NASCLA Commercial Exam: What It Is and How It Works
If you're planning to get a contractor license in more than one state, you may be able to avoid taking a separate trade exam for every state.
That's the main purpose of the NASCLA Commercial Exam.
The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors is a standardized trade exam accepted for qualifying contractor licenses in 17 states. Instead of preparing for and taking a different commercial building trade exam each time you pursue a license in a participating state, you may be able to pass the NASCLA exam once and use that result toward licensing in multiple states.
You still have to apply for a contractor license in each state and meet that state's individual requirements. But for contractors who work across state lines or plan to expand in the future, NASCLA can reduce one of the most repetitive parts of the licensing process.
What Is the NASCLA Commercial Exam?
NASCLA stands for the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies.
Its commercial exam is officially called the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors.
The exam provides participating states with a standardized commercial general building trade exam. Once you pass, your exam result can be used in place of an applicable state-specific trade exam when you pursue qualifying licenses in participating states.
Think of it as a portable trade exam result.
For example, a commercial contractor who wants to become licensed in several states might otherwise need to study for and pass a different trade exam in each state. If the applicable license classifications accept NASCLA, the contractor may be able to use the same passing NASCLA result instead.
This doesn't make the licensing requirements identical from state to state. It simply reduces the need to repeat similar trade exams.
How Does the NASCLA Exam Work?
The general process looks like this:
Once approved, schedule and take the exam through the approved testing provider.
Pass the exam.
Your passing result is stored in NASCLA's National Examination Database (NED).
When you're ready to pursue a license in a participating state, send your NASCLA transcript to the appropriate licensing agency.
Complete that state's remaining licensing requirements.
Those remaining requirements vary by state.
Depending on where you're applying, you may still need to meet experience requirements, take a Business and Law exam, submit financial documentation, provide insurance or other information, and complete a state-specific license application.
So while NASCLA can make multi-state licensing easier, it does not create one licensing process for all participating states.
Which States Accept the NASCLA Commercial Exam?
The NASCLA Commercial Exam is currently accepted for qualifying contractor licenses in 17 states, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also participates.
The NASCLA Commercial Exam is accepted for qualifying contractor licenses in 17 states. The U.S. Virgin Islands also participates. License classifications and requirements vary by jurisdiction.
The 17 states are:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Florida
Georgia
Louisiana
Mississippi
Nevada
New Mexico
North Carolina
Oregon
South Carolina
Tennessee
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
You can also view NASCLA's current list of participating states and licensing agencies directly on its website.
However, NASCLA acceptance does not necessarily mean the exam can be used for every contractor license in that state.
Each state determines which license classifications can use the NASCLA exam and what other requirements must be completed.
Does the NASCLA Exam Cover Residential Contractor Licenses?
In some states, yes, but it depends on the state and license classification.
The exam is officially designed for Commercial General Building Contractors, but some states allow a passing NASCLA Commercial Exam result to be used toward certain residential contractor classifications as well.
This includes certain residential licensing paths in states such as Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Other states treat commercial and residential trade examinations separately.
Virginia is one example. NASCLA can be used in place of the applicable trade exam for the Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) specialty, but it does not replace the trade exam for the Residential Building Contractor (RBC) specialty.
Because these rules vary, don't assume that a state accepting NASCLA means the exam applies to every general building or residential license offered by that state. Check the requirements for the specific classification you plan to pursue.
Is the NASCLA Exam a Contractor License?
No. Passing the NASCLA exam does not give you a contractor license in 17 states.
You still have to apply for a contractor license separately in every state where you want to work.
What NASCLA gives you is a passing trade exam result that participating licensing agencies can accept instead of requiring you to take another applicable state-specific trade exam.
This distinction is important because the exam is only one part of becoming licensed.
For a contractor pursuing licenses in multiple states, however, eliminating several separate trade exams can still make a significant difference.
Does NASCLA Replace the Business and Law Exam?
Generally, no.
The NASCLA Commercial Exam replaces an applicable trade exam, not a state's separate Business and Law exam.
Business and Law exams cover information specific to an individual state's laws and requirements, so contractors may still have to pass a different Business and Law exam when pursuing licenses in multiple states. NASCLA does not administer these state-specific Business and Law exams.
The exact licensing process also varies by state. One state may require you to pass certain exams before submitting your license application, while another may require an application or approval before an exam can be taken.
NASCLA does not change those state-specific procedures.
If a Business and Law exam is required for the license you're pursuing, passing NASCLA generally satisfies the applicable trade-exam portion, not the Business and Law portion.
What Is the NASCLA Commercial Exam Like?
The NASCLA Commercial Exam is a computer-based, open-book exam covering a broad range of commercial construction topics.
According to the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin:
Exam Detail:
Number of questions: 115
Passing score: 81 of 115 scored questions (~70%)
Time allowed: 330 minutes (5½ hours)
Format: Computer-based
References: Open book
What's Covered on the NASCLA Exam?
The exam covers a broad range of commercial construction and project-management topics, including procurement and contracting requirements, general requirements, site construction, concrete, masonry, metals, wood, thermal and moisture protection, doors and windows, finishes, mechanical and plumbing systems, and electrical systems.
The number of questions in each subject area varies considerably, so reviewing the current NASCLA exam content outline can help you understand how the exam is weighted.
Is the NASCLA Exam Open Book?
