PrepPass team · Verified against Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) · How we review

How hard is the Nevada Contractor License exam?

Quick answer

The Nevada Contractor License exam is a serious, studiable test — its difficulty comes less from any single hard idea than from the breadth of material across 18 weighted content areas. Expect 60 questions in 120 minutes. The passing standard is 75%. PrepPass has 422+ free Nevada Contractor License practice questions with explanations, organized by topic, plus a full timed mock exam.

How to make the Nevada Contractor License exam easier

Work through real practice questions until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 422+ free Nevada Contractor License practice questions with answer explanations and a full timed mock exam — no signup required.

Studying in order?

Practice stays free. The full Nevada Contractor Management Survey (CMS) study guide is the material itself, taught start to finish — a downloadable PDF + EPUB you keep.

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The Nevada Contractor License exam at a glance

60
questions
120 min
time limit
75%
to pass
18
content areas

The 18 content areas on the Nevada Contractor License exam

The exam is built from weighted content areas — focus your study time where the weight is. These weights are how PrepPass has organized the material; check the exam authority’s own outline for its published breakdown.

Business Organization & Licensing10%
Estimating & Bidding14%
Contracts & Contract Law14%
Project Management & Scheduling12%
Financial Management & Accounting12%
Safety & OSHA14%
Employment & Labor Law12%
Building Codes & Permits12%
Financial Management20%
Licensing17%
Estimating & Bidding12%
Contracts10%
Tax8%
Labor8%
Environmental & Safety8%
Risk Management7%
Liens5%
Project Management5%

How the Nevada Contractor License exam is administered

Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) oversees licensing. Prelicensing education: Four years of relevant experience within the last fifteen years. Confirm the current details with the official authority before you rely on them.

What is the pass rate, and can you retake it?

Wondering about pass rates and what happens if you don't pass the first time?

See Nevada Contractor Licensepass rate & retake rules →

Frequently asked questions

What score do you need to pass the Nevada Contractor License exam?+

The passing standard for the Nevada Contractor License exam is 75%.

How many questions are on the Nevada Contractor License exam?+

The Nevada Contractor License exam has 60 questions, with a time limit of 120 minutes.

Does Nevada require a state contractor license?+

Yes. The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) licenses contractors under NRS/NAC Chapter 624, using Class A (Engineering), Class B (Building), and Class C (specialty). The Board sets a monetary limit on each license, and the financial statement an applicant files depends on the limit sought (NAC 624.593): for $1,000,000 or more it must be reviewed or audited by a CPA.

What is on the Nevada Contractor Management Survey (CMS) exam?+

The CMS Business & Law exam has 60 scored questions plus 3 unscored, runs 120 minutes plus 6 for the unscored questions, and requires 45 correct (75%) to pass. It is open book, and the only reference allowed is the Construction Business and Law Manual for Nevada. Applicants must show four years of relevant experience within the last fifteen years. A separate trade exam for the license classification is also required.

How does Nevada protect residential customers?+

Nevada maintains a Residential Recovery Fund, and under NRS 108.245 a Notice of Right to Lien may be given at any time after first furnishing, but the lien then reaches only the 31 days before the notice and what follows. Nevada has no personal or corporate income tax but does impose the Modified Business Tax.

How should I study for the Nevada Contractor License exam?+

Focus your time on the heaviest content areas, then drill practice questions by topic until you consistently clear the standard you need. PrepPass has 422+ free Nevada Contractor License practice questions with full explanations and a timed mock exam.

Last updated: August 2026