Virginia NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Exam Books & Courses Rental

Prepare for the Virginia contractor business examination and the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors with a complete rental package built for serious exam preparation. This package combines the required reference materials with business and trade exam-preparation courses, giving you an organized way to study both the Virginia-specific business material and the broad commercial construction subjects covered by the NASCLA examination.

The package includes a comprehensive set of highlighted and tabbed reference books. Instead of starting with an unorganized stack of technical manuals, you receive books prepared to help you locate major sections, construction topics, code provisions, tables, and reference points more efficiently. Because these are open-book examinations, knowing where information is located can be just as important as understanding the material itself.

Your rental includes 6 months of course access for both the business and trade courses. The courses provide a structured study path that can help you review exam topics, practice working through questions, improve reference-book navigation, and build a consistent preparation schedule.

The package price is $1,799, plus a $1,500 refundable book deposit, for a total initial payment of $3,299. The deposit is refundable when the rental books are returned within six months in similar condition. Please allow an additional 15 business days for processing highlighted and tabbed book package orders.

Exam Details

This package is designed for candidates preparing for two separate areas of contractor testing: the Virginia contractor business examination and the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors.

The Virginia business examination evaluates knowledge of contractor laws, regulations, business administration, financial responsibilities, project management, and Virginia-specific requirements. The examination requirements depend on the class of contractor license being pursued. Virginia Class B applicants take the Virginia and General portions, while Class A applicants take the Virginia, General, and Advanced portions.

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination is a trade examination intended to measure knowledge across a broad range of commercial construction subjects. The current exam outline contains 115 scored questions, with 10 additional unscored pretest questions. Candidates receive 330 minutes to complete the examination and must earn the required passing score established for the exam.

NASCLA exam subject areas include 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.

Because the exam covers many different construction disciplines, preparation should include both technical understanding and repeated practice locating information across multiple books. The included trade course and prepared reference set are intended to support both parts of that process.

Open Book Test

The Virginia contractor business examination and the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination are open-book tests. Candidates are responsible for bringing their own permitted references to the testing location. Books are not supplied by the testing center.

Open-book testing does not mean that every answer will be easy to find. The amount of material involved makes time management and reference navigation essential. Candidates should know which book applies to each major topic, how each book is organized, where important chapters begin, and how to move quickly between indexes, tables of contents, code sections, and technical illustrations.

The rental books in this package are highlighted and tabbed to make the reference set easier to organize and navigate. Tabs can help identify major divisions and frequently used sections, while highlighting can draw attention to important material. Candidates should still spend time working with every book before test day so the reference set becomes familiar.

Testing rules may regulate the type of tabs, notes, markings, bindings, and supplemental materials allowed in the examination room. Candidates should review the current testing bulletin before their appointment and inspect every reference for compliance with the testing provider’s rules.

Licensing Steps

1. Choose the appropriate Virginia contractor license class and classification. Virginia contractor licenses are issued to business entities. The license class determines applicable project-value limits, while the classification or specialty determines the type of work the business may perform.
2. Establish the business entity and responsible management. The applicant must identify the business structure and the individuals who meet Virginia’s responsible-management requirements.
3. Complete the required pre-license education. New Virginia contractor license applicants must complete an approved eight-hour pre-license education course. This requirement is separate from the contractor examinations.
4. Identify the Designated Employee when required. Businesses applying for a Class A or Class B license must identify a qualified Designated Employee who meets Virginia’s employment, age, and examination requirements.
5. Identify the Qualified Individual. The business must have a Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty requested on the application. The Qualified Individual must meet the applicable experience and examination requirements.
6. Complete the Virginia business examination requirements. Study the required Virginia business references and pass the portions required for the selected license class.
7. Apply for and pass the NASCLA examination. Candidates must obtain NASCLA approval before scheduling the commercial general building examination with the testing provider.
8. Send the NASCLA transcript as required. After passing, candidates can use the NASCLA National Examination Database to send their examination transcript to participating licensing agencies.
9. Submit the Virginia contractor license application. Complete the current application, provide the required supporting documents, and submit the applicable state fees.
10. Comply with local requirements. A Virginia contractor license does not replace local business-license, permit, tax, or registration obligations imposed by cities, counties, or towns.

