North Carolina PSI Building Contractor Course - Online Exam Prep Course

Prepare for the North Carolina PSI Building Contractor examination with an online exam prep course designed around the approved exam-room references and the broader technical subjects associated with the Building Contractor classification. This course supports organized study across building codes, structural concrete, masonry, accessibility, construction safety, contractor business law, project management, code administration, sports-field construction, roofing, carpentry, excavation, steel systems, erosion control, and related construction methods.

The North Carolina Building Contractor classification covers a wide range of commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential construction and demolition activities. The scope also includes associated sitework, parking decks, grading, paving, sidewalks, gutters, storm drainage, retaining walls, accessory structures, athletic fields, running tracks, bleachers, and seating.

Because the classification is broad, candidates must prepare to move between several different types of references. A single study session may involve interpreting a building-code table, reviewing a structural concrete provision, finding an accessibility dimension, applying a construction-safety standard, or answering a contractor business and project-management question.

The online course provides a structured way to approach that large body of information. Candidates can review major examination subjects, practice code and reference navigation, strengthen construction calculations, and connect technical requirements with practical project conditions.

Preparation focuses on the books identified for use during the North Carolina Building Contractor examination. These include the North Carolina Building Code, structural concrete and masonry standards, the accessibility standard, construction-safety requirements, the contractor business guide, the North Carolina Administration Code and Policies, and the sports-field construction reference.

The course also uses additional study references to support deeper understanding of carpentry, roofing, excavation, concrete mixtures, post-tensioning, modern masonry methods, underground utility safety, sedimentation control, contractor regulations, steel joist erection, and steel-deck construction. These supplemental books are useful during preparation but are not identified as references allowed into the exam room.

This product is an online exam prep course. The books listed below are study references used with the course and are not included unless a separate product package specifically states that physical books are included.

Exam Details

The North Carolina Building Contractor examination is administered through PSI after the candidate receives examination eligibility from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.

The examination evaluates knowledge across building construction, structural systems, accessibility, workplace safety, contractor business practices, code administration, and project management. Candidates should be prepared to interpret written requirements, tables, diagrams, formulas, construction documents, and practical jobsite scenarios.

Building-code preparation may include occupancy classifications, construction types, allowable building height and area, fire-resistance ratings, fire walls, fire barriers, fire-protection systems, interior finishes, means of egress, exterior walls, roof assemblies, structural provisions, special inspections, and safeguards during construction.

Many building-code questions require candidates to use more than one provision. A question involving allowable building area may require review of the occupancy classification, construction type, sprinkler condition, frontage increase, mixed-use provisions, and applicable table notes.

Structural concrete preparation may include materials, reinforcement, concrete cover, development length, splices, slabs, beams, columns, walls, foundations, durability, strength, inspection, and construction requirements. Candidates should understand the organization of ACI 318 and the distinction between mandatory code provisions and explanatory commentary.

Masonry preparation may involve masonry units, mortar, grout, reinforcement, anchors, ties, walls, columns, bearing, quality assurance, construction tolerances, inspections, and structural requirements. The ACI masonry publication combines code requirements, specifications, and companion commentary.

Accessibility preparation may include accessible routes, entrances, doors, maneuvering clearances, ramps, stairs, elevators, platform lifts, toilet rooms, bathing facilities, parking spaces, seating, reach ranges, operable parts, signage, and communication features.

Accessibility questions often depend on precise dimensions and diagrams. Candidates should practice identifying the exact condition shown in a question and reviewing applicable exceptions before selecting an answer.

Construction-safety preparation may cover personal protective equipment, fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, excavation, cranes, hoists, electrical hazards, tools, material handling, fire prevention, housekeeping, and employer responsibilities.

Business and project-management preparation may address contractor licensing, business organization, accounting, financial statements, contracts, estimating, bidding, scheduling, insurance, employment practices, safety programs, liens, project documentation, and risk management.

