NASCLA in North Carolina
North Carolina is one of the 18 jurisdictions that accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor Examination — here's exactly what that gets you, and what it doesn't.
How North Carolina accepts it
Accepted by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors in place of the Building classification exam — application and licensure requirements still apply.
Accepting agency: North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Acceptance policies can change — always verify with the agency before you apply.
What NASCLA waives — and what it doesn't
✓ Waived
The trade exam only — North Carolina's technical/trade examination for commercial general building contractor work. Your NASCLA passing score stands in for it.
✗ Still required
- North Carolina's business and law exam (where the state requires one).
- The full license application: experience, financials, insurance, and fees.
The exam itself, at a glance
- Administrator
- PSI
- Questions
- 115 scored + 10 unscored pretest
- Time limit
- 330 minutes (5.5 hours)
- Format
- Open book (~24 references)
- Passing score
- ≈70%
- Reciprocity
- Accepted across all 18 jurisdictions
With roughly two dozen references allowed at your desk, this is a book-navigation exam. Tab your books, drill lookups against the clock, and the 5.5 hours is plenty — that's the Tab & Pass method.
Working toward a North Carolina license and beyond? See the full 18-jurisdiction NASCLA guide — and if Florida is on your list, start with the Florida exam guides.
Ready to test your book speed?
Take a free timed practice test with book-and-section references on every answer — the same navigation skill that passes NASCLA.
Start the Free Practice Test