New Mexico NASCLA Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors Complete Book Set

Prepare for the New Mexico contractor licensing process and the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors with a complete collection of business, project-management, code, safety, and commercial construction reference books.

This New Mexico NASCLA complete book set combines the New Mexico Contractors’ Guide to Business Law and Project Management for Commercial Contractors with the listed technical references associated with the NASCLA commercial general building examination. The collection supports organized study across contractor business practices, construction management, structural systems, site work, federal safety requirements, accessibility, building codes, exterior systems, environmental responsibilities, and mechanical and electrical coordination.

The New Mexico business guide supports preparation for the state Business and Law examination. It addresses subjects such as contractor licensing, business organization, estimating, financial management, contracts, employment responsibilities, insurance, safety, project administration, and the legal responsibilities associated with operating a construction business.

The remaining references cover the broad technical knowledge used in commercial general building construction. Candidates can review jobsite supervision, project management, structural concrete, reinforcing steel, precast erection, unbonded post-tensioning, steel decking, steel joists, wood trusses, excavation, gypsum construction, masonry, carpentry, roofing, accessibility, stormwater planning, exterior insulation systems, green construction, and building-service systems.

The NASCLA examination is designed for candidates pursuing commercial general building classifications in participating jurisdictions. New Mexico accepts the NASCLA examination in place of the applicable trade examination for the GB-98 General Building classification when the candidate meets New Mexico’s acceptance requirements.

Because the NASCLA examination uses an extensive reference library, preparation should include both construction knowledge and reference navigation. Candidates need to recognize the subject of a question, select the publication most likely to contain the answer, and locate the relevant definition, table, code provision, construction method, or technical requirement efficiently.

Studying from the complete set allows candidates to organize the books into manageable subject groups and become familiar with the layout of each publication. Repeated navigation practice can help candidates develop a clearer and more consistent open-book testing method.

Exam Details

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is a standardized technical trade examination accepted by participating contractor licensing agencies. It measures knowledge used to plan, supervise, coordinate, and complete commercial building projects involving multiple construction disciplines.

The examination covers project management, jobsite operations, estimating, contracts, safety, structural concrete, reinforcing steel, masonry, structural metals, wood trusses, precast construction, post-tensioning, excavation, carpentry, roofing, accessibility, building codes, environmental controls, exterior systems, and mechanical and electrical coordination.

New Mexico accepts a passing NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination result in place of the trade examination for the GB-98 General Building classification when the applicant satisfies the state’s applicable conditions. New Mexico requires candidates using this NASCLA pathway to provide documentation showing that they have been licensed and in good standing with another state for at least one year.

The NASCLA result applies to the technical trade-examination component. It does not replace New Mexico’s contractor application, qualifying-party certification, experience requirements, Business and Law requirement, business registration, bonding, financial responsibility, or other licensing obligations.

New Mexico contractor examination approval, testing, and license-processing services are handled through PSI in coordination with the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s Construction Industries Division. Candidates must receive approval before taking a New Mexico contractor examination.

All new qualifying-party applicants must satisfy the New Mexico Business and Law requirement. A candidate may take and pass the Business and Law examination offered through PSI or complete an approved Business and Law course and submit the applicable completion certificate.

The New Mexico Contractors’ Guide to Business Law and Project Management for Commercial Contractors is included in this set for candidates preparing for the state Business and Law examination. Candidates completing an approved course should follow the requirements of the selected provider and the Construction Industries Division.

After passing the NASCLA examination, candidates may use the NASCLA National Examination Database to transmit an official examination transcript to an accepting jurisdiction. New Mexico reviews the transcript together with the state application and supporting documentation.

Open Book Test

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is an open-book examination. Candidates are responsible for obtaining and bringing the permitted reference materials to the testing location. The examination center does not provide the complete technical library.

Open-book testing allows candidates to consult approved books, but it does not eliminate the need for detailed study. The examination library contains thousands of pages across textbooks, codes, standards, manuals, and specialty construction publications.

