North Carolina Residential Contractor Exam Prep Courses

Know exactly what to study, practice under real exam conditions, and walk into exam day confident you're preparing with the right material. Most candidates are ready to test in 4 weeks or less.

90%
First-time pass rate
Access-Until-You-Pass Guarantee
Success on your schedule

Pass Your Open-Book NC Residential Contractor Exam—Choose Your Study Style

 
Full-Service
$1,499.97 $1,249.97
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Fully prepare for the exam with our comprehensive course, tabbed and highlighted books, and exam simulator. Plus, get supplemental study references to build your library and broaden your scope of knowledge.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Exam Prep Course
  • Tabbed and Highlighted Approved Book Set for Open-Book Exam
  • Practice Exam Simulator
  • Access to Monthly Instructor Office Hours 
  • 30-minute Start-Up Consultation with Licensing Specialist
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Online
$799.97

Gain the knowledge you need to pass the exam with our self-paced, expertly taught online course, book bundle, exam simulator, and more.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Exam Prep Course
  • Approved Book Set for Open-Book Exam
  • Book Highlighting Guides
  • Exam Prep Tab Set
  • Practice Exam Simulator
  • Access to Monthly Instructor Office Hours 
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Book and Tab Set
$479.97

Get all the approved books and printed tabs needed to pass your open-book exam.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Book Bundle Allowed into Exam 
  • Tab Set 
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Access-Until-You-Pass Guarantee

We're all in on your success. If you don't pass your exam on the first try, we'll extend your course access and provide extra support to help you prepare for the next attempt—at no additional cost.

Free 6-month extensions available with proof of exam failure and an exam attempt within 6 months of purchase. $150 fee applies otherwise.

What's on the North Carolina Residential Contractor Exam

The North Carolina Residential Contractor exam is administered by PSI on behalf of the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC). The exam covers all residential construction activity for units conforming to the NC Residential Building Code, including site work, footings and foundations, concrete, masonry, carpentry, roofing, energy conservation, safety, business and law, and NC-specific code requirements. The Residential classification covers work done under specialty classifications including insulation, interior construction, masonry, roofing, swimming pools, and asbestos.

90 Total Questions
70% (63 correct) Passing Score
210 min Time Allowed
Open book Exam Format
PSI Administered By

Exam Content Areas

Subject area # of questions
Site work, Footings and Foundations 12
Concrete and Concrete Reinforcement 10
Masonry 7
Carpentry 11
Associated Construction Trades including Energy Conservation and Drywall 8
Roofing 6
Estimating, Plan Reading and General Residential Code Requirements 16
OSHA Safety 4
Licensing and Business and Law 10
Special Construction Zones (wind and coastal) and Erosion and Sedimentation Control 6
Total 90

RESOURCES & REQUIREMENTS

VIEW FULL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

For full details on registration, testing policies, and exam locations, refer to the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

For a complete walkthrough of the licensing process, read our guide Earning Your North Carolina Residential Contractor License: A How-To Guide.

HOW WE HELP YOU PASS

  1. Study the right material with exam-aligned content. Master the concepts and references tested on the Residential Contractor exam with focused lessons, practice questions, and study materials built around the current exam blueprint.
  2. Practice like it's test day with realistic exam simulations. Build confidence and identify knowledge gaps with practice exams that mirror the format, timing, and pressure of the actual Residential Contractor exam.
  3. Find answers faster using tabbed and highlighted references. Save valuable exam time with reference books organized for fast navigation. Whether you choose pre-tabbed and highlighted books or use DIY tabbing and highlighting guides, you will be equipped to locate key information quickly during the open-book exam.
  4. Follow a proven study plan designed for busy professionals. Know exactly what to study and when. A step-by-step study plan helps you stay on track, maximize study time, and prepare efficiently around work and life commitments.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The North Carolina Residential Contractor exam is administered by PSI for the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC).

  • The exam has 90 questions.

  • The passing score is 70% (63 correct).

  • Candidates have 210 minutes to complete the exam.

  • Yes. The exam is partially open book. Only the reference books allowed in the exam center may be used. Certain references (closed-book sections) cannot be referenced during the exam.

  • The exam covers site work, foundations, concrete, masonry, carpentry, roofing, energy conservation, safety, business and law, and special construction zones. The detailed topic breakdown is listed in the Exam Content Areas table above.

  • The Building Contractor classification covers commercial, industrial, institutional, and all residential building construction. The Residential Contractor classification covers only residential units conforming to the NC Residential Building Code, including associated site work and specialty trades.

  • Use the Candidate Information Bulletin linked in the Resources & Requirements section above.

What Our Students Say

I would encourage anyone looking to get a contractor's license to invest their time with Contractor Training Center.

CTC Student

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.

CTC Student

I highly recommend taking advantage of instructor office hours. That's where the course really started to click for me.

CTC Student

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    Online Package: North Carolina Residential Contractor Exam

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