North Carolina Residential Contractor Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package

Prepare for the North Carolina Residential Contractor Exam with a complete highlighted and tabbed book package designed to support organized study, faster reference navigation, and broad residential construction review. This package combines the four references allowed inside the examination room with nine additional books needed to study carpentry, roofing, masonry, excavation, concrete, wood trusses, erosion control, contractor law, and North Carolina licensing responsibilities.

Every book in this package is highlighted and organized with permanent tabs. The exam-room references are prepared to help candidates move through important safety, business, building-code, and administrative subjects more efficiently. The supporting study books are also highlighted and tabbed so candidates can follow a structured preparation plan across the major residential construction topics.

Please allow an additional 15 business days for highlighted and tabbed trade book package orders. Each book requires additional preparation before shipment so the full package can be highlighted, organized, and tabbed for study and reference navigation.

The four exam-room references are the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry with the latest available amendments, the Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition, the North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018, and the North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition.

The package also includes nine highlighted and tabbed books that are not allowed inside the examination room. These books cover carpentry and building construction, roofing, masonry, excavation, concrete, metal plate connected wood trusses, erosion and sedimentation control, and North Carolina contractor laws and regulations.

Residential contracting requires knowledge across multiple trades and project phases. Candidates may need to understand site preparation, foundations, framing, roofing, masonry, concrete, excavation, drainage, wood trusses, jobsite safety, permits, inspections, contracts, estimating, project management, erosion control, licensing, and legal responsibilities.

Highlighting and permanent tabs can help candidates organize this broad range of information. Important sections are easier to revisit, major chapters can be located more quickly, and the package can be used as a structured study system instead of a collection of unfamiliar books.

The tabs and highlighting do not replace careful study. Candidates should learn how the references are organized, understand the terminology used in each book, and practice finding information under timed conditions. Strong preparation combines trade knowledge with efficient reference navigation.

Exam Details

The North Carolina Residential Contractor Exam evaluates knowledge related to residential construction, workplace safety, business practices, project management, building-code compliance, permits, inspections, and contractor responsibilities.

Preparation should include residential framing, floors, walls, roofs, openings, foundations, concrete, masonry, excavation, drainage, truss installation, erosion control, safety, contracts, estimating, insurance, scheduling, licensing, liens, and administrative procedures.

Some questions may require direct reference lookup in the four approved exam-room books. Other questions may depend on trade knowledge developed through study and experience. Candidates should understand the subject of a question before selecting a book.

A question involving fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, excavation hazards, tools, machinery, personal protective equipment, access, or material handling may require the North Carolina construction safety standards.

A question involving contracts, estimates, project management, accounting, insurance, scheduling, employment responsibilities, licensing, or liens may require the Contractor’s Guide.

A question involving walls, floors, roofs, structural systems, openings, construction types, fire resistance, or general building requirements may require the North Carolina Building Code.

A question involving permits, inspections, approvals, certificates, enforcement, or administrative responsibilities may require the North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies.

Trade questions involving carpentry, roofing, masonry, excavation, concrete, trusses, erosion control, or licensing law must be studied before test day because the supporting books covering those subjects are not allowed inside the examination room.

Purchasing this package does not submit a contractor application, establish examination eligibility, schedule an appointment, pay testing fees, or issue a North Carolina contractor license. Those steps are completed separately through the applicable licensing and examination process.

Open Book Test

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

The four highlighted and tabbed exam-room books included in this package are:

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
• North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018
• North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition

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

The permanent tabs help identify major subjects and chapters, while the highlighted passages draw attention to selected information. Candidates should still use the table of contents, indexes, definitions, section numbers, tables, exceptions, and cross-references when locating answers.

Testing-center personnel may inspect all references before admission. Loose papers, removable notes, inserted study sheets, unauthorized attachments, or other prohibited materials may cause a book to be rejected.

