North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package

Prepare for the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Exam with a complete highlighted and tabbed book package designed to support organized study, faster reference navigation, and focused trade preparation. This package includes the four references identified for use inside the examination room, along with three additional books needed to study masonry practices, contractor business responsibilities, licensing requirements, and North Carolina construction law.

Every book included in this package is highlighted and tabbed. The exam-room references are organized to help candidates move through important code chapters, masonry provisions, safety standards, and administrative requirements more efficiently. The supporting study books are also highlighted and tabbed to help candidates review brick, block, stone, mortar, grout, business management, laws, regulations, and licensing subjects before test day.The North Carolina Masonry Construction classification applies to a broad range of masonry work. Candidates may need to understand brick construction, concrete masonry units, stone, structural masonry, veneers, mortar, grout, reinforcement, flashing, anchors, lintels, movement joints, fire-resistant construction, scaffolding, workplace safety, permits, inspections, and contractor responsibilities.

Masonry construction demands both practical trade knowledge and the ability to interpret technical requirements. A candidate may understand how to lay brick or block but still need to locate a code provision involving reinforcement, wall construction, fire resistance, materials, quality assurance, inspections, or administrative procedures. This package brings the technical, safety, administrative, trade, and business references together in one organized collection.

The four exam-room references include the North Carolina construction safety standards, the 2018 North Carolina Building Code, ACI 530/530.1-13, and the 2018 North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies. These books support questions involving workplace safety, masonry construction requirements, general building-code provisions, permits, inspections, approvals, and code administration.

The package also includes Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, 10th Edition, the Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition, and Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina. These three books are used for preparation outside the testing room and are not allowed inside the exam room.

Highlighting and permanent tabs can help candidates develop a more organized study process. Important passages are easier to review, major chapters can be located more quickly, and candidates can build familiarity with the structure of each reference before the examination. The books remain study tools, and candidates should practice using them rather than relying on the tabs alone.

Exam Details

The North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Exam evaluates a candidate’s understanding of masonry construction, applicable building requirements, workplace safety, code administration, and contractor responsibilities. Preparation should include both practical trade knowledge and reference-book navigation.

Technical subjects may include concrete masonry units, brick, stone, specialty masonry materials, mortar, grout, reinforcement, anchors, ties, flashing, weep systems, movement joints, lintels, veneers, structural walls, partitions, workmanship, tolerances, quality assurance, and inspection requirements.

General building-code preparation may involve construction types, occupancy-related requirements, fire resistance, exterior and interior walls, openings, structural provisions, and other requirements that affect masonry installations.

Safety preparation may involve scaffolds, ladders, fall protection, personal protective equipment, tools, material handling, masonry saws, lifting, silica exposure, employee access, and general workplace protection.

Administrative preparation may involve permits, inspections, approvals, certificates, responsibilities, enforcement, and the procedures used to administer North Carolina building requirements.

The examination may include questions that require direct reference lookup and questions that depend on trade knowledge developed before testing. Candidates should understand the basic masonry issue presented by a question before selecting a book or beginning a search.

Open Book Test

The North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Exam is an open-book test. Only the references approved for the examination may be brought into the testing room.

The four exam-room references included in this package are:

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
• North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018
• ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
• North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition

The highlighted and tabbed format is intended to help candidates navigate these references more efficiently. Permanent tabs identify major subject areas and chapters, while highlighting draws attention to selected provisions that may be useful during preparation.

Testing-center personnel may inspect every reference before allowing it into the examination room. Candidates should keep the books complete, securely bound, and free from loose papers, removable notes, inserted study sheets, or other unauthorized materials.

The supporting trade and business books must remain outside the exam room. Candidates should use them to build knowledge before testing, especially for masonry practices, business responsibilities, licensing, regulations, and legal subjects that may not be fully addressed by the exam-room references.

