The NASCLA Accredited Examination Program offers a standardized licensing exam accepted by participating states. Passing the exam can allow contractors and tradespeople to apply for licensure in more than one state without retaking the trade exam, subject to state requirements.
The NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors was ready for state adoption in September 2009.
Apply for the Exam
Participating State Agencies
Candidate Information Bulletin
Exam & Transcript FAQs
Background
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from around the country came together to work with NASCLA in developing the job analysis for Commercial General Building Examination to represent the work performed in jurisdictions throughout the United States. NASCLA conducted national surveys of general building contractors to aid the SMEs in the creation of the job analysis. The SMEs developed items based on the job analysis and vetted those questions during follow-up meetings. These job analyses, questions, and examination were developed under the highest national psychometric and building standards.
Contractors who pass a NASCLA Accredited Examination can use their results in lieu of state-specific trade exams in participating jurisdictions. Results are stored in our National Examination Database (NED), which allows for quick and secure transcript sharing with regulatory agencies. This system not only supports contractor mobility—especially after disasters or for multi-state work—but also upholds the integrity of state licensing.
Utilizing NASCLA as a Trade Waiver
Once a candidate has taken and passed a NASCLA Accredited Examination, their information is stored in the NASCLA National Examination Database (NED) on ned.nascla.org. Candidates can then electronically send a state agency their transcript through the database to alert the agency that they have passed one or more of the examinations. State agencies can then pair the transcript with the candidate’s license application. Candidates must follow all state agency application policies and procedures in order to become licensed.
