North Carolina Highway Contractor Exam Book Package

Prepare for the North Carolina Highway Contractor Exam with a comprehensive package of technical, safety, business, environmental, and construction references associated with the Highway Contractor classification. This collection includes the books allowed inside the examination center and additional study materials that support preparation but must remain outside the exam room.

The North Carolina Highway Contractor classification covers a broad range of infrastructure construction. The work includes grading, asphalt and concrete paving, exterior artificial athletic surfaces, bridge and culvert construction, parking decks, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, storm drainage, guardrails, fencing, signage, and related highway hardware.

The classification also covers paving and grading for airport and airfield runways, taxiways, and aprons, along with associated fencing, signage, runway lighting, and marking. Its scope incorporates work performed under several specialty classifications, including boring and tunneling, concrete construction, marine construction, railroad construction, and grading and excavating.

Because the Highway Contractor examination covers several construction disciplines, candidates need to prepare across many subject areas. These include asphalt paving, excavation, grading, piles, concrete, reinforcement, tunneling, railroad construction, marine construction, sports fields, safety, traffic control, erosion control, business law, licensing, liens, and underground utility notification requirements.

This package includes six references intended for use inside the testing center: Sports Fields Design, Construction and Maintenance, Second Edition; the Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition; the North Carolina Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, 2018; the North Carolina construction safety standards; Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods, 10th Edition; and the CAMA Handbook for Development of Coastal North Carolina.

The package also contains eleven supporting books that are not allowed in the exam room. These references strengthen preparation for erosion and sedimentation control, excavation safety, asphalt paving, concrete mixtures, reinforcing steel, post-tensioning, tunneling, railroad engineering, contractor law, and practical excavation operations.

Studying with a complete reference package helps candidates prepare for direct book lookups and questions based on trade knowledge or general industry practices. The examination is open book, but efficient preparation requires familiarity with each approved reference and a solid understanding of the subjects covered by the non-exam-room books.

What You Get

This North Carolina Highway Contractor Exam Book Package includes the following references:

• Sports Fields Design, Construction and Maintenance, Second Edition, 2010
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
• North Carolina Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, 2018
• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
• Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods, 10th Edition
• CAMA Handbook for Development of Coastal North Carolina
• North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Chapter 4, Sedimentation Control, Including the Latest Amendments
• North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A, Article 4, Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973
• North Carolina Excavation Safety Guidelines, 2022 or Later
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
• Hot Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook
• Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning – Level 1 Field Fundamentals
• Jacked Tunnel Design and Construction, 1999
• The Practical Guide to Railway Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2019

The first six references are included for exam-room use. The remaining eleven books are supporting study resources and must remain outside the examination center.

Exam Details

The North Carolina Highway Contractor Exam is administered by PSI for the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Candidates must receive authorization from the Board before registering and scheduling a testing appointment.

• Classification: Highway Contractor
• Number of questions: 90
• Time allowed: 265 minutes
• Required passing score: 70 percent
• Testing provider: PSI Services
• Exam format: Computer-based contractor licensing examination
• Reference status: Open book with approved references only

The examination outline includes 12 questions on asphalt paving, eight questions on excavation and grading, eight on tunneling, eight on railroad construction, seven on business and law, six on concrete, six on marine construction, five on piles, five on safety, five on metals and concrete reinforcement, and five on sports fields.

The remaining questions include four on erosion and sedimentation control, three on concrete paving, three on One Call requirements, two on traffic control, two on licensing, and one on liens.

Asphalt paving is the largest single content area, but no single topic dominates the examination. Candidates should prepare broadly because questions are distributed among highway construction, specialty construction, safety, environmental compliance, and contractor administration.

The examination may include questions developed from the listed references and questions based on general trade knowledge or accepted industry practices. Candidates should be prepared to interpret construction situations, select appropriate equipment, apply specifications, recognize materials, and evaluate installation methods.

Open Book Test

The North Carolina Highway Contractor Exam is an open-book examination. Candidates may bring the approved references into the testing center, but the supporting study books included in this package are not allowed inside the exam room.

Candidates are responsible for supplying their own reference materials. The testing center does not provide the books. Complete references are required, and partial copies are not accepted as exam-room materials.

The CAMA Handbook for Development of Coastal North Carolina must be properly bound before it can be taken into the testing center. It may be spiral bound or placed in a binder after hole punching. Partial portions of the publication are not accepted.

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. Permanent tabs may be used when they are securely attached to the pages. Removable tabs, including Post-it flags and similar temporary markers, are not permitted. Notes may not be written on tabs.

References may not contain loose papers, attached notes, inserted materials, or other unauthorized items. Candidates may not write in the books before or during the examination under the published testing rules. All references remain subject to inspection by testing-center personnel.

