North Carolina Swimming Pools Contractor Exam Book Package

Prepare for the North Carolina Swimming Pools Contractor examination with a comprehensive collection of exam-room references and supporting study books. This package brings together materials covering public pool regulations, pool equipment, water treatment, circulation systems, concrete construction, shotcrete, excavation safety, residential and public pool standards, spa standards, maintenance, sedimentation control, business management, licensing laws, and contractor responsibilities.

The North Carolina Swimming Pools Contractor exam evaluates both practical trade knowledge and the regulatory responsibilities involved in constructing, servicing, and repairing swimming pools. Candidates must understand how pool systems are designed and operated while also recognizing the requirements that affect excavation, concrete work, water quality, equipment installation, erosion control, business practices, liens, and state licensing.

This package includes the two references identified for use in the examination room, along with additional books used to develop the examination and support broader preparation. The supporting books are valuable study tools, but they are not permitted inside the testing center for this exam. Separating the books into these two categories helps candidates build an effective preparation plan and avoid bringing prohibited materials to the examination appointment.

Use the complete package while studying to build technical understanding across the entire examination outline. As the test date approaches, place additional emphasis on learning the organization of the two approved exam-room references. An open-book exam requires candidates to know which reference contains the applicable information and how to locate it without losing valuable testing time.

What You Get

The package is intended to support organized exam preparation. The inclusion of a book does not mean that it may be taken into the testing center. Review the Exam Room Approved Books section carefully before your appointment.

Exam Details

The North Carolina Swimming Pools examination is administered by PSI as part of the licensing process overseen by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Candidates must first receive examination eligibility from the Board before registering and scheduling a testing appointment.

• Examination: North Carolina Swimming Pools
• Classification: S(Swimming Pools)
• Testing provider: PSI
• Number of questions: 60
• Time allowed: 120 minutes
• Passing score: 70%
• Examination format: Open book

The published content outline assigns 15 questions to filtration and circulation systems, 10 questions to maintenance and operation, eight questions to accessories and associated trades, 10 questions to concrete, shotcrete, and gunite, and 10 questions to design. The remaining questions address laws and regulations, liens, excavation notification requirements, and erosion and sedimentation control.

The examination may also include questions based on trade knowledge and accepted industry practices. Candidates should study the reference materials while developing a practical understanding of pool construction, circulation, water treatment, equipment, structural components, maintenance, and contractor responsibilities.

Open Book Test

The North Carolina Swimming Pools examination is an open-book test. Only the references specifically identified as approved may be brought into the examination center. For this examination, the approved reference list is limited to the North Carolina public swimming pool rules and the standard covering equipment and chemicals for pools, spas, hot tubs, and other recreational water facilities.

Candidates are responsible for bringing their own approved references. The examination center does not provide a personal set of books. References must comply with PSI requirements concerning binding, highlighting, indexing, tabs, notes, and inserted materials.

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, or indexed before the examination. Permanent tabs may be used, but removable flags are not accepted. Notes may not be written on the tabs, and candidates may not write in the references before or during the examination. Loose papers, attached notes, and unauthorized inserts are prohibited.

With 60 questions and 120 minutes, candidates have an average of approximately two minutes per question. Effective preparation should include repeated practice locating regulations, definitions, equipment requirements, water-quality provisions, and technical standards in the approved books.

The additional study books in this package can be used to develop subject knowledge before the exam, but they must not be taken into the testing room. Use them to learn the concepts, calculations, methods, and contractor requirements that may appear on the examination. Then practice confirming applicable information in the approved references whenever possible.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the Swimming Pools classification. Confirm that its scope matches the contracting work the applicant plans to perform.
2. Complete the required application or examination request. Submit the requested information to the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
3. Select the appropriate license limitation. Choose the limitation that corresponds with the intended project size and business plans.
4. Provide supporting documentation. Submit the business, organizational, qualifier, and financial information required by the Board.
5. Receive examination eligibility. Approved applicants receive an eligibility letter containing registration and scheduling instructions.
6. Schedule the examination with PSI. Use the identification information provided through the Board’s eligibility process.
7. Prepare with the complete reference package. Review the examination outline, study the supporting books, and practice navigating the approved exam-room references.
8. Take the examination. Bring valid identification and only the books and materials permitted under the current testing rules.
9. Complete the licensing process. Follow the Board’s instructions concerning examination results and any remaining application requirements.