Code-administration preparation may involve permits, plan review, inspections, certificates of occupancy, alternate materials, violations, stop-work orders, enforcement procedures, and the responsibilities of contractors, design professionals, and building officials.

Sports-field preparation may include site evaluation, grading, drainage, irrigation, soil preparation, natural turf, synthetic surfaces, field layout, construction, renovation, equipment, and maintenance.

Open Book Test

The North Carolina Building Contractor examination is open book. Candidates may use references authorized for the examination when those materials comply with the current PSI testing-center requirements.

Open-book testing does not remove the need for technical preparation. Candidates must recognize the subject of a question, select the correct reference, locate the applicable section, and interpret the requirement within the available testing time.

The course helps candidates learn which approved book applies to each major subject. The North Carolina Building Code is used for general building requirements, occupancy classifications, construction types, fire protection, means of egress, exterior walls, roofing, and safeguards during construction.

ACI 318 is used for structural concrete questions, while ACI 530/530.1 applies to masonry structures. ICC A117.1 is used for accessibility questions involving routes, entrances, doors, ramps, toilet rooms, parking, seating, and related dimensions.

The North Carolina Administration Code and Policies supports questions involving permits, inspections, plan review, enforcement, and administrative procedures. The construction-safety standards apply to workplace hazards, and the contractor business guide supports licensing, accounting, contracts, estimating, and project-management preparation.

The sports-fields reference supports questions involving athletic-field planning, site preparation, drainage, irrigation, turf systems, construction, and maintenance.

Candidates should practice using tables of contents, indexes, definitions, tables, figures, commentary, appendices, and cross-references. Different books require different navigation methods, so repeated use of the actual references is essential.

Timed mixed-reference exercises should include building-code lookups, accessibility dimensions, structural concrete provisions, masonry requirements, safety questions, administrative procedures, and contractor-business scenarios.

The additional study references listed below should be used during preparation but should not be brought into the examination room unless current official PSI instructions specifically authorize them.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the Building Contractor classification. Confirm that the classification matches the construction and demolition work the business plans to perform.
2. Select the license limitation. Determine which North Carolina monetary limitation fits the value of projects the business intends to undertake.
3. Identify the qualifier. Select the individual who will satisfy the examination requirement for the applicant business.
4. Submit the license application or examination request. Provide the required ownership, financial, organizational, business, and qualifier information to the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
5. Receive examination eligibility. After approval, follow the eligibility instructions for registering and scheduling with PSI.
6. Begin the online exam prep course. Organize study into building code, structural concrete, masonry, accessibility, safety, administration, business, and sports-field topics.
7. Study with the approved references. Learn the structure of each exam-room book and complete timed lookup exercises.
8. Use the supplemental study references. Strengthen practical knowledge of carpentry, roofing, excavation, concrete, masonry, steel construction, erosion control, and contractor regulations.
9. Schedule and take the PSI examination. Follow the current registration, identification, and testing-center requirements.
10. Complete the licensing process. Satisfy the financial, qualifier, organizational, classification, and limitation requirements associated with the application.

State Requirements

The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates the Building Contractor classification. The classification covers commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential building construction and demolition.

The scope also includes parking decks, associated sitework, grading, paving, sidewalks, gutters, storm drainage, retaining walls, accessory structures, recreational facilities, athletic fields, running tracks, bleachers, and seating.

A North Carolina general contractor license is required when a covered construction project has a total value of $40,000 or more. The contractor must hold a classification that covers the work and a monetary limitation appropriate for the project value.

The applicant business must identify a qualifier who satisfies the examination requirement. The applicant must also provide the financial, organizational, ownership, and business documentation required for the selected license limitation.

North Carolina general contractor licenses are issued with limited, intermediate, or unlimited monetary limitations. Each limitation has financial qualification requirements and controls the value of projects the contractor may undertake.

