North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Exam Book Package

Prepare for the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Exam with a complete package containing the four references allowed inside the examination room and three additional books used for trade, business, licensing, and legal study outside the testing center.

This package is designed for candidates pursuing the North Carolina S Masonry Construction specialty classification. It brings together the building code, masonry standard, construction safety reference, and administrative code used during the open-book examination, along with supporting materials covering brick, concrete block, stone, mortar, grout, contractor business practices, laws, regulations, and liens.

The North Carolina Masonry Construction classification covers the installation of many products used throughout the masonry industry. Qualifying work may involve brick, concrete masonry units, gypsum partition tile, pumice block, lightweight masonry products, refractory construction, fire-clay products, rough-cut stone, dressed stone, marble panels, slate units, structural glazed tile, glass block, and solar-screen masonry units.

Masonry contractors need more than practical laying skills. They must understand materials, bonds, dimensions, tolerances, mortar selection, grout placement, reinforcement, flashing, anchors, control joints, expansion joints, lintels, walls, veneers, structural masonry, safety, and applicable building requirements.

The four exam-room references in this package are the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry with the latest available amendments, the North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018, ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries, and the North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition.

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 books are intended for preparation before the examination and are not allowed inside the exam room.

The open-book format makes familiarity with the approved references especially important. Candidates should study with the books, learn how they are organized, and practice locating technical provisions under timed conditions. The additional study books help build the practical knowledge needed to recognize the subject of a question before beginning a code search.

What You Get

• 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
• Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, 10th Edition
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
• Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina

The first four references are allowed inside the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor examination room. The remaining three books are included for study and must remain outside the testing center.

Exam Details

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

• Classification: S Masonry Construction
• Number of questions: 50
• Time allowed: 120 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 content outline assigns 16 questions to concrete block, making it the largest subject area. Brick accounts for 12 questions, while mortar and grout account for eight questions. Together, these three categories represent most of the examination.

The remaining content includes five safety questions, four specialty masonry questions, two questions involving laws and regulations, two questions involving general building-code requirements, and one lien question.

Questions may be developed from the listed references, general trade knowledge, and common industry practices. Candidates should prepare to identify masonry materials, interpret specifications, recognize proper installation procedures, evaluate wall assemblies, apply safety requirements, and navigate technical code provisions.

A silent, non-printing, non-programmable calculator may be used in the examination center. A magnifying glass may also be available upon request. Personal items and reference materials remain subject to current testing-center security and inspection procedures.

Open Book Test

The North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Exam is an open-book test. Candidates may bring the four approved references included in this package into the examination center.

The approved 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.

Candidates are responsible for supplying their own references. The testing center does not provide the books. Each publication should be complete, securely bound, and prepared according to the current examination rules.

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

References may not contain loose pages, attached papers, removable notes, inserted study sheets, or other unauthorized materials. Testing-center personnel may inspect every book before admitting it into the examination room.

With 50 questions and 120 minutes, candidates have an average of approximately two minutes and twenty-four seconds per question. Efficient navigation is essential. Candidates should know whether a question is most likely answered by the safety standards, Building Code, masonry standard, or Administrative Code before beginning a search.

Questions involving masonry design, construction requirements, materials, quality assurance, reinforcement, grout, mortar, structural elements, and workmanship may require ACI 530/530.1-13. General building provisions may require the North Carolina Building Code. Permits, inspections, approvals, and administrative procedures may require the Administrative Code and Policies.

The three additional study books cannot be used during the examination. Candidates should study their trade, legal, licensing, business, and lien content in advance so they can answer those questions without relying on unavailable references.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the classification scope. Confirm that S Masonry Construction matches the work the applicant or business intends to perform.
2. Review current licensing requirements. Examine the application, qualifier, ownership, financial, organizational, and license-limitation requirements established by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
3. Submit the required application or examination request. Provide the Board with the requested forms, supporting information, and business documentation.
4. Receive examination eligibility. The Board reviews the submission and determines whether the candidate is authorized to take the examination.
5. Schedule the examination with PSI. Follow the authorization instructions to register, pay the applicable testing fee, and select an available appointment.
6. Study the complete package. Review the four exam-room references and the three supporting books that must remain outside the testing center.
7. Prepare the approved references. Organize the books only in ways permitted under the current testing rules.
8. Take the examination. Bring the required identification, approved references, 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.

State Requirements

The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates the S Masonry Construction specialty classification. The classification covers masonry installation performed with or without mortar or adhesives.

The scope includes brick, concrete block, gypsum partition tile, pumice block, lightweight masonry products, and similar materials commonly used in the masonry industry. It also includes fire-clay products and refractory construction.

