North Carolina Water Purification and Sewage Disposal Contractor Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package

Prepare for the North Carolina Water Purification and Sewage Disposal Contractor examination with a professionally highlighted and tabbed reference package built around the official exam content areas. This package includes the two references permitted inside the examination room and ten additional study books covering concrete, reinforcement, shotcrete, formwork, excavation, erosion control, utility-location responsibilities, contractor law, and North Carolina licensing regulations.

The North Carolina Water Purification and Sewage Disposal Contractor exam requires knowledge across several construction disciplines. Candidates must prepare for questions involving safety, concrete placement, reinforcing steel, shotcrete, excavation and grading, water regulations, formwork, erosion and sedimentation control, liens, One Call procedures, and contractor laws. Because many of these subjects come from books that cannot be taken into the testing center, advance study is especially important.

Every reference in this package is highlighted and tabbed to create a more organized preparation system. Highlighting draws attention to important definitions, standards, procedures, tables, construction practices, and regulatory provisions. Permanent tabs divide the books into practical subject areas so candidates can become familiar with where information appears and move through the approved references more efficiently during timed practice.

The package clearly separates the two exam-room-approved references from the ten study-only books. The North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry and North Carolina Administrative Code Title 15A Subchapter 18C: Water Supplies are approved for use during this examination. All other included books support exam preparation but are not allowed inside the examination room.

This highlighted and tabbed package is designed for contractors, qualifiers, project managers, estimators, supervisors, concrete professionals, utility contractors, and construction personnel preparing for the North Carolina Water Purification and Sewage Disposal specialty classification. Please allow 15 business days for the books to be professionally highlighted and tabbed before shipment.

Exam Details

The North Carolina Water Purification and Sewage Disposal Contractor examination is administered by PSI for the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Examination eligibility is determined by the licensing board, and approved candidates receive instructions for registering and scheduling through PSI.

• Examination classification: PU Water Purification and Sewage Disposal
• 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: 6 questions
• Shotcrete: 5 questions
• Concrete: 8 questions
• Concrete Reinforcement: 7 questions
• Excavation and Grading: 7 questions
• Water Regulations: 2 questions
• Laws and Regulations: 4 questions
• Liens: 1 question
• One Call: 2 questions
• Erosion and Sedimentation Control: 2 questions
• Formwork: 6 questions

Concrete, concrete reinforcement, and formwork together account for a substantial portion of the examination. Candidates should understand concrete ingredients, mixture properties, placement, consolidation, curing, reinforcement practices, bar supports, splices, form design, form pressures, stripping, and jobsite safety.

Excavation, grading, safety, and shotcrete also represent major parts of the test. Preparation should include trench safety, soil conditions, protective systems, equipment practices, excavation procedures, grading, underground utility protection, shotcrete materials, surface preparation, application, curing, and quality considerations.

Open Book Test

The North Carolina Water Purification and Sewage Disposal Contractor examination is an open-book test. However, candidates may bring only the references specifically approved for this classification. This package includes two exam-room-approved references and ten books that are provided for study only.

The approved books may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. References must use permanent tabs that are not easily removed from the pages. Removable index flags, temporary tabs, and Post-it-style markers are not permitted. Notes may not be written on the tabs.

Candidates may not bring loose papers or attached supplemental materials into the testing room. References may not be written in before or during the examination in a manner prohibited by the testing rules. Downloaded code material must be complete and properly bound when presented for inspection; partial references are not accepted.

The 120-minute examination period provides an average of approximately two minutes and twenty-four seconds per question. Candidates must read the question, identify the subject, determine whether a reference lookup is necessary, find the applicable provision, and select an answer within the overall time limit. Practicing with the highlighted sections and permanent tabs before test day can help create a more efficient reference-search routine.

Licensing Steps

1. Select the correct classification. Confirm that the Water Purification and Sewage Disposal classification matches the type of water or wastewater treatment construction the company plans to perform.
2. Choose the appropriate license limitation. North Carolina licenses include limitations that affect the value of projects a contractor may undertake.
3. Identify the qualifier. The applicant must designate an individual who will qualify the license by passing an examination accepted for the requested classification.
4. Submit the application or examination request. Complete the current documents required by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
5. Provide supporting information. Submit the financial, business, background, and other application materials required for the requested license limitation.
6. Receive examination eligibility. After approval, the candidate receives an eligibility letter with the identification information needed to register with PSI.
7. Schedule the examination. Register with PSI, select an available testing location and date, and complete the required examination payment.
8. Take the examination. Bring the required identification and only the approved reference materials that comply with the current testing-center rules.
9. Complete the licensing process. Passing the examination satisfies the testing component, but the licensing board must complete its application review before issuing a license.

