NASCLA Exam Study Books and Package Prices

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor reference list includes 25 required references, so preparing for the exam means organizing a full set of materials, not relying on one book. NASCLA exam study books cover topics such as building codes, safety, construction methods, and project management. State-specific Business & Law books are a separate piece of the preparation.

That distinction can make choosing the right materials feel harder than it needs to be. Trade references support your construction knowledge, while the Business & Law book covers rules and business practices tied to a particular state.

This guide explains which references appear on the NASCLA list, what preparation packages may include, and what affects package costs, without confusing those prices with state-specific book requirements. You’ll also learn how state editions differ, so you can identify the materials for your exam and prepare with more confidence.

What is the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Examination?

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor Examination is an open-book test using approved reference books. It has 115 questions across 12 subject areas, with 330 minutes to finish. A passing score is 70%, or 81 correct answers. The reference books support quick answers, so knowing their layout matters as much as owning them.

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor reference bundle includes 25 required references. The books cover practical construction methods, codes, safety, and project planning. Examples from the reference list include Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016; the 7th edition of The Gypsum Construction Handbook, published in 2014; and Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 10th Edition, 2019.

Expect both construction fundamentals and specialized standards. For exterior insulation and finish systems, the bundle includes ANSI/EIMA standard 99-A-2017, covering EIFS and EIFS with drainage. Concrete references include ACI 318-11, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary, and the 3rd edition of The Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 2005.

• Building codes: The reference list includes the 2018 International Building Code and ANSI accessibility standards.
• Accessibility: ANSI A117.1-2017 covers accessible and usable buildings and facilities. The list also includes a 2009 edition.
• Building systems: References support topics such as electrical systems, structural work, and construction safety.

What are NASCLA exam rules for bringing books and notes into the test? The exam is open-book, and PSI allows candidates to bring up to 24 books. According to the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, approved references may have permanent tabs only; remove temporary tabs, including Post-It notes, before the examination.

Match each reference title and edition to your exam list, then organize the books for quick lookup. This makes it easier to find answers to building-code and construction questions without wasting time searching through the wrong reference.

Complete exam-prep package and book prices

Preparation options range from reference books alone to packages that combine books with study resources and practice exams. Compare the contents of each option before choosing.

Book Set and Product Pricing

A book set focuses on the exam references, while a combo may add study materials or practice tests. A book set can help candidates gather exam references in one package. Other packages may differ in book count, highlighting, tabs, and added resources. The right comparison is the contents, not the package label.

Individual titles can also be purchased separately. Examples include Basic Business & Project Management, 14th Edition, and Carpentry & Building Construction, 6th Edition. For any package, price depends on the case and is given after a quote request; book selection, highlighting or tabs, and included study resources shape the total.

Prep Books, Courses, and Practice Tests

What are the best NASCLA exam prep books, courses, and practice tests? The right combination pairs the references for your exam with focused preparation and practice questions. Choose materials that match your license exam and learning needs. A course can give your study a structure, while practice exams help you apply what you’ve learned and identify topics to review.

Package contents vary. The NASCLA Commercial Contractor Test-Prep Study Pack includes 1000+ total questions, while the NASCLA Commercial Contractor Practice Test x 1 contains 115 total questions. Another package includes practice tests for four books. Compare these details before selecting a study plan; a larger bundle is useful only when its materials fit your preparation.

The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor bundle is listed as in stock and includes required references. To prepare with structured support, explore NASCLA exam prep resources alongside your book selection.

NASCLA Contractors' Guide to Business, Law and Project Management

The NASCLA Contractors’ Guide to Business, Law and Project Management adds business-focused material to a contractor’s exam preparation. The NASCLA reference list includes the 14th edition. Its title signals the distinct areas to review: running contracting work, understanding business and law topics, and planning projects. Treat it as a separate study resource from technical references on structural work or building codes.

Edition matters. The North Carolina General Contractors Edition Contractors Guide to Business is the 10th edition, while the broader NASCLA guide is the 14th edition. Match the book title and edition to the exam you plan to take. Don’t assume a national guide automatically replaces a state edition, because the title and jurisdiction identify different preparation needs.

Online courses can organize your study by topic, while books provide references you can return to as needed. Use a course lesson to identify a subject, then find it in the book and note the page. For example, pair a project-management lesson with the book’s project-management section. Connecting instruction to the printed reference helps you use both resources effectively.

Highlighting and tabs have different purposes: highlighting draws attention to key passages, while tabs help you return to sections quickly. Use a consistent system, such as one color for definitions and another for procedures, and label tabs with clear topics like “contracts” or “project management.” Keep markings easy to scan so they don’t obscure the original text.