The nine supporting books are not allowed inside the examination room. Candidates should study their content in advance because carpentry, roofing, masonry, concrete, excavation, trusses, erosion control, and contractor-law subjects may require knowledge that cannot be researched during testing.

Timed reference practice can help candidates become more efficient. Read the question, identify whether it concerns safety, business, code, or administration, select the correct book, locate the relevant tab or section, and confirm the answer.

Open-book status does not eliminate the need to understand residential construction. Candidates should build practical knowledge of materials, systems, sequencing, safety, quality control, and contractor responsibilities before test day.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the Residential Contractor classification. Confirm that the classification matches the type of residential construction work the applicant or business intends to perform.
2. Review current licensing requirements. Examine the application, qualifier, financial, ownership, organizational, and business requirements associated with the requested contractor license.
3. Submit the required application materials. Provide the licensing authority with the requested forms, documents, and applicant information.
4. Receive examination eligibility. Complete the applicable approval process before scheduling the Residential Contractor Exam.
5. Register for the examination. Follow the instructions provided with the authorization to select a testing appointment.
6. Study the complete highlighted and tabbed package. Review the four exam-room references and the nine supporting books covering residential trade, legal, and regulatory subjects.
7. Practice reference navigation. Use the highlighted passages, permanent tabs, indexes, sections, and cross-references to complete timed lookup exercises.
8. Take the examination. Bring the required identification and only the approved references into the testing room.
9. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. Passing the examination is one part of qualification. All applicable requirements must be completed before a contractor license is issued.

State Requirements

The North Carolina Residential Contractor classification applies to qualifying residential construction work within the scope of the license.

Residential projects may involve site preparation, excavation, foundations, concrete, masonry, framing, trusses, roofs, walls, floors, stairs, openings, weather protection, and related building components.

Contractors may need to coordinate building plans, engineering documents, permits, inspections, manufacturer instructions, jobsite safety, subcontractors, material deliveries, schedules, and project records.

Residential contracting also involves business and legal duties. These may include contracts, estimates, insurance, change orders, project management, workforce responsibilities, licensing compliance, lien procedures, and financial administration.

Projects may require erosion-control measures, sedimentation compliance, local permits, inspections, engineered details, fire-resistance provisions, and approvals from authorities having jurisdiction.

Passing the examination does not independently authorize contracting activity. The applicant must complete the licensing process and receive the appropriate North Carolina contractor license before performing work that requires licensure.

Reference Books

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  This highlighted and tabbed exam-room reference covers fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, excavation hazards, personal protective equipment, tools, machinery, access, material handling, training, and employee protection.
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
  This highlighted and tabbed exam-room reference covers contracts, estimating, scheduling, accounting, insurance, project management, employment responsibilities, licensing, liens, and contractor administration.
• North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018
  This highlighted and tabbed exam-room code addresses technical building requirements involving structural systems, walls, floors, roofs, openings, fire resistance, construction types, occupancy provisions, and related building topics.
• North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition
  This highlighted and tabbed exam-room reference addresses permits, inspections, approvals, certificates, enforcement, administrative responsibilities, and code-compliance procedures.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting trade book covers residential layout, framing, floors, walls, roofs, stairs, openings, finishes, tools, materials, and general building practices. It is not allowed inside the exam room.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting reference covers roofing systems, materials, slopes, flashing, underlayment, ventilation, estimating, quantities, installation methods, and roof details. It must remain outside the testing room.
• Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, 10th Edition
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting book covers brick, concrete block, stone, mortar, grout, reinforcement, bonds, flashing, walls, fireplaces, chimneys, layout, and estimating. It is included for study only.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting reference addresses excavation, trenching, soils, drainage, grading, pipe installation, bedding, backfill, equipment, and construction methods. It is not allowed inside the exam room.
• The Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting book addresses concrete materials, placement, consolidation, finishing, curing, joints, reinforcement, testing, quality control, and common construction practices. It must remain outside the testing room.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting guide addresses truss storage, handling, installation, temporary restraint, permanent bracing, and safe placement. It is not approved for exam-room use.
• North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Chapter 4, Sedimentation Control, Including the Latest Amendments
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting reference addresses erosion and sedimentation-control requirements for land-disturbing activities. It must remain outside the examination room.
• North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A, Article 4, Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting statute addresses legal responsibilities, enforcement, and compliance related to sedimentation pollution control. It is included for study only.
• Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina
  This highlighted and tabbed supporting publication addresses contractor licensing laws, rules, qualifier responsibilities, license administration, and legal obligations. It is not allowed inside the exam room.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following four highlighted and tabbed references are included for use inside the North Carolina Residential Contractor examination room:

