New Mexico Structural Steel Erection Contractor GS-24 Exam Book Package

New Mexico Structural Steel Erection Contractor GS-24 Exam Book Package

The New Mexico Structural Steel Erection Contractor GS-24 Exam Book Package is designed for candidates preparing for the New Mexico GS-24 Structural Steel Erection contractor exam. This package brings together the listed references used to study rigging, structural steel materials, steel joist and joist girder handling, commercial construction practices, OSHA construction safety, and steel deck installation. Structural steel erection is a safety-critical trade, and candidates preparing for this exam should be ready to understand both field procedures and written standards.

Structural steel erection work requires careful planning, accurate handling, proper attachment, safe rigging, and a strong understanding of how steel members become part of a completed structure. Contractors working in this classification may deal with beams, columns, joists, joist girders, steel decking, lifting equipment, fall protection, bolting, welding coordination, sequencing, and jobsite safety. The GS-24 exam is built around these types of trade responsibilities and requires candidates to prepare with the correct references and a clear study routine.

This book package includes Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009, Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition, Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), and SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck. These references support preparation for the major subject areas tied to structural steel erection, including materials, rigging, steel erection, attachment, and safety.

Because the New Mexico GS-24 exam is open book, candidates should use the books actively throughout preparation. Open-book exams still require strong study habits. Candidates must know which reference applies to each type of question, where important topics are located, how tables and sections are organized, and how to move quickly through technical material under time pressure. The books are valuable study tools, but they work best when candidates practice with them before exam day.

A strong preparation routine should include reading key sections, reviewing trade vocabulary, practicing reference lookups, studying OSHA safety requirements, understanding steel deck and joist installation concepts, and connecting field experience to written procedures. Structural steel questions may require candidates to understand both the practical work and the standard or safety requirement behind that work.

Exam Details

The New Mexico GS-24 Structural Steel Erection contractor exam is administered through PSI for New Mexico contractor licensing. Candidates must be approved before scheduling the examination. Once eligibility is granted, candidates can schedule through PSI and complete the test by computer at an approved testing location.

The GS-24 Structural Steel Erection exam includes 40 questions. Candidates are allowed 120 minutes to complete the examination. The required passing score is 75%, which equals 30 points. Since this is a timed exam, candidates should prepare to read each question carefully, identify the subject being tested, and locate supporting information efficiently in the references.

The content outline for the GS-24 Structural Steel Erection exam includes the following subject areas:

• Materials
• Rigging
• Steel Erection
• Attachment
• Safety

Materials questions may involve structural steel components, joists, joist girders, steel deck, construction materials, and trade terminology. Candidates should understand how materials are identified, handled, protected, and installed as part of a structural steel project.

Rigging questions may involve lifting practices, load handling, slings, hitches, hardware, load control, crane coordination, and safe movement of steel members. Rigging is one of the most important areas for steel erection contractors because improper lifting or handling can create serious safety and structural risks.

Steel erection questions may involve sequencing, placement, alignment, temporary stability, joist and joist girder handling, decking, installation practices, and coordination with other construction activities. Candidates should understand how erection work proceeds from planning through placement and attachment.

Attachment questions may involve connections, fastening methods, deck attachment, joist seating, bolting, welding coordination, and related installation requirements. Candidates should study how structural members and deck systems are secured so they can perform properly as part of the finished structure.

Safety questions may involve OSHA requirements, fall protection, steel erection safety, material handling, equipment hazards, access, jobsite conditions, and worker protection. Safety should be reviewed throughout preparation because structural steel erection involves elevated work, heavy loads, moving equipment, and changing site conditions.

Open Book Test

The New Mexico GS-24 Structural Steel Erection contractor exam is an open book test. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own reference materials to the examination center. The open-book format allows candidates to use approved references during the exam, but it does not replace study. Candidates must know how to use the books efficiently before test day.

Reference materials must be bound and may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination session. Permanent tabs are allowed. Temporary tabs, including Post-it notes, are not allowed and must be removed before the exam begins. Reference materials containing writing are not allowed into the examination, and candidates are not permitted to write in the references during the testing session.

