NASCLA Exam Guide: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Pass It
If you’ve been looking for a way to license your contracting business in multiple states without sitting through a separate exam in each one, the NASCLA exam is the answer. One test, one score, and the ability to apply for licensure across a growing list of participating states — that’s the value proposition, and it’s a significant one for contractors looking to expand.
But the exam itself isn’t simple. It’s a 5-hour, open-book test drawn from 24 reference books, covering 12 subject areas across the full scope of commercial general building contracting. Passing it requires a real strategy, not just showing up with a stack of books.
This guide covers everything you need to know: what the NASCLA exam is, which states accept it, how to apply, what the exam looks like, and how to prepare effectively.
What Is NASCLA?
NASCLA stands for the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies — a membership organization made up of state contractor licensing boards from across the United States. NASCLA developed the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program to create a standardized licensing test that multiple states agree to recognize in place of their own state-specific trade exams.
The idea is straightforward: instead of studying for and passing a different exam in every state you want to work in, you pass one nationally recognized exam and submit that score to any participating state as part of your license application.
The commercial general building contractor exam was ready for state adoption in 2009. Since then, the program has grown to cover more states and has expanded to include electrical contractor and journeyman electrician exams as well.
What Exam Types Does NASCLA Offer?
The NASCLA Accredited Examination Program currently includes four exam types:
- NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors — the flagship exam, most widely accepted across states
- NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Electrical Contractors (Master/Unlimited Electricians)
- NASCLA Accredited Examination for Journeyman Electricians
- NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Residential Electrical Contractors
This guide focuses primarily on the Commercial General Building Contractor exam, which is what most contractors expanding across state lines are targeting. If you’re preparing for the NASCLA electrical exam, the same application process applies, but the reference books and subject matter differ.
What States Accept the NASCLA Exam?
As of 2025, the NASCLA accredited commercial exam is accepted in the following states:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
California was added in April 2025 — the B General Building trade exam may be waived for out-of-state applicants who hold a license in good standing from another state for at least five years.
Several of these states — including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands — also accept the NASCLA exam to cover residential construction, not just commercial.
Important: NASCLA acceptance does not mean automatic licensure. Each state still requires a separate license application, state-specific fees, insurance and bonding documentation, experience verification, and in most cases a state Business and Law exam. The NASCLA score replaces only the trade knowledge exam — it does not replace the full licensing process.
NASCLA Exam Format: What to Expect
The Basics
| Format | Open-book, multiple-choice |
| Questions | 115 questions |
| Time Allowed | 300 minutes (5 hours) |
| Passing Score | 70% (approximately 81 correct) |
| Administered By | PSI Exams at testing centers nationwide |
| Testing Fee | $130 (paid to PSI at time of scheduling) |
Subject Areas Covered
The exam draws questions from 12 subject areas across the 24 reference books:
- Planning and estimating
- Financial and project management
- OSHA safety regulations
- Site construction
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Metals
- Wood construction
- Thermal and moisture protection
- Doors, windows, and glazing
- Finishes
- Mechanical and electrical systems
Business and law questions (sourced from the NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management) make up approximately 15% of the exam and are among the most specific — covering licensing law, contracts, liens, labor regulations, and financial management.
Question Types
Questions follow a consistent pattern: multiple choice with four options, scenario-based problems that test real-world decision-making, code and regulation interpretation, and mathematical calculations involving measurements, area, estimating, and cost analysis.
The exam is open-book — but that doesn’t make it easy. You have 300 minutes for 115 questions, which averages about 2.5 minutes per question. Without efficient book navigation, time becomes the real challenge.
The 24 Reference Books
The NASCLA commercial GC exam is derived from a set of 24 approved reference books. These include:
- NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management (Basic 14th Edition)
- International Building Code (IBC)
- Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers (4th Edition, 2023)
- BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses (2025 Edition)
- Modern Masonry: Brick, Block, Stone
- SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck
- Pipe and Excavation Contracting
- Erectors’ Manual (PCI) — Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of Pre Cast Concrete Products
- ICC A117.1 — Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities
- ANSI/EIMA 99-A — Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS)
- Plus 14 additional technical references covering structural, specialty, and trade areas
You are permitted to bring all 24 books into the testing center. They may be highlighted, underlined, and tabbed with permanent tabs — but no loose papers inserted, no Post-It notes, and no writing beyond highlighting. Temporary tabs must be removed before the exam begins.
How to Apply for the NASCLA Exam
Since November 2016, NASCLA pre-approval is required before you can schedule the exam. You cannot walk in or register directly with PSI without first being approved by NASCLA.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Step 1 — Apply Through the NASCLA National Examination Database (NED) Go to ned.nascla.org and create an account. Submit your application and pay the $65 application fee. Applications are typically processed within 7 business days.
Step 2 — Meet the Experience Requirement To be approved, you must have a minimum of 2 years of commercial construction experience within the last 5 years. This is verified as part of the application review.
Step 3 — Receive Your Eligibility Confirmation Once approved, NASCLA forwards your name to PSI. PSI will send you an email confirmation with instructions to register for a testing date. Your eligibility is valid for 1 year from the date of approval.
Step 4 — Schedule with PSI Register for your exam date at a PSI testing center. The PSI testing fee is $130, paid at the time of scheduling. Testing centers are available in most participating states.
Step 5 — Take the Exam Arrive at the testing center with all 24 reference books properly tabbed and ready. You have 300 minutes to complete 115 questions.
Step 6 — Access Your Score and Send Transcripts After passing, create your self-service portal account in the NASCLA NED system. Your score is uploaded within 48 hours of passing. From there, send electronic transcripts to whichever state licensing agencies you’re applying to. Each transcript costs $24.99 and is sent electronically — state agencies are aware that no physical copy is issued.