Passing the examination does not automatically issue a contractor license. The Board must determine that the applicant has completed all applicable licensing requirements before a license can be granted.

State Requirements

The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors regulates the Swimming Pools specialty classification. The classification covers the construction, service, and repair of swimming pools. Its scope includes excavation and grading, construction of concrete, gunite, and plastic-type pools, pool decks, walkways, tiling, coping, pumps, filters, chemical feeders, and related pool equipment.

The classification does not include direct connections to sanitary sewer systems or potable water lines. It also does not include grounding and bonding metal surfaces or making electrical connections. Work outside the classification may require appropriately licensed professionals.

North Carolina contractor licenses are issued under limitations that affect the size of projects the licensee may undertake. Applicants must satisfy the financial or bonding requirements associated with the limitation requested. A business entity must also provide the organizational information required by the Board and identify the individual who will serve as its qualifier.

The qualifier is the person who satisfies the examination requirement for the applicable classification. Applicants should follow the current instructions supplied by the Board for application completion, eligibility, scheduling, and license issuance.

Reference Books

The North Carolina Swimming Pools Contractor Exam Book Package includes the following references:

• Public Swimming Pools - North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Title 15A, Subchapter 18A, Section .2500, North Carolina Administrative Code
  Contains North Carolina requirements for public swimming pools, including plans, construction, equipment, water quality, operation, maintenance, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Equipment and Chemicals for Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Other Recreational Water Facilities
  Addresses performance and safety requirements for pool and spa equipment, treatment systems, components, materials, and chemicals used in recreational water facilities.
• North Carolina Excavation Safety Guidelines, 2022 or Later
  Supports preparation for excavation notification, underground utility awareness, safe digging procedures, and contractor responsibilities before beginning pool excavation.
• Guide to Shotcrete, 2022
  Provides technical guidance on shotcrete materials, equipment, placement, application, curing, quality control, inspection, and construction practices relevant to pool shells.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition
  Covers concrete materials, placement, consolidation, finishing, curing, quality control, construction planning, and methods for achieving durable concrete work.
• The Ultimate Pool Maintenance Manual: Spas, Pools, Hot Tubs, Rockscapes and Other Water Features - Used
  Explains practical pool and spa maintenance, circulation, filtration, water chemistry, cleaning, troubleshooting, equipment care, and operation. This package includes a used copy.
• ANSI/NSPI-1 Standard for Public Swimming Pools, 2014
  Addresses design and construction considerations for public swimming pools, including dimensional, operational, equipment, circulation, safety, and performance provisions.
• ANSI/NSPI-2 Standard for Public Spas, 1999
  Provides requirements and guidance related to the design, construction, equipment, operation, and safety of public spas.
• ANSI/NSPI-3 Standard for Permanently Installed Residential Spas, 2014
  Covers permanently installed residential spas, including structural, circulation, equipment, access, operation, and safety considerations.
• ANSI/NSPI-5 American National Standard for Residential Inground Swimming Pools, 2025
  Provides standards for residential inground swimming pools, including design, construction, circulation, equipment, dimensions, access, and safety-related considerations.
• Pool and Spa Operator Handbook
  Supports study of circulation, filtration, disinfection, water chemistry, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, safety, and daily pool and spa operation.
• North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Chapter 4 Sedimentation Control, Including the Latest Amendments
  Addresses North Carolina sedimentation-control requirements that may affect excavation, grading, disturbed soil, runoff, erosion-prevention measures, and construction-site responsibilities.
• North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A, Article 4 Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973
  Contains the state law governing sedimentation pollution control, including regulatory authority, prohibited conduct, plans, enforcement, and contractor-related obligations.
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management - North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
  Covers contractor business operations, contracts, estimating, project management, financial management, insurance, risk, employment, safety, liens, and North Carolina-specific responsibilities.
• Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina
  Provides statutes and rules governing general contractors, including licensing authority, classifications, limitations, applications, qualifiers, prohibited conduct, and regulatory responsibilities.

