NASCLA Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does NASCLA process my NASCLA Accredited Examination Program application?

NASCLA will review all applications within seven (7) business days.

 

How long do I have to schedule my examination within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program once I have been approved?

Eligibility is for one (1) year from the application approval date.

 

If I need to retest, how soon can I apply and is there a limited number of times I can retake the NASCLA Accredited Examination?

There is no restriction on how soon you can reschedule to sit for the exam if within the maximum three (3) times within the one (1) year eligibility period.  If you have failed the examination three (3) times, you must wait one (1) year after your initial application was approved to reapply to take the examination.

​

How do I apply to take the NASCLA Accredited Examination?

1. Go to the NASCLA National Examination Database: https://ned.nascla.org/ . Apply the $35 fee on the left-hand side of your screen.

2. Applications will be processed within 7 business days.

3. Once your application is approved you will receive an email directly from support@psiexams.com with a link to schedule the exam at one of PSI's locations. If you do not receive this email after 7 business days, please reach out to our office.

   1. Your application is active for 1 year from your date of approval. You will have 3 attempts to pass the examination. If you do not pass or are unable to sit for all 3 exams you will need to wait until your year of eligibility has expired.

   2. If your year of eligibility has expired, please go to https://ned.nascla.org and apply to take the examination as a re-applying applicant with your original NASCLA Candidate ID Number. 

4. After obtaining your NASCLA Candidate ID Number please go to https://test-takers.psiexams.com/nascla.  All examinations are scheduled through PSI directly. Once logged in to PSI's website, if you do not see your NASCLA information under "View all my Activities", at the top of the page, under the red verbiage, please click "Find My Records". From there, you will select "Government/State Licensing Agencies", "All NASCLA Exams" as your jurisdiction, and then click on the examination portion to enter your NASCLA Candidate ID number (letters and numbers, no spaces).

5. For questions regarding scheduling your examination please call PSI at (855) 746-8177.

   1. For a complete list of references allowed into the examination and a subject matter outline download PSI's Candidate Information Bulletin:

      1. NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors

      2. NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination Program

6. Once you pass your exam, you will receive a physical copy of your pass score at PSI's testing facility immediately after the exam. This is the only paperwork you will have to show you have taken and passed the exam.

7. Finally, you will need to go back to the NASCLA National Examination Database (ned.nascla.org) and create a self-service portal for transcript access. Your electronic transcript will automatically be uploaded within 48 hours.

   1. If your account is not linked after 48 hours, please reach out to our office via email to info@nascla.org. 

8. After your account is linked to your pass score you can send a transcript to the agency you are looking to get licenses in. Each transcript is $30 and sent electronically from our database to the state agency. There are no copies for download.

   1. The state agencies are aware you do not get a physical copy. Please save your confirmation email receipt as proof of purchase for the application process with the state.

      1. Participating State Agencies for the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors

      2. Participating State Agencies for the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination Program

​

Is the NASCLA Examination Program considered a “National License”?

Not Exactly, the NASCLA Accredited Examination eliminates the trade examination ONLY for the participating state agencies. Once you have passed an examination within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program, contractors will still have to meet additional state licensure requirements within each participating state to obtain their license.

 

What is the fee to sit for the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors?

The cost for the examination is $130 plus the $35 application fee.  

​

What is the difference between the NASCLA Accredited Examination and an examination based on one jurisdiction?

The NASCLA Accredited Examination was developed utilizing contractors and tradespeople from multiple jurisdictions across the United States and based on a national job occupational analysis. To review the NASCLA Test Specifications for the Commercial General Building Contractor Examination, click here. For more information on the NASCLA Accredited Electrical Examination Program, click here.

 

What State Licensing Agencies currently accept the NASCLA Accredited Examination?

NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors

 

What is the difference between state agencies administering the an examination within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program and state agencies accepting an examination within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program?

The state agencies administering an examination within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program are offering the examination as their agency’s state specific trade examination. Some administering state agencies also offer their own state specific trade portion or the NASCLA Accredited Examination as an either/or option for their candidates to take. Accepting state agencies will accept the examination as an examination waiver in lieu of their state specific trade portion. All administering state agencies are also considered accepting state agencies.  

You can also take the NASCLA Accredited Examination directly through PSI Services, LLC. If you take it directly through PSI Services, LLC instead of through the administering state agency, you will have to purchase individual transcripts from the National Examination Database (NED) to send to the state agency.

​

If I have passed an examination within the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program, what do I do next?

Register an account in the NASCLA National Examination Database (NED) at https://ned.nascla.org. This account will allow you to purchase and electronically send your transcript information to the participating state agencies. If you have taken and passed the examination under an administering state agency, that agency will not need a transcript from the database as they are already already by the testing company. 

 

How do I send my examination transcript to an accepting state licensing agency?

Login to your existing account in the NASCLA National Examination Database (NED) at https://ned.nascla.org or create a new account.  Once you are logged into your account, you will be able to click on “Transcript for Purchase” to purchase and send your test results electronically to the state agency with whom you are applying for licensure. Both you and the state agency will receive an emailed confirmation your transcript transaction is completed.

 

What is the fee to electronically send a transcript to an accepting state agency?

There is a $30.00 fee each time you need to send your transcript to a state licensing agency.

 

How long is my transcript accessible to the state agency in the National Examination Database (NED)?

Transcripts are only valid in the system for a two (2) year period for the state agency to access the information. If it has been longer than two (2) years since a transcript has been purchased and you have NOT been licensed within that state, you will need to repurchase the transcript to go with your application for licensure with that state agency through the database.

​

Candidates may use a silent, nonprinting, non-programmable calculator in the examination center.