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  Use this reference for fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, excavation hazards, personal protective equipment, tools, machinery, access, material handling, and worker protection.
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management – North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
  Use this reference for contracts, estimating, scheduling, insurance, project management, accounting, employment responsibilities, licensing, and liens.
• North Carolina Building Code: Building Code 2018
  Use this reference for walls, floors, roofs, structural systems, openings, construction types, fire resistance, occupancy, and general building-code requirements.
• North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies, 2018 Edition
  Use this reference for permits, inspections, approvals, certificates, enforcement, administrative responsibilities, and code-compliance procedures.

The remaining nine highlighted and tabbed books are supporting study materials and must remain outside the examination room.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin preparation with residential framing. Review floor systems, wall framing, roof framing, load paths, openings, headers, stairs, fastening, bracing, and common construction details.

Study roofing systems separately. Review roof slopes, materials, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, valleys, drainage, penetrations, estimating, and installation practices.

Review masonry for foundations, walls, veneers, fireplaces, chimneys, mortar, grout, reinforcement, flashing, and movement joints.

Study excavation and concrete together. Review site preparation, trenching, drainage, foundations, reinforcement, placement, consolidation, curing, joints, finishing, and quality control.

Use the 2025 BCSI guide to study wood-truss handling, storage, installation, restraint, bracing, and temporary stability.

Review erosion and sedimentation control for land-disturbing activities, stabilization, runoff management, inspection responsibilities, and legal compliance.

Complete mixed timed exercises using the four approved references. Alternate between safety, business, building-code, and administrative questions so selecting the correct book and tab becomes more natural.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps candidates organize preparation around the North Carolina Residential Contractor Exam and the broad responsibilities of residential construction.

Trade-focused review connects the highlighted and tabbed books to carpentry, framing, roofing, masonry, excavation, concrete, trusses, erosion control, safety, business, law, and code administration.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages candidates to apply information rather than only reading it. Students can review questions, identify the subject, select the correct reference, locate the applicable information, and evaluate the answer.

The highlighted passages and permanent tabs provide an organized starting point for study and navigation. Repeated use can help candidates become more familiar with the structure of the books and reduce unnecessary searching.

1 Exam Prep also supports preparation for subjects found in books that cannot be brought into the examination room. Organized review of carpentry, roofing, masonry, excavation, concrete, trusses, erosion control, and contractor law helps candidates build knowledge before test day.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all books in this package highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. All thirteen 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 Residential Contractor Exam open book?

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

Which books are allowed inside the exam room?

The approved references are the North Carolina construction safety standards, the Contractor’s Guide, the 2018 North Carolina Building Code, and the 2018 North Carolina Administrative Code and Policies.

Which books are not allowed inside the exam room?

The carpentry, roofing, masonry, excavation, concrete, truss, erosion-control, sedimentation-law, and contractor-law books are included for study but must remain outside the testing room.

Is the 2025 BCSI wood-truss guide included?

Yes. The package includes the 2025 BCSI guide for handling, installing, restraining, and bracing metal plate connected wood trusses.

Do highlighting and tabs replace the need to study?

No. Highlighting and permanent tabs support organization and navigation, but candidates must still understand the trade subjects and know how to apply the information.

Does this package include examination registration?

No. The package includes the listed books and highlighting and tabbing 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 North Carolina contractor license is issued.