Exam Room Approved Books

Only the following two references in this package are identified for use inside the North Carolina Swimming Pools examination room:

• Public Swimming Pools - North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Title 15A, Subchapter 18A, Section .2500, North Carolina Administrative Code
• Equipment and Chemicals for Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Other Recreational Water Facilities

The remaining books in this package are included for study and are not allowed in the examination room. Do not bring the excavation, shotcrete, concrete, pool-maintenance, ANSI/NSPI, operator, sedimentation-control, business, or licensing-law references into the testing center for this examination.

Testing-center personnel make the final determination regarding permitted materials. Inspect the approved books before your appointment and remove loose papers, removable tabs, written notes, and unauthorized attachments.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin with filtration and circulation because this is the largest section of the published outline. Review pumps, filters, piping arrangements, flow, turnover, inlets, outlets, drains, skimmers, valves, gauges, strainers, chemical feeders, and equipment performance. Understand how components work together to move and treat water.

Maintenance and operation is another major subject. Study water chemistry, disinfectant control, pH, testing, cleaning, routine inspection, troubleshooting, contamination response, equipment care, and operational records. Learn how improper balance or circulation can affect water quality, swimmer comfort, surfaces, and equipment.

For concrete, shotcrete, and gunite, review materials, proportioning, preparation, reinforcement, placement, application, consolidation, finishing, curing, inspection, cracking, and quality control. Candidates should also understand excavation, grading, decks, walkways, tile, coping, and associated construction activities.

Design questions may involve pool dimensions, circulation, equipment selection, hydraulic considerations, access, safety, public pool requirements, residential systems, spas, and related water features. Use the standards to compare requirements across different facility types.

Do not overlook laws, liens, excavation notification, and sedimentation control. These sections contain fewer questions, but each correct answer contributes to the required passing score. Review contractor responsibilities before excavation, erosion-control requirements, licensing rules, contracts, and project administration.

Practice under timed conditions. Select a topic, identify the correct exam-room reference, locate the applicable provision, and confirm the answer. The supporting books should build understanding; the approved references should become familiar navigation tools.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps North Carolina Swimming Pools Contractor candidates organize a broad technical and regulatory book list into a practical preparation system. This package combines the approved exam-room references with supporting books that address the trade knowledge used throughout the examination outline.

The collection supports review of circulation, filtration, maintenance, water chemistry, pool design, concrete, shotcrete, excavation, spas, public pools, residential pools, sedimentation control, business practices, and licensing responsibilities. Studying these subjects together helps candidates understand how pool construction and contractor compliance connect.

1 Exam Prep encourages candidates to use the supporting references for detailed learning and the approved references for exam-navigation practice. This approach builds both subject knowledge and familiarity with the books available during the open-book examination.

Organized study, repeated review, and timed practice can help reduce uncertainty and build confidence. The package does not guarantee a passing score, licensing approval, or any specific outcome, but it provides a strong reference foundation for focused preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the North Carolina Swimming Pools examination open book?

Yes. It is an open-book examination, but only the two approved references listed for exam-room use may be brought into the testing center.

How many questions are on the examination?

The North Carolina Swimming Pools examination contains 60 questions.

How much time is allowed?

Candidates are allowed 120 minutes to complete the examination.

What score is required to pass?

The required passing score is 70%.

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

No. Only the public swimming pool rules and the equipment and chemicals standard are identified for exam-room use. All other included books are study materials and are not permitted inside the testing center.

Why does the package include books that are not allowed in the exam?

The examination may include questions based on trade knowledge and general industry practices. The additional references support learning across pool construction, maintenance, design, concrete, excavation, standards, sedimentation control, business, and licensing topics.

What subjects are emphasized on the test?

The largest areas are filtration and circulation, maintenance and operation, concrete and shotcrete, design, and accessories and associated trades. The exam also covers laws, liens, excavation notification, and sedimentation control.

Can the approved books contain tabs or highlighting?

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the exam. Tabs must be permanent, and notes may not be written on them. Removable flags, loose papers, and unauthorized attachments are prohibited.

Is The Ultimate Pool Maintenance Manual new?

No. The copy included with this package is identified as used.

Does passing the exam automatically provide a contractor license?

No. Passing the exam is one part of the licensing process. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors must approve the application and confirm that all applicable requirements have been completed.

Does this book package guarantee a passing score?

No. The package supports organized study and reference preparation, but examination and licensing outcomes depend on the candidate’s knowledge, preparation, application eligibility, and performance.