The 1 Package: All-Inclusive North Carolina NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Licensing & Business Setup

Prepare for North Carolina general contractor licensing with an all-inclusive package that combines NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam preparation, North Carolina-specific licensing study materials, a comprehensive construction reference library, Application Service, and essential business setup assistance. The 1 Package is designed for contractors who want one organized solution for exam preparation, licensing support, reference-book navigation, and establishing the business that will operate under the contractor license.

The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors for the Building classification. Candidates using the NASCLA examination must still complete North Carolina's state-specific licensing requirements, including the applicable North Carolina law, rule, and building code examination required before licensure.

The Building classification is broad and covers private, public, commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential building construction, along with additional construction activities included within the classification's scope. The NASCLA examination provides a comprehensive trade qualification for candidates pursuing this type of commercial building work.

The 1 Package combines the reference materials listed below with 1 year of course access, Application Service, Business Formation assistance, EIN Filing with the IRS, and Contractor Compliance Guidance. All included books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation so candidates can practice navigating codes, construction standards, North Carolina regulations, technical publications, and management references efficiently.

Package Price: $3,799.

Refundable Book Deposit: $1,000. The deposit is refundable when the books are returned within one year in similar condition.

Total Initial Payment: $4,799. All-Inclusive – No Hidden Fees!

All books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. Please allow up to 15 business days for The 1 Package book orders.

Exam Details

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is accepted by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors for the Building classification. The examination is administered through the NASCLA examination program and is designed to test commercial general building knowledge across multiple construction disciplines.

The NASCLA examination contains 115 scored questions. Candidates must answer at least 81 questions correctly to pass. Candidates receive 330 minutes, or 5 hours and 30 minutes, to complete the examination.

The current NASCLA examination content outline includes:

• General Requirements: 25 questions
• Site Construction: 15 questions
• Concrete: 6 questions
• Masonry: 4 questions
• Metals: 6 questions
• Wood: 5 questions
• Thermal and Moisture Protection: 5 questions
• Doors, Windows, and Glazing: 4 questions
• Finishes: 5 questions
• Mechanical and Plumbing Systems: 6 questions
• Electrical Systems: 3 questions
• Procurement and Contracting Requirements: 31 questions

The examination requires candidates to combine practical commercial construction knowledge with technical reference skills. Subjects can involve codes, project management, jobsite operations, safety, concrete, masonry, structural systems, accessibility, building envelopes, sitework, and construction contracts.

North Carolina applicants using NASCLA must also satisfy the Board's state-specific examination requirement covering North Carolina law, rules, and building code before licensure. These state-focused requirements should be studied separately from the national NASCLA trade examination.

Open Book Test

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is an open book test. Candidates may use the permitted reference materials identified for the examination under the testing provider's current rules.

Because the NASCLA examination uses a substantial reference library, preparation should include repeated practice locating information. Candidates should learn which books correspond with specific subjects and become familiar with indexes, code chapters, tables, definitions, technical standards, and trade terminology.

All books included with The 1 Package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. The prepared books can help candidates organize their study sessions around efficient reference navigation rather than beginning with an unfamiliar collection of technical publications.

A useful open-book strategy is to identify the subject first, select the most likely reference, and then use the index, table of contents, chapter structure, or prepared tabs to narrow the search. Practicing this process can help candidates work more efficiently within the examination's time limit.

Licensing Steps

The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors administers general contractor licensing. Applicants using the NASCLA examination must still complete the Board's application and qualification requirements before receiving a North Carolina license.

1. Determine the appropriate classification. North Carolina accepts the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination for the Building classification.
2. Select the desired license limitation. Applicants choose Limited, Intermediate, or Unlimited based on the size of projects the business intends to undertake and the financial qualification it can meet.
3. Identify a qualifier. The applicant must identify an individual who holds an examination credential accepted by the Board and who will serve as the qualifier for the license.
4. Complete the NASCLA examination. Candidates choosing the NASCLA pathway take the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination before using the result for North Carolina qualification.
5. Submit the North Carolina license application. New license applications are submitted through the Board's licensing system with the required business, qualifier, financial, and supporting information.
6. Complete the North Carolina state-specific examination requirement. Applicants using NASCLA must pass the Board's North Carolina law, rule, and building code examination before licensure.
7. Meet financial responsibility requirements. The applicant must satisfy the financial standards associated with the selected Limited, Intermediate, or Unlimited limitation.
8. Complete applicable background requirements. New applicants and qualifying individuals are subject to the background-check provisions established by the Board.
9. Complete Board review. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors reviews the application and supporting qualifications before issuing the license.

