South Carolina NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Highlighted & Tabbed Book Set

Prepare for the South Carolina NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam with a complete commercial construction reference library that is highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. This book set brings together the listed codes, standards, construction manuals, technical references, and management resources used to support preparation for the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors.

The NASCLA commercial examination covers a broad range of construction knowledge. Candidates may encounter subjects involving general requirements, project management, site construction, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, accessibility, roofing, thermal and moisture protection, mechanical and plumbing systems, electrical systems, safety, procurement, and contracting. Because the examination reaches across so many disciplines, effective preparation involves more than simply collecting books. Candidates should become familiar with the organization and purpose of each reference before test day.

South Carolina participates in the NASCLA Commercial Exam program. The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors can be used toward the applicable technical examination requirement for South Carolina's Unlimited Building classification. South Carolina qualifying-party applicants must still satisfy the state's additional licensing requirements, including the South Carolina Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors examination.

The highlighted and tabbed preparation in this package provides an organized starting point for open-book study. Candidates can use the books throughout their preparation to practice recognizing construction topics, selecting the appropriate reference, and locating information efficiently. Repetition is important because an open-book examination still requires candidates to manage their time carefully.

Preparation Time: Please allow up to 15 business days for tabbed and highlighted book package orders.

What You Get

• Complete Commercial Construction Book Set: The reference books listed below for NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam preparation.
• Highlighted References: Books are highlighted to provide an organized starting point for focused study.
• Tabbed References: Books are tabbed to support faster navigation between important sections and subject areas.
• Broad Construction Coverage: The collection includes materials addressing construction management, OSHA safety, concrete, masonry, framing, steel systems, accessibility, roofing, excavation, building codes, mechanical and electrical systems, and additional commercial construction topics.
• Open-Book Preparation Library: Candidates can practice finding and confirming information in the references while building familiarity with the exam's wide subject range.

Exam Details

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is a standardized commercial construction examination recognized by participating contractor licensing agencies, including the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board.

• Exam: NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors
• Number of Questions: 115
• Time Allowed: 330 minutes
• Minimum Passing Score: 70%, requiring 81 correct answers
• South Carolina Application: Accepted toward the technical examination requirement for the applicable Unlimited Building classification pathway

The exam measures commercial construction knowledge across numerous subjects instead of concentrating on one trade. Candidates should prepare for technical construction topics as well as management and contracting responsibilities. Experience in one specialty can be valuable, but it may not cover every subject represented by the examination.

Time management is also an important part of NASCLA preparation. With 115 questions and 330 minutes, candidates need a method for deciding when a question can be answered from existing knowledge and when a reference lookup is necessary. Practicing this decision-making process before test day can help make the available time more productive.

Open Book Test

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is an Open Book Test. Candidates may use approved reference materials according to the applicable examination and testing-center rules.

An open-book exam still requires preparation. Candidates who attempt to search several unfamiliar books for every question can spend too much time locating information. The goal should be to understand the construction subject first and use the references for focused confirmation when needed.

The highlighted and tabbed books in this package are intended to support that type of preparation. Highlighting helps draw attention to important material, while tabs help organize major portions of the references. Candidates should still work directly with the books throughout their study period to become familiar with indexes, tables of contents, chapter structures, technical tables, standards, definitions, and terminology.

A practical approach is to identify the subject, select the most relevant reference, locate the information, confirm the answer, and continue. Accessibility questions should direct you toward the accessibility standard. OSHA safety questions should lead toward 29 CFR Part 1926. Structural concrete questions may require ACI materials, while broader commercial building-code questions may require the International Building Code.

Developing these subject-to-reference associations can make open-book preparation more efficient and help you avoid unnecessary searching.