Passing the examination alone does not authorize a person or business to perform licensed general contracting work. The contracting entity must hold the appropriate active North Carolina license before undertaking work that requires licensure.

State Requirements

North Carolina generally requires a general contractor license when the total value of a covered construction project is $40,000 or more. The contractor must hold a classification and limitation appropriate for the work being performed and the value of the project.

The Water Purification and Sewage Disposal classification covers construction work on water and wastewater systems and water and wastewater treatment facilities. It also covers site work, grading, and paving of parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, curbs, and gutters when those activities are ancillary to construction of water and wastewater treatment facilities.

The classification also covers certain specialty work performed as part of water and wastewater treatment facility construction, including concrete construction, insulation, interior construction, masonry construction, roofing, and metal erection. Candidates should understand that the examination reflects this broad scope through its emphasis on concrete, reinforcing steel, formwork, shotcrete, excavation, safety, and water regulations.

Applicants must meet the licensing board’s current application requirements, identify a qualifying individual, satisfy the applicable financial requirements, pay required fees, and provide requested background information. The qualifier’s examination supports the classification requested by the licensed entity.

North Carolina license limitations and classifications serve different purposes. The classification identifies the type of work the contractor is qualified to perform, while the limitation affects the monetary value of projects the contractor may undertake. Applicants should select both according to the company’s intended work and financial qualifications.

Reference Books

This package includes twelve professionally highlighted and tabbed references. Two are approved for use inside the examination room, and ten are included for study only.

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  Exam Room Approved. Contains construction safety requirements applicable to excavation, personal protective equipment, scaffolds, fall protection, concrete operations, tools, material handling, respiratory protection, and other workplace hazards.
• North Carolina Administrative Code Title 15A Subchapter 18C: Water Supplies, Including the Latest Amendments
  Exam Room Approved. Contains North Carolina rules addressing public water-supply systems, construction standards, treatment requirements, water-system components, operation, monitoring, and regulatory responsibilities.
• North Carolina Excavation Safety Guidelines, 2022 or Later
  Study Only — Not Allowed in the Exam Room. Supports preparation for One Call and damage-prevention questions involving excavation notifications, underground utility markings, communications, safe digging, and excavator responsibilities.
• Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management — North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
  Study Only — Not Allowed in the Exam Room. Covers contractor licensing, business organization, project management, contracts, financial management, risk, insurance, employment, liens, and North Carolina construction-business responsibilities.
• North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Chapter 4 Sedimentation Control, Including the Latest Amendments
  Study Only — Not Allowed in the Exam Room. Contains administrative rules governing erosion and sedimentation control for land-disturbing activities in North Carolina.
• North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A, Article 4 Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973
  Study Only — Not Allowed in the Exam Room. Provides the statutory framework for controlling sedimentation caused by land-disturbing construction activities.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Study Only — Not Allowed in the Exam Room. Reviews trenching, excavation, soils, grading, dewatering, pipe installation, backfilling, compaction, equipment, estimating, and underground construction practices.
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition
  Study Only — Not Allowed in the Exam Room. Covers cementitious materials, aggregates, water, admixtures, proportioning, mixing, placement, curing, strength, durability, testing, and concrete quality control.
• Guide to Shotcrete, 2022
  Study Only — Not Allowed in the Exam Room. Addresses shotcrete materials, equipment, surface preparation, application methods, reinforcement, curing, inspection, testing, and quality considerations.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Study Only — Not Allowed in the Exam Room. Covers reinforcing-bar identification, placement, supports, splices, tolerances, detailing concepts, handling, and field practices for reinforced concrete construction.
• SP-4 Formwork for Concrete, 2014, 8th Edition
  Study Only — Not Allowed in the Exam Room. Reviews formwork materials, design principles, loads, pressures, construction, shores, reshoring, tolerances, stripping, safety, and formwork practices.
• Laws and Regulations Applicable to General Contracting in the State of North Carolina
  Study Only — Not Allowed in the Exam Room. Contains statutes and administrative rules governing North Carolina general contractor classifications, limitations, qualifiers, applications, renewals, responsibilities, and enforcement.

Exam Room Approved Books

Only the following two references from this package are approved for use inside the North Carolina Water Purification and Sewage Disposal Contractor examination room:

• North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry, with Latest Available Amendments
  This reference supports safety questions involving excavation, concrete operations, protective equipment, scaffolding, fall hazards, tools, material handling, and other construction-site requirements.
• North Carolina Administrative Code Title 15A Subchapter 18C: Water Supplies, Including the Latest Amendments
  This reference supports questions involving North Carolina water-supply regulations and requirements applicable to public water systems.