Application Service is included with The 1 Package to help organize the licensing workflow while candidates prepare for the examination and establish the contracting business.

State Requirements

North Carolina requires a general contractor license when the value of a covered construction project is $40,000 or more. The licensing requirement applies to covered building, highway, public utilities, grading, and other qualifying construction work.

The North Carolina Building Contractor classification includes commercial, industrial, institutional, public, private, and residential building construction. Its scope also includes qualifying sitework, grading, paving, storm drainage, retaining and screen walls, accessory structures, recreational facilities, and several specialty construction areas identified by Board rules.

North Carolina licenses are also divided by monetary limitation. A Limited License permits projects valued up to $750,000 each. An Intermediate License permits projects valued up to $1,500,000 each. An Unlimited License does not restrict the value of an individual project.

Financial requirements differ by limitation. Limited applicants must have current assets exceeding current liabilities by at least $17,000 or total net worth of at least $80,000. Intermediate applicants must demonstrate at least $75,000 in working capital. Unlimited applicants must demonstrate at least $150,000 in working capital. North Carolina rules also provide qualifying surety-bond alternatives for these financial requirements.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, demonstrate financial responsibility, submit the appropriate application, and satisfy the Board's character and background requirements.

NASCLA qualification does not itself authorize contracting in North Carolina. The examination credential is used as part of the licensing process, and the contractor must receive the appropriate North Carolina license before undertaking work that requires licensure.

Reference Books

• Included Book: Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management - North Carolina General Contractors Edition, 10th Edition
  A North Carolina-specific contractor reference covering business practices, licensing, law, project management, financial responsibilities, and contractor operations.
• Included Book: North Carolina Excavation Safety Guidelines, 2022 or Later
  Provides North Carolina-specific guidance concerning excavation safety and underground utility damage prevention practices.
• Included Book: North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Chapter 4 Sedimentation Control, Including the Latest Amendments
  Contains North Carolina administrative requirements concerning erosion, sedimentation, and land-disturbing activities.
• Included Book: North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 113A, Article 4 Sedimentation Pollution Control Act of 1973
  Contains statutory requirements addressing sedimentation pollution control for qualifying construction and land-disturbing activities.
• Included Book: Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition
  Covers mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and related commercial building systems from a construction-management perspective.
• Included Book: ICC A117.1-2017 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
  Provides technical accessibility requirements for buildings, spaces, routes, facilities, and building elements.
• Included Book: BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Addresses recommended practices for handling, installation, restraint, and bracing of metal plate connected wood trusses.
• Included Book: Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Covers carpentry, framing, building materials, layout, structural components, and general construction methods.
• Included Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  Contains federal construction-industry safety regulations addressing workplace hazards and OSHA requirements.
• Included Book: Construction Jobsite Management, 5th Edition
  Covers field supervision, jobsite organization, planning, productivity, documentation, and construction coordination.
• Included Book: Construction Project Management, 5th Edition
  Addresses project planning, scheduling, administration, controls, coordination, and commercial construction management.
• Included Book: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Edition
  A contractor-focused reference covering business practices, contracts, financial concepts, project management, and construction administration.
• Included Book: Erectors' Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of PreCast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Provides standards and field guidance related to precast concrete erection.
• Included Book: Green Building Fundamentals, Michael Montoya, 2011, 2nd Edition
  Introduces sustainable construction concepts and green building practices.
• Included Book: Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition
  Covers gypsum products, assemblies, wall and ceiling systems, and installation practices.
• Included Book: Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders
  Addresses handling and erection procedures for steel joists and joist girders.
• Included Book: International Building Code, 2021
  A commercial building code covering occupancy, construction types, fire protection, means of egress, structural provisions, and related building requirements.
• Included Book: ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Provides technical requirements for structural and reinforced concrete construction.
• Included Book: Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals
  Covers fundamental field concepts and practices associated with unbonded post-tensioning systems.
• Included Book: Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  Covers masonry materials, tools, brick, block, stone, layout, and practical construction methods.
• Included Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  Addresses excavation, trenching, underground piping, equipment, site conditions, and related construction operations.
• Included Book: Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition
  A comprehensive reference covering commercial building materials, systems, construction methods, and field practices.
• Included Book: Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Covers roofing materials, systems, construction methods, measurements, quantities, and estimating concepts.
• Included Book: Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Provides technical guidance for reinforcing-steel placement in concrete construction.
• Included Book: SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
  Addresses steel deck handling, installation, placement, and related construction practices.
• Included Book: The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction - 4th Edition
  Covers concrete materials, preparation, placement, finishing, workmanship, and quality construction practices.
• Included Book: ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and EIFS with Drainage, 2017
  Addresses exterior insulation and finish systems and EIFS assemblies incorporating drainage.
• Included Book: Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites, United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Provides construction-site guidance for developing and implementing stormwater pollution prevention plans.