Open-book testing does not eliminate the need to study. Candidates should practice identifying whether a question belongs in the safety standards, Building Code, masonry standard, or Administrative Code. They should also practice moving from a tab to the correct section, table, specification, commentary, or cross-reference.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the classification scope. Confirm that the North Carolina Masonry Construction classification matches the work the applicant or business intends to perform.
2. Review the current application requirements. Examine the licensing requirements associated with the requested classification and license limitation.
3. Submit the required application materials. Provide the licensing authority with the requested applicant, business, qualifier, and supporting information.
4. Receive examination eligibility. Complete the required approval process before scheduling the contractor examination.
5. Register for the examination. Follow the instructions provided with the examination authorization to select a testing appointment.
6. Study the complete highlighted and tabbed package. Review masonry trade knowledge, building requirements, safety, permits, inspections, business practices, licensing, and legal responsibilities.
7. Practice with the exam-room references. Learn how the permanent tabs, highlighted sections, indexes, chapters, and cross-references are organized.
8. Take the examination. Bring the required identification and only the references permitted inside the testing center.
9. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. Passing the examination is one part of the licensing process. All applicable requirements must be completed before a contractor license is issued.

State Requirements

The North Carolina Masonry Construction specialty classification applies to qualifying masonry installation performed with or without mortar or adhesives.

The classification may include work involving brick, concrete masonry units, lightweight masonry products, gypsum partition tile, pumice block, fire-clay products, refractory construction, rough-cut stone, dressed stone, marble panels, slate units, structural glazed tile or block, glass block, and solar-screen masonry units.

Masonry construction can include structural and nonstructural walls, veneers, partitions, columns, pilasters, fireplaces, chimneys, retaining elements, decorative masonry, lintels, arches, reinforcement, mortar, grout, flashing, anchors, and movement joints.

Projects may require compliance with engineered plans, building permits, inspections, fire-resistance requirements, occupational-safety standards, manufacturer instructions, quality-assurance provisions, and local approval procedures.

Passing the trade examination does not independently authorize a person or company to perform work requiring licensure. The applicant must complete the licensing process and receive the appropriate North Carolina contractor license.

Reference Books

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  This highlighted and tabbed exam-room reference addresses construction safety requirements involving scaffolds, ladders, fall protection, personal protective equipment, silica exposure, tools, machinery, material handling, lifting, access, training, and employee protection.
• North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018
  This highlighted and tabbed exam-room code addresses general building requirements that affect masonry construction, including construction types, occupancy provisions, fire resistance, walls, veneers, openings, structural requirements, and related assemblies.
• ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
  This highlighted and tabbed exam-room masonry standard addresses materials, mortar, grout, reinforcement, connections, walls, structural masonry, workmanship, inspection, quality assurance, specifications, tolerances, and commentary.
• North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition
  This highlighted and tabbed exam-room reference addresses permits, inspections, approvals, certificates, administrative responsibilities, enforcement, and code-compliance procedures.
• Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, 10th Edition
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting trade book covers masonry tools, materials, concrete block, brick, stone, mortar, grout, reinforcement, bonds, walls, fireplaces, chimneys, layout, estimating, and installation practices. It is not allowed inside the exam room.
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting reference addresses business organization, contracts, estimating, project management, accounting, insurance, employment responsibilities, licensing, and liens. It must remain outside the testing room.
• Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting publication addresses contractor licensing laws, Board rules, qualifier responsibilities, license administration, regulatory duties, and legal obligations. It is included for study but is not permitted inside the examination room.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following four highlighted and tabbed references are included 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 construction safety, scaffolds, fall protection, personal protective equipment, silica exposure, lifting, tools, material handling, and worker-protection questions.
• North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018
  Use this reference for general building-code questions involving masonry walls, veneers, occupancy, construction types, fire resistance, openings, and structural provisions.
• ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
  Use this reference for masonry materials, mortar, grout, reinforcement, structural masonry, workmanship, inspection, quality assurance, tolerances, and specifications.
• North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition
  Use this reference for permits, inspections, approvals, certificates, administrative responsibilities, enforcement, and code-compliance procedures.

