North Carolina Grading and Excavating Contractor Books & Course Rental

Prepare for the North Carolina Grading and Excavating Contractor examination with a comprehensive rental package that combines two exam-room-approved references, six additional study references, and a structured trade self-study course. All eight rental books are professionally highlighted and tabbed to support organized preparation, efficient research, and repeated practice throughout the six-month rental period.

The North Carolina Grading and Excavating Contractor examination covers excavation, grading, earthwork, workplace safety, erosion and sedimentation control, utility-location responsibilities, contractor regulations, lien law, and general trade knowledge. Candidates need practical knowledge of field operations and the ability to locate exact information in the approved safety standards and road-construction specifications.

The two exam-room-approved books in this package are the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry and the North Carolina Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, 2018. These are the references included for open-book examination use.

The package also includes six highlighted and tabbed study references that are not permitted inside the examination room. These additional books support course preparation in erosion control, excavation safety, contractor business law, construction methods, state licensing regulations, and related trade subjects.

The included trade self-study course provides 6 months of course access. Students can review the examination categories, study the additional course references, and practice navigating the two exam-room-approved books. The six-month structure allows candidates to work through the material independently and revisit challenging subjects before test day.

Please allow 15 business days for professional highlighting and tabbing before shipment. The package price is $890, plus a refundable $400 rental-book deposit, for a total initial payment of $1,290. The $400 deposit is refundable when the complete rental-book set is returned in similar condition within six months from the date the books are received.

Exam Details

The North Carolina Grading and Excavating Contractor examination is administered by PSI for the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Candidates must complete the applicable licensing or examination-request process and receive eligibility before registering and scheduling a testing appointment.

• Classification: Highway — Grading and Excavating
• Number of questions: 45
• Time allowed: 120 minutes
• Passing score: 70%
• Testing format: Computer-based examination
• Testing provider: PSI Services LLC

The examination content outline includes the following subject areas:

• General Knowledge and Regulations: 9 questions
• Excavating and Grading: 18 questions
• Safety — Code of Federal Regulations: 6 questions
• Lien Law: 1 question
• Licensing and Regulations: 2 questions
• One Call: 3 questions
• Erosion and Sedimentation Control: 6 questions

Excavating and grading form the largest examination category. Candidates should prepare for clearing, grubbing, stripping, cut-and-fill operations, excavation, trenching, embankments, backfilling, soil handling, moisture control, lift placement, compaction, grade control, drainage, equipment selection, and surface preparation.

General knowledge and regulations account for nine questions. This part of the examination may address construction terminology, project planning, equipment use, material placement, contractor responsibilities, specifications, earthwork procedures, and common industry practices.

Safety and erosion control account for twelve questions combined. Candidates should review excavation protective systems, soil classification, safe access, spoil placement, heavy-equipment hazards, personal protective equipment, sediment barriers, stabilization, runoff management, construction entrances, and protection of disturbed areas.

Open Book Test

The North Carolina Grading and Excavating Contractor examination is an open-book test. Only the two references identified below as exam-room approved are included for use inside the testing center. The six additional study references in this package are preparation materials and are not permitted inside the examination room.

The North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry supports questions involving excavations, trenches, soil classifications, sloping, benching, shoring, shielding, safe access, spoil placement, heavy equipment, personal protective equipment, traffic exposure, ladders, material handling, and general construction-site safety.

The North Carolina Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, 2018 supports questions involving clearing, excavation, earthwork, grading, embankments, compaction, drainage, materials, roadway construction, erosion-control measures, construction procedures, measurement, acceptance, and quality requirements.

The exam-room-approved rental references are professionally highlighted and tabbed. Permanent tabs create organized access points for major subjects, while highlighting helps candidates recognize important specifications, safety requirements, definitions, and procedures during preparation.

Approved references must comply with the testing center’s book-use rules. Tabs must be permanent and firmly attached to the pages. Removable flags, temporary markers, and Post-it-style tabs are not accepted. Loose papers and attached supplemental materials are not permitted.