Open-book steel erection exams can be challenging because the references cover different types of information. A rigging question may point to the rigging handbook. A joist question may point to the technical digest. A steel deck question may point to the SDI manual. A safety question may point to OSHA. A broader commercial construction question may point to the commercial construction reference. Candidates should practice recognizing which book is most likely to contain the answer.

The best preparation for an open-book exam is active reference use. Candidates should choose a topic, locate it in the correct book, read the surrounding material, and practice finding related information again. This helps build the speed and confidence needed to work through the exam within the 120-minute time limit.

Licensing Steps

Candidates pursuing the New Mexico GS-24 Structural Steel Erection contractor classification should begin by following the approval process required for New Mexico contractor examinations. Candidates must be approved before scheduling through PSI. After approval is granted, the candidate can register for the examination, select an available testing date, and complete the required exam process.

A practical preparation path includes identifying the correct GS-24 classification, completing the required application or qualifying party approval process, receiving examination eligibility, scheduling the exam through PSI, reviewing the listed references, studying consistently, and arriving at the testing center with proper identification and permitted materials.

After passing the trade examination, candidates should complete any remaining New Mexico contractor licensing requirements. Passing the GS-24 exam is an important step, but candidates are still responsible for meeting applicable business, law, documentation, experience, financial, bonding, registration, and administrative requirements connected to the license.

New Mexico contractor candidates should keep application documents, eligibility notices, exam scheduling confirmations, reference lists, score reports, and licensing correspondence organized. Good recordkeeping can reduce confusion and allow candidates to focus more attention on studying and completing the licensing process correctly.

State Requirements

New Mexico contractor licensing is connected to the Construction Industries Division of the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department. The GS-24 Structural Steel Erection classification is tied to structural steel erection work, which requires technical knowledge, safe work practices, and the ability to follow construction standards and project requirements.

Structural steel erection contractors should understand the importance of planning before work begins. Steel erection activities often involve multiple trades, cranes, delivery schedules, staging areas, connection details, safety controls, and inspection requirements. Candidates preparing for the GS-24 exam should study how proper planning affects material handling, lifting, erection sequence, attachment, and worker safety.

Safety is a major part of structural steel erection work. OSHA construction standards in 29 CFR Part 1926 are included in this package because steel erection work involves fall hazards, hoisting, rigging, elevated work, heavy materials, and changing structural stability conditions. Candidates should study OSHA requirements carefully and understand how safety rules apply to real jobsite situations.

Structural steel work also requires knowledge of joists, joist girders, steel deck, and commercial construction practices. The references in this package help candidates review the technical language and field procedures used in steel erection work. Candidates should use the books to strengthen both their trade knowledge and their ability to locate written requirements during the exam.

Reference Books

• Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009
  This reference supports study of rigging methods, lifting equipment, slings, hitches, load handling, hardware, hoisting principles, and safe movement of materials. It is important for candidates reviewing rigging and load control topics.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition
  This reference supports study of steel joist and joist girder handling, storage, erection, placement, stability, and installation practices. Candidates should use it to review joist-related steel erection procedures.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition
  This reference supports study of commercial construction methods, jobsite practices, materials, construction sequencing, project coordination, and general building construction principles connected to structural steel work.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This reference contains OSHA construction safety standards. Candidates should use it to review fall protection, steel erection safety, cranes and rigging safety, personal protective equipment, access, material handling, and general construction safety requirements.
• SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  This reference supports study of steel deck construction, deck placement, attachment, fastening, installation practices, field considerations, and coordination of steel deck work with structural framing.

Each reference in this package supports a different part of GS-24 exam preparation. Candidates should learn what each book is used for and which subjects it covers. The rigging handbook supports lifting and load handling. The joist technical digest supports joist and joist girder work. The commercial construction text supports broader construction practices. OSHA supports safety. The SDI manual supports steel deck installation and attachment.

Candidates should use the references as working tools throughout preparation. A useful study approach is to divide study time into materials, rigging, steel erection, attachment, and safety. Candidates can then locate related material in the books, review the surrounding sections, and practice returning to those areas under timed conditions.

Test Information and Study Materials

The New Mexico GS-24 Structural Steel Erection exam is a timed, open-book trade examination. Candidates have 120 minutes to answer 40 questions. This means pacing matters. Candidates should be able to read the question, identify the topic, choose the likely reference, and locate the answer efficiently.