Candidates should learn the purpose and organization of each reference before examination day. A practical navigation method begins by identifying the central subject of a question and selecting the publication most likely to contain the answer.

Structural concrete questions may require ACI 318, while questions involving reinforcing-bar placement may be located in Placing Reinforcing Bars. Concrete field practices, placement, curing, testing, and quality control may be addressed in The Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction.

Steel construction questions may require the Steel Deck Institute manual or Technical Digest No. 9. Wood-truss questions may involve the BCSI guide, while precast erection and post-tensioning questions rely on their respective specialty publications.

Accessibility questions may require ICC A117.1, while broader commercial building-code questions may involve the International Building Code. Excavation and underground utility questions may be addressed in Pipe and Excavation Contracting, and federal construction-safety questions may require 29 CFR Part 1926.

Candidates should practice using indexes, tables of contents, chapter headings, definitions, code sections, diagrams, and technical tables. Timed navigation exercises can help candidates reduce unnecessary searching and become more comfortable moving between different references.

All books brought into the examination room must comply with the current testing rules. Candidates should review the applicable candidate information bulletin before test day and avoid unauthorized loose papers, removable notes, inserts, or other prohibited materials.

Licensing Steps

1. Determine the appropriate New Mexico classification. Candidates seeking broad general building authority should review the GB-98 General Building classification and confirm that it matches the work the business intends to perform.
2. Identify the qualifying party. Every contractor license must have at least one qualifying party for each classification held by the business.
3. Document the required experience. The qualifying-party application must include the experience affidavit and supporting information required for the requested classification.
4. Apply for qualifying-party approval. Submit the qualifying-party application to PSI and receive approval before scheduling any required New Mexico examination.
5. Satisfy the Business and Law requirement. Pass the PSI Business and Law examination or complete an approved Business and Law course and obtain the required certificate.
6. Complete the technical examination requirement. Take the applicable New Mexico trade examination or use an accepted NASCLA examination result when all New Mexico conditions are met.
7. Provide out-of-state licensing documentation when using NASCLA. Candidates seeking GB-98 trade-examination credit through NASCLA must provide documentation showing at least one year of licensure in good standing with another state.
8. Transmit the NASCLA result. Send the official passing transcript to New Mexico through the NASCLA National Examination Database.
9. Complete the contractor license application. Submit the business application, qualifying-party records, examination results or course certificate, and supporting documents.
10. Obtain the required license bond. Provide bonding documentation in the business name shown on the contractor application.
11. Complete required registrations. Register the business with the applicable New Mexico tax and workforce agencies as required during the licensing process.
12. Receive license approval before contracting. The business must receive the applicable New Mexico contractor license before performing work that requires licensure.

State Requirements

The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s Construction Industries Division regulates construction contracting in the state. Licensing and examination services are administered through PSI, while the Construction Industries Division oversees licensing standards, classifications, code enforcement, permitting, and inspections.

New Mexico contractor licenses are issued to qualified business entities that employ or are owned by certified qualifying parties. Each classification listed on the contractor license must be supported by at least one qualifying party who is properly certified for that scope of work.

The GB-98 General Building classification covers qualifying general building work under New Mexico’s contractor-classification system. Candidates should review the official classification description before applying to make sure it corresponds with the work the company intends to perform.

New Mexico requires qualifying-party applicants to document applicable construction experience. The experience affidavit must be completed according to the current application instructions and submitted with the required supporting materials.

New qualifying-party applicants must satisfy Business and Law in addition to any required technical trade examination. The Business and Law requirement may be completed by passing the PSI examination or by completing a Business and Law course approved for New Mexico licensing purposes.

New Mexico accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors in place of the GB-98 trade examination only when the candidate meets the state’s acceptance criteria. The candidate must provide a letter or comparable documentation showing licensure and good standing with another state for at least one year.

A candidate who has passed NASCLA but does not meet New Mexico’s additional acceptance requirements may still need to complete the applicable New Mexico trade examination. The Construction Industries Division and PSI determine whether the submitted records satisfy the licensing pathway.

