NASCLA Accredited General Contractor Commercial Exam Exam Blueprint

100Questions
180 minDuration
70%Passing Score
$90Price
2 yearsValid For
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Credential type: licensure examination · verified on the issuer's site September 20, 2026 issuer page

What This Exam Validates

The NASCLA Accredited General Contractor Commercial Exam is a thorough certification testing professional knowledge across eight distinct domains. Candidates must master business and law, project management, estimating and bidding, building codes and regulations, construction materials and methods, safety, contract law, and financial management to successfully earn their commercial contractor licensure across participating state jurisdictions.

Who Should Take This Exam

General contractors and commercial construction professionals who are seeking professional licensure across multiple participating jurisdictions should take this detailed examination to demonstrate their technical competence.

Skills You Should Be Ready to Demonstrate

How to Prepare

Review all official NASCLA study documentation and reference materials in great depth to ensure complete familiarity with every tested concept across all available subjects. Focus your thorough preparation on the eight tested domains, paying close attention to building codes, safety regulations, financial accounting principles, and contract law requirements.

Domain Study Guidance

Business and Law: Study Guidance

This domain covers fundamental business and law principles required for successfully managing a commercial contracting enterprise within the regulatory framework established by the governing authorities and participating state boards.

Project Management: Study Guidance

This domain focuses upon detailed project management practices for overseeing construction operations, coordinating jobsite schedules, managing subcontractors, and ensuring that commercial building projects are completed efficiently according to plans.

Estimating and Bidding: Study Guidance

This domain addresses thorough estimating and bidding techniques for commercial construction projects, teaching candidates how to perform accurate quantity takeoffs, calculate material expenses, and prepare competitive bids for clients.

Building Codes and Regulations: Study Guidance

This domain presents building codes and regulations governing commercial structures, ensuring that contractors understand structural requirements, zoning laws, and administrative procedures necessary for proper building compliance and safety.

Construction Materials and Methods: Study Guidance

This domain outlines construction materials and methods used in building projects, exploring the physical properties of concrete, steel, wood, and other commercial building components alongside correct installation procedures.

Safety (OSHA): Study Guidance

This domain details important safety standards and OSHA requirements for construction sites, focusing on hazard recognition, personal protective equipment, fall protection, and maintaining a secure working environment for all personnel.

Contract Law: Study Guidance

This domain examines contract law principles relevant to construction agreements, detailing how to establish binding terms, interpret project specifications, manage legal liabilities, and resolve disputes professionally between involved parties.

Financial Management: Study Guidance

This domain explores financial management practices for construction businesses, teaching candidates how to implement proper accounting principles, track project costs, handle cash flow management, and establish accurate budgets.

Exam-Day Guidance

Arrive at the computer-based testing center early with proper identification. Manage your time carefully across the 100 questions during the 180 minutes allowed to ensure successful completion.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the exam?

The exam consists of exactly 100 multiple-choice questions administered in a secure, computer-based format at authorized PSI testing centers nationwide for all registered candidates seeking their professional contractor license.

What is the passing score?

The standard passing score requirement is set at 70 percentage, though specific state licensing boards may enforce their own unique regulatory guidelines for all participating exam applicants.

How long is the exam?

You are given a total of 180 minutes to complete all questions within the computer-based testing environment at a designated PSI location during your scheduled appointment time.

What is the cost of the exam?

The official exam registration price is established at 90.0 USD, which must be paid directly when scheduling your test appointment at the center to secure your testing slot.

Sources and Verification

Verified 2026-08-30

How this page was made

This informative page was constructed carefully using official NASCLA study documentation and standard regulatory source materials to ensure complete factual accuracy and reliability.

Exam Domains

1 Business and Law Weight not published
2 Project Management Weight not published
3 Estimating and Bidding Weight not published
4 Building Codes and Regulations Weight not published
5 Construction Materials and Methods Weight not published
6 Safety (OSHA) Weight not published
7 Contract Law Weight not published
8 Financial Management Weight not published

Exam Details

Question TypesMultiple Choice
FormatComputer-based at PSI testing centers
Online ProctoringNot available
ID RequirementsGovernment-issued photo ID required at PSI testing center. Name on ID must match registration exactly.
RenewalRequired -- Most state contractor licenses expire every 2 years. Renewal typically requires continuing education (number of hours varies by state) and payment of renewal fees to the state licensing board. NASCLA accreditation does not expire, but state licenses must be maintained separately.
Retake PolicyRetake policies vary by state licensing board and PSI exam rules. Check your state contractor licensing board and PSI candidate handbook for applicable waiting periods, attempt limits, and retake fees.

Official Study Resources