The NASCLA Commercial Building Contractor Exam, sponsored by the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies, and administered by PSI Exams. The NASCLA Accredited Examination Program was created to streamline licensing by minimizing duplicate requirements and helping contractors obtain licenses across multiple jurisdictions. 

NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor Study Guide has been designed around the PSI Candidate Bulletin and has thousands of practice questions & answers to help you become familiar with each reference book. 

The study guide consists of two parts: 

Volume One has 3,000+ practice questions from the 24 refence books with the answers and locations in the reference book. 

Volume Two has 6 Practice Final Exams with 690 questions and 300+ Math questions for building contractors along with step-by-step solutions. 

Both Volume 1 and 2 provide exam prep guidelines and test taking tips & techniques that will help you ace your exam along with guidance and advice on how to sign up for your exam.

Why The Exam Pros?

We have been preparing students for contractor’s exams since 2003, and Rob Estell and his instructor team is ready to help get you licensed!

Here are some key points on why you should purchase one of our study guides:

1. Regular Updates: The book or course you're referring to is updated monthly based on feedback from students and incorporates information from updated reference books. This implies that it strives to provide the most current and relevant content for individuals preparing for contractor exams.

2. Author's Experience: Rob Estell, the author or instructor, has over 20 years of experience in teaching contractors. He has also acquired and managed other contractor exam schools, indicating his extensive involvement in the field.

3. Historical Content: Some contractor exam schools may have outdated content dating back to the late 1960s and early 70s. This suggests that this resource is committed to offering up-to-date materials.

4. Simple Approach: The approach to using this resource is straightforward. It encourages students to utilize tools like the table of contents, index, and highlights or tabs to quickly locate answers within the book. The message here is to focus on finding easily accessible answers and not to spend excessive time on difficult or less relevant questions.

5. Cost Savings: The resource emphasizes cost savings by suggesting that students can avoid spending $1000 on other schools by using this book or course to prepare for their exams.

Overall, it appears that this resource is marketed as an efficient and cost-effective way for individuals to prepare for contractor exams, with an emphasis on the practicality of finding answers quickly and effectively within the provided materials.

NEED BOOKS?

There are 24 books required for the NASCLA Accredited Commercial Building General Contractor Exam. We highly recommend that you purchase the reference materials listed in the PSI Candidate Bulletin You can purchase all these books HERE.

Updated August 2025 Book List!

1. Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers 4th Edition, 2024
2. ANSI A117.1 Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities, 2017 
3. BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses 2018 - Updated 2020
4. Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016 
5. Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), 
6. Construction Jobsite Management, 4th Edition, 2017 
7. Construction Project Management, 4th Edition, 2014
8. NASCLA Contractors' Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Basic 14th Edition
9. Erectors' Manual - Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of Pre Cast Concrete Products, 1999, 2nd Edition
10. Green Building Fundamentals 2011, 2nd Edition
11. Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th edition, 2014
12. Technical Digest No. 9 – Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd Edition, 2008
13. International Building Code 2024 Edition (Starting 8/7/2025 you may use either the 2021 or 2024 code.)
14. ACI 318-19 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete & Commentary
15. Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning - Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 2003, 3rd Edition
16. Modern Masonry - Brick, Block, Stone 9th edition 
17. Pipe and Excavation Contracting, 2011
18. Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 10th edition 
19. Roofing Construction and Estimating 1995
20. Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices 10th Ed
21. SDI (Steel Deck Institute) Manual of Construction with Steel Deck 3rd
22. The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction 4th ed
23. Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan – A Guide for Construction Sites, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2007
24. ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017: Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and EIFS with Drainage, 2017

Note: The study guide does not include State Business & Law questions. You can shop for the State NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management book and course here.

NASCLA Accredited Commercial Building Contractor Study Guide Volume 1 - ISBN: 979-8-89628-037-8

NASCLA Accredited Commercial Building Contractor Study Guide Volume 2 - ISBN: 979-8-89628-083-5