National NASCLA Exam Prep Courses

The NASCLA exam is specific. Your prep should be too. Pass the first time — with courses and materials built around exactly what’s on your exam.

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Every national NASCLA exam — and the license paths they unlock.

NASCLA Commercial Builder Exam Prep Courses

Multi-State Exam

NASCLA Commercial Builder

Full-scope commercial construction, accepted in 17 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands in lieu of the state Building Contractor trade exam.

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NASCLA Electrical Contractor Exam Prep Courses

Multi-State Exam

NASCLA Master/Unlimited Electrical Contractor

Full-scope electrical contracting — accepted by NCBEEC in lieu of the state trade exam for all three NC license tiers, plus 15+ other states.

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Multi-State Exam

NASCLA Journeyman Electrician

Residential, commercial, and industrial electrical work, accepted by participating state electrical boards in lieu of the state journeyman trade exam where recognized.

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Multi-State Exam

NASCLA Residential Electrical Contractor

Residential electrical work in 1- and 2-family dwellings — accepted by NCBEEC in lieu of the Single-Family Detached (SP-SFD) state exam.

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Not sure which exam fits?

Book a free 20-minute call with one of our licensing advisors. They’ve helped thousands of contractors figure out exactly where to start, including which NASCLA exam to take and which states will accept it.

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Before You Buy

Do I qualify to take a NASCLA exam?

These are the questions contractors ask before they start studying.

View State Requirements

Do I need the state’s approval before I can sit for the exam?

In most states, yes. You typically apply to the state licensing board first and are approved as eligible based on your experience, business formation, or other criteria before you can schedule the exam with PSI.

Eligibility requirements are set by each state board and vary by state and license type.

What is a qualifier?

Most state boards issue licenses to business entities, not individuals. A “qualifier” is the individual who passes the exam on behalf of the licensed entity.

The qualifier must be employed by (or have an ownership relationship with) the licensee. Requirements for replacing a qualifier vary by state.

Do I have to meet experience requirements before taking the NASCLA exam?

Usually, yes. Most states require you to meet their experience and licensing requirements before approving you to take the NASCLA exam. Requirements vary by state and license type.

Which NASCLA exams exist nationally?

  • NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors — accepted in lieu of the state Building/General Contractor trade exam in 17 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Electrical Contractors (Master/Unlimited) — accepted in lieu of the state electrical trade exam in participating states.
  • NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Journeyman Electricians — accepted in lieu of the state journeyman electrical trade exam in participating states.
  • NASCLA Accredited Trade Examination for Residential Electrical Contractors — accepted in lieu of the state residential electrical trade exam (including Single-Family Detached classifications where applicable) in participating states.
  • In all NASCLA cases, a supplemental state Business & Law component may still apply. Confirm with the relevant board.
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The exam covers a lot of material. The course sifted through all of that content and highlighted the relevant information I needed. It takes time and commitment to get through it, but it's worth it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

    • Alabama
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • California*
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Louisiana
    • Mississippi
    • Nevada
    • New Mexico
    • North Carolina
    • Oregon
    • South Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Utah
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • U.S. Virgin Islands

    *The NASCLA Commercial Builder Exam is not a standalone path to California licensure. The California Contractors State License Board may accept it to satisfy the trade examination requirement for certain qualifying out-of-state applicants, but all California licensing requirements still apply.

    • Alabama
    • Arizona
    • District of Columbia
    • Florida
    • Idaho
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Mississippi
    • Missouri
    • Nebraska
    • New Mexico
    • North Carolina
    • South Carolina
    • Tennessee
    • Utah
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia

  • If you only plan to work in one state, that state’s own trade exam is a great option.

    If you plan to work in multiple states, the NASCLA Commercial Builder exam offers more flexibility because it’s accepted by 17+ state licensing boards in lieu of the state trade exam.

    A number of states also accept the NASCLA Master/Unlimited Electrical and NASCLA Residential Electrical examinations for certain electrical contractor licenses.

    Passing a NASCLA exam does not automatically issue a state license. You’ll still need to meet all licensing requirements established by the appropriate licensing board.

  • Both NASCLA exams are open-book, but the books alone don’t tell you where to look — and 15 to 25+ approved reference manuals is a lot to search cold in a timed exam.

    CTC students consistently pass at a high first-time rate. Our courses walk you through every subject area the exam covers, our books arrive pre-tabbed and pre-highlighted to the exact sections you’ll need, and our exam simulator lets you practice under real timed conditions before test day.

    Exam prep isn’t required by any state board, but it’s the difference between hoping you can find the answer in time and knowing exactly where to look.

  • No.

    Most state boards do not require a pre-license course before taking a NASCLA exam.

    Most applicants choose an exam prep course instead. Exam prep helps you become familiar with the approved reference books, learn how to navigate an open-book exam efficiently, and improve your chances of passing on the first attempt.

  • Scheduling your exam: Most NASCLA exams are administered by PSI. Once you’re eligible to test, you’ll schedule your exam directly with PSI at an approved testing center.

    What you can bring: Both NASCLA exams are open-book. You may bring approved reference books with permanent tabs, highlighting, and underlining. Loose papers, handwritten notes, and removable tabs are not permitted.

    That’s why our reference books come pre-tabbed and pre-highlighted. They arrive PSI-compliant and ready to use, so you can spend your exam finding answers instead of searching for them.

  • Passing a NASCLA exam doesn’t change your continuing education obligations — those are set by the state board that issues your license, and requirements vary by state and license type. Check with your licensing board for its current CE rules.

  • Each accepting state defines its own window for how long a passing NASCLA score can be applied toward a new license application. Check the specific state board’s rules before you apply.

Not sure which license fits?

Book a free 20-minute call with one of our licensing advisors. They’ve helped thousands of contractors figure out exactly where to start — from license class and experience requirements to NASCLA and everything in between.

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