With 90 questions and 265 minutes, candidates have an average of slightly less than three minutes per question. Efficient book navigation is important, especially because the examination covers many different specialties.

Business questions may require the Contractor’s Guide. Road and bridge specifications may require the North Carolina standard specifications. Construction planning and equipment questions may involve Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods, 10th Edition. Coastal development questions may use the CAMA handbook, while safety questions may require the North Carolina construction safety standards.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the Highway Contractor classification. Confirm that the classification covers the construction work the applicant or business intends to perform.
2. Review the current licensing requirements. Examine the application, qualifier, financial, ownership, and organizational requirements established by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
3. Submit the required application or examination request. Provide the Board with the required forms and supporting information.
4. Receive examination eligibility. The Board reviews the application and determines whether the candidate is authorized to take the examination.
5. Schedule the exam with PSI. Follow the authorization instructions to register, pay the applicable testing fee, and select a testing appointment.
6. Study the complete package. Review the approved exam-room references and the supporting books that must be studied before testing.
7. Prepare the approved references. Highlight, underline, and add permanent tabs only as permitted by current examination rules.
8. Take the examination. Bring the required identification, approved books, and any permitted calculator.
9. Complete the licensing process. Passing the examination is one part of qualification. The Board must determine that all applicable requirements have been satisfied before issuing a contractor license.

The examination eligibility letter is valid for 120 days and allows the candidate to take one examination during that period. An absence from a scheduled test may count as an attempt, so candidates should review their eligibility and appointment instructions carefully.

State Requirements

The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates the Highway Contractor classification. This classification covers highway construction activity and several associated specialty areas.

The scope includes grading, paving of all types, bridge construction and repair, culvert construction and repair, parking decks, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, storm drainage, guardrails, fencing, signage, and ancillary highway hardware.

The classification also covers the relocation of public and private utility lines when that work is ancillary to the principal highway project. Airport and airfield work may include paving and grading runways, taxiways, and aprons, along with fencing, signage, runway lighting, and pavement marking.

Work performed under the Highway classification may include activities associated with boring and tunneling, concrete construction, marine construction, railroad construction, and grading and excavating.

Passing the examination does not automatically issue a North Carolina contractor license. Applicants must also satisfy the Board’s application, financial, qualifier, organizational, and licensing requirements for the requested limitation.

Reference Books

• Sports Fields Design, Construction and Maintenance, Second Edition, 2010
  This exam-room reference addresses natural and artificial athletic fields, site selection, grading, drainage, soil preparation, turf establishment, irrigation, construction, renovation, and maintenance.
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
  This exam-room book covers contractor licensing, business organization, contracts, project management, estimating, insurance, accounting, employment responsibilities, safety administration, liens, and North Carolina construction practices.
• North Carolina Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, 2018
  This exam-room reference contains state requirements for highway, road, bridge, drainage, paving, earthwork, materials, construction methods, measurement, inspection, and acceptance.
• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  This exam-room reference supports preparation for excavation safety, personal protective equipment, fall protection, tools, equipment, traffic exposure, material handling, employee protection, and construction hazards.
• Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods, 10th Edition
  This exam-room reference addresses construction planning, productivity, earthmoving, equipment selection, excavation, hauling, compaction, cranes, piles, concrete operations, cost analysis, scheduling, and construction methods.
• CAMA Handbook for Development of Coastal North Carolina
  This exam-room publication addresses coastal development requirements, regulated areas, permitting considerations, shoreline conditions, estuarine resources, ocean hazards, and construction in coastal environments.
• North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Chapter 4, Sedimentation Control
  This supporting reference covers North Carolina erosion and sedimentation-control rules. It is included for study but is not allowed in the exam room.
• North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A, Article 4
  This supporting publication contains the Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973 and related statutory requirements. It must remain outside the testing center.
• North Carolina Excavation Safety Guidelines, 2022 or Later
  This guide addresses locate requests, markings, tolerance zones, safe excavation, damage prevention, emergency procedures, and North Carolina One Call responsibilities. It is not allowed in the exam room.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This supporting trade book covers excavation, trenching, soils, equipment, dewatering, pipe installation, backfilling, compaction, estimating, and field operations. It must remain outside the exam room.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  This book addresses concrete materials, mixture proportioning, placement, curing, testing, durability, admixtures, and quality control. It is included for study but is not permitted during testing.
• Hot Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook
  This supporting reference covers hot-mix asphalt production, transportation, placement, compaction, paving equipment, joints, quality control, and common paving problems. It is not allowed in the exam room.
• Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina
  This publication supports preparation for licensing law, Board rules, liens, qualifiers, and contractor responsibilities. It must remain outside the examination center.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  This supporting book covers reinforcing bar identification, placement, supports, splices, bends, detailing, handling, and installation practices. It is not approved for exam-room use.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning – Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  This reference addresses unbonded post-tensioning materials, installation, stressing, anchorage systems, safety, inspection, and field procedures. It is included for study only.
• Jacked Tunnel Design and Construction, 1999
  This supporting reference covers shafts, pipe jacking, ground conditions, equipment, alignment, tunnel support, construction planning, and safety. It is not allowed in the examination room.
• The Practical Guide to Railway Engineering, 3rd Edition, 2019
  This book supports preparation for railroad construction, track components, roadbeds, ballast, rails, ties, switches, drainage, maintenance, and railway engineering principles. It must remain outside the testing center.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following six references from this package are intended for use inside the North Carolina Highway Contractor examination center:

