Nevada Tiling Contractor (C-20) Exam Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package

Prepare for the Nevada Tiling Contractor (C-20) examination with a highlighted and tabbed book package designed to make tile contractor exam preparation more organized and easier to follow. This package includes Setting Tile, 1995 (USED), Builders Guide to Floors, 1997, and ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017, American National Standard Specifications for the Installation of Ceramic Tile, 2017.

The Nevada C-20 Tiling Contractor examination is a closed-book test. The books in this package are study references and are not allowed into the trade examination room. The highlighting and tabs are designed to support more efficient study before test day by helping candidates organize important material, locate major subjects faster, and move through the references with less searching.

The Nevada C-20 trade examination contains 40 questions, allows 1.5 hours for completion, and requires 28 correct answers to pass. The examination outline includes 12 Surface Preparation questions, 22 Installation and Adhesives questions, and 6 Grout and Finishing questions.

Because Installation and Adhesives makes up the largest part of the exam, candidates should place significant emphasis on tile-setting methods, layout, bonding materials, mortars, adhesives, tile placement, coverage, substrate compatibility, and proper installation procedures. Surface preparation and grout and finishing are also important because a successful tile installation depends on the full system from the substrate through the completed surface.

Nevada's C-20 Tiling classification covers the installation of ceramic tile, encaustic tile, vitreous tile, and other tile-like products by means of suction and adhesives, except hollow or structural partitioning tile. Candidates should understand the practical installation methods used in the trade and the limitations of the classification.

The highlighted and tabbed format can be especially useful for a closed-book exam because candidates can organize study sessions around the major examination subjects and repeatedly review key concepts before test day. The goal is not to rely on the markings during the exam, but to use them to build stronger retained knowledge beforehand.

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

Exam Details

The Nevada C-20 Tiling Contractor examination contains 40 questions. Candidates are allowed 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:

• Surface Preparation: 12 questions
• Installation and Adhesives: 22 questions
• Grout and Finishing: 6 questions

Installation and Adhesives is the largest category, accounting for 22 of the 40 questions. Candidates should devote the greatest share of preparation time to tile-setting procedures, mortars, adhesives, layout, cutting, bonding, placement, and material compatibility.

Surface Preparation represents 12 questions. This area should include substrate evaluation, floor preparation, leveling, cleanliness, support conditions, moisture concerns, and other conditions that can affect adhesion and finished performance.

Grout and Finishing accounts for 6 questions. Candidates should understand grout selection, application, joint filling, cleanup, finishing methods, edge conditions, and the appearance and performance of the completed installation.

With 40 questions in 1.5 hours, candidates have an average of approximately two minutes and fifteen seconds per question. Because the examination is closed book, preparation should emphasize retained knowledge and practical understanding rather than reference navigation.

Closed Book Test

The Nevada C-20 Tiling Contractor examination is a closed-book test.

The following highlighted and tabbed references are included for study but are not allowed into the trade examination room:

• Setting Tile, 1995 (USED)
• Builders Guide to Floors, 1997
• ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017, American National Standard Specifications for the Installation of Ceramic Tile, 2017

Because the books cannot be used during the examination, candidates should use the highlighting and tabs to organize study and strengthen recall. Important sections can be reviewed repeatedly until the concepts become familiar enough to apply without looking at the reference.

Active recall is particularly useful for closed-book preparation. After reviewing a tile installation procedure, close the book and explain the full process from memory, including substrate preparation, layout, setting material selection, tile placement, alignment, grouting, and finishing.

Practice questions can also help reinforce knowledge. When a question is missed, return to the highlighted and tabbed reference, review the related concept, and then attempt another question without immediately referring back to the book.

Licensing Steps

1. Confirm the C-20 classification. Make sure the Nevada Tiling classification matches the type of contracting work the business intends to perform.
2. Identify the qualifying individual. The Nevada contractor application must identify the person responsible for satisfying the applicable qualification requirements.
3. Prepare qualifying experience information. Organize the work-history documentation applicable to tile installation and the requested classification.
4. Submit the Nevada contractor license application. Complete the applicable application and supporting documentation.
5. Receive examination eligibility. After applicable application and qualification requirements are addressed, proceed with required testing.
6. Prepare for the C-20 trade examination. Study Surface Preparation, Installation and Adhesives, and Grout and Finishing.
7. Use the highlighted and tabbed references actively. Review important subjects repeatedly and use the tabs to organize focused study sessions.
8. Prepare for Nevada contractor business requirements. Complete the applicable business and law preparation associated with contractor licensing.
9. Complete the required examinations. Take the applicable trade and contractor business examinations.
10. Complete remaining licensing requirements. Finish the other applicable requirements associated with contractor license issuance.