Retake Policy
You can attempt the exam up to 3 times within your 1-year eligibility window. If you don’t pass within that year, you must reapply with NASCLA, pay a new application fee, and begin a new 1-year eligibility period. Cheating results in immediate score invalidation, forfeiture of all fees, and a 12-month bar from reapplying.
What NASCLA Does — and Doesn’t — Replace
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the NASCLA program. Passing the exam is one step toward licensure, not the finish line.
What NASCLA replaces:
- The state trade knowledge exam in participating states
What NASCLA does NOT replace:
- The state-specific Business and Law exam (required by most participating states — this is a separate exam with a separate state-specific reference book)
- The state license application and fees
- Experience verification requirements for each state
- Insurance and bonding documentation (requirements vary by state)
- Financial responsibility review (credit history, financial statements)
- Background check requirements
Think of the NASCLA score as your key to skipping the trade exam. Everything else in the state licensing process still applies.
NASCLA Exam Prep: How to Study Effectively
Tab Your Books First — Before Anything Else
The single most important prep step is building a strong tabbing system across all 24 reference books before exam day. With only 2.5 minutes per question on average, the difference between passing and failing often comes down to how fast you can find an answer in the right book — not whether you know the answer from memory.
Use permanent tabs only. Organize by subject area, and create a master index so you know exactly which book covers which topic. Practice finding answers under time pressure.
Take Full-Length Practice Exams Under Timed Conditions
NASCLA practice exams are widely available from prep course providers and standalone exam banks. The goal isn’t just to check your score — it’s to simulate the pressure of a 5-hour timed exam and identify which subject areas slow you down. After every practice session, go back to the reference book for each question you got wrong and locate the answer. Speed and accuracy compound together.
Don’t Underestimate Business and Law
Business and law questions trip up more candidates than any technical section. The NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management covers licensing law, contract fundamentals, lien law, labor regulations, and financial management in significant detail. Questions in this section are specific — they test the language of statutes, not just general concepts. Tab this book heavily and pair your reading with practice questions.
Consider a Structured Prep Course
Online NASCLA exam prep courses walk you through each of the 24 reference books and show you exactly what to highlight. Most include video instruction, guided outlines, practice tests, and a math and plans analysis component. For contractors who prefer not to build their own study system from scratch, a structured course is the most efficient path to exam day readiness.
Legal and Compliance Considerations
A NASCLA score does not authorize you to work in any state. Until each state’s license application is approved and a license is issued, you are not licensed in that state. Don’t begin work based on a pending application.
Each state license is independent. Your NASCLA score travels with you, but each state’s renewal requirements, continuing education obligations, and compliance standards are separate. Holding a license in one NASCLA state does not maintain your license in another.
Score expiration varies by state. NASCLA doesn’t expire your score, but some states have windows within which a score must be used. Verify with each state board before submitting an application — especially if you passed the exam more than a year or two ago.
The Business and Law exam is not optional. Most NASCLA-accepting states require a separate state-specific Business and Law exam before issuing a license. This is a common point of confusion — contractors assume the NASCLA score covers everything. It doesn’t. Budget time and preparation for the Business and Law component in each target state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NASCLA stand for? NASCLA stands for the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies — the organization that developed and administers the accredited examination program.
Is the NASCLA exam open book? Yes. The NASCLA commercial general building contractor exam is open book. You may bring all 24 approved reference books into the testing center. Books may be highlighted and tabbed with permanent tabs, but no loose papers or temporary notes are permitted.
How many questions are on the NASCLA exam? The commercial general building contractor exam has 115 multiple-choice questions. You have 300 minutes (5 hours) to complete it. The passing score is 70%, which means you need approximately 81 correct answers.
What is the NASCLA exam pass rate? NASCLA does not publicly publish official pass rate statistics. Prep course providers generally indicate that candidates who complete structured preparation and take multiple practice exams under timed conditions perform significantly better than those who study independently without a system.
Where can I take the NASCLA exam? The exam is administered by PSI Exams at testing centers across the country, including locations in most NASCLA-accepting states. Once your NASCLA application is approved, PSI will provide registration instructions including available testing locations.
Can I use my NASCLA score to get a Florida contractor license? Yes. Florida accepts the NASCLA exam for contractor licensing purposes. However, Florida still requires a separate Business and Law exam, a complete DBPR application, proof of insurance, financial responsibility documentation, and experience verification. The NASCLA score covers the trade exam component only.
How long is my NASCLA approval valid? Your eligibility to take the exam is valid for 1 year from the date NASCLA approves your application. Within that year, you have up to 3 attempts to pass. If you don’t pass within the year, you must reapply. Once you pass, the score itself does not expire under NASCLA’s rules, though individual states may have their own time requirements.
Ready to Start the NASCLA Process?
The NASCLA exam is one of the most valuable credentials a commercial general contractor can hold — a single score that opens licensing doors across 16+ states. But navigating the application, preparing for a 5-hour open-book exam, and then managing the state-by-state licensing process that follows takes more coordination than most contractors expect.
Contractor Licensing Inc. works with contractors who are pursuing NASCLA-based licensing across multiple states. From identifying which states make the most sense for your business to managing the full license application process in each one, we handle the details so you can focus on the work.
Visit contractorlicensinginc.com or call our Florida office during business hours to talk through your multi-state licensing goals.
This article is for informational purposes only. NASCLA exam requirements, fees, and participating states are subject to change. Always verify current information at nascla.org and with each state’s contractor licensing board before applying.
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.