North Carolina Boring and Tunneling Contractor Exam Book Package

Prepare for the North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) Contractor examination with a focused exam book package built around the references permitted in the examination center. This package includes the two approved exam-room books identified for the North Carolina Boring and Tunneling specialty examination, giving candidates practical resources for studying construction safety, hoisting, rigging, underground construction operations, and related trade concepts.

The North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) classification covers the construction of underground or underwater passageways by digging or boring through and under the earth's surface. The scope includes bracing and compacting passageways so they are safe for their intended purpose and preparing ground surfaces at points of ingress and egress. Candidates pursuing this specialty should be prepared for questions involving underground construction methods, sitework, concrete, reinforcement, safety, rigging, excavation-related requirements, and contractor regulations.

The examination is open book, but an important distinction applies: only certain references from the overall examination reference list are permitted inside the testing center. For the S(Boring and Tunneling) exam, the approved exam-room references are North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with latest available amendments and Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009.

Other references associated with the examination are not permitted inside the exam room. Candidates should therefore develop a two-part preparation strategy. First, become highly familiar with the two books that can be used during the test. Second, study the major concepts represented by the non-permitted references before exam day so those subjects can be approached from knowledge rather than depending on a book lookup.

This North Carolina Boring and Tunneling Contractor Exam Book Package gives candidates the approved books they can actively navigate during the examination. Familiarity with headings, indexes, tables, terminology, safety standards, lifting practices, and rigging concepts can make open-book preparation more efficient and structured.

What You Get

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with latest available amendments
  A construction safety reference used for reviewing occupational safety and health requirements relevant to construction activities, including excavation, underground operations, equipment, personal protective equipment, material handling, access, worker protection, and other jobsite safety subjects.
• Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009
  A technical rigging reference covering lifting and rigging principles, wire rope, slings, chains, hardware, load handling, inspection, rigging practices, and other concepts associated with safe hoisting operations.

Exam Details

The North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) Contractor examination is administered through PSI for candidates approved through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.

The examination contains 60 questions. Candidates are allowed 120 minutes to complete the exam, and a score of 70% is required to pass.

The current examination content outline includes:

• Boring and Tunneling: 22 questions
• Sitework: 6 questions
• Concrete: 10 questions
• Concrete Reinforcement: 5 questions
• Hoisting and Rigging: 5 questions
• Safety: 5 questions
• One Call: 2 questions
• Erosion and Sedimentation Control: 2 questions
• Liens: 1 question
• Laws and Regulations: 2 questions

Boring and Tunneling is the largest individual examination category, with 22 questions. Candidates should devote substantial preparation time to underground passageway construction, boring and tunneling methods, excavation-related operations, ground preparation, support considerations, and the practical construction knowledge associated with this specialty.

Concrete and concrete reinforcement together also account for a significant portion of the exam. Study should include the construction concepts represented by these subjects even though several of the technical references associated with them are not allowed inside the examination center.

Safety and Hoisting and Rigging account for five questions each. These are particularly important areas for reference navigation because the two books included in this package are approved for exam-room use and directly support preparation for these subjects.

Open Book Test

The North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) Contractor examination is an open-book test. Candidates may bring approved reference materials into the examination center, but only the references specifically authorized for the exam may be used.

The two approved references are North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with latest available amendments and Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009.

Because the exam contains 60 questions and allows 120 minutes, candidates have an average of approximately two minutes per question. Effective open-book testing therefore requires more than having the correct books on the desk. Candidates should know where important information is located and be able to move quickly between relevant sections.

PSI permits approved references to be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination session. Permanent tabs may be used. Removable tabs are not permitted, and notes may not be written on tabs. References may not be written in before or during the examination session.

Candidates should use permanent indexing strategically. Instead of marking every possible page, organize references around major subjects that are likely to support exam questions. For the safety standards, useful navigation areas may include excavation, underground construction, personal protective equipment, material handling, access and egress, equipment, and other construction safety topics. For the rigging handbook, candidates should become comfortable locating sling information, wire rope, hardware, load-handling principles, inspections, and common rigging practices.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) classification. Understand the scope of underground and underwater passageway work covered by the specialty.
2. Submit the applicable licensing or examination request materials. Examination eligibility is determined through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
3. Identify the qualifying individual. The qualifying individual is the person who meets the examination requirement associated with the classification sought by the license applicant.
4. Receive examination eligibility. After approval, eligible candidates receive examination scheduling instructions.
5. Schedule the examination through PSI. The approved candidate follows the examination registration and scheduling process.
6. Prepare for all examination subject areas. Study boring and tunneling, sitework, concrete, reinforcement, rigging, safety, One Call, erosion and sedimentation control, liens, and laws and regulations.
7. Prepare the approved exam-room references. Become familiar with the safety standards and rigging handbook and organize them according to current testing rules.
8. Complete the examination. Take the North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) Contractor exam and continue through the applicable licensing process.

