United States
Hong KongHow to apply
Apply to NASCLA with the USD 65 application fee. Once approved you have 12 months and up to three attempts, and you book each sitting separately with PSI at USD 130.
Two organizations, in order. NASCLA approves you and PSI seats you.
Step one: apply to NASCLA
Submit an application with the USD 65 fee. Approval opens a window of 12 months.
Inside that window you may sit up to three times. That is a meaningful structure and it should shape your planning.
Step two: book with PSI
Once approved, schedule a seat at a PSI test center and pay the USD 130 examination fee.
The examination fee is per attempt. The application fee is per window.
Three attempts in twelve months sounds generous. Book your first sitting in month two rather than month eleven, so a second and third attempt still fit inside the window you paid for.
What you need to apply
There is no published education or experience prerequisite for sitting the examination itself. Experience requirements belong to the state license rather than to the exam.
That surprises people who assume a commercial contractor exam must gate on experience. It does not; the state board does that separately.
After you pass
Your result sits in the NASCLA National Examination Database. You then request a transcript be sent to each state licensing agency you are applying to, at USD 45 each.
The transcript is what a state board actually receives. Passing does not automatically notify anybody.
Check the bulletin first
Fees and procedures change. The PSI Candidate Information Bulletin and NASCLA's own application page carry the current position, and both are free to read.
Common questions
How do I apply for the NASCLA exam?
Apply to NASCLA with the USD 65 fee, then book a seat with PSI at USD 130 once approved.
How long is approval valid?
12 months, with up to three attempts inside that window.
Do I need experience to sit it?
There is no published prerequisite for the examination. Experience requirements belong to the state license.
How does a state get my result?
You request a transcript from the NASCLA National Examination Database, at USD 45 per state.
When should I book my first attempt?
Early in the window, so a second or third attempt still fits inside the twelve months.