State Requirements

Nevada designates C-20 as the specialty classification for Tiling.

A Nevada C-20 contractor may install, by means of suction and adhesives, ceramic tile, encaustic tile, vitreous tile, and other tile-like products, except hollow or structural partitioning tile.

The C-20 classification therefore focuses on tile installation and related surface preparation rather than structural partition tile work. Candidates should understand the relationship between substrate preparation, setting materials, tile products, joints, grout, and finishing.

Tile installations depend on the full system working together. Poor substrate preparation can affect bonding. Incorrect adhesive selection can affect performance. Improper layout can create difficult cuts or poor appearance. Inadequate grout and finishing practices can affect both performance and final presentation.

The C-20 trade examination is one part of Nevada contractor licensing. Applicants must also satisfy applicable qualification, application, business, financial, and administrative requirements before a contractor license is issued.

Reference Books

• Setting Tile, 1995 (USED)
  This highlighted and tabbed used study reference supports preparation involving tile layout, cutting, setting methods, substrate conditions, mortars, adhesives, grouting, finishing, and practical tile installation procedures.
• Builders Guide to Floors, 1997
  This highlighted and tabbed study reference supports preparation involving floor construction, subfloors, underlayments, leveling, surface preparation, moisture considerations, support conditions, and other flooring fundamentals that can affect tile installation.
• ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017, American National Standard Specifications for the Installation of Ceramic Tile, 2017
  This highlighted and tabbed technical reference supports ceramic tile installation procedures, setting-material specifications, mortars, adhesives, material performance, and recognized industry installation practices.

Test Information and Study Materials

A strong Nevada C-20 study plan should begin with Surface Preparation. Candidates should understand how to evaluate the condition of a floor or wall before tile installation begins and why preparation directly affects bonding and finished performance.

Substrates should be reviewed carefully. Candidates should understand how different surface conditions can affect installation and why a stable, properly prepared surface is important.

Leveling and flatness should also be part of preparation. Irregular surfaces can make installation more difficult and can affect tile alignment, joint consistency, and finished appearance.

The Builders Guide to Floors, 1997 can help candidates study floor construction, subfloors, underlayments, support conditions, and surface preparation. The highlighted and tabbed format can make it easier to move among these subjects during study.

Moisture conditions should be reviewed because moisture can affect substrates, adhesives, mortars, and the completed tile assembly.

Surface cleanliness is another important area. Dust, debris, residue, coatings, or other contaminants can interfere with proper bonding between the substrate and setting material.

Installation and Adhesives should receive the greatest amount of study time because it represents more than half of the examination.

The Setting Tile, 1995 (USED) reference can help candidates review practical installation methods, tile layout, cutting, fitting, mortar application, adhesive use, tile placement, grout, and finishing.

Layout is central to tile work. Candidates should understand how room dimensions, walls, openings, corners, and obstructions can affect starting points, tile placement, joint alignment, and cut-tile locations.

Practice visualizing an installation before setting begins. Consider how the layout will look across the full surface and where cuts will fall at edges, walls, and transitions.

Cutting and fitting should be studied in relation to corners, edges, penetrations, fixtures, transitions, and other conditions that require tile to be adjusted before placement.

Mortars and adhesives deserve careful attention because selecting the correct setting material is essential to a successful installation. Candidates should understand how the tile, substrate, and installation environment influence material selection.

Coverage should be understood as part of proper bonding. Candidates should know why consistent contact between the tile, setting material, and substrate is important to installation quality.

The ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017 reference can help candidates connect practical installation techniques with recognized industry standards for ceramic tile work.

Rather than trying to memorize every standard number, candidates should focus on understanding what the standards are intended to accomplish. Learn how the requirements relate to installation methods, setting materials, adhesives, and tile performance.

Material compatibility is another important area. Candidates should understand that not every setting product is appropriate for every tile or substrate condition.

Tile spacing and joints should also be reviewed. Consistent joints contribute to appearance and can affect how the finished installation accommodates movement and variation.

Movement considerations should be studied as part of the complete tile system. Buildings and materials can move, expand, or contract, and the installation must be able to accommodate expected conditions.

Grout and Finishing represents a smaller portion of the examination but remains important. Candidates should understand grout preparation, application, joint filling, cleanup, edge finishing, and final surface treatment.