Applicants must also complete the contractor business-license application. The application process includes qualifying-party documentation, a license bond, business registration information, examination records or course completion documentation, and other materials requested by PSI or the Construction Industries Division.

New Mexico requires applicants to pass required examinations with the minimum score established by the Construction Industries Division. Examination approval and other qualifying-party requirements must be completed within the applicable eligibility period stated in the current application instructions.

Passing an examination or purchasing this complete book set does not issue a contractor license. The business must complete the entire licensing process and receive approval before performing regulated contracting work in New Mexico.

Reference Books

• New Mexico Contractors’ Guide to Business Law and Project Management, Commercial Contractors
  Supports preparation for the New Mexico Business and Law examination with material involving licensing, business organization, finance, estimating, contracts, employment responsibilities, insurance, safety, and project management.
• Construction Jobsite Management, 5th Edition
  Covers field supervision, jobsite planning, communication, documentation, safety, productivity, quality control, coordination, and daily construction operations.
• Construction Project Management, 5th Edition
  Reviews project organization, estimating, scheduling, contracts, cost control, risk management, communication, quality, and project closeout.
• ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Provides structural concrete requirements and commentary involving materials, design, reinforcement, durability, construction, and inspection.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Addresses recommended procedures for receiving, handling, installing, restraining, and bracing metal plate connected wood trusses.
• NASCLA Contractors’ Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Basic 14th Edition
  Explains contractor business practices, project management, finance, contracts, insurance, employment responsibilities, safety, and risk management.
• Erectors’ Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of Precast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Covers precast erection planning, handling, rigging, bracing, alignment, connections, field procedures, and safety.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning – Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 3rd Edition, 2003
  Reviews field procedures for handling, installing, stressing, inspecting, and protecting unbonded post-tensioning systems.
• SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck, 3rd Edition, 2016
  Explains steel-deck receiving, storage, placement, fastening, construction loading, field modifications, and installation safety.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Dave Roberts, 2011
  Covers excavation, grading, trenching, underground utilities, pipe installation, equipment, estimating, productivity, and site safety.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition, 2014
  Provides information about gypsum products, wall and ceiling systems, fire-resistant assemblies, installation methods, finishing, and construction details.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars: Recommended Practices, 10th Edition
  Covers reinforcing-bar identification, supports, placement, splices, tolerances, detailing, handling, and field installation.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008
  Provides guidance for receiving, storing, handling, placing, bridging, and erecting steel joists and joist girders.
• Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  Reviews masonry materials, mortar, tools, layout, brick, concrete block, stone, estimating, construction methods, and safety.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition, Cameron K. Andres and Ronald C. Smith
  Provides broad coverage of commercial construction materials, structural systems, building components, sequencing, methods, and field practices.
• Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926, with Latest Available Amendments
  Contains federal construction-safety requirements involving jobsite operations, fall protection, excavation, scaffolding, equipment, and electrical safety.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016 Student Edition, John L. Feirer and Mark D. Feirer
  Covers carpentry tools, materials, layout, foundations, framing, floors, walls, roofs, interiors, and common building procedures.
• ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, 2017
  Provides accessibility criteria for routes, entrances, rooms, fixtures, controls, communication elements, and building features.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson
  Reviews roofing systems, materials, installation methods, measurements, quantities, flashing, drainage, estimating, and project planning.
• The Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition, 2018
  Explains concrete materials, preparation, placement, consolidation, finishing, curing, testing, quality control, and problem prevention.
• Green Building Fundamentals, Michael Montoya, 2nd Edition, 2011
  Introduces sustainable construction, energy efficiency, water conservation, material selection, building performance, and indoor environmental quality.
• International Building Code, 2021 Edition
  Contains commercial building requirements involving occupancy, construction types, fire protection, means of egress, accessibility, structural provisions, and building systems.
• Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites
  Explains stormwater planning, erosion and sediment controls, pollution prevention, inspections, documentation, and construction-site responsibilities.
• ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems and EIFS with Drainage
  Provides requirements involving exterior insulation and finish systems, materials, installation, drainage, flashing, joints, and system performance.
• Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition, 2023
  Covers mechanical, plumbing, fire-protection, electrical, lighting, communication, and building-control systems coordinated during commercial construction.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin by separating the New Mexico Business and Law reference from the NASCLA technical library. This creates a focused study plan for state business requirements while allowing the commercial construction references to be organized by trade subject.

