Virginia NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam Books & Courses Rental

Prepare for the Virginia NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor licensing pathway with a comprehensive books and courses rental package that combines Virginia-specific contractor references, the listed NASCLA commercial construction books, highlighted and tabbed rental materials, and 6 months of course access. This package is designed to help candidates organize a broad commercial construction syllabus while also preparing for the Virginia contractor licensing requirements that remain separate from the NASCLA trade examination.

Virginia participates in the NASCLA Commercial Exam Program through the Virginia Board for Contractors. The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is accepted in Virginia as comparable to the state's Commercial Building classification. Passing NASCLA can satisfy the applicable commercial trade examination component, but candidates must still complete the Virginia licensing requirements associated with the business, Designated Employee, Qualified Individual, license class, and application.

The rental reference library covers a wide range of commercial construction topics, including mechanical and electrical systems, accessibility, structural concrete, masonry, carpentry, steel construction, roofing, OSHA safety, jobsite management, project management, excavation, building codes, stormwater planning, and contractor business and law. The package also includes Virginia-focused material, including NASCLA Virginia, 11th Edition and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2018.

Working with the reference library throughout your preparation can help you build a practical open-book strategy. Rather than searching multiple unfamiliar books for every question, candidates can practice identifying the subject first, selecting the most relevant reference, locating the applicable information, and confirming the answer efficiently.

Package Price: $2,684

Refundable Deposit: $1,000 when the books are returned in similar condition within six months.

Total Initial Payment: $3,684

Order Processing: Please allow an additional 15 business days for highlighted and tabbed book package orders.

Exam Details

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is a standardized commercial construction trade examination accepted by participating contractor licensing agencies. The Virginia Board for Contractors participates in the NASCLA program, with the NASCLA commercial examination recognized as comparable to the Virginia Commercial Building classification.

• 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
• Virginia Participation: Virginia Board for Contractors accepts the NASCLA commercial examination for the comparable Commercial Building classification.

The current NASCLA content outline includes General Requirements, Site Construction, Concrete, Masonry, Metals, Wood, Thermal and Moisture Protection, Doors, Windows and Glazing, Finishes, Mechanical and Plumbing Systems, Electrical Systems, and Procurement and Contracting Requirements.

General Requirements and Procurement and Contracting Requirements represent substantial portions of the examination, while the remaining questions cover technical construction subjects. Candidates should therefore prepare for both field-oriented trade knowledge and the administrative responsibilities associated with managing commercial construction projects.

The exam's 115-question format also makes pacing important. Candidates should practice recognizing which questions can be answered from construction knowledge and which require a reference lookup. Developing this judgment before test day can help protect valuable examination time.

Open Book Test

The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is an Open Book Test. Approved references may be used during the examination according to the applicable NASCLA and testing-provider rules.

Open-book testing rewards familiarity with the reference materials. Having a large library available does not remove the need to study. Candidates who are unfamiliar with the books may spend too much time deciding which reference to use or searching for a specific provision.

The rental books in this package are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation. These features provide an organized starting point, but candidates should still work with the books regularly. Learn how each table of contents is structured, how the indexes are organized, where important technical tables appear, and what terminology is used throughout the reference.

A practical exam strategy is to identify the subject first, select the appropriate reference, locate the relevant information, confirm the answer, and continue. Accessibility questions should direct you toward ICC A117.1-2017. OSHA questions should point toward 29 CFR Part 1926. Structural concrete questions may require ACI 318-19, while broad commercial building questions may require the International Building Code.

The goal of reference preparation is not to memorize every page. It is to develop enough familiarity that you know where to begin when a technical lookup is necessary.

Licensing Steps

1. Determine the appropriate Virginia contractor license class. Virginia licenses contractor businesses as Class A, Class B, or Class C depending on the applicable licensing requirements and scope of contracting activity.
2. Select the applicable classification or specialty. The business must identify the classification or specialty that corresponds with the construction work it intends to perform.
3. Identify the Qualified Individual. Every licensed contractor must identify a Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty on the license.
4. Meet the Qualified Individual experience requirement. The QI must have the amount of experience required for the classification or specialty being requested.
5. Satisfy the applicable trade examination requirement. Virginia accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors for the comparable Commercial Building classification.
6. Identify the Designated Employee for Class A or Class B. Class A and Class B applicants must designate an eligible individual who satisfies Virginia's business examination requirements.
7. Complete the Virginia Designated Employee examination when required. Class B requires the Virginia and General portions, while Class A also includes the Advanced portion.
8. Complete the required pre-license education. A Designated Employee or member of Responsible Management for a new contractor business must complete the Board-approved eight-hour pre-license business course.
9. Submit the Virginia contractor license application. Complete the application and provide the required business, qualifier, examination, and supporting information to the Virginia Board for Contractors.

State Requirements

Contractor licensing in Virginia is administered by the Virginia Board for Contractors within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Contractor licenses are issued to business entities rather than simply to the individual who takes an examination.

Every licensed contractor must identify a Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty listed on the license. The QI is responsible for meeting the experience and, where applicable, examination requirements associated with that classification or specialty. The QI must be a full-time employee or a member of Responsible Management of the applicant business.

Virginia also uses a Designated Employee requirement for Class A and Class B contractor applicants. The Designated Employee must be a full-time employee or member of Responsible Management, must be at least 18 years old, and must complete the required business examination.

The Class B Designated Employee examination consists of a Virginia portion addressing Virginia contractor laws and regulations and a General portion addressing general administrative and business knowledge. The Class A examination includes those two portions plus an Advanced portion covering additional business and administrative knowledge associated with Class A contracting.

