Tennessee NASCLA Commercial Building Contractor - Books & Courses Rental Package

Prepare for the Tennessee NASCLA Commercial Building Contractor pathway with a complete books and courses rental package that combines the listed commercial construction references, a Tennessee-specific Business and Law manual, highlighted and tabbed rental books, and 6 months of course access. This package is designed for candidates pursuing the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors and the Tennessee contractor licensing requirements associated with the BC-B Commercial Building classification.

Tennessee accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors for the BC-B Commercial Building classification. Contractors using the NASCLA pathway must still satisfy Tennessee's separate licensing requirements, including the required Tennessee Business and Law examination. Passing the NASCLA exam is an accepted way to meet the applicable commercial building trade examination requirement, but it does not by itself create a Tennessee contractor license.

The commercial construction reference library included with this rental package covers a wide range of subjects that contractors may encounter during NASCLA preparation. Topics represented by the references include project management, construction safety, concrete, masonry, carpentry, building codes, accessibility, roofing, steel construction, mechanical and electrical systems, excavation, stormwater management, structural systems, and other areas of commercial construction.

The package also includes the NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management, 4th Edition - Tennessee, supporting preparation for Tennessee's required Business and Law examination. Combining this state-specific resource with the broader commercial construction reference set allows candidates to prepare for the NASCLA trade exam and Tennessee Business and Law requirement as separate but related study goals.

Package Price: $2,539

Refundable Deposit: $1,000.

Total Due: $3,539, including the refundable deposit.

Book Preparation: All books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.

Order Processing: Please allow up to 15 business days for book & course rental package orders.

Exam Details

Tennessee contractor applicants must complete the examinations required for their requested classification. The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors requires new contractor applicants to pass the Tennessee Business and Law examination, while trade examinations are required for classifications that have a technical testing requirement.

For the BC-B Commercial Building classification, Tennessee accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors as an alternative to the Tennessee-specific commercial building trade examination.

• NASCLA Exam: Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors
• Number of Questions: 115
• Time Allowed: 330 minutes
• Minimum Passing Score: 70%, or 81 correct answers
• Tennessee Classification: BC-B Commercial Building
• Additional Tennessee Exam: Business and Law

The BC-B classification covers commercial building work, including buildings intended for public use and occupancy, residential construction involving more than four units, and buildings exceeding three stories. The NASCLA commercial examination provides an accepted trade-exam pathway for candidates seeking this classification.

The NASCLA examination covers a wide range of construction subjects, including general requirements, site construction, concrete, masonry, metals, wood construction, thermal and moisture protection, finishes, mechanical and plumbing systems, electrical systems, and procurement and contracting requirements.

Tennessee changed its contractor examination provider in 2026. Beginning July 1, 2026, Prov became the Board's provider for new Tennessee contractor exam scheduling. Candidates who had already scheduled certain PSI appointments after July 1 were allowed to keep those appointments during the transition period. New Tennessee exam scheduling is handled through Prov.

Open Book Test

Tennessee contractor examinations are Open Book Test examinations. The Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors identifies the Business and Law exam as open book, and candidates use approved reference materials according to the applicable examination rules.

Open-book testing makes preparation with the actual reference materials especially important. Having access to books during an examination does not eliminate the need to understand the material. Candidates who are unfamiliar with their references may spend too much time trying to determine which book contains a particular answer.

The rental books included with this package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. These features provide an organized starting point for study and navigation. Candidates should still work with the references regularly so they become familiar with tables of contents, indexes, chapters, technical tables, code sections, terminology, and major subject areas.

A useful open-book strategy is to first identify what a question is testing. From there, select the reference most likely to contain the information, perform a focused lookup, confirm the answer, and move forward. For example, accessibility questions should direct you toward ICC A117.1, OSHA safety questions toward 29 CFR Part 1926, and structural concrete questions toward ACI 318 and related concrete references.

The same principle applies to the Tennessee Business and Law examination. Candidates should become comfortable navigating the Tennessee edition of the NASCLA business and law guide so they can quickly locate state-specific material involving contractor responsibilities, business practices, law, and project management.

