expect to study more than a single trade. Preparation should include sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, moisture protection, doors and windows, drywall, safety, building codes, plan reading, estimating, and Nevada One Call topics.

The approved exam-room references used for preparation are the International Building Code, 2018; International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018; and ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary. Candidates should become comfortable navigating all three references because efficient code use can be important during the open-book examination.

Additional study references include Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA); Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016; Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone by Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition; Pipe and Excavation Contracting; Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition; Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law; BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025; and The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition.

These study references support the technical knowledge needed for B-2 preparation, but they are not allowed into the trade examination. Candidates should use them before test day to strengthen recall in carpentry, masonry, concrete, excavation, drywall, truss handling, safety, and Nevada One Call subjects.

Online exam prep gives candidates the flexibility to study each B-2 subject separately, repeat difficult topics, work on code navigation, review practice-oriented questions, and focus additional time on weaker areas. A candidate who already has strong framing experience may need more study in concrete or masonry, while another may need additional practice with the IBC, IRC, estimating, or safety.

Exam Details

The Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial General Building Contractor examination is administered through PSI for candidates who receive examination eligibility through the Nevada State Contractors Board.

• Exam: Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial General Building Contractor
• Number of Questions: 80
• Time Allowed: 3 hours
• Minimum Passing Score: 56 correct answers
• Testing Provider: PSI

The examination covers the following major construction areas:

• Sitework: 4 questions
• Concrete: 10 questions
• Masonry: 10 questions
• Metals: 5 questions
• Carpentry: 12 questions
• Thermal and Moisture Protection: 9 questions
• Doors and Windows: 3 questions
• Drywall and Finishes: 4 questions
• Safety: 10 questions
• General Code, Plan Reading and Estimating: 10 questions
• Nevada One Call: 3 questions

Carpentry is the largest individual examination category with 12 questions. Candidates should devote significant study time to framing systems, floor construction, wall framing, roof framing, trusses, sheathing, openings, fastening, structural wood components, and general carpentry methods.

Concrete and Masonry each contain 10 questions. Concrete preparation should include reinforcement, forms, placement, structural requirements, and quality construction practices. Masonry study should include brick, block, stone, mortar, layout, construction methods, and related building-code requirements.

Safety also contains 10 questions. Candidates should review fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, excavations, personal protective equipment, tools, material handling, and other construction hazards covered by OSHA-related preparation.

General Code, Plan Reading and Estimating contains 10 questions. Candidates should practice reading construction information, interpreting dimensions and details, locating code provisions, estimating quantities, and connecting project plans with applicable building requirements.

Thermal and Moisture Protection contains 9 questions. Preparation should include roofing, weather protection, flashing, moisture control, insulation-related concepts, and other methods used to protect residential and small commercial buildings from environmental exposure.

Sitework, Metals, Doors and Windows, Drywall and Finishes, and Nevada One Call make up smaller portions of the exam but remain important. Candidates should avoid concentrating only on the largest categories because every question can contribute toward the passing score.

Open Book Test

The Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial examination is an open-book test with specific approved references permitted in the examination room.

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

• International Building Code, 2018
• International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary

The International Building Code supports preparation involving general building requirements, structural provisions, construction materials, occupancy-related requirements, fire and life-safety provisions, and other building-code topics relevant to small commercial and general building work.

The International Residential Code is especially important for residential construction. Candidates should become comfortable locating requirements involving foundations, floor systems, wall construction, roofs, framing, openings, stairs, weather protection, and other residential building subjects.

ACI 318-14 supports structural concrete preparation. Candidates should practice finding requirements involving concrete materials, reinforcement, structural provisions, and related concrete construction requirements.

The following books are used for study but are not allowed into the B-2 trade examination:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
• Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition

Because these books cannot be used during the trade exam, candidates should use them to build technical knowledge before test day. The stronger the candidate's recall in carpentry, masonry, safety, concrete, excavation, drywall, trusses, and Nevada One Call, the less time may be needed searching for answers during the examination.

With 80 questions and three hours available, candidates have a little more than two minutes per question on average. Efficient reference navigation is therefore important. A productive strategy is to answer familiar questions from trade knowledge and use the approved references for questions requiring a precise code provision, table, or structural requirement.

Licensing Steps

The Nevada State Contractors Board regulates the B-2 Residential and Small Commercial classification. Passing the trade examination is one part of the overall contractor licensing process.