State Requirements

The Virginia Board for Contractors issues contractor licenses in Class A, Class B, and Class C. Contractor licenses are issued to business entities rather than directly to individual workers.

Class A generally applies to businesses performing or managing projects valued at $150,000 or more for a single contract or project, or $1 million or more during a 12-month period. Class B generally applies to single projects valued from $30,000 to less than $150,000, or annual work totaling from $250,000 to less than $1 million. Class C generally applies to projects over $1,000 but less than $30,000, with annual work of no more than $250,000.

Virginia also requires a Qualified Individual for each classification or specialty on the application. The current general experience requirements are five years for a Class A Qualified Individual, three years for Class B, and one year for Class C. Some classifications may require additional credentials or technical examination approval.

All new contractor license applicants must satisfy the eight-hour pre-license education requirement. For Class A and Class B applicants, the course must be completed by a member of responsible management or the Designated Employee. For Class C applicants, it must be completed by a member of responsible management.

Exam preparation courses and rental books support the testing process, but they do not replace the state application, experience, business-entity, financial, education, or local compliance requirements.

Reference Books

• Included Rental Book: Virginia NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management
  Virginia-focused business, law, regulation, and project-management reference used for contractor business exam preparation.
• Included Rental Book: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Part 1 Summary, 2018
  Virginia construction-code reference used for the Virginia portion of the contractor business examination.
• Included Rental Book: Construction Jobsite Management, 5th Edition
  Covers jobsite planning, supervision, coordination, documentation, safety, quality, and field-management practices.
• Included Rental Book: Construction Project Management, 5th Edition
  Reviews construction planning, scheduling, estimating, cost control, contracts, administration, and project delivery.
• Included Rental Book: ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary
  Provides requirements and commentary for structural concrete design, materials, construction, and inspection.
• Included Rental Book: BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2025
  Addresses safe handling, installation, restraint, and bracing practices for metal-plate-connected wood trusses.
• Included Rental Book: NASCLA Contractors’ Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Basic 14th Edition
  Reviews business organization, estimating, contracts, project management, safety, labor, accounting, and contractor operations.
• Included Rental Book: Erectors’ Manual – Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of Precast Concrete Products, 2nd Edition, 1999
  Covers accepted practices for planning, handling, erecting, and stabilizing precast concrete components.
• Included Rental Book: Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning – Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 3rd Edition, 2003
  Introduces field procedures, materials, installation practices, safety, and inspection concepts for unbonded post-tensioning.
• Included Rental Book: SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck, 3rd Edition
  Provides guidance for steel-deck storage, handling, placement, fastening, construction, and jobsite coordination.
• Included Rental Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting, 2011, Dave Roberts
  Reviews excavation, trenching, grading, underground pipe systems, equipment, safety, and estimating practices.
• Included Rental Book: Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th Edition, 2014
  Covers gypsum products, wall and ceiling assemblies, installation methods, finishing, fire resistance, and sound control.
• Included Rental Book: Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices, 10th Edition
  Explains reinforcing-bar handling, placement, supports, splicing, tolerances, drawings, and field practices.
• Included Rental Book: Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008
  Addresses safe handling, erection, bridging, stability, and construction practices for steel joists and joist girders.
• Included Rental Book: Modern Masonry – Brick, Block, Stone, 9th or 10th Edition, Clois E. Kicklighter
  Reviews masonry materials, tools, layout, construction techniques, estimating, and installation practices.
• Included Rental Book: Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition
  Provides broad coverage of commercial building systems, materials, methods, plans, specifications, and construction coordination.
• Included Rental Book: Code of Federal Regulations – 29 CFR Part 1926, with Latest Available Amendments
  Contains federal OSHA construction safety and health regulations relevant to jobsite operations.
• Included Rental Book: Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016 Student Edition, John L. Feirer and Mark D. Feirer
  Covers building layout, framing, structural components, exterior finishes, interior construction, and carpentry methods.
• Included Rental Book: ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, 2017
  Provides technical criteria for accessible building elements, routes, spaces, fixtures, and facilities.
• Included Rental Book: Roofing Construction and Estimating, Daniel Atcheson
  Reviews roofing systems, materials, installation, measurements, estimating, flashing, drainage, and repair considerations.
• Included Rental Book: The Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th Edition
  Explains practical quality-control considerations for concrete materials, placement, finishing, curing, and construction.
• Included Rental Book: Green Building Fundamentals, 2nd Edition, 2011, Michael Montoya
  Introduces sustainable construction principles, energy efficiency, water use, materials, indoor environmental quality, and site planning.
• Included Rental Book: International Building Code, 2021 Edition
  Provides code requirements for building occupancy, construction types, fire protection, means of egress, structural systems, and safety.
• Included Rental Book: Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites
  Explains construction stormwater planning, pollution prevention, erosion controls, inspections, documentation, and site management.
• Included Rental Book: ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems and EIFS with Drainage
  Covers materials, installation, performance, and application practices for EIFS and drainage EIFS assemblies.
• Included Rental Book: Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th Edition, 2023
  Introduces mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire-protection, controls, and building-service systems from a construction-management perspective.