The 120-minute testing period provides an average of approximately two minutes and forty seconds per question. Candidates should understand the main trade principles before test day and use the approved references when an exact standard, specification, table, definition, or procedural requirement must be confirmed.

Licensing Steps

1. Select the Grading and Excavating classification. Confirm that the classification matches the excavation, grading, trenching, backfilling, clearing, and earthmoving work the business intends to perform.
2. Choose the applicable license limitation. Select the limitation that corresponds with the applicant’s financial qualifications and anticipated project values.
3. Identify the qualifier. Designate the individual whose accepted examination will support the requested classification.
4. Gather the application information. Organize the business, ownership, qualifier, financial, and background information required for the filing.
5. Submit the applicable materials. Complete the current application or examination-request process established by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
6. Receive examination eligibility. Eligible candidates receive instructions for registering and scheduling the examination through PSI.
7. Begin the self-study course. Use the six-month access period to review grading, excavation, safety, erosion control, one-call requirements, regulations, and lien law.
8. Use the complete study set. Review the study-only references for broader instruction while practicing exam-room navigation with the two approved books.
9. Schedule and take the examination. Bring the required identification and only the permitted exam-room-approved references.
10. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. Passing the examination satisfies the testing component, but the board must approve the complete application before issuing the license.
11. Return the complete rental set. Return all eight rental books in similar condition within six months from the date received to qualify for the refundable $400 deposit.

Passing the examination does not independently authorize an individual or business to perform licensed contracting work. The applicant or business entity must receive and maintain the applicable North Carolina general contractor license.

State Requirements

The North Carolina Grading and Excavating classification covers digging, moving, and placing materials that form the surface of the earth, excluding air and water. Covered activities include cuts, fills, excavation, grading, trenching, backfilling, and related earthmoving work performed with hand tools, power tools, and construction equipment.

The classification also covers work on earthen dams and the use of explosives when performed in connection with covered grading and excavation activities. Clearing, grubbing, and erosion-control work are included within the classification.

Typical projects may involve site clearing, building pads, roadway subgrades, embankments, trenches, drainage preparation, slope construction, backfill, compaction, rough grading, final grading, and stabilization of disturbed areas.

The classification determines the type of contracting work the licensed entity may perform. The license limitation determines the monetary value of projects the contractor may undertake. Applicants should select both according to the company’s planned work, financial qualifications, and expected project values.

Grading and excavation contractors must also follow applicable utility-location requirements, permits, erosion and sedimentation-control rules, workplace-safety standards, project plans, specifications, and inspection requirements.

Reference Books

• Included Rental Book: North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  This exam-room-approved reference addresses excavation safety, trench protection, soil classifications, access, spoil placement, equipment, personal protective equipment, ladders, traffic exposure, material handling, and general jobsite safety.
• Included Rental Book: North Carolina Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, 2018
  This exam-room-approved reference covers clearing, grading, excavation, embankments, earthwork, compaction, drainage, materials, erosion control, construction procedures, measurement, acceptance, and quality requirements.
• Included Rental Book: North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Chapter 4 Sedimentation Control, Including the Latest Amendments
  This study-only reference supports preparation involving erosion and sedimentation-control administration, requirements, definitions, plans, enforcement, and responsibilities. It is not permitted inside the examination room.
• Included Rental Book: North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A, Article 4 Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973
  This study-only reference supports review of North Carolina’s statutory framework for controlling sedimentation pollution associated with land-disturbing activity. It is not permitted inside the examination room.
• Included Rental Book: North Carolina Excavation Safety Guidelines, 2022 or Later
  This study-only reference supports preparation involving utility-location practices, safe excavation planning, underground-facility protection, marking, communication, and damage prevention. It is not permitted inside the examination room.
• Included Rental Book: Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management - North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
  This study-only reference covers contractor licensing, business organization, contracts, estimating, project administration, financial management, insurance, liens, and professional responsibilities. It is not permitted inside the examination room.
• Included Rental Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This study-only trade reference supports preparation involving excavation methods, trenching, pipe work, equipment, soil handling, dewatering, backfill, compaction, productivity, and field operations. It is not permitted inside the examination room.
• Included Rental Book: Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina
  This study-only reference supports review of the laws and regulations governing general contracting in North Carolina. It is not permitted inside the examination room.