1. Confirm the B-2 classification. Determine that Residential and Small Commercial matches the type of work the contracting business intends to perform.
2. Identify the qualifying individual. Designate the individual who will establish the applicable experience and trade qualification.
3. Document qualifying experience. Organize records demonstrating relevant residential and small commercial construction experience.
4. Prepare the Nevada contractor application. Assemble 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 required fingerprint and background procedures.
7. Provide applicable financial information. Financial responsibility is evaluated as part of the Nevada licensing process.
8. Receive examination eligibility. Eligible candidates may proceed with required testing.
9. Schedule the B-2 trade examination through PSI. Arrange testing after receiving authorization.
10. Prepare for the B-2 examination. Study sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, moisture protection, doors and windows, drywall, safety, code, plans, estimating, and Nevada One Call.
11. Prepare for Nevada Business and Law. Nevada contractor applicants generally must satisfy the applicable management examination requirement unless an approved waiver applies.
12. Complete applicable examinations. Meet the trade and management qualification requirements.
13. Complete final licensing requirements. Address applicable bonding, financial, and remaining Board requirements before license issuance.

State Requirements

The Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial classification covers qualifying construction and remodeling of houses and other structures that support, shelter, or enclose persons, animals, or other property, within the limits established for the classification.

The classification applies to structures that do not extend more than three stories above ground and one story below ground. Candidates should understand this scope when preparing for both the examination and the responsibilities associated with the license.

The broad B-2 scope explains why the examination includes many construction disciplines. Candidates are expected to understand how framing, concrete, masonry, building codes, sitework, safety, moisture protection, drywall, and project interpretation fit together in residential and small commercial construction.

For the standard Nevada contractor licensing pathway, the qualifying individual generally must establish qualifying experience appropriate to the requested classification. Applicants should maintain organized records that clearly describe the type of construction work performed and the period during which the experience was obtained.

Nevada contractor licensing also includes management qualification, financial responsibility, background requirements, contractor bonding, and other conditions separate from the B-2 trade examination. Passing the trade test alone does not complete the licensing process.

Reference Books

• International Building Code, 2018
  This approved exam-room reference supports general building-code requirements, structural provisions, construction materials, occupancy-related requirements, and other topics relevant to residential and small commercial construction.
• International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018
  This approved exam-room reference supports residential construction requirements involving foundations, floors, walls, roofs, framing, openings, stairs, weather protection, and other one- and two-family dwelling topics.
• ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  This approved exam-room reference supports structural concrete preparation involving reinforcement, concrete materials, structural provisions, and related technical requirements.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This study reference supports construction safety preparation involving fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, excavation, PPE, tools, material handling, and other jobsite safety topics. This book is not allowed into the B-2 trade examination.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  This study reference supports framing, structural wood construction, floors, walls, roofs, trusses, sheathing, and general carpentry methods. This book is not allowed into the B-2 trade examination.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  This study reference supports brick, block, stone, mortar, tools, layout, and practical masonry construction. This book is not allowed into the B-2 trade examination.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This study reference supports excavation, trenching, earthwork, site preparation, and related construction knowledge. This book is not allowed into the B-2 trade examination.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
  This study reference supports drywall, gypsum products, installation, finishing, and related construction methods. This book is not allowed into the B-2 trade examination.
• Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law
  This study reference supports Nevada One Call preparation. It is not allowed into the B-2 trade examination and is identified as a non-highlighted and non-tabbed reference when supplied in applicable book packages.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  This study reference supports proper handling, installation, restraint, and bracing concepts for metal plate connected wood trusses. This book is not allowed into the B-2 trade examination.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition
  This study reference supports practical concrete construction, placement, quality, finishing, and workmanship concepts. This book is not allowed into the B-2 trade examination.

Test Information and Study Materials

A productive Nevada B-2 study plan should reflect both the breadth and weighting of the examination. Carpentry deserves significant attention, followed by Concrete, Masonry, Safety, General Code, Plan Reading and Estimating, and Thermal and Moisture Protection.

Practice code navigation. Work regularly with the International Building Code, International Residential Code, and ACI 318-14. Practice locating exact requirements instead of reading entire chapters without a specific purpose.

Strengthen carpentry knowledge. Review floor systems, wall framing, roofs, trusses, sheathing, openings, fastening, and other structural wood construction topics.

Study concrete and masonry. Connect practical trade knowledge with applicable structural and building-code requirements.