Licensing Steps

1. Determine the appropriate South Carolina classification. South Carolina commercial contractor licensing is organized according to classifications and subclassifications.
2. Identify the Primary Qualifying Party. An applicant must designate a Primary Qualifying Party for each classification or subclassification for which licensure is requested.
3. Meet the applicable experience requirement. Applicants seeking qualifying-party certification by examination generally must document at least two years of applicable work experience performed within the previous five years.
4. Complete the technical examination requirement. The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors can be used toward the applicable technical examination requirement for South Carolina's Unlimited Building classification.
5. Pass the South Carolina Business Management and Law examination. Individuals requesting qualifying-party certification must also pass the South Carolina Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors Exam.
6. Submit qualifying-party documentation. Complete the applicable Primary Qualifying Party or Qualifying Party application materials.
7. Complete the contractor license application. Submit the required commercial contractor licensing documents to the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board.
8. Meet the applicable financial requirements. South Carolina license group limitations are supported by the required financial documentation or qualifying surety bond.

State Requirements

Commercial contractor licensing in South Carolina is administered by the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board. Applicants must satisfy the requirements associated with the classification or subclassification in which they plan to operate.

A South Carolina contractor applicant must designate a Primary Qualifying Party for the applicable classification. The Primary Qualifying Party is the principal individual responsible for directing or reviewing work performed by the licensee within that classification.

Applicants qualifying by examination must pass the applicable technical examination and must also pass the South Carolina Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors Exam. South Carolina also generally requires qualifying-party applicants using the examination route to submit at least two years of relevant work experience performed within the previous five years.

South Carolina uses license group limitations that affect the size of projects a contractor may undertake. Applicants must provide the applicable financial documentation or surety bond supporting the group limitation they request.

Passing the NASCLA examination does not automatically create a South Carolina contractor license. NASCLA is an examination credential. Applicants must still satisfy South Carolina's qualifying-party, Business Management and Law, experience, financial, business, and application requirements before a license is issued.

Reference Books

• Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition
  Reviews mechanical and electrical building systems and coordination considerations important to commercial construction management.
• ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  Addresses accessibility and usability requirements for buildings, facilities, spaces, and related construction elements.
• BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Covers practices for handling, installing, restraining, and bracing metal plate connected wood trusses.
• Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Reviews carpentry, framing, building materials, tools, and general construction methods.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Contains federal occupational safety and health requirements applicable to construction activities and jobsites.
• Construction Jobsite Management, 5th Edition
  Covers field supervision, communication, documentation, coordination, and practical jobsite-management responsibilities.
• Construction Project Management, 5th Edition
  Addresses project planning, scheduling, administration, cost management, project controls, and construction coordination.
• NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Edition
  Reviews contractor business operations, law, project management, financial management, contracts, and construction administration.
• Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Provides standards and guidance related to handling and erecting precast concrete products.
• Green Building Fundamentals, Michael Montoya, 2011, 2nd Edition
  Introduces sustainable construction practices, green building concepts, materials, and environmental considerations.
• Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
  Covers gypsum products, assemblies, wall and ceiling systems, installation practices, and related applications.
• Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
  Provides technical guidance concerning handling and erecting steel joists and joist girders.
• International Building Code, 2021
  Provides commercial building requirements addressing occupancy, construction types, means of egress, fire and life safety, and other code provisions.
• ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Contains structural concrete requirements and supporting commentary for reinforced concrete construction.
• Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  Reviews field fundamentals associated with unbonded post-tensioning construction systems.
• Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  Covers masonry materials, tools, methods, techniques, and brick, block, and stone construction.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Addresses excavation, trenching, underground piping, site operations, and related contracting practices.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition
  Provides broad coverage of commercial construction systems, materials, methods, sequencing, and project execution.
• Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Reviews roofing systems, materials, installation methods, construction practices, and estimating concepts.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Provides guidance regarding reinforcing steel placement, handling, detailing, and reinforced concrete field practices.
• SDI Steel Deck Institute Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  Covers steel deck construction, handling, installation, and related field procedures.
• The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition
  Reviews concrete planning, placement, finishing, quality practices, and practical construction procedures.
• ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and EIFS with Drainage, 2017
  Provides standards addressing exterior insulation and finish systems, including EIFS applications with drainage.
• Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites, United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Provides guidance for developing and implementing stormwater pollution prevention plans on construction sites.