Passing the examination does not automatically issue a contractor license. The applicant must complete the full licensing process and satisfy all applicable qualifier, financial, organizational, and application requirements.

A contractor license does not replace project-specific permits, inspections, engineering services, architectural services, environmental approvals, erosion-control requirements, accessibility obligations, or workplace-safety responsibilities.

Licensed contractors remain responsible for complying with applicable building codes, approved construction documents, inspection requirements, safety standards, accessibility provisions, and local permitting procedures.

Reference Books

Exam Room Approved Books

• Sports Fields: Design, Construction and Maintenance, 2nd Edition, 2010
  A technical reference covering athletic-field planning, site selection, grading, drainage, irrigation, soil preparation, natural turf, synthetic surfaces, construction, renovation, and maintenance.
• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  A construction-safety reference covering personal protective equipment, fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, excavation, cranes, electrical hazards, tools, material handling, fire prevention, and employer responsibilities.
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management - North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
  A contractor reference covering licensing, business organization, accounting, financial management, contracts, estimating, bidding, scheduling, insurance, employment, safety, liens, and project administration.
• North Carolina Building Code: Building Code, 2018
  The primary building-code reference covering occupancy classifications, construction types, building height and area, fire protection, means of egress, structural requirements, exterior walls, roofing, and safeguards during construction.
• ACI 530/530.1-13, Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
  A structural masonry reference covering materials, reinforcement, design requirements, construction, inspections, quality assurance, specifications, and companion commentary.
• ACI 318-14, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  A structural concrete reference covering reinforcement, slabs, beams, columns, walls, foundations, durability, strength, development, splices, inspections, and construction requirements.
• North Carolina Administration Code and Policies, 2018 Edition
  An administrative reference covering permits, plan review, inspections, certificates of occupancy, enforcement, alternate materials, violations, and application of the North Carolina State Building Code.
• ICC A117.1-2017, Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  An accessibility standard covering accessible routes, entrances, doors, ramps, stairs, elevators, toilet rooms, parking, seating, reach ranges, clearances, signage, and communication features.

Additional Study Books Not Allowed into the Exam

• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
  A technical guide covering delivery, storage, handling, bridging, erection, stability, sequencing, connections, and safety for steel joists and joist girders.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  A construction reference covering foundations, framing, floors, walls, roofs, stairs, doors, windows, finishes, tools, plans, materials, and general building methods.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  A concrete reference covering materials, proportioning, strength, durability, placement, consolidation, curing, testing, quality control, and performance.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  A field-oriented reference covering excavation, trenching, pipe installation, dewatering, bedding, backfill, compaction, equipment, estimating, safety, and project execution.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  A roofing reference covering roof systems, materials, installation, flashing, ventilation, repair, measurements, labor, estimating, and project planning.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  A field reference covering post-tensioning components, tendon installation, stressing, safety, inspection, repairs, handling, and quality-control practices.
• Modern Masonry: Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  A masonry reference covering tools, materials, mortar, brick, concrete block, stone, layout, bonding, reinforcement, walls, and field techniques.
• North Carolina Excavation Safety Guidelines, 2022 or Later
  A practical guide covering utility-location procedures, safe digging, markings, tolerance zones, damage prevention, emergency response, and excavator responsibilities.
• North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Chapter 4, Sedimentation Control, Including Latest Amendments
  Administrative rules addressing land-disturbing activities, erosion-control plans, stabilization, inspections, enforcement, and sedimentation-control responsibilities.
• North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A, Article 4, Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973
  State law establishing erosion and sedimentation-control requirements, enforcement authority, planning responsibilities, and pollution-prevention obligations.
• Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina
  A contractor law reference covering licensing statutes, Board rules, classifications, limitations, qualifier responsibilities, applications, renewals, disciplinary provisions, and compliance.
• SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  A Steel Deck Institute reference covering steel-deck products, handling, storage, erection, attachment, openings, accessories, tolerances, safety, and construction practices.