Exam Room Approved Books

Only the following two highlighted and tabbed rental books are identified for use inside the North Carolina Grading and Excavating Contractor examination room:

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  Use this reference for excavation safety, trench protection, soil classifications, access, spoil placement, personal protective equipment, heavy equipment, ladders, material handling, and general construction-site requirements.
• North Carolina Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, 2018
  Use this reference for clearing, excavation, grading, embankments, earthwork, compaction, drainage, erosion control, materials, construction procedures, measurement, and acceptance requirements.

The other six books included with the rental set are study-only references. Do not take the study-only books into the examination center.

Test Information and Study Materials

The trade self-study course provides 6 months of course access. The preparation structure combines broad trade study with focused practice using the two references allowed inside the examination room.

Begin with excavation and grading because this is the largest examination category. Review clearing, grubbing, stripping, excavation, cut-and-fill operations, embankments, trenching, backfill, moisture conditioning, lift thickness, compaction, equipment selection, grade control, slopes, drainage, and surface preparation.

Safety preparation should include soil classification, trench protective systems, sloping, benching, shoring, shielding, access and egress, spoil placement, equipment clearances, personal protective equipment, traffic exposure, underground facilities, ladders, and safe material handling.

Erosion and sedimentation-control study should cover stabilization, sediment barriers, construction entrances, inlet protection, slope protection, diversion measures, runoff management, maintenance, inspections, and protection of nearby properties and waterways.

Use the study-only books to strengthen trade and regulatory knowledge, but complete timed drills with the two exam-room-approved references. Read a practice question, identify the subject, select the correct approved book, locate the applicable tab, and confirm the answer from the relevant standard or specification.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports students through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation, and a confidence-building study structure. This package combines a broad rental reference library with a self-study course designed around the North Carolina Grading and Excavating Contractor examination.

The professionally highlighted and tabbed books reduce the work involved in creating an organized study system. Highlighting directs attention to important safety requirements, earthwork specifications, erosion-control provisions, utility-location guidance, business topics, trade procedures, and state regulations.

The separation between exam-room-approved and study-only books helps candidates prepare with the correct expectations. Students can use all eight books during the course while reserving exam-navigation practice for the two references permitted inside the testing center.

No course or rental-book package guarantees a passing score, examination eligibility, or license approval. Results depend on the candidate’s knowledge, experience, preparation, reference familiarity, qualifications, and examination performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in this rental package?

The package includes two exam-room-approved rental books, six study-only rental books, professional highlighting and tabbing, and a trade self-study course with 6 months of course access.

What is the total initial payment?

The package price is $890, plus a refundable $400 rental-book deposit, for a total initial payment of $1,290.

How is the $400 deposit refunded?

The $400 deposit is refundable when the complete rental-book set is returned in similar condition within six months from the date the books are received.

How many rental books are included?

The complete rental set includes eight books: two exam-room-approved references and six study-only references.

Can all eight books be taken into the examination room?

No. Only the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry and the North Carolina Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, 2018 are identified for exam-room use. The remaining six books are study-only references.

Are all eight books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. Every rental book in the complete set is professionally highlighted and tabbed.

How long is the course available?

The self-study course includes 6 months of course access.

How long can I keep the rental books?

The complete rental-book set must be returned within six months from the date the books are received to qualify for the deposit refund.

How long do the books take to prepare?

Please allow 15 business days for professional highlighting and tabbing before shipment.

Is the examination open book?

Yes. The North Carolina Grading and Excavating Contractor examination is open book, but only the approved exam-room references may be used.

Does the course include live instruction?

No. This package includes trade self-study course preparation.

Does this package guarantee a passing score?

No. The package provides organized references and self-study support, but examination results depend on the candidate’s preparation, knowledge, experience, reference familiarity, and performance.