Examination eligibility is determined by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Candidates should complete the applicable Board process before attempting to schedule the specialty examination.

State Requirements

The North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) specialty classification covers the construction of underground or underwater passageways by digging or boring through and under the earth's surface. The classification includes bracing and compacting those passageways so they are safe for their intended purpose.

The scope also includes preparation of ground surfaces at points of ingress and egress. This makes site preparation, underground construction practices, ground conditions, excavation, access, support, and construction safety important knowledge areas for candidates entering the specialty.

North Carolina contractor licensing uses qualifying individuals whose examinations establish qualification for applicable classifications. The license applicant must follow the requirements established by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors for the requested classification and license limitation.

The S(Boring and Tunneling) specialty is also included within the scope of certain broader North Carolina contractor classifications. Candidates seeking the specialty directly should prepare specifically for the S(Boring and Tunneling) examination content and follow the Board's licensing procedures applicable to their circumstances.

Reference Books

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with latest available amendments
  This approved exam-room reference supports study of construction safety requirements and workplace protection. For a boring and tunneling candidate, familiarity with excavation and underground construction safety, protective equipment, equipment operation, access, material handling, and related jobsite requirements can be especially useful.
• Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009
  This approved exam-room reference supports study of hoisting and rigging. Candidates can use it to strengthen knowledge of lifting equipment, slings, wire rope, chains, rigging hardware, hitches, load considerations, inspection, and safe rigging practices.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following books are allowed into the North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) examination room:

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with latest available amendments
  Approved for exam-room use and particularly useful for the Safety portion of the examination and construction safety questions associated with underground work.
• Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009
  Approved for exam-room use and particularly useful for the Hoisting and Rigging portion of the examination.

Candidates are responsible for bringing their approved reference materials to the examination center. Preparing directly with these books before test day helps develop familiarity with their structure and improves the ability to recognize where an answer may be located.

Test Information and Study Materials

Several references associated with preparation for the North Carolina Boring and Tunneling Contractor examination are not allowed in the exam room. These materials represent subject matter that candidates should study before test day rather than expecting to use the books during the examination.

The books and materials identified as not allowed in the exam include:

• North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Chapter 4 Sedimentation Control, including the latest amendments
  Supports preparation involving erosion and sedimentation control requirements.
• North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A, Article 4 Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973
  Supports study of North Carolina sedimentation pollution control requirements associated with land-disturbing activities.
• North Carolina Excavation Safety Guidelines, 2022 or later
  Supports preparation involving underground facilities, excavation planning, One Call concepts, and excavation safety responsibilities.
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management - North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
  Supports review of contractor business, law, project management, and regulatory concepts.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  A trade-oriented reference useful for studying excavation, underground construction, piping, equipment, and related field practices.
• Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina
  Supports preparation involving North Carolina contractor laws and regulatory requirements.
• Jacked Tunnel Design and Construction, 1999
  A technical study reference addressing jacked tunnel design and construction concepts.
• Standard Construction Guidelines for Microtunneling, 2001
  Supports technical preparation involving microtunneling methods and underground construction practices.
• Code of Practice for Tunnels Under Construction, 2006
  A study resource associated with tunnel construction practices and safety considerations.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  Supports preparation for concrete materials, mixture fundamentals, placement considerations, and concrete construction concepts.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  Supports study of field concepts associated with unbonded post-tensioning and concrete reinforcement.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  A technical study reference covering reinforcing steel placement and related concrete reinforcement practices.

Since these books are not available for consultation during the examination, advance preparation is especially important. Candidates should develop a working understanding of the technical ideas represented by each major subject rather than relying on last-minute reference searching.

For the 22-question Boring and Tunneling section, focus on the principles of underground passageway construction, tunneling and boring methods, ground preparation, access points, support, bracing, excavation practices, and related field operations.