Licensing Steps

1. Determine the appropriate Tennessee contractor classification. Candidates pursuing commercial building work generally review the BC-B Commercial Building classification and its scope.
2. Identify the Qualifying Agent. Tennessee uses a Qualifying Agent to complete required examinations for the business seeking licensure. The QA may be an owner, officer, or full-time employee of the applicant entity.
3. Complete the Tennessee Business and Law examination. All new contractor license applicants must pass Tennessee's Business and Law exam.
4. Satisfy the commercial trade examination requirement. For BC-B, Tennessee accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors as an alternative to the Tennessee commercial trade exam.
5. Prepare the contractor license application. The applicant entity submits the required licensing documentation to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors.
6. Provide the applicable financial documentation. Tennessee contractor licensing includes financial requirements that affect the monetary limit assigned to the license.
7. Address the business structure and required registrations. Complete applicable business registration and entity requirements before licensing.
8. Submit the completed application for Board review. The Board reviews the application, examination results, financial information, experience, and other required materials before issuing a license.

State Requirements

Contractor licensing in Tennessee is administered by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors. Tennessee requires a contractor license before contracting, bidding, offering to engage, or negotiating a price on projects that meet the state's applicable contractor licensing threshold.

The Board issues contractor licenses with both a classification and a monetary limit. The classification determines the type of work the contractor may perform, while the monetary limit determines the maximum project amount authorized under the license.

The BC-B Commercial Building classification applies to commercial construction and includes buildings for public use and occupancy, residential projects with more than four units, and buildings exceeding three stories. Tennessee accepts the NASCLA National Commercial examination for BC-B.

All new Tennessee contractor applicants must pass the Business and Law examination. A separate trade examination is required for classifications that carry a technical testing requirement. The same person does not have to take both examinations; Tennessee allows the applicant entity to designate the applicable Qualifying Agent for the required testing.

The Board also reviews financial information as part of the licensing process. Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee added a contractor surety bond option as an alternative to certain CPA-reviewed or CPA-audited financial statement requirements, subject to the Board's applicable rules.

Passing NASCLA does not automatically issue a Tennessee contractor license. Candidates must still complete Tennessee's Business and Law requirement and satisfy the application, classification, monetary limit, financial, business, and other licensing requirements established by the Board.

Reference Books

• Included Rental Book: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management, 4th Edition - Tennessee
  Tennessee-specific contractor reference covering business, law, project management, and subjects associated with the Tennessee Business and Law examination.
• Included Rental Book: Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition
  Reviews mechanical and electrical building systems and coordination responsibilities relevant to commercial construction management.
• Included Rental Book: 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.
• Included Rental Book: BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Covers handling, installation, restraint, and bracing practices for metal plate connected wood trusses.
• Included Rental Book: Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Reviews carpentry, framing, building materials, construction methods, and general building practices.
• Included Rental Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Contains federal occupational safety and health requirements applicable to construction work and jobsites.
• Included Rental Book: Construction Jobsite Management, 5th Edition
  Covers field supervision, communication, documentation, coordination, and practical jobsite-management responsibilities.
• Included Rental Book: Construction Project Management, 5th Edition
  Addresses planning, scheduling, cost management, project administration, controls, and construction coordination.
• Included Rental Book: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Edition
  Reviews contractor business operations, financial management, contracts, project management, and construction administration principles.
• Included Rental Book: Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Provides standards and guidance associated with handling and erecting precast concrete products.
• Included Rental Book: Green Building Fundamentals, Michael Montoya, 2011, 2nd Edition
  Introduces sustainable building practices, green construction concepts, materials, and environmental considerations.
• Included Rental Book: Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
  Covers gypsum products, wall and ceiling systems, assemblies, installation methods, and related applications.
• Included Rental Book: Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
  Provides technical guidance related to handling and erecting steel joists and joist girders.
• Included Rental Book: International Building Code, 2021
  Provides commercial building requirements involving occupancy, construction types, means of egress, fire and life safety, and related provisions.
• Included Rental Book: ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Contains structural concrete requirements and supporting commentary relevant to reinforced concrete construction.
• Included Rental Book: Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  Reviews field fundamentals associated with unbonded post-tensioning systems.
• Included Rental Book: Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  Covers masonry materials, tools, construction methods, techniques, and brick, block, and stone applications.
• Included Rental Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Addresses excavation, trenching, underground piping, site operations, and related construction practices.
• Included Rental Book: Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition
  Provides broad coverage of commercial construction systems, materials, methods, sequencing, and project execution.
• Included Rental Book: Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Reviews roofing systems, materials, installation methods, construction practices, and estimating concepts.
• Included Rental Book: Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Provides guidance concerning reinforcing steel placement, handling, detailing, and reinforced concrete field practices.
• Included Rental Book: SDI Steel Deck Institute Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  Covers steel deck construction, installation, handling, and related field procedures.
• Included Rental Book: The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition
  Reviews concrete planning, placement, finishing, quality practices, and practical construction procedures.
• Included Rental Book: 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 applications incorporating drainage.
• Included Rental Book: 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