• Sports Fields Design, Construction and Maintenance, Second Edition, 2010
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
• North Carolina Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, 2018
• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
• Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods, 10th Edition
• CAMA Handbook for Development of Coastal North Carolina

All approved references remain subject to testing-center inspection. Candidates should remove loose papers, removable notes, and unauthorized inserts before exam day and ensure that the CAMA handbook is presented as a complete, properly bound reference.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin preparation with asphalt paving because it is the largest exam category. Review materials, plant operations, mix production, hauling, placement, compaction, joints, surface preparation, paving equipment, quality control, and common defects.

Study excavation, grading, piles, tunneling, railroad construction, and marine construction as separate trade areas. Use the supporting books to build technical knowledge before testing because many of those references cannot be taken into the exam room.

Review the North Carolina road and structure specifications for earthwork, paving, concrete, drainage, bridges, materials, traffic control, measurement, and acceptance procedures. Practice moving between the index, division headings, specifications, and referenced sections.

Use Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods, 10th Edition to review production calculations, equipment selection, earthmoving, excavation, hauling, cranes, pile-driving operations, concrete equipment, and job planning.

Study business and law through the Contractor’s Guide. Focus on contracts, project administration, estimating, insurance, employment, safety responsibilities, financial management, and North Carolina contractor requirements.

Complete timed lookup drills with the six approved references. Practice identifying the subject, selecting the correct book, locating the applicable section, and confirming the answer efficiently.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps candidates organize the North Carolina Highway Contractor examination into manageable technical, business, safety, and regulatory areas. The broad exam becomes easier to approach when study time is divided among its major content categories.

Trade-focused review connects the books to real highway construction activities, including grading, asphalt paving, concrete work, bridges, piles, tunneling, railroad construction, marine work, sports fields, traffic control, and equipment operations.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages candidates to apply what they study. Students can work through technical questions, select the correct reference, locate relevant information, and evaluate answers under timed conditions.

Reference navigation is especially important for an examination with six approved books and many subject areas. Organized study can help candidates learn indexes, chapters, specification divisions, tables, definitions, and frequently used provisions.

1 Exam Prep also supports confidence-building study habits through consistent review, trade-focused practice, and an organized testing strategy. No book package can guarantee a passing score or licensing approval, but disciplined preparation can help candidates approach exam day with stronger familiarity and a clearer plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the North Carolina Highway Contractor Exam open book?

Yes. The examination is open book, but candidates may bring only the approved references into the testing center.

How many questions are on the examination?

The exam contains 90 questions. Candidates have 265 minutes and must earn a score of at least 70 percent to pass.

Are all books in this package allowed inside the exam room?

No. Six references are included for exam-room use. The remaining books are supporting study materials that must remain outside the testing center.

Which edition of Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods is included?

This package includes Construction Planning, Equipment, and Methods, 10th Edition.

Why are books that are not allowed in the exam included?

They support preparation for asphalt paving, concrete mixtures, reinforcing steel, tunneling, railroad construction, erosion control, excavation safety, licensing, liens, and other tested subjects.

What work does the Highway Contractor classification cover?

The classification covers highway grading, paving, bridges, culverts, parking decks, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, drainage, guardrails, fencing, signage, airport paving, athletic surfaces, and several related specialty areas.

Can I take an unbound copy of the CAMA handbook into the exam?

No. The complete CAMA handbook must be properly bound, such as spiral bound or hole punched and placed in a binder, before it is admitted as an exam-room reference.

Does this package include examination registration?

No. The package includes the listed books only. Application filing, examination authorization, registration, scheduling, testing fees, and licensing are handled separately.

Does passing the exam automatically issue a contractor license?

No. Passing the examination is one part of the licensing process. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors determines whether all requirements for license issuance have been satisfied.