For Sitework, review the construction activities that support underground projects, including site preparation, excavation considerations, access, surface preparation, and coordination around underground work.

Concrete accounts for 10 questions, while Concrete Reinforcement accounts for five. Candidates should understand concrete fundamentals, placement concepts, reinforcement principles, reinforcing bars, and construction practices represented by the listed study references.

For Hoisting and Rigging, use the included Handbook of Rigging actively. Practice locating information involving slings, wire rope, chains, hardware, hitches, equipment limitations, inspections, and load-handling principles. The objective is not simply to memorize page numbers but to understand the organization of the book well enough to locate information efficiently.

For Safety, become familiar with the structure of the North Carolina construction safety standards. Underground work can involve excavation hazards, equipment, restricted access, falling or moving materials, lifting operations, protective equipment, and other conditions requiring careful safety planning.

One Call, erosion and sedimentation control, liens, and laws and regulations account for fewer questions individually, but together they can still affect the final score. Do not ignore smaller content categories while concentrating on technical construction subjects.

A useful preparation routine is to separate study into two groups. Use the approved books for repeated open-book navigation practice, and use the non-permitted materials to build knowledge of topics that will need to be understood without having those references available in the exam room.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports North Carolina Boring and Tunneling contractor candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation, and a structured approach to contractor exam study.

The S(Boring and Tunneling) examination requires candidates to prepare differently for subjects supported by approved exam-room books and subjects represented by materials that cannot be taken into the test. An organized study plan can help candidates allocate preparation time appropriately instead of treating every reference in the same way.

Trade-focused review helps connect examination subjects to practical construction activities. Boring and tunneling methods relate to excavation, ground conditions, sitework, access, support, safety, and equipment. Concrete and reinforcement knowledge connects with structural components of underground construction. Hoisting and rigging concepts connect with moving equipment and materials safely around demanding jobsites.

Practice-oriented preparation also develops better open-book habits. Candidates can work through questions, determine which approved reference is appropriate, locate supporting information, and review the surrounding material to strengthen understanding. Repetition builds familiarity with terminology and reference organization.

Reference navigation is especially useful for the safety and rigging portions of this examination. Knowing how the two approved books are arranged can reduce unnecessary searching and help candidates manage the 120-minute testing period more effectively.

1 Exam Prep helps candidates create a clearer path from initial study through exam-day preparation by combining trade knowledge, organized review, reference familiarity, and practice. The objective is to help candidates approach the North Carolina Boring and Tunneling Contractor exam with a stronger study structure and greater confidence in using the materials available to them.

FAQ Section

Is the North Carolina Boring and Tunneling Contractor exam open book?

Yes. The North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) Contractor examination is open book, but only approved references may be used in the examination center.

Which books are allowed into the North Carolina Boring and Tunneling exam?

The approved exam-room references are North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with latest available amendments and Handbook of Rigging, 5th Edition, 2009.

How many questions are on the exam?

The North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) Contractor examination contains 60 questions.

How much time do I have to complete the exam?

Candidates are allowed 120 minutes to complete the examination.

What score is required to pass?

A score of 70% is required to pass the North Carolina S(Boring and Tunneling) examination.

What is the largest section of the examination?

Boring and Tunneling is the largest content area, with 22 questions. Concrete is the next largest individual category, with 10 questions.

Are all of the examination reference books allowed in the testing room?

No. Only the approved safety standards and Handbook of Rigging are allowed into the examination center from the listed references. The other listed materials should be treated as study resources for preparation before the test.

Can I highlight and tab my approved exam books?

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. Permanent tabs are permitted. Removable tabs are not permitted, and notes may not be written on the tabs.

Can I write notes in my references?

No. PSI examination rules state that references may not be written in before or during the examination session.

Should I study the books that are not allowed into the exam?

Yes. The examination contains subject areas supported by references that cannot be brought into the testing room. Studying those materials and topics before exam day helps build the trade knowledge needed for those questions.

What subjects are covered on the North Carolina Boring and Tunneling exam?

The content outline includes Boring and Tunneling, Sitework, Concrete, Concrete Reinforcement, Hoisting and Rigging, Safety, One Call, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Liens, and Laws and Regulations.

Why should I practice navigating the books before an open-book exam?

The exam is timed, so efficient reference use matters. Practicing with the approved books helps candidates identify where important information is located and reduces the amount of time spent searching during the examination.