The remaining ten books are not allowed inside the examination room. They should be used to prepare for the technical, legal, and regulatory topics that must be understood before test day.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin preparation with concrete, reinforcing steel, and formwork because these categories account for 21 of the 50 examination questions. Review concrete ingredients, water-cement relationships, workability, strength, durability, admixtures, placement, consolidation, finishing, curing, testing, and common defects.

For reinforcing steel, study bar identification, sizes, grades, bends, supports, clearances, placement tolerances, lap splices, development concepts, storage, and field inspection. Reinforcement questions may require knowledge of both terminology and practical placement procedures.

Formwork preparation should include loads, lateral pressure, form materials, ties, bracing, shores, reshoring, alignment, tolerances, removal, and safety. Candidates should understand that formwork must support fresh concrete and construction loads while maintaining the intended shape and dimensions of the completed work.

Shotcrete accounts for five questions. Review dry-mix and wet-mix processes, equipment, delivery, surface preparation, reinforcement, nozzle operation, rebound, construction joints, curing, inspection, and quality control. Because the shotcrete reference is not allowed in the exam room, this material should be studied in advance.

Excavation and grading account for seven questions. Study soil conditions, trenching, slopes, protective systems, access, spoil placement, equipment operation, dewatering, backfill, compaction, and grading practices. Connect these subjects with safety requirements from the approved occupational safety reference.

Water regulations account for two questions. Practice navigating Title 15A Subchapter 18C and locating definitions, system requirements, construction provisions, treatment-related rules, and administrative responsibilities. Although this is a smaller exam category, the approved regulation book can be valuable when a question depends on exact language.

Review North Carolina One Call procedures and excavation-notification responsibilities before test day. The excavation safety guidelines are study-only, so candidates should understand notification timing, utility markings, tolerance-zone awareness, communication, and safe excavation practices without relying on the book during the examination.

Erosion and sedimentation control also requires advance study. Review the purpose of sedimentation-control requirements, regulated land-disturbing activities, plan responsibilities, inspections, enforcement concepts, stabilization, and contractor obligations.

Use timed practice sessions with the two approved references. Identify the subject of each practice question before opening a book, select the most likely tab, locate the relevant provision, and confirm the answer. Avoid searching page by page without a clear target.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps candidates organize preparation for a technical examination that draws from multiple construction disciplines. Instead of beginning with an unmarked collection of regulations, manuals, and trade books, candidates receive references that have already been highlighted and divided with permanent tabs.

The approved safety and water-regulation books are organized to support efficient navigation during study and exam-day use. Highlighting identifies important standards, definitions, requirements, and tables, while tabs provide consistent access points for frequently reviewed subjects.

The study-only references support trade-focused review of concrete, reinforcing steel, shotcrete, formwork, excavation, erosion control, One Call procedures, business law, liens, and North Carolina contractor regulations. These books help candidates prepare for subjects that appear on the examination even though the references cannot be taken into the testing center.

1 Exam Prep promotes a practice-oriented approach built around organized study guidance, repeated reference navigation, technical review, and confidence-building preparation. Candidates can use the package to create a structured study schedule and become more familiar with the relationship between the content outline and the reference materials.

No study package can guarantee a passing score, licensing approval, or a specific examination result. Success depends on the candidate’s experience, preparation, understanding of the material, study habits, and performance on test day. An organized highlighted and tabbed package can help candidates make better use of their preparation time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are included in this package?

The package includes twelve highlighted and tabbed references. Two are approved for use inside the examination room, and ten are provided for study only.

Which books are allowed in the exam room?

The approved books are the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry and North Carolina Administrative Code Title 15A Subchapter 18C: Water Supplies.

Are the other ten books allowed during the exam?

No. The other ten books are study references and must not be taken into the examination room for this classification.

Is the examination open book?

Yes. The North Carolina Water Purification and Sewage Disposal Contractor examination is open book, but only approved references may be used.

How many questions are on the exam?

The examination contains 50 questions covering safety, shotcrete, concrete, reinforcement, excavation, water regulations, laws, liens, One Call, erosion control, and formwork.

How much time is allowed?

Candidates are allowed 120 minutes to complete the examination.

What score is required to pass?

A score of at least 70% is required to pass.

Are the books already highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. Every reference included in the package is professionally highlighted and tabbed for organized preparation and efficient navigation.

How long does preparation take?

Please allow 15 business days for the books to be highlighted and tabbed before shipment.

Why are study-only books included?

The exam includes several technical and legal subjects whose reference books are not permitted in the testing room. The study-only books help candidates learn those subjects in advance.

Does this package include exam registration?

No. Application processing, examination eligibility, registration, scheduling, testing fees, and licensing are handled separately through the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors and PSI.

Does the package guarantee a passing score?

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