Test Information and Study Materials

Effective NASCLA preparation combines construction knowledge with reference-navigation practice. The examination contains 115 questions, allows 330 minutes, and requires at least 81 correct answers to reach the 70% passing score.

Organize study by subject. Break preparation into areas such as general requirements, project management, safety, site construction, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, roofing, accessibility, building systems, and contracting. This makes a large commercial construction syllabus easier to manage.

Connect each subject with the appropriate book. Candidates should build immediate associations between exam topics and the references that address them. This reduces the time spent deciding which book to search.

Use the highlighting and tabs actively. The prepared books provide useful navigation aids, but familiarity comes from regular practice. Work with the tabs while answering practice questions and use the highlighted sections as part of your review.

Practice with a timer. Open-book questions can encourage excessive searching. Timed study sessions help you develop a better sense of when to look something up and when to move forward.

Prepare separately for South Carolina Business Management and Law. The South Carolina Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors examination is a separate state requirement. The book set listed on this page is focused on the commercial construction reference library supplied with this product.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps South Carolina contractor candidates approach the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination with a more organized and practical preparation structure. A large open-book examination becomes easier to manage when trade knowledge, practice, and reference navigation are connected.

Organized study guidance helps divide the broad exam scope into manageable construction subjects so candidates can build their knowledge systematically rather than moving randomly through a large reference library.

Trade-focused review supports preparation across project management, OSHA safety, concrete, masonry, carpentry, roofing, accessibility, structural systems, excavation, building codes, and other commercial construction areas.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages candidates to apply construction knowledge through exam-style thinking. This helps strengthen the ability to recognize what a question is testing and determine whether a reference lookup is necessary.

Reference navigation is especially important for an open-book exam. Highlighted and tabbed references can support faster navigation, while repeated practice helps you become familiar with indexes, chapter structures, tables, standards, and code sections.

Confidence-building study structure develops through consistent preparation. As candidates become more familiar with the books and commercial construction topics, they can approach exam questions with a clearer system for finding information and managing available testing time.

FAQ Section

Are the Books in This Package Highlighted and Tabbed?

Yes. The books in this package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation, providing an organized starting point for study and open-book reference navigation.

Does South Carolina Accept the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam?

Yes. South Carolina participates in the NASCLA Commercial Exam program, and the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination can be applied toward the technical examination requirement for the applicable Unlimited Building classification pathway.

How Many Questions Are on the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam?

The examination contains 115 questions. Candidates are allowed 330 minutes and need at least 81 correct answers to achieve the 70% passing score.

Is the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam Open Book?

Yes. The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is an open-book examination using approved reference materials according to applicable testing requirements.

Does Passing NASCLA Automatically Give Me a South Carolina Contractor License?

No. The NASCLA examination satisfies an accepted technical examination component. Applicants must still complete the South Carolina qualifying-party, Business Management and Law, experience, financial, application, and other applicable licensing requirements.

Does South Carolina Require a Business Management and Law Exam?

Yes. Individuals requesting qualifying-party certification must pass the South Carolina Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractors Exam.

Why Are Highlighted and Tabbed Books Helpful for an Open-Book Exam?

Highlighting and tabs can make important sections easier to identify and navigate. Their greatest value comes from using them regularly during preparation so you become familiar with the structure of each reference before test day.

How Should I Study With This Book Set?

Study one construction subject at a time, connect that topic with the appropriate reference, and practice answering questions while locating supporting information. Timed practice can also help improve pacing and reference-navigation habits.

How Long Does a Highlighted and Tabbed Book Set Take to Prepare?

Please allow up to 15 business days for tabbed and highlighted book package orders.

Does This Book Set Guarantee That I Will Pass the Exam?

No. The highlighted and tabbed book set provides organized reference materials to support preparation. Exam performance depends on the candidate's knowledge, study habits, reference familiarity, preparation, and performance on test day.