Divide the NASCLA references into categories such as project management, jobsite safety, building codes, accessibility, site work, concrete, masonry, structural systems, carpentry, roofing, environmental controls, exterior systems, and mechanical and electrical coordination.

Practice selecting the correct book before searching for an answer. Read a sample question, identify the central construction topic, choose the publication most likely to contain the information, and use the index or table of contents to locate the applicable section.

Timed navigation exercises can help candidates develop a repeatable open-book method. The objective is to identify the subject, select the correct reference, locate the supporting information, and evaluate the available answers without spending unnecessary time in unrelated books.

Review missed questions carefully. An incorrect response may reveal a technical knowledge gap, an incorrect reference choice, a misunderstood term, or inefficient navigation. Identifying the cause helps candidates direct additional study toward the areas that need the most attention.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps New Mexico contractor candidates turn a large business and technical reference library into an organized preparation system. The complete set brings together the New Mexico business guide and the NASCLA commercial general building references for coordinated study.

Trade-focused review becomes more manageable when the books are grouped by subject. Candidates can connect questions involving concrete, masonry, structural steel, roofing, excavation, accessibility, safety, project management, and building systems with the references most likely to contain the answers.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages candidates to use the books actively. Students can work through questions, identify important terms, select the correct publication, and practice locating code provisions, tables, definitions, diagrams, and technical requirements.

Reference-navigation practice is especially important for the open-book NASCLA examination. Familiarity with indexes, chapter headings, code sections, and technical tables can help candidates develop a clearer approach to managing the examination library.

The included New Mexico business reference also supports study of contractor licensing, financial management, contracts, employment responsibilities, insurance, safety, and project administration. This material helps candidates build a stronger understanding of the responsibilities involved in operating a licensed contracting business.

1 Exam Prep does not guarantee a passing examination result, acceptance of a NASCLA transcript, licensing approval, or license issuance. The complete book set provides organized study materials, trade-focused references, navigation practice, and a confidence-building foundation for pursuing contractor licensing goals.

FAQ Section

What is included in this complete book set?

The package includes the New Mexico Contractors’ Guide to Business Law and Project Management for Commercial Contractors and the 24 listed NASCLA commercial building technical references.

Is the New Mexico Business and Law book included?

Yes. The New Mexico commercial contractors business guide is included for candidates preparing for the state Business and Law examination.

Does New Mexico accept the NASCLA examination?

Yes. New Mexico accepts the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination in place of the GB-98 trade examination when the applicant satisfies the state’s applicable requirements.

What additional requirement applies when using NASCLA in New Mexico?

The candidate must provide documentation showing at least one year of licensure in good standing with another state for the NASCLA result to be accepted in place of the GB-98 trade examination.

Does passing NASCLA automatically issue a New Mexico license?

No. Applicants must complete the New Mexico licensing process and satisfy the qualifying-party, experience, Business and Law, bonding, registration, and application requirements.

Is Business and Law required in New Mexico?

New qualifying-party applicants must pass the PSI Business and Law examination or complete an approved Business and Law course and submit the required completion certificate.

Is the NASCLA examination open book?

Yes. Candidates may bring permitted references that comply with current examination rules. The testing center does not provide the complete book library.

Are the books provided at the examination center?

No. Candidates are responsible for obtaining and bringing all permitted reference materials to the testing location.

Should I use the listed editions?

Yes. Code provisions, technical requirements, page numbers, illustrations, and book organization may differ between editions.

How should I study the complete set?

Group the references by subject, learn which publication applies to each topic, and practice locating information through indexes, chapters, code sections, definitions, diagrams, and technical tables under timed conditions.

Does purchasing the set guarantee licensing approval?

No. The New Mexico Construction Industries Division determines whether the applicant has satisfied the requirements for the requested license and classification.