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.