West Virginia does something most states do not: for commercial general building work it accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination, the same paper recognized across a group of states. Pass it once and it can travel.
The NASCLA exam and what “115 scored” means
The NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor examination presents 125 questions of which 115 are scored, over 330 minutes, open book, with 70 percent to pass.
The other ten are pretest items being trialed for future versions. They are not identified, so you answer everything as though it counts, and your pass mark is measured against the 115 scored questions rather than the 125 you see.
Because the exam is accredited across multiple states, passing it in West Virginia can support applications elsewhere that accept NASCLA. That is worth knowing before you decide where to test.
The Contractor Licensing exam is short and specific
West Virginia’s own Contractor Licensing examination is 50 questions in 180 minutes, open book, requiring 35 correct. Its content outline is published and weighted toward project management, licensing, estimating, contracts and safety, so it is a business and regulation paper rather than a trade one.
Plumbing
| Examination | Questions | Time | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journeyman Plumber | 80 | 3 hours | 70% |
| Master Plumber | 100 | 3 hours | 70% |
| Contractor Licensing | 50 | 180 minutes | 35 correct |
| NASCLA Commercial General Building | 115 scored of 125 | 330 minutes | 70% |
Plumbing is referenced to the 2021 IPC, and the master plumber license also requires a separate 50-question business and law paper. Note that the master paper adds twenty questions over the journeyman without adding any time, so pacing matters more at that level.
West Virginia exam prep
- West Virginia Contractor Licensing Exam Prep
- West Virginia Commercial General Building Contractor (NASCLA) Exam Prep
- West Virginia Journeyman Electrician Exam Prep
- West Virginia Master Electrician Exam Prep
- West Virginia Journeyman Plumber Exam Prep
- West Virginia Master Plumber Exam Prep
Before you register
- Check scored versus presented counts on the NASCLA paper so your target is right.
- Check whether your license needs the separate business and law exam.
- If you may work in other states, check which of them accept the NASCLA accredited exam.