For exam-day preparation, distinguish permanent tabs from temporary notes. The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department says approved references may have permanent tabs only, so remove temporary tabs, including Post-It notes, before the examination. Before marking a book, identify the permitted reference format and use a consistent system. An index of tabs and marked pages can make practice more focused and help you find business, law, and project-management material efficiently.

State-specific NASCLA Business & Law exam books

Do NASCLA book requirements vary by state or contractor license? Yes. NASCLA trade references and state Business & Law books serve different exam needs. Check the state edition carefully: its title identifies the jurisdiction or license focus, not just general construction fundamentals.

Compare editions by name before choosing. The NASCLA Hawaii General Contractors Edition Contractors Guide to Business is the 1st edition. The West Virginia Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management is also the 1st edition. South Carolina’s Business Management and Law for Manufactured Housing is the 3rd edition. These titles show why “Business & Law book” alone isn’t enough to identify the right study material.

License type matters, too. The South Carolina example is specifically for manufactured housing, while the Hawaii title is for general contractors. Match the book’s full title to the license exam you’re preparing for, then confirm that its edition matches the material assigned for that exam. A familiar NASCLA title may still refer to a different jurisdiction or specialty.

Keep the commercial exam bundle separate in your study plan. The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor bundle is used for Tennessee, but it isn’t interchangeable with every state-specific Business & Law book. Treat the trade references as one study track and the jurisdiction-focused book as another. This helps keep general construction fundamentals distinct from state-specific business material.

Before you buy, write down your state, license type, and exact book title. Compare those details against the exam materials you’re using, then organize the books into trade and Business & Law groups. That gives your study plan a clear finish line: the right references for the trade exam and the right guide for the state portion. Build a focused exam study plan around the materials you need.

Casaflex: Contractor License Exam Prep Courses

Casaflex helps contractors prepare for licensing exams with focused learning resources. Its NASCLA Accredited Exam Prep provides structured support alongside your references. Contractor License Exam Prep Courses organize exam preparation, while Highlighted Study Books make key material easier to review. Realistic Practice Exams help you apply what you’ve studied and identify topics to revisit.

Choose the support that fits your next step. If you have the books but need a clearer study routine, a course can add structure. If you’re working through dense references, highlighted books can help focus your review. Practice exams can help you rehearse applying that knowledge. Visit Casaflex’s exam preparation resources to explore your options.

Make Your Next Study Session Count

Turn your materials list into a working study plan. First, separate trade references from state-specific Business & Law material. Then note the subjects you find hardest to locate or explain. This simple inventory shows where to focus and which books to keep close during practice.

Use your NASCLA exam study books actively: look up topics, note useful sections, and practice moving between related references. If you need more structure, Casaflex offers Contractor License Exam Prep Courses, NASCLA Accredited Exam Prep, and Highlighted Study Books. Choose the support that fits your study habits and keep building steady progress toward exam day.

Contact Casaflex about exam books and take the next step with a focused plan. You’re closer to readiness each time you study with purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are required for the NASCLA exam, and what are they?

Casaflex states that exam books are optional, so you don’t need to own them just to take the exam. For preparation, distinguish the reference list from a packaged set: the Commercial General Building Contractor bundle is described as containing 25 required references, while the Commercial Building Exam Reference Book Set contains 24 books. Match individual titles and editions to your exam materials.

Which books are required for the NASCLA Accredited Commercial Contractor exam?

Books aren’t required to sit for the exam, according to Casaflex. For open-book preparation, the Commercial Contractor references include titles such as the 2018 International Building Code, ACI 318-11, and 29 CFR Part 1926. Use the titles and editions for your specific exam rather than treating a state Business & Law guide as a substitute for trade references.

What is the official NASCLA exam reference book list for 2026?

Use the candidate bulletin for the Commercial Contractor exam as your working list, and compare each title and edition against the books you plan to study. Examples in the listed references include Construction Project Management, 4th Edition, 2014, and Roofing Construction and Estimating, dated 1995. A state-specific Business & Law guide is separate from this trade-reference list.

Where can I buy NASCLA exam study books and reference materials?

Explore study materials through Casaflex, including Highlighted Study Books and NASCLA Accredited Exam Prep. Before choosing, write down your exam name and state, then compare book titles and editions with your exam materials. This helps you distinguish trade references from state-specific Business & Law books and select materials that match the subjects you need to prepare.

How much do NASCLA exam books and study packages cost?

Package costs depend on what’s included, such as reference books, highlighting, course materials, or practice exams. Compare the package contents before deciding: a reference set and a broader preparation package serve different needs. If you already have the books, focus your comparison on the study support and practice resources included.

Which NASCLA exam books are included in the open-book test?

The exam is open-book, but that doesn’t mean books are supplied as part of the test. Casaflex describes exam books as optional; candidates who use references should prepare the approved materials for their exam. PSI allows candidates to bring up to 24 books. Organize your chosen references by subject so you can locate useful sections efficiently during practice.