North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Books & Course Rental - Exam Room Approved

Prepare for the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor examination with a focused rental package that combines all four exam-room-approved references with a self-study trade course. Each rental book is professionally highlighted and tabbed to support organized preparation, efficient reference navigation, and practical use during the open-book examination.

The North Carolina Masonry Construction examination tests knowledge across concrete block, brick, specialty masonry, mortar and grout, construction safety, building-code requirements, contractor laws, and liens. Candidates must understand masonry materials and installation practices while also knowing how to locate exact requirements in large technical and code references.

This package includes the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, the 2018 North Carolina Building Code, ACI 530/530.1-13, and the 2018 North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies. These four rental books are prepared with professional highlighting and permanent tabs to help candidates move between important subjects more efficiently.

The included self-study trade course provides structured preparation for the examination. Students can review masonry terminology, brick and concrete-block construction, mortar, grout, reinforcement, structural requirements, workplace safety, code administration, permits, and inspections. The package includes 6 months of course access, allowing candidates time to study the lessons, practice with the rental books, and revisit challenging topics before test day.

This is a rental package. The package price is $790, plus a refundable $300 book deposit, for a total initial payment of $1,090. The $300 deposit is refundable when all rental books are returned within six months in similar condition. Please allow 15 business days for professional highlighting and tabbing before shipment.

Exam Details

The North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor examination is administered by PSI for the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Candidates must receive examination eligibility through the licensing process before registering and scheduling a testing appointment.

• Classification: Specialty Contractor — Masonry Construction
• Number of questions: 50
• 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:

• Safety: 5 questions
• Concrete Block: 16 questions
• Brick: 12 questions
• Specialty Masonry: 4 questions
• Mortar and Grout: 8 questions
• Laws and Regulations: 2 questions
• Liens: 1 question
• General Building Code Requirements: 2 questions

Concrete block is the largest examination category, followed by brick construction. Together, these two areas account for more than half of the examination. Candidates should understand unit types, dimensions, layout, bonding patterns, installation practices, reinforcement, flashing, anchorage, joints, tolerances, and common field conditions.

Mortar and grout account for eight questions. Preparation should include mortar types, proportioning, mixing, application, workability, joint tooling, grout materials, grout placement, consolidation, lift requirements, and quality considerations. Candidates should also understand the different functions performed by mortar and grout within a masonry assembly.

Safety, specialty masonry, laws, liens, and general building-code requirements complete the examination outline. Although these areas contain fewer questions, they can still affect the final score and should be included in a balanced study plan.

Open Book Test

The North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor examination is an open-book test. All four highlighted and tabbed rental books included in this package are approved for use inside the examination room.

The North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry supports questions involving scaffolds, fall protection, personal protective equipment, material handling, tools, access, housekeeping, masonry wall bracing, and other construction-site hazards.

The North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018 supports questions involving masonry construction, materials, structural requirements, fire-resistance provisions, walls, veneers, anchorage, general building requirements, and related code subjects.

ACI 530/530.1-13 contains building-code requirements, specifications, and companion commentary for masonry structures. It supports detailed masonry questions involving design and construction requirements, materials, reinforcement, grout, mortar, quality assurance, placement, tolerances, and structural masonry provisions.

The North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition supports questions involving permits, inspections, approvals, enforcement, code administration, responsibilities, and procedures associated with construction projects.

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. Tabs must be permanent and firmly attached to the pages. Removable flags, temporary markers, and Post-it-style tabs are not accepted. Notes may not be written on the tabs.

Loose papers and attached supplemental materials are not permitted. References may not be written in before or during the examination in a manner prohibited by the testing rules. Printed code materials must be complete and properly bound; partial references are not accepted.

The 120-minute testing period provides an average of approximately two minutes and twenty-four seconds per question. Candidates should practice identifying the subject, choosing the correct book, locating the applicable tab, and confirming the answer without searching through every reference.

