NC Residential Contractor Exam Prep
Extensive preparation for the North Carolina Residential Contractor licensing exam — recorded trainings, practice questions, residential-code navigation guides, and a proven study roadmap, all online and on demand.
North Carolina Residential Exam Facts
Know What You're Walking Into
The NC Residential Contractor exam is administered through PSI test centers statewide. Open book — but the residential building code reference set is dense. You need to know exactly where to look.
90
Questions
Residential trade exam
3h 30m
Exam Duration
70%
Min. Pass Score
$79
PSI Exam Fee
Per attempt · no wait to retake
📖 Open book (approved bound references only). North Carolina is a two-exam license path — the Residential trade exam plus a separate Business & Law exam (40 questions, a 90-minute time limit, and a 70% minimum score to pass). This prep gets you ready for both.
Residential covers single + multi-family residential structures (per the residential building code), site work, driveways, sidewalks, and water/wastewater systems for those structures. The challenge isn't memorization — it's knowing exactly where to look in your code references under time pressure.
Not sure if Residential, Building, or NASCLA is right for you? → Take the 60-second Which-License guide. · Want the full breakdown of specs, books, and rules? See the NC Contractor Knowledge Hub.
Who This Is For
Built for First-Time North Carolina Residential License Seekers
NC Contractor Academy is a Board-approved provider serving licensed North Carolina general contractors with continuing education, NASCLA exam prep, and professional development built for the realities of running a construction business.
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New contractors entering the trade
Getting your first NC contractor license to start building residential
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Subcontractors going independent
Stepping out from working under another GC and pulling your own permits
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Remodelers formalizing the business
You've been working under another license — time to get your own
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Out-of-state contractors moving to NC
Need to pass the NC residential exam to operate in-state
Good News · One Class Covers All Tiers
This Study Vault Prepares You for Any License Tier
- You don't choose a tier here. You pick one when you apply with the NC Licensing Board, based on your working capital — the three tiers below just set your financial requirements and project limits.
- They're reference only, set by the state (not by NCCA). Most newcomers start at Limited and upgrade later.
- This class prepares you for the exam no matter which tier you pursue.
Limited Residential
$17K working capital · projects up to $750,000 each — entry-level residential builder.
Intermediate Residential
$75K working capital · projects up to $1,500,000 each — mid-tier residential builder.
Unlimited Residential
$150K working capital · NO project value cap — full-scope residential builder.
What You Get · Instant On-Demand Access
The North Carolina Residential Exam Prep Study Vault
NC Contractor Academy is a Board-approved provider serving licensed North Carolina general contractors with continuing education, NASCLA exam prep, and professional development built for the realities of running a construction business.
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Recorded Video Trainings
Walk through every section of the NC Residential Contractor exam — what's tested, what's weighted, and exactly how to attack it. Watch on your schedule, rewatch any part as many times as you need.
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Residential Code Navigation Guides
Learn to navigate the residential building code reference fast — the #1 skill for finishing the three-and-a-half-hour open-book exam in time.
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Practice Questions & Walk-Throughs
Work real exam-style questions with detailed explanations so nothing on test day catches you off guard.
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Test-Day Strategy & Study Roadmap
A clear, step-by-step plan for exactly what to study, in what order, and how to manage the open-book format under pressure.
After You Pass · The Annual Cycle
Your Annual NC CE Starts Day 1 of Licensure
Every licensed NC Residential Contractor owes 8 hours of NCLBGC-approved Continuing Education by November 30 each year — 2 hours mandatory + 6 hours electives. Here's what your year-one CE looks like, so you can plan ahead before you pass.
Official Sources
Where to Verify the Rules Yourself
NC Contractor Academy is a Board-approved provider serving licensed North Carolina general contractors with continuing education, NASCLA exam prep, and professional development built for the realities of running a construction business.
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NC Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC)
The official source for license rules, exam scheduling, classification approvals, and license lookup.
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PSI Examination Service Centers
Where you sit for the NC Residential Contractor exam. Schedule via PSI after NCLBGC application approval.
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NC General Statutes Chapter 87
The state law that defines NC contractor licensing categories, scope, and exam requirements.
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NCCA — Your Approved Provider
We're listed in the NCLBGC's directory of approved providers. Every class includes our provider info for verification.
Common Questions
North Carolina Residential Exam FAQ
What's the difference between Residential and Building/General?
Residential covers only residential units (single + multi-family per the residential building code). Building (General) Contractor covers residential + commercial + industrial + institutional. If you only plan to build homes, Residential is enough. If you want broader scope, see our NC Contractor Exam Prep.
Do I need to apply with the NCLBGC first?
Yes. Apply to the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors at nclbgc.org first. Once approved, you schedule your PSI exam. Take our prep class AFTER you're approved so you know which limitation (Limited/Intermediate/Unlimited) you're testing under.
What if I fail the exam?
NC sets no mandatory waiting period — you can retake as soon as you're ready (each attempt is another $79 PSI fee). Because the Study Vault is on-demand, you keep your access and can re-study any section as many times as you need before your next attempt. Most contractors who follow the study roadmap pass on their next try.
How long should I study?
Most successful candidates spend 4–6 weeks working through the Study Vault — enough to get fluent in code navigation and work through the practice questions. Study at your own pace.
When do I get access after I buy?
Instantly. The Study Vault is fully online and on-demand — once you purchase, you get access to all the training materials right away and can start studying immediately, on your own schedule.
Once I'm licensed, do I still need annual CE?
Yes — every North Carolina licensed contractor must complete 8 hours of Continuing Education each year. See our NC Continuing Education page for the full breakdown.
What reference books can I bring to the exam?
The NC Residential exam permits four bound reference books: the NC OSHA Construction Standards; the NASCLA Contractor's Guide to Business, Law, and Project Management (North Carolina General Contractor edition, 10th edition); the NC State Building Code: Residential Code, 2018 edition; and the NC Administrative Code & Policies, 2018 edition. Always confirm the exact editions on the current PSI bulletin before buying.
What are the open-book rules?
You may use approved bound books only. Before the exam you can highlight, underline, and add permanent plastic tabs — but during the exam there's no writing in the books, no sticky-note flags, and no loose papers. A silent, non-programmable calculator is allowed.
Ready to get licensed?
Stop Putting Off Your First Build
Most newcomers wait too long because the exam feels overwhelming. We make it simple — instant, on-demand access to a complete study path. Get the NC Residential Exam Prep Study Vault and start today.