New contractor businesses must also satisfy Virginia's pre-license education requirement. A Designated Employee or member of Responsible Management must successfully complete an eight-hour business course approved by the Board for Contractors.

Virginia's examination vendor is PSI for state contractor examinations. Candidates must successfully complete required examinations before applying for licensure.

Passing the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination does not automatically issue a Virginia contractor license. NASCLA can satisfy the applicable trade examination component for the comparable Commercial Building classification, while the applicant must still meet Virginia's business examination, education, Qualified Individual, Designated Employee, license-class, business, and application requirements.

Reference Books

• Included Rental Book: NASCLA Virginia, 11th Edition
  Virginia-focused contractor reference covering business, law, project management, and subjects relevant to contractor licensing preparation.
• Included Rental Book: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2018
  Contains Virginia statewide building-code provisions applicable to building construction and regulatory requirements.
• Included Rental Book: Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition
  Reviews mechanical and electrical building systems and coordination considerations 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 associated with metal plate connected wood trusses.
• Included Rental Book: Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016
  Reviews carpentry, framing, construction materials, tools, 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 project planning, scheduling, administration, cost control, project management, and construction coordination.
• Included Rental Book: NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, 14th Edition
  Reviews contractor business operations, contracts, financial management, 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, assemblies, wall and ceiling systems, installation practices, 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 other building provisions.
• Included Rental Book: ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Contains structural concrete requirements and supporting commentary applicable 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 construction systems.
• Included Rental Book: Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone, Clois E. Kicklighter, 10th Edition
  Covers masonry materials, tools, methods, techniques, and brick, block, and stone construction.
• 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 materials, building systems, methods, sequencing, and project execution.
• Included Rental Book: Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson, 1995
  Reviews roofing systems, materials, construction methods, installation 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 systems 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 for construction sites.

Test Information and Study Materials

This package includes 6 months of course access, allowing candidates to combine structured online study with regular use of the rental reference library.

Separate NASCLA preparation from Virginia business-exam preparation. The NASCLA commercial examination focuses on construction trade knowledge. Virginia Class A and Class B applicants have separate Designated Employee business examination requirements. Treat these as different study objectives.

Organize NASCLA preparation by subject. Divide your study routine into general requirements, site construction, concrete, masonry, metals, wood construction, thermal and moisture protection, finishes, mechanical and plumbing systems, electrical systems, procurement, and contracting.

Build strong reference associations. Practice connecting each subject with the most appropriate book. Knowing where to begin can reduce unnecessary searching during an open-book examination.

Use the highlighted and tabbed references regularly. Tabs and highlighting provide navigation support, but repeated use develops familiarity. Practice with indexes, chapter headings, technical tables, definitions, standards, and code sections.

Train under timed conditions. The NASCLA exam contains 115 questions and allows 330 minutes. Timed practice helps candidates develop pacing and recognize when a reference search is consuming too much time.

Use the course and books together. Review a topic through the course, practice applying the concept, and then locate supporting information in the appropriate reference. This reinforces both commercial construction knowledge and open-book navigation skills.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep helps Virginia contractor candidates organize NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor preparation through trade-focused review, practice-oriented study, reference navigation, and a consistent preparation structure.

Organized study guidance helps divide a large commercial construction syllabus into manageable subjects. This gives candidates a clearer way to progress through the material without becoming overwhelmed by the number of references.

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

Practice-oriented preparation helps candidates apply construction concepts to exam-style questions rather than relying only on passive reading. This can strengthen the ability to identify what a question is testing and determine whether a reference lookup is necessary.

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

Confidence-building study structure develops through consistency. Combining the rental reference set with 6 months of course access provides a practical preparation framework for reviewing commercial construction topics and improving reference-navigation habits.

FAQ Section

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

The package includes the listed Virginia-specific and commercial construction rental reference books, highlighted and tabbed preparation, and 6 months of course access.

What Is the Package Price?

The package price is $2,684. A refundable $1,000 deposit is also required, bringing the total initial payment to $3,684.

Is the $1,000 Deposit Refundable?

Yes. The $1,000 deposit is refundable when the rental books are returned in similar condition within six months.

How Long Is Course Access Included?

The package includes 6 months of course access.

Are the Rental Books Highlighted and Tabbed?

Yes. The rental books are highlighted and tabbed for exam preparation.

Does Virginia Accept the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam?

Yes. Virginia participates in the NASCLA Commercial Exam Program, and the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is accepted for the comparable Virginia Commercial Building classification.

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

The examination contains 115 questions. Candidates have 330 minutes and must answer at least 81 questions correctly to achieve the 70% passing score.

Is the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam Open Book?

Yes. The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination is an open-book test using approved reference materials according to applicable testing requirements.

Does Passing NASCLA Automatically Give Me a Virginia Contractor License?

No. Passing NASCLA can satisfy the applicable trade examination component, but the contractor business must still complete Virginia's licensing requirements, including the applicable Qualified Individual, Designated Employee, pre-license education, business examination, classification, and application requirements.

Who Is the Qualified Individual in Virginia?

The Qualified Individual is the person who meets the applicable experience and examination requirements for each classification or specialty listed on the contractor license. The QI must be a full-time employee or member of Responsible Management.

Do Virginia Class A and Class B Contractors Need a Designated Employee?

Yes. Virginia Class A and Class B contractor applicants must designate an eligible individual who satisfies the applicable Designated Employee examination requirements.

How Long Should I Allow for My Rental Package Order?

Please allow an additional 15 business days for highlighted and tabbed book package orders.

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

No. The package provides rental references, 6 months of course access, highlighted and tabbed preparation, and organized study support. Exam performance and licensing decisions depend on the candidate's preparation and successful completion of Virginia's applicable licensing requirements.