Licensing Steps

1. Select the Masonry Construction classification. Confirm that the classification matches the masonry work the business plans to perform.
2. Choose the appropriate license limitation. Select the limitation that fits the applicant’s financial qualifications and anticipated project values.
3. Identify the qualifier. Designate the individual whose accepted examination will support the requested Masonry Construction classification.
4. Complete the licensing application or examination request. Assemble the required business, ownership, qualifier, financial, and background information.
5. Submit the required materials. Follow the current application process established by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
6. Receive examination eligibility. Approved candidates receive an eligibility letter and instructions for registering and scheduling through PSI.
7. Begin the self-study course. Use the six-month access period to review masonry trade knowledge, safety, code requirements, and reference navigation.
8. Practice with the rental books. Work with the highlighted and tabbed references regularly so their organization becomes familiar before test day.
9. Schedule and take the examination. Bring the required identification and all four approved rental books in acceptable condition.
10. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. Passing the examination satisfies the testing component, but the licensing board must complete its review before issuing the license.
11. Return all rental books. Return the complete four-book rental set within six months in similar condition to qualify for the refundable $300 deposit.

Passing the examination does not independently authorize a candidate or company to perform licensed contracting work. The applicable business entity must receive and maintain the appropriate contractor license.

State Requirements

The North Carolina Masonry Construction specialty classification covers installation, with or without mortar or adhesives, of brick, concrete block, gypsum partition tile, pumice block, and other lightweight or comparable units and products commonly used in the masonry industry.

The classification also covers installation of fire-clay products and refractory construction. Candidates preparing for the examination should understand that masonry work may involve more than conventional brick and concrete masonry units.

Additional covered work includes installation of rough-cut and dressed stone, marble panels, slate units, structural glazed tile or block, glass brick or block, and solar-screen tile or block. The examination’s specialty-masonry category reflects this broader scope.

The license classification identifies the type of construction work the contractor is authorized to perform. The license limitation addresses the monetary value of projects the licensed contractor may undertake. Applicants should select both according to the business’s intended work, expected project sizes, and financial qualifications.

The applicant must designate a qualifier whose accepted examination supports the Masonry Construction classification. The qualifier demonstrates knowledge applicable to the trade, while the license is issued to the approved applicant or business entity.

Masonry construction must also comply with applicable building-code, inspection, permit, and safety requirements. Contractors should maintain proper project documentation, coordinate required inspections, follow approved plans and specifications, and perform work within the scope of the company’s active license.

Reference Books

This package includes four professionally highlighted and tabbed rental references. All four books are approved for use inside the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor examination room. No additional study-only books are included with this rental package.

• Included Rental Book: North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  This reference contains construction safety requirements involving scaffolds, fall protection, personal protective equipment, material handling, tools, access, housekeeping, wall stability, and other workplace hazards associated with masonry construction. The rental copy is professionally highlighted and tabbed for organized navigation.
• Included Rental Book: North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018
  This reference contains North Carolina building requirements involving masonry materials, structural masonry, walls, veneers, anchorage, fire resistance, general building provisions, and related construction requirements. The rental copy is highlighted and tabbed to support study and exam-room use.
• Included Rental Book: ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
  This technical masonry standard addresses design and construction requirements for masonry structures. It covers masonry units, mortar, grout, reinforcement, connectors, placement, inspection, quality assurance, tolerances, specifications, and structural provisions. The companion commentary helps explain the intent and application of important requirements.
• Included Rental Book: North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition
  This reference addresses building-code administration, permits, inspections, approvals, enforcement, responsibilities, and construction procedures. The rental copy is highlighted and tabbed so candidates can practice locating administrative requirements before examination day.

All four references remain rental property. The complete rental set must be returned within six months in similar condition for the $300 book deposit to be refundable.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following four highlighted and tabbed rental references are approved for use inside the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor examination room:

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  Use this reference for questions involving scaffolds, fall protection, personal protective equipment, material handling, tools, access, masonry wall safety, and other construction-site standards.
• North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018
  Use this reference for questions involving masonry provisions, materials, walls, veneers, fire resistance, structural requirements, and general building-code topics.
• ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
  Use this reference for detailed masonry requirements involving concrete block, brick, mortar, grout, reinforcement, placement, specifications, inspection, quality assurance, and structural masonry construction.
• North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition
  Use this reference for questions involving permits, inspections, approvals, code administration, enforcement procedures, and construction responsibilities.

