Nevada Contractor Licensing & the State Contractors Board
Nevada licenses contractors statewide through the State Contractors Board under NRS and NAC Chapter 624. This chapter covers the classifications, the CMS Business & Law exam, the experience requirement, and why Nevada does not accept NASCLA.
The Board and the three classifications
The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) licenses and regulates contractors under NRS/NAC Chapter 624. Licenses fall into three broad classifications: Class A for engineering work, Class B for general building, and Class C for the many specialty trades. A contractor must hold the classification that matches the scope of work it performs, and fingerprints and a background check are part of licensure.
The CMS Business & Law exam and experience
Applicants (through a qualifying individual) must pass the CMS Business & Law examination: 60 scored questions, open book, with 45 correct answers (75%) required to pass. The open-book reference is the Construction Business & Law Manual for Nevada. The qualifying individual must also show four full years of relevant experience within the preceding 15 years, with education substituting for up to three of those years.
NASCLA is not accepted in Nevada
Unlike many states, Nevada does not accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building examination for the trade portion. An applicant must pass Nevada's own trade exam plus the CMS Business & Law exam. Nevada offers endorsement-based reciprocity with certain other states, but the CMS Business & Law exam is never waived.
State-specific details
State exam facts
- State regulator
- Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB)
- Prelicensing education
- Four years of relevant experience within the last fifteen years
- Passing score
- 75%
- Scored questions
- 60
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 monetary limit is tied to the financial statement, with a reviewed or audited CPA statement required for limits of $1,000,000 or more.
What is on the Nevada Construction Management Survey (CMS) exam?
The CMS Business & Law exam has 60 scored questions and requires 45 correct (75%) to pass; it is open book. Applicants must show four years of relevant experience within the last fifteen years. NASCLA is not accepted in Nevada.
How does Nevada protect residential customers?
Nevada maintains a Residential Recovery Fund, and lien law (NRS 108) requires a Notice of Right to Lien within 31 days. Nevada has no personal or corporate income tax but does impose the Modified Business Tax.
Sources: https://www.nvcontractorsboard.com