Qualifying work may also involve rough-cut and dressed stone, marble panels, slate units, structural glazed tile or block, glass brick or block, and solar-screen tile or block.

Masonry projects may involve structural walls, nonbearing partitions, veneers, fireplaces, chimneys, retaining elements, decorative masonry, foundations, partitions, columns, pilasters, lintels, arches, anchors, reinforcement, and grout.

Passing the examination does not automatically issue a North Carolina contractor license. Applicants must also complete the Board’s application process and satisfy the requirements connected to the requested classification and license limitation.

Individual projects may require building permits, inspections, engineered plans, fire-resistance compliance, accessibility provisions, manufacturer instructions, occupational-safety measures, and local approvals. These obligations are separate from purchasing the books or passing the contractor examination.

Reference Books

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

Exam Room Approved Books

Only the following four references from this package are approved for use inside the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor examination center:

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  Approved for construction safety, scaffolds, fall protection, tools, lifting, access, personal protective equipment, and workplace-protection questions.
• North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018
  Approved for general building-code requirements affecting masonry materials, walls, assemblies, fire resistance, openings, and building construction.
• ACI 530/530.1-13: Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures and Companion Commentaries
  Approved for masonry design, construction, materials, mortar, grout, reinforcement, workmanship, inspection, and structural masonry requirements.
• North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition
  Approved for questions involving permits, inspections, approvals, certificates, code administration, responsibilities, and enforcement.

Modern Masonry, the Contractor’s Guide, and the North Carolina laws and regulations publication are included for preparation only and must remain outside the examination room.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin preparation with concrete block because it is the largest examination category. Review concrete masonry unit types, nominal and actual dimensions, wall layouts, bonds, reinforcement, grout, openings, lintels, control joints, anchors, flashing, and construction tolerances.

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

Mortar and grout account for a substantial part of the exam. Study material selection, proportions, mixing, handling, placement, workability, strength, joint tooling, grout spaces, lifts, consolidation, and the relationship between mortar or grout and the masonry assembly.

Review specialty masonry, including stone, glass block, structural glazed units, refractory materials, slate, marble panels, and other products included within the classification scope.

Use ACI 530/530.1-13 to practice locating requirements for materials, construction, reinforcement, grout, connections, walls, quality assurance, tolerances, and inspection. Learn how the code requirements, specification, and commentary sections are organized.

Use the North Carolina Building Code to review general construction provisions, fire-resistance requirements, masonry-related building requirements, openings, occupancy considerations, and applicable cross-references.

Use the Administrative Code and Policies to review permits, inspections, approvals, responsibilities, and enforcement procedures. These subjects may contain fewer questions, but they still contribute to the passing score.

Study scaffolds, fall protection, material handling, personal protective equipment, respirable dust, tools, access, and lifting through the North Carolina safety standards. Masonry work often involves elevated platforms, heavy materials, cutting, mixing, and repetitive handling.

Complete timed lookup exercises using all four approved references. Practice identifying the subject first, selecting the correct book, locating the applicable section, and confirming the answer without unnecessary searching.

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 reference materials to concrete block, brick, stone, mortar, grout, reinforcement, flashing, anchors, movement joints, veneers, structural masonry, and specialty products.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages candidates to apply information instead of only reading it. Students can work through questions, identify the governing subject, select the correct reference, locate the applicable provision, and evaluate the answer under timed conditions.

Reference-navigation practice can help candidates become familiar with ACI 530/530.1-13, the North Carolina Building Code, the Administrative Code and Policies, and the construction safety standards.

1 Exam Prep also supports preparation for subjects found in books that cannot be brought into the exam room. Organized review of trade practices, business law, licensing, and liens helps candidates build knowledge before test day.

No book package can guarantee a passing score, licensing approval, or a particular examination result. Consistent study, practical review, and familiarity with the approved references can help candidates approach the examination with stronger preparation and greater confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the North Carolina Masonry Construction Contractor Exam open book?

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

Which books are allowed inside the exam room?

The approved references 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.

How many questions are on the examination?

The examination contains 50 questions. Candidates have 120 minutes and must earn a score of at least 70 percent to pass.

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

The additional books support preparation for brick, block, stone, mortar, grout, business practices, licensing, laws, regulations, and liens. Candidates should study these subjects before testing.

What is the largest examination category?

Concrete block is the largest category, with 16 questions. Brick contains 12 questions, and mortar and grout contain eight questions.

What work does the Masonry Construction classification cover?

The classification covers brick, concrete block, lightweight masonry units, refractory construction, stone, marble panels, slate, structural glazed units, glass block, and related masonry products installed with or without mortar or adhesives.

Does this package include exam registration?

No. The package contains the listed books only. Application filing, examination authorization, 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. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors determines whether all applicable requirements for license issuance have been satisfied.