Test Information and Study Materials

North Carolina NASCLA preparation should combine commercial construction study with state-specific licensing review. Candidates can organize the NASCLA references by subject and develop a consistent method for locating answers during timed practice.

The International Building Code supports general commercial code preparation, while 29 CFR Part 1926 addresses federal construction safety. Concrete preparation can combine ACI 318 with practical concrete references. Other books support masonry, roofing, steel construction, wood trusses, accessibility, excavation, gypsum systems, mechanical and electrical construction, and project management.

North Carolina-specific preparation should include contractor business and law material, excavation safety, sedimentation-control regulations, and the statutory requirements included in the state reference materials.

The included 1 year of course access provides time for organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, and reference-navigation exercises. Candidates can build a steady study schedule and revisit difficult subjects throughout the preparation period.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps North Carolina contractor candidates combine exam preparation, reference navigation, licensing assistance, and business setup within one structured package. The goal is to help candidates address both the technical examination requirements and the practical business responsibilities associated with becoming a licensed contractor.

The highlighted and tabbed books support efficient reference-navigation practice. The course provides organized study guidance, commercial construction review, practice-oriented preparation, and a confidence-building study structure that candidates can follow throughout their 1-year course-access period.

Application Service helps organize the North Carolina licensing workflow. Business Formation assistance supports establishing an LLC or corporation, while EIN Filing with the IRS helps the business obtain the federal tax identification number used for business banking, tax administration, hiring employees, and professional operation.

Contractor Compliance Guidance adds assistance understanding North Carolina contractor requirements as the business moves toward licensing and operation. Together, these services make The 1 Package a comprehensive solution for candidates pursuing the North Carolina Building Contractor classification through the NASCLA pathway.

Does North Carolina accept the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam?

Yes. The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors accepts the NASCLA examination for the Building classification.

Does passing NASCLA automatically give me a North Carolina contractor license?

No. NASCLA provides an accepted examination credential. Applicants must still complete the North Carolina licensing application and satisfy the Board's state-specific requirements.

Do NASCLA applicants have another North Carolina exam requirement?

Yes. Applicants using NASCLA must pass the Board's North Carolina law, rule, and building code examination before licensure.

When is a North Carolina general contractor license required?

A North Carolina general contractor license is required for covered construction projects valued at $40,000 or more.

What are North Carolina's contractor license limitations?

Limited licenses cover individual projects up to $750,000, Intermediate licenses cover projects up to $1,500,000, and Unlimited licenses have no single-project value restriction.

How long is course access included?

The 1 Package includes 1 year of course access.

Is Application Service included?

Yes. Application Service is included with The 1 Package.

Does the package include business setup?

Yes. The package includes Business Formation assistance for an LLC or corporation, EIN Filing with the IRS, and Contractor Compliance Guidance.

Are the books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. All included books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation and organized reference navigation.

What is the total initial payment?

The package price is $3,799. With the $1,000 refundable book deposit, the total initial payment is $4,799.

When is the book deposit refundable?

The $1,000 book deposit is refundable when the books are returned within one year in similar condition.

How long should I allow for The 1 Package book order?

Please allow up to 15 business days for The 1 Package book orders.