Review safety for recall. OSHA is not allowed into the trade examination, so candidates should learn the safety principles before testing rather than relying on reference searches.

Prepare for sitework and excavation. Review excavation, trenching, site preparation, and related earthwork concepts.

Study drywall and finishes. Review gypsum materials, installation methods, finishing procedures, and related construction practices.

Prepare for Nevada One Call. Study the Nevada One Call material carefully because it is a specific examination category and the reference is not allowed into the exam room.

Practice plan reading and estimating. Work with dimensions, project details, quantities, construction information, and general estimating concepts.

Use timed practice. Work through practice-oriented questions under conditions that encourage a steady pace. This can help candidates develop better judgment about when to search an approved reference and when to answer directly from experience and study.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial candidates through organized study guidance, general building trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation, code study, and confidence-building study structure.

The online format allows candidates to break the broad B-2 examination into manageable subjects. Carpentry, concrete, masonry, safety, thermal and moisture protection, sitework, drywall, code, plans, estimating, and Nevada One Call can each receive focused attention.

Trade-focused preparation helps candidates connect related construction disciplines. Framing decisions interact with structural systems, concrete and masonry require both practical and code knowledge, sitework connects with excavation and safety, and plan reading helps tie multiple building systems together.

Reference-navigation practice focuses on the International Building Code, International Residential Code, and ACI 318-14 because these are the approved technical references used for the open-book examination. Repeated navigation can help candidates become more efficient with indexes, chapters, tables, structural provisions, and cross-references.

The study-only references support knowledge that should be developed before test day. Carpentry and Building Construction supports framing review, Modern Masonry supports masonry concepts, Pipe and Excavation Contracting reinforces sitework, Gypsum Construction Handbook supports drywall, OSHA supports safety, BCSI supports truss preparation, and The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction strengthens concrete knowledge.

Practice-oriented preparation also helps candidates identify weaker areas. Missed questions can reveal whether additional study is needed in carpentry, masonry, concrete, code navigation, estimating, safety, sitework, drywall, or moisture protection.

Online preparation gives candidates the flexibility to repeat challenging topics and organize study around their own experience level. A candidate with years of carpentry experience may spend more time on code navigation and structural concrete, while another candidate may need additional framing or plan-reading review.

By combining structured online study, broad general building review, code-navigation practice, construction-safety preparation, and practice-oriented learning, 1 Exam Prep provides a focused path for candidates preparing for the Nevada Residential and Small Commercial B-2 contractor examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial exam open book?

Yes. The B-2 trade examination is open book with specific approved references permitted during testing.

Which books are allowed into the Nevada B-2 exam?

The approved exam-room references used for this preparation are the International Building Code, 2018; International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2018; and ACI 318-14.

Which books are not allowed into the B-2 exam?

OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, Carpentry and Building Construction, Modern Masonry, Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Gypsum Construction Handbook, Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law, BCSI 2025, and The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction are study references and are not allowed into the trade examination.

How many questions are on the Nevada B-2 exam?

The B-2 examination contains 80 questions.

How much time is allowed for the B-2 exam?

Candidates have three hours to complete the examination.

What score is required to pass the Nevada B-2 examination?

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

What is the largest B-2 exam category?

Carpentry is the largest individual category with 12 questions.

Does the B-2 exam include concrete and masonry?

Yes. Concrete and Masonry each represent significant portions of the examination and should receive substantial study attention.

Does the B-2 exam include safety?

Yes. Safety is a major exam category, and OSHA-related preparation should be learned before test day because the OSHA reference is not allowed into the examination.

Does the B-2 exam include Nevada One Call?

Yes. Nevada One Call is a dedicated examination subject.

What does the Nevada B-2 classification cover?

The classification covers qualifying construction and remodeling of houses and other structures within the size limitations established for Nevada Residential and Small Commercial contractors.

How should I study for an open-book B-2 exam?

Combine broad construction knowledge with efficient navigation of the IBC, IRC, and ACI 318-14. Practice trade subjects, code searches, plan reading, estimating, and timed questions.

Why are the study-only books important if they are not allowed in the exam?

They help candidates develop practical trade knowledge in carpentry, masonry, concrete, excavation, drywall, safety, trusses, and Nevada One Call before test day, reducing dependence on reference searches.

How does online exam prep help with the Nevada B-2 exam?

Online preparation lets candidates study each examination category separately, repeat difficult subjects, strengthen code navigation, review practice-oriented questions, and focus additional time on weaker construction areas.