Test Information and Study Materials

Begin by separating your preparation into Virginia business material and NASCLA trade material. For the business examination, focus on Virginia contractor regulations, business organization, financial management, contracts, liens, employment responsibilities, insurance, project administration, and applicable building-code provisions.

For the NASCLA exam, organize the books by subject area. Practice identifying which reference is most likely to contain the answer before opening a book. Use timed practice sessions to improve your ability to move between references without losing focus.

Spend additional time on the larger exam categories, including general requirements and procurement and contracting requirements, while maintaining enough coverage of the technical divisions to recognize common construction terminology, procedures, safety rules, and code concepts.

The most productive study sessions combine content review with active reference work. Read a topic, answer related practice questions, locate the supporting information in the reference, and record the book and section where the answer was found. Repeating this process helps turn a large book set into a familiar working system.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep gives contractor candidates a structured way to approach a demanding combination of business and trade examinations. The highlighted and tabbed rental books help organize the reference set, while the included courses guide candidates through the subjects they are expected to study.

The business course supports review of contractor regulations, business practices, project administration, and examination-reference navigation. The trade course helps candidates work through the commercial construction disciplines represented on the NASCLA outline, including concrete, masonry, steel, wood, roofing, finishes, site work, safety, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and contracting requirements.

Practice-oriented preparation helps candidates identify weaker subject areas before test day. It also encourages better pacing, more accurate book selection, and improved familiarity with technical language. Rather than relying on last-minute memorization, students can use the six-month access period to create a consistent study schedule and steadily improve their reference skills.

1 Exam Prep does not guarantee a passing score or license approval. The goal is to provide organized study guidance, trade-focused review, prepared references, and a practical framework that helps candidates approach the examinations with greater confidence.

What is included in the rental package?

The package includes the listed highlighted and tabbed rental books, a Virginia contractor business exam-preparation course, a NASCLA commercial general building trade course, and 6 months of course access.

How much does the package cost?

The package price is $1,799. A $1,500 refundable book deposit is collected with the order, making the total initial payment $3,299.

How does the refundable deposit work?

The $1,500 deposit is refundable when the rental books are returned within six months in similar condition. Books should be protected from missing pages, water damage, excessive wear, or other damage beyond normal rental use.

How long do I have access to the courses?

The package includes 6 months of course access for the business and trade exam-preparation courses.

Are the exams open book?

Yes. The Virginia contractor business examination and the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor examination are open book. Candidates must bring their own permitted references and follow all current testing-center rules.

Are the books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. The rental package includes highlighted and tabbed books prepared to support faster navigation during study sessions and open-book testing.

How long does a highlighted and tabbed book order take?

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

Does passing the NASCLA exam automatically provide a Virginia license?

No. Passing the NASCLA examination may satisfy an accepted trade-examination requirement, but the applicant must still complete the Virginia licensing process and meet all applicable business, education, experience, application, financial, and examination requirements.

Can the NASCLA exam result be used in other states?

The NASCLA examination is accepted by participating licensing agencies. Candidates who pass can request that their transcript be sent through the NASCLA National Examination Database, but each state applies its own licensing and application requirements.

Does this package guarantee that I will pass?

No exam-preparation product can guarantee a passing score. This package provides organized references, course guidance, practice-oriented preparation, and study support to help candidates prepare more effectively.