The listed references are study materials used with the online course. Physical books are sold separately unless another package specifically states that books are included.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin preparation by dividing the course into major reference areas. Study the building code, structural concrete, masonry, accessibility, construction safety, business law, administration, and sports-field construction as separate subjects before combining them in mixed practice sessions.

For building-code preparation, practice occupancy classifications, construction types, height and area, fire-resistance requirements, means of egress, exterior walls, roofing, structural provisions, and safeguards during construction.

For structural study, determine whether a question belongs in ACI 318 or ACI 530/530.1 before beginning the lookup. Review reinforcement, cover, development, splices, materials, inspections, quality assurance, and construction requirements.

For accessibility, work directly with figures and dimensions. Practice accessible routes, doors, ramps, parking, toilet rooms, seating, reach ranges, and maneuvering clearances.

For safety, organize study sessions around fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, excavation, cranes, electrical hazards, personal protective equipment, material handling, tools, and fire prevention.

For business preparation, review contractor licensing, accounting, contracts, estimating, bidding, scheduling, financial management, insurance, employment, liens, and project documentation.

Use the supplemental books to reinforce field methods involving framing, roofing, concrete mixtures, masonry installation, excavation, post-tensioning, steel joists, steel deck, utility safety, and sedimentation control.

Create timed mixed-reference drills that require switching between several approved books. Review every missed question in the supporting reference and repeat difficult searches until navigation becomes more efficient.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps North Carolina Building Contractor candidates organize a large technical and business examination library into a practical study structure.

Trade-focused review connects the North Carolina Building Code with structural concrete, masonry, accessibility, construction safety, roofing, carpentry, excavation, steel systems, sports fields, and code administration.

Business-focused preparation supports review of licensing, accounting, contracts, estimating, bidding, scheduling, insurance, financial management, liens, employment, and contractor responsibilities.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages candidates to review a subject, answer questions, locate supporting provisions, examine missed concepts, and repeat difficult reference searches.

Reference-navigation guidance helps candidates determine which approved book applies to each question and where important definitions, tables, figures, code sections, and administrative requirements are located.

No online exam prep course can guarantee a passing score, contractor license, project permit, or business outcome. Results depend on the candidate’s preparation, construction experience, business knowledge, financial qualifications, reference-navigation skills, application completion, and examination performance.

FAQ Section

Who is this online course designed for?

The course is designed for candidates preparing for the North Carolina PSI Building Contractor examination.

What subjects are covered?

The course supports preparation involving building codes, structural concrete, masonry, accessibility, construction safety, business law, project management, code administration, sports fields, and broader construction methods.

Is the North Carolina Building Contractor examination open book?

Yes. Candidates may use authorized references that comply with current PSI testing-center requirements.

Are the reference books included with the online course?

No. The listed books are used with the course and are sold separately unless another package specifically states that physical books are included.

Which books are allowed into the exam room?

The eight books listed in the Exam Room Approved Books section are identified for use during the examination.

Are the additional study books allowed into the exam?

No. The additional books are intended for preparation and should not be taken into the testing room unless current official PSI instructions specifically authorize them.

Does the course cover structural concrete and masonry?

Yes. Preparation includes use of ACI 318 for structural concrete and ACI 530/530.1 for masonry structures.

Does the course cover accessibility?

Yes. The course supports review of ICC A117.1-2017 and topics involving accessible routes, doors, ramps, parking, toilet rooms, seating, and dimensional requirements.

Does the course include contractor business preparation?

Yes. Study areas include licensing, accounting, contracts, estimating, bidding, scheduling, insurance, liens, financial management, and project administration.

Does purchasing the course guarantee a passing score?

No. Examination results depend on the candidate’s preparation, construction knowledge, business understanding, reference-navigation ability, and performance on test day.

Does passing the examination automatically issue a license?

No. Applicants must complete the North Carolina licensing process and satisfy the applicable financial, qualifier, organizational, classification, and limitation requirements.