Reference books
The NASCLA Reference Book List
Updated August 2026
The NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam is open book, and the official candidate bulletin lists exactly which references you may bring: 24 books, plus a blueprint packet PSI hands you at the testing center. Here is the full list, the marking rules, and - just as important - which books actually carry the exam.
A caution before you buy anything: accepted editions change as new versions publish. The list below reflects the official PSI bulletin as of August 2026 - always confirm against the current bulletin before ordering books.
The full list
The marking rules (straight from the bulletin)
- Highlighting and underlining are allowed.
- Tabs are allowed but must be permanent - sticky notes and temporary tabs have to come off before the exam starts.
- No writing in the books beyond that, and no loose or attached papers - notes tucked into a book will get it pulled from your table.
- Silent, non-programmable, battery-powered calculators are permitted (no paper tape, no alphabetic keyboard).
Which books carry the exam
All 24 are allowed and you should bring every one - the niche books are the fastest, easiest look-ups when their topic appears. But test-takers consistently report that the heavy hitters are a core group: the IBC, OSHA 1926, the NASCLA Business and Law guide, Construction Jobsite Management, Mechanical and Electrical Systems, Quality Concrete Construction, Carpentry and Building Construction, and Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction.
Study accordingly: know the core books like your own garage, and know the niche books well enough to recognize when a question belongs to one - those are gift points if you can find them fast.
Train the look-up, not just the reading
Owning the books is step one. Passing comes from drilling where answers live. Every ForemanPrep practice question cites the exact book and section its answer comes from - so every question you drill is also a rep of the look-up skill the exam really tests.
Drill the books with citations on every question
156 practice questions, each one pointing at the exact reference and section - free 10-question sample, no signup.
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