Yes. The NASCLA Commercial Exam is fully open book, using approved reference materials.
One thing that can make NASCLA seem intimidating is the size of its reference list. The current Candidate Information Bulletin lists 24 approved reference entries.
That's a significant amount of material, and purchasing a complete reference library can be expensive.
However, it's worth considering the reference list in the context of what NASCLA is designed to replace.
State-specific contractor trade exams can also require numerous reference books. A contractor pursuing licenses in several states could otherwise end up preparing different reference libraries for multiple trade exams.
For someone planning to become licensed in multiple NASCLA states, preparing for one larger standardized exam may make more sense than preparing separately for several state trade exams.
Because NASCLA is open book, preparation isn't simply about memorizing the contents of every reference. Being familiar with the books and knowing where to find information efficiently is an important part of taking the exam.
Does the NASCLA Exam Include Blueprints?
Yes. Candidates should also expect questions that require them to reference construction plans or diagrams.
According to the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, a physical diagram/blueprint packet is provided onsite at the testing center for use during the exam.
You do not need to purchase or bring this blueprint packet yourself.
The packet is separate from the approved reference books candidates are responsible for bringing to the testing center, so it's important to be comfortable reading and navigating construction plans in addition to knowing how to use the exam references.
Always review the current PSI Candidate Information Bulletin before your exam for the current content outline, approved references, editions, testing policies, and materials provided at the testing center.
How Do You Apply for the NASCLA Exam?
You can apply for the Commercial Exam through NASCLA.
There are currently no prerequisite qualifications for submitting a NASCLA exam application, so you don't have to already hold a contractor license to apply for the exam.
Once your application is approved, you'll receive information for scheduling your examination.
NASCLA currently gives candidates one year of eligibility and up to three exam attempts during that period.
After passing, your result is stored through the NASCLA National Examination Database. When you're ready to pursue a qualifying license in a participating state, you can request that your transcript be sent electronically to the appropriate licensing agency.
Remember that qualifying to take NASCLA and qualifying for a contractor license are two different things. The state where you're seeking a license may have its own experience, financial, examination, application, or other requirements.
Is the NASCLA Commercial Exam Worth It?
Whether NASCLA makes sense for you depends largely on where you plan to work.
If you only plan to hold one contractor license in one state, compare NASCLA with that state's own trade-exam requirements before deciding which route makes the most sense.
But NASCLA becomes particularly useful when you plan to become licensed in multiple participating states.
Instead of repeatedly preparing for commercial building trade exams that may cover similar material, you can potentially use one passing NASCLA result toward multiple license applications.
NASCLA may be worth considering if:
You want contractor licenses in multiple participating states.
Your business currently works across state lines.
You expect to expand into other states in the future.
The license classifications you're pursuing accept NASCLA in place of their state-specific trade exams.
The important thing is to look beyond the exam itself.
Consider which licenses you need now, where you may want to become licensed later, and what exams you would otherwise have to take.
Using the NASCLA Exam for a Virginia Contractor License
Virginia accepts the NASCLA Commercial Exam for the Commercial Building Contractor (CBC) specialty.
This can make NASCLA especially useful for a Virginia commercial contractor who also plans to pursue licenses in other participating states.
However, NASCLA does not replace Virginia's entire contractor licensing process.
You'll still need to meet Virginia's requirements for your license class and specialty and complete the appropriate application and other required steps.
NASCLA also should not be confused with Virginia's Residential Building Contractor (RBC) exam. If you're pursuing residential rather than commercial building work in Virginia, the exam requirements are different.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NASCLA Commercial Exam
What does NASCLA stand for?
NASCLA stands for the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies.
Is NASCLA a national contractor license?
No. NASCLA is an exam, not a national contractor license. You still have to apply for and receive a contractor license in each state where you plan to work.
How many states accept the NASCLA Commercial Exam?
The NASCLA Commercial Exam is currently accepted for qualifying licenses in 17 states. The U.S. Virgin Islands also participates.
Can I use my NASCLA exam result in more than one state?
Yes, provided the license classifications you're pursuing accept the NASCLA Commercial Exam. You still have to apply for and qualify for a license separately in each state.
What is the NASCLA Commercial Exam format?
The current NASCLA Commercial Exam has 115 scored questions plus 10 non-scored pretest questions. Candidates have 330 minutes (5½ hours) to complete the exam and must answer 81 of the 115 scored questions correctly to pass.
The exam is computer-based and open book using approved references. A physical diagram/blueprint packet is provided at the testing center for questions requiring it.
Does the NASCLA exam expire?
NASCLA states that your passing exam result does not expire. However, transcripts purchased for individual regulatory agencies have their own availability period.
Does NASCLA replace the Business and Law exam?
No. If a separate state Business and Law exam is required for the license you're pursuing, passing the NASCLA Commercial Exam generally does not replace it.
The Bottom Line
The NASCLA Commercial Exam is designed to make one part of multi-state contractor licensing more efficient.
Instead of taking a new commercial building trade exam every time you pursue a qualifying license in another participating state, NASCLA gives you a standardized exam result that can be used across multiple states.
It isn't a national contractor license, and it doesn't eliminate state-specific applications, Business and Law exams, or other licensing requirements.
But if you plan to work in more than one state, passing one trade exam instead of several can eliminate a significant amount of redundant testing.
Before choosing NASCLA, check the requirements for the specific contractor classifications and states where you plan to become licensed.