Materials should be reviewed as a foundation for the rest of the exam. Candidates should understand structural steel components, joists, joist girders, steel deck, connection materials, construction terminology, storage concerns, and handling requirements. Material knowledge helps candidates understand what is being erected, moved, connected, or protected on the jobsite.

Rigging should receive careful study because lifting and moving steel members creates serious risk when not planned and performed correctly. Candidates should review sling types, rigging hardware, load weight considerations, center of gravity, hitches, lifting angles, communication, inspection of rigging equipment, and safe handling practices.

Steel erection should be studied from planning through installation. Candidates should review erection sequencing, member placement, temporary stability, joist handling, joist girder placement, steel deck installation, bracing, access, and coordination with other jobsite activities. Steel erection requires careful control of both structural conditions and worker safety.

Attachment is another key area. Candidates should study bolting, fastening, welding coordination, joist seating, steel deck attachment, connection requirements, and installation details. Questions in this area may require candidates to understand how components are secured and how attachment methods affect the finished structure.

Safety should be reviewed throughout the study process. Structural steel erection exposes workers to fall hazards, suspended loads, equipment movement, material handling risks, and changing structural stability. OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 should be used to review safety responsibilities and construction standards that apply to steel erection work.

Candidates should also practice identifying which reference applies to each type of question. A question about slings or hitches may point to the rigging handbook. A question about joist handling may point to Technical Digest No. 9. A question about steel deck fastening may point to the SDI manual. A general construction question may point to the commercial construction text. A safety question may point to OSHA. This recognition skill becomes stronger with repeated study.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps candidates prepare with organized, trade-focused support designed around the way contractor exams are actually taken. For an open-book structural steel erection exam, preparation is not only about owning the correct references. It is about learning how to use those references, recognize key terms, locate information quickly, and connect steel erection experience to written standards.

This book package supports that preparation by providing the listed references for the New Mexico Structural Steel Erection Contractor GS-24 exam. Candidates can use the books to review rigging, materials, joist and joist girder handling, steel deck installation, commercial construction practices, attachment methods, and OSHA safety requirements. Consistent use of the references helps candidates build stronger study habits and better test-day readiness.

1 Exam Prep’s approach is practical and exam-oriented. The goal is to help candidates reduce confusion, organize their preparation, and build confidence through repeated reference navigation and trade-focused review. Candidates still need to study consistently and understand the material, but having the proper references is a key part of preparing for the exam.

Structural steel candidates often have field experience but may not be used to working through rigging manuals, OSHA standards, joist references, commercial construction textbooks, and steel deck manuals under exam pressure. 1 Exam Prep helps support that transition by encouraging structured study, reference familiarity, and practice-oriented preparation. With consistent effort, candidates can improve pacing, strengthen subject knowledge, and approach the GS-24 exam with a clearer plan.

FAQ

What books are included in this package?

This package includes Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009, Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition, Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), and SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck.

Is the New Mexico GS-24 Structural Steel Erection exam open book?

Yes. The New Mexico GS-24 Structural Steel Erection contractor exam is an open-book test. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own reference materials to the examination center.

How many questions are on the GS-24 exam?

The GS-24 Structural Steel Erection exam has 40 questions.

How much time is allowed for the exam?

Candidates are allowed 120 minutes to complete the GS-24 Structural Steel Erection exam.

What score is required to pass?

The required passing score is 75%, which equals 30 points on this examination.

What topics should I study for this exam?

Candidates should study materials, rigging, steel erection, attachment, and safety. These areas include steel components, lifting practices, joist handling, steel deck installation, fastening methods, and OSHA construction safety requirements.

Why is the Handbook of Rigging important?

The Handbook of Rigging supports preparation for lifting, load handling, rigging hardware, slings, hitches, and safe movement of steel members and construction materials.

Why should I study OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926?

OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 includes construction safety standards. Structural steel erection involves fall hazards, suspended loads, equipment movement, and elevated work, so safety knowledge is an important part of preparation.

Does this package guarantee a passing score?

No product can guarantee an exam result. This package provides the listed reference books and supports candidates as they prepare through trade-focused study and reference navigation practice.