Grout joints should be viewed as part of the installation system rather than merely a cosmetic feature. Joint condition, cleanliness, depth, and material selection can affect both appearance and performance.

Cleanup should be studied in relation to timing and completed appearance. Proper finishing requires attention to both the tile surface and the joints.

The highlighted and tabbed references can help candidates divide preparation by topic. One section of study might focus on substrate preparation, another on setting materials, another on layout and cutting, and another on grout and finishing.

Because the examination is closed book, candidates should gradually reduce their dependence on the references as test day approaches. Early study sessions can use the tabs and highlighting heavily, while later sessions should focus more on recall and application.

A useful active-recall exercise is to study a complete floor tile installation and then describe the process without looking at the books: inspect the substrate, prepare the surface, establish the layout, select the proper setting material, spread the material, place and align the tile, allow the installation to progress properly, grout the joints, and complete final finishing.

Another useful exercise is to compare two different installation conditions and explain how the substrate or setting material might affect the approach.

Practice questions should initially be grouped by category so weak areas are easier to identify. Later, move into mixed practice covering Surface Preparation, Installation and Adhesives, and Grout and Finishing together.

When a practice question is missed, identify the cause. The issue may be weak understanding of substrate preparation, confusion about adhesives, unfamiliarity with installation methods, or limited knowledge of grout and finishing.

Return to the corresponding highlighted section, review the concept, and then explain it from memory. This process helps convert the reference material into retained knowledge that can be used during a closed-book exam.

Timed practice is also valuable. With 40 questions in 1.5 hours, candidates should develop a steady pace and avoid spending too much time on any single question.

As test day approaches, concentrate on mixed-topic drills, terminology review, installation sequences, and active recall. The strongest preparation is built around understanding how the parts of a tile installation system work together.

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

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Nevada C-20 Tiling Contractor candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, and confidence-building study structure.

This highlighted and tabbed package combines Setting Tile, 1995 (USED), Builders Guide to Floors, 1997, and ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017 to support preparation across the major C-20 exam subjects.

The highlighted and tabbed format can make study sessions more efficient by helping candidates organize information around surface preparation, installation methods, adhesives, floor conditions, grout, and finishing.

Because the examination is closed book, 1 Exam Prep encourages candidates to use the organized references to build stronger retained knowledge through repeated review, active recall, and practice-oriented study.

Trade-focused preparation helps candidates connect substrate conditions, floor systems, setting materials, tile placement, installation standards, grout, and finishing into a complete understanding of the trade.

The goal is to help candidates approach the Nevada C-20 Tiling Contractor examination with stronger technical knowledge, better recall, improved understanding of tile installation procedures, and a structured study routine without guaranteeing a passing score or licensing approval.

How many questions are on the Nevada C-20 Tiling Contractor exam?

The Nevada C-20 examination contains 40 questions.

How much time is allowed for the C-20 exam?

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.

Is the Nevada C-20 Tiling examination open book?

No. The Nevada C-20 Tiling Contractor examination is a closed-book test.

Can I take the highlighted and tabbed books into the C-20 exam?

No. The books in this package are study references and are not allowed into the closed-book trade examination.

Are all books in this package highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. The books in this package are prepared as highlighted and tabbed study references.

How many Surface Preparation questions are on the exam?

Surface Preparation accounts for 12 questions.

How many Installation and Adhesives questions are on the exam?

Installation and Adhesives accounts for 22 questions, making it the largest exam category.

How many Grout and Finishing questions are on the exam?

Grout and Finishing accounts for 6 questions.

Is Setting Tile included as a used book?

Yes. Setting Tile, 1995 is identified as a USED book in this package.

Why is Builders Guide to Floors useful for C-20 preparation?

It supports study of floor construction, subfloors, underlayments, leveling, moisture considerations, and other surface conditions that can affect tile installation.

Why study ANSI A108/A118/A136.1:2017?

The ANSI reference supports understanding of recognized ceramic tile installation methods, setting materials, mortars, adhesives, and standardized industry practices.

What subject should receive the most study time?

Installation and Adhesives should receive the greatest emphasis because it represents 22 of the 40 examination questions.

Why are highlighted and tabbed books useful for a closed-book exam?

They help organize important material during study, making it easier to review major subjects repeatedly and build the retained knowledge needed for a closed-book test.

How long should I allow for this highlighted and tabbed package order?

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

Does this package guarantee that I will pass the Nevada C-20 exam?

No. This package provides highlighted and tabbed study references designed to support organized preparation. Exam results depend on each candidate's experience, study, tile installation knowledge, retained understanding, and performance on test day.