Candidates should practice with every approved reference before test day. Highlighting and tabs create an organized navigation system, but familiarity with each book’s layout is essential for effective use under examination time limits.

Test Information and Study Materials

The included self-study trade course provides 6 months of course access. The course organizes the examination subjects into practical study areas and helps candidates combine masonry knowledge with repeated reference-navigation practice.

Begin with concrete block because it accounts for 16 of the 50 examination questions. Review concrete masonry unit types, nominal and actual dimensions, modular layout, bonding patterns, reinforcement, anchors, control joints, openings, lintels, bearing, flashing, drainage, placement, and workmanship.

Brick accounts for 12 questions. Study brick types, sizes, bonding, coursing, wall ties, anchors, flashing, weeps, expansion joints, veneers, cleaning, storage, placement, cutting, alignment, and common installation conditions.

Mortar and grout account for eight questions. Review mortar ingredients, mortar types, proportioning, mixing, retempering, workability, application, tooling, joint profiles, grout materials, placement, consolidation, lifts, cleanouts, and reinforcement coordination.

Specialty masonry may include stone, refractory products, structural glazed units, glass block, slate, marble panels, and other masonry products. Candidates should understand the materials, installation principles, support requirements, joints, anchorage, and field considerations associated with these systems.

Safety preparation should include scaffolds, access, fall protection, material storage, lifting, cutting, dust, personal protective equipment, housekeeping, and temporary support of masonry walls. Practice locating exact requirements in the approved occupational safety reference.

Use the Building Code and ACI 530/530.1 together during study sessions. The Building Code provides broader construction requirements, while the masonry standard provides detailed technical provisions. Learning which book is most likely to contain an answer can save time during the examination.

Timed practice should be part of the self-study routine. Read a practice question, identify the subject, choose the correct book, locate the applicable tab, and confirm the answer from the relevant section, table, specification, or commentary.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation, and a confidence-building study structure. This rental package provides all four approved examination references together with a self-study trade course.

The professionally highlighted and tabbed rental books reduce the time required to create a reference-navigation system. Highlighting directs attention toward important masonry provisions, safety standards, code requirements, specifications, tables, and administrative rules. Permanent tabs create practical access points for repeated practice.

The self-study course helps candidates review concrete block, brick, specialty masonry, mortar, grout, safety, building-code requirements, laws, and liens. Students can progress at their own pace and revisit challenging lessons throughout the six-month access period.

The rental period allows candidates to prepare with the same books they plan to use during the examination. Regular use can strengthen familiarity with the tabs, chapter organization, terminology, tables, and location of frequently reviewed information.

No course or rental package guarantees a passing score, license approval, or a specific examination result. Performance depends on the candidate’s knowledge, experience, preparation, reference familiarity, and decisions during the test.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in this rental package?

The package includes four professionally highlighted and tabbed exam-room-approved rental books and a self-study trade course with 6 months of course access.

What is the total initial payment?

The package price is $790, plus a refundable $300 book deposit, for a total initial payment of $1,090.

How is the $300 deposit refunded?

The $300 deposit is refundable when all rental books are returned within six months in similar condition.

How long can I keep the rental books?

The rental period is six months. The complete four-book set must be returned within that period to qualify for the deposit refund.

How long is the course available?

The package includes 6 months of course access.

Are all four rental books approved for the examination room?

Yes. All four included references are approved for use inside the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor examination room.

Are the books already highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. Every rental reference is professionally highlighted and tabbed before shipment.

Does the course include live classes?

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

How long do the books take to prepare?

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

Does the package include the contractor-license application?

No. Licensing applications, examination eligibility, registration, testing fees, scheduling, and license issuance are handled separately.

Does this rental package guarantee a passing score?

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