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Contractors are a specialized group of skilled tradespeople within the construction industry, typically responsible for managing all aspects of a project from start to finish, including contracts, supply chain, equipment, and labor. They must also adhere to building codes and business practices specific to their region. 

As a means of helping promote best practices in the field, the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA), a nonprofit organization founded in 1962, offers accredited testing for both contractors and electricians. Currently, 18 U.S. agencies participate in these exam programs for contractors, with several administering tests in addition to accepting them.  

With that in mind, it’s important to understand not only what it means to take and pass a NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractors Exam, but why you should consider it in the first place. 

What Is a NASCLA License? 

The NASCLA is known for its stringent standards when it comes to trade exams. These often set (if not outright surpass) the bar for state exams, which makes it no surprise that achieving a passing score and attaining a license serves as a testament to your trade knowledge. 

While the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractors Exam can be substituted for a trade exam in participating states and territories, you will still have to fulfill other regional requirements to obtain a NASCLA license. These could involve experience and education, finance and insurance, and needing to pass other assessments, like a Business & Law Exam, depending on your location. 

What Does the NASCLA Exam Entail? 

Getting down to brass tacks, the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractors Exam is an open-book test consisting of 115 questions regarding the following topics: 

• General requirements 
• Site construction 
• Concrete 
• Masonry 
• Meta 
• Wood 
• Thermal and moisture protection 
• Doors, windows, and glazing 
• Finishes 
• Mechanical and plumbing systems 
• Electrical systems 
• Procurement and contracting requirements 

You will have 5.5 hours (330 minutes) to complete the exam, and you must answer at least 81 questions (70%) correctly to pass. 

Results Accepted in Multiple States 

Currently, the NASCLA exam is accepted as a substitute for some contractor trade exams in the following states, as well as the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands: 

• Alabama 
• Arizona 
• Arkansas 
• Florida 
• Georgia 
• Louisiana 
• Mississippi 
• Nevada 
• New Mexico 
• North Carolina 
• Oregon 
• South Carolina 
• Tennessee 
• Utah 
• Virginia 
• West Virginia 

As for why you consider taking the NASCLA exam instead of your state’s trade exam, one key benefit is that, if you plan on working in multiple states, you can save time and money by studying for and passing a single test that will meet exam requirements for licensing.  

For instance, maybe you live in Chattanooga, TN, but plan to accept jobs in nearby areas like Dalton, GA, or Scottsboro, AL. Instead of taking different trade exams in all three states, you could take just one that is accepted in all three and fast-track your applications for licensure.  

Similarly, if you think you might move to a different state at some point, it can’t hurt to have a passing NASCLA exam score just in case your new state of residence accepts it. 

Prepare to Ace the NASCLA Contractor Exam 

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career by passing the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractors Exam, contact RocketCert to learn more. Exam prep programs designed for working professionals offer self-paced learning with convenient, 24/7 online access.