Modern Masonry, the Contractor’s Guide, and the North Carolina laws and regulations publication are highlighted and tabbed for study but must remain outside the examination room.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin preparation with concrete masonry units. Review unit types, nominal and actual dimensions, wall layouts, bonds, reinforcement, grout, lintels, control joints, flashing, anchors, openings, and tolerances.

Study brick construction separately. Review dimensions, coursing, bonds, veneers, ties, flashing, weep systems, movement joints, arches, sills, and installation procedures.

Review mortar and grout in detail. Understand their different purposes, material selection, mixing, consistency, placement, joint tooling, grout spaces, lifts, and consolidation.

Use ACI 530/530.1-13 to practice locating masonry-specific provisions. Learn how the code requirements, specification, and commentary are organized. Use the permanent tabs as starting points, then follow the applicable section and related cross-references.

Use the North Carolina Building Code for general construction provisions affecting masonry walls, fire resistance, openings, occupancy conditions, construction types, and structural requirements.

Use the North Carolina construction safety standards to review scaffolds, fall protection, personal protective equipment, lifting, tools, masonry saws, silica exposure, access, and material handling.

Use the Administrative Code and Policies to review permits, inspections, approvals, enforcement, and administrative responsibilities.

Study the three non-exam-room books before test day. They provide practical masonry instruction and support preparation for contractor business, licensing, laws, regulations, and legal responsibilities.

Complete mixed timed lookup exercises using the four approved references. Practice identifying the subject, selecting the correct book, locating the applicable provision, and confirming the answer efficiently.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps candidates organize preparation around the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Exam and the practical responsibilities of masonry work.

Trade-focused review connects the highlighted and tabbed books to concrete block, brick, stone, mortar, grout, reinforcement, flashing, anchors, movement joints, veneers, structural masonry, safety, and contractor administration.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages candidates to use the books actively. Students can work through questions, identify the governing topic, choose the correct reference, locate the applicable section, and evaluate the available answers under timed conditions.

The highlighted passages and permanent tabs provide an organized starting point for study and navigation. Candidates can build familiarity with the package through repeated review and realistic lookup practice.

1 Exam Prep also supports preparation for material found in the books that are not allowed inside the testing room. Reviewing trade practices, business law, licensing, and regulations before test day helps candidates prepare for subjects that cannot be researched from the exam-room references.

No book package can guarantee a passing score, licensing approval, or a specific examination outcome. Consistent study, practical review, and familiarity with the highlighted and tabbed references can help candidates approach the exam with stronger preparation and a clearer strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all books in this package highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. All seven books are highlighted and organized with permanent tabs for study and reference navigation.

How long does the highlighted and tabbed package take to process?

Please allow an additional 15 business days for highlighted and tabbed trade book package orders.

Is the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Exam open book?

Yes. The exam is open book, but candidates may use only the references approved for the Masonry Construction examination.

Which books are allowed inside the exam room?

The exam-room books are the North Carolina construction safety standards, the 2018 North Carolina Building Code, ACI 530/530.1-13, and the 2018 North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies.

Which books are not allowed inside the exam room?

Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, the Contractor’s Guide, and Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina are included for study but must remain outside the testing room.

Do highlighting and tabs replace the need to study?

No. Highlighting and permanent tabs support organization and navigation, but candidates must still understand the subject, select the correct reference, and apply the information.

What does ACI 530/530.1-13 cover?

It addresses masonry materials, mortar, grout, reinforcement, structural masonry, connections, workmanship, inspection, quality assurance, tolerances, and construction specifications.

Does this package include exam registration?

No. The package contains the listed books and preparation service only. Application filing, examination eligibility, registration, scheduling, testing fees, and licensing are handled separately.

Does passing the examination automatically issue a contractor license?

No. Passing the examination is one part of the licensing process. All applicable licensing requirements must be completed before a contractor license is issued.