This package includes 6 months of course access, giving candidates a structured period to review commercial construction material while becoming familiar with the rental reference library and Tennessee-specific Business and Law material.

Separate NASCLA study from Tennessee Business and Law preparation. The NASCLA examination focuses on commercial construction trade knowledge, while Tennessee requires a separate Business and Law exam. Treat them as distinct study goals and allocate preparation time to each.

Study by construction subject. Divide NASCLA preparation into general requirements, site work, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, safety, roofing, accessibility, building systems, and procurement and contracting.

Build subject-to-reference associations. Learn which book should be your first choice for each type of question. This can reduce unnecessary searching and make open-book navigation more efficient.

Use your highlighted and tabbed books regularly. Tabs and highlighting provide useful organization, but repeated use is what builds familiarity. Practice with indexes, chapter headings, technical tables, standards, and code sections.

Practice under timed conditions. The NASCLA commercial exam contains 115 questions and provides 330 minutes. Timed question sets can help you develop a better sense of pacing and recognize when a reference lookup is taking too long.

Use the course and books together. Review a topic in the course, apply that material through practice-oriented study, and then navigate the corresponding reference. This approach reinforces both construction knowledge and open-book navigation skills.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Tennessee contractor candidates approach NASCLA and state-specific exam preparation with an organized structure built around trade review, practice, reference navigation, and consistent study.

Organized study guidance helps divide a broad commercial construction exam into manageable subjects so candidates can work through the material systematically.

Trade-focused review reinforces knowledge across project management, OSHA safety, concrete, masonry, framing, roofing, structural systems, accessibility, building codes, excavation, and building systems.

Practice-oriented preparation helps candidates apply what they study rather than relying only on passive reading. Exam-focused exercises can strengthen the ability to recognize the construction principle being tested and determine when a reference lookup is appropriate.

Reference navigation supports efficient open-book preparation. Regular work with highlighted and tabbed references can help candidates become more familiar with indexes, chapters, standards, tables, and code provisions.

Confidence-building study structure develops through consistent review. Combining the rental reference set with 6 months of course access gives candidates an organized preparation framework for both NASCLA commercial trade knowledge and Tennessee Business and Law.

FAQ Section

What Is Included in the Tennessee NASCLA Books & Courses Rental Package?

The package includes the listed Tennessee-specific and commercial construction rental references, highlighted and tabbed book preparation, and 6 months of course access.

What Is the Package Price?

The package price is $2,539. A $1,000 refundable deposit is also required, bringing the total due to $3,539.

How Long Is Course Access Included?

The package includes 6 months of course access.

Are the Rental Books Highlighted and Tabbed?

Yes. All books in the rental package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.

Does Tennessee Accept the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam?

Yes. Tennessee accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors for the BC-B Commercial Building classification.

Does Tennessee Require a Business and Law Exam?

Yes. All new Tennessee contractor license applicants must pass the Tennessee Business and Law examination.

Who Administers Tennessee Contractor Exams?

Beginning July 1, 2026, Prov became the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors' provider for new contractor examination scheduling.

Is the Tennessee Contractor Exam Open Book?

Yes. Tennessee contractor examinations are open book and allow approved references according to the applicable testing requirements.

Does Passing NASCLA Automatically Give Me a Tennessee Contractor License?

No. NASCLA satisfies an accepted commercial trade examination requirement for BC-B. Applicants must still complete Tennessee's Business and Law exam and all applicable licensing requirements.

How Long Should I Allow for My Rental Package Order?

Please allow up to 15 business days for book & course rental package orders.

Does This Package Guarantee a Passing Score or Tennessee Contractor License?

No. The package provides rental references, course access, highlighted and tabbed materials, and structured preparation support. Exam results and licensing decisions depend on the candidate's preparation and successful completion of Tennessee's applicable requirements.