Construction / Residential Contractor License / Nevada
- Nevada
- Residential Contractor
- Residential & Small Commercial
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial Contractor License
What it takes to qualify for, test for and apply for a Nevada B-2 Residential and Small Commercial license, based on the Nevada State Contractors Board’s requirements.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Nevada State Contractors Board requirements
Application fee
$300
Plus $140 PSI exam fee (trade + CMS) and $600 license fee
Exam time
5 hrs
B-2 trade (3 hrs) + CMS (2 hrs)
Time to get license
~4 yrs
4 years of experience within the last 10
Continuing ed
Not required
No CE for this license
Overview
Do you need a Nevada residential contractor license?
In Nevada, you need a B-2 license from the Nevada State Contractors Board to contract for residential and small commercial construction. You’ll also need to stay within the monetary limit the Board sets for your license.
License required when
- You build, alter, repair or demolish homes and small residential buildings for others
- You contract for small commercial construction under the B-2 classification
- You bid on work within your Board-approved monetary limit
Common exceptions
- Our source notes don’t list owner-builder or small-job exemptions, so confirm with the Board before you skip licensing
- Work outside the B-2 scope needs the matching classification instead
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our source notes don’t list specific penalties. The Nevada State Contractors Board can take action against anyone contracting without the required license, so get licensed before you bid.
Your fast-track Nevada residential contractor license checklist
The Nevada application, one page
- 4 years of experience within the last 10
- Exam pre-approval and Candidate Eligibility letter
- Passing scores for the B-2 trade exam and CMS
- Financial statement for your monetary limit
- Board-approved Qualifying Party
- Signed, complete application
Types
Nevada residential contractor license types and classifications
The B-2 covers residential and small commercial work. Your monetary limit, the most you can contract for on a job, depends on the financial statement you submit.
B-2
This page
Residential & Small Commercial
Building, altering, repairing or demolishing homes and small residential buildings, plus small commercial work.
Exam
CMS + B-2 trade exam
Limit
Set by financials
Requirements
Nevada residential contractor license requirements, class by class
Experience and exams are the same for everyone. The financial statement you need depends on the monetary limit you request.
| Requirement | Limit $10,000 or less | $10,000–$50,000 | $50,000–$250,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | 4 years in the last 10 | 4 years in the last 10 | 4 years in the last 10 |
| Exams | CMS + B-2 trade | CMS + B-2 trade | CMS + B-2 trade |
| Financial statement | CPA-prepared, Board form, or software balance sheet with affidavit | CPA-compiled, or reviewed or audited within 1 year | CPA-compiled with full disclosures, within 6 months |
| Qualifying Party | Board-approved | Board-approved | Board-approved |
| Application | Signed and complete | Signed and complete | Signed and complete |
| Minimum age | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Steps
How to get your Nevada residential contractor license, step by step
- Confirm your experienceBefore you apply
You need at least 4 years as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor in the B-2 classification within the last 10 years. - Request exam pre-approvalBefore you apply
Submit your application through the Board’s website at nvcontractorsboard.com. If approved, the Board mails a Candidate Eligibility letter with a PSI registration form. - Pass both exams with PSIExam day
Schedule with PSI at 855-205-5827. You’ll take the B-2 trade exam and the Contractor Management Survey (CMS), both open book. - Prepare your financial statementBefore you apply
Pick the statement that matches the monetary limit you want, from a Board form up to a CPA-compiled statement with full disclosures. - Name a Qualifying PartyBefore you apply
Your license needs a Board-approved Qualifying Party. - Submit your license applicationFinal step
Send your signed, complete application to the Nevada State Contractors Board.
Exam
What to expect on the Nevada residential contractor exam
You take two open-book exams: the B-2 trade exam and the Contractor Management Survey, which covers business and law. Approved references can be tabbed and highlighted.
Format
Open book
Questions
80 + 60
Passing score
56 correct + 75%
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- B-2 trade exam: 80 questions, 3 hours, 56 correct to pass
- Contractor Management Survey: 60 questions, 120 minutes, 75% to pass
- Trade topics: sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, carpentry, moisture protection, doors and windows, drywall, safety, plan reading, Nevada One Call
- Approved references include the 2018 IBC, 2018 IRC and ACI 318-19
Retake policy
- Wait 2 weeks before retaking a failed portion
- Each retake is a new PSI registration: $95 for one portion, $140 for a trade exam plus the CMS
- After a third failure your application is void and you reapply with the Board
- Contact PSI at 855-205-5827 to reschedule or retake
- You need the Board’s Candidate Eligibility letter before scheduling
Exam references · Open book
Both Nevada exams for the B-2 license are open book: the approved references can be tabbed, highlighted and brought into the test. The list covers the B-2 Residential and Small Commercial exam and the Contractor Management Survey (CMS) exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) — B-2 exam | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings (IRC) — B-2 exam | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary — B-2 exam | 2019 | Allowed in exam |
| OSHA 1926 Construction Industry Regulations — B-2 exam | Not stated | Study only |
| Modern Masonry — B-2 exam | Not stated | Study only |
| Carpentry and Building Construction, Student Edition — B-2 exam | 2016 | Study only |
| Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Revised — B-2 exam | Not stated | Study only |
| Building Component Safety Information (BCSI) — B-2 exam | Not stated | Study only |
| The Gypsum Construction Handbook — B-2 exam | 7th edition | Study only |
| Contractor’s Guide to Quality Concrete Construction — B-2 exam | 4th edition | Study only |
| Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law — B-2 exam | Not stated | Not stated |
| Nevada Construction Business and Law Manual — Contractor Management Survey exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
The Nevada One Call Law document is a free download the source says to print for your exam, but it sits next to the not-allowed list, so confirm with the PSI candidate bulletin before you rely on it.
Prep
Best Nevada residential contractor exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Nevada residential contractor license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Fixed | $300 |
| PSI exams (B-2 + CMS) | Fixed | $140 |
| License fee (2 years) | Fixed | $600 |
| Code books and references | Variable | Varies |
| CPA-prepared financial statement | Variable | Varies |
| Residential Recovery Fund assessment | Variable | Based on your monetary limit |
| State fees and exams | Excludes Recovery Fund assessment, references and financial statement | $1,040 |
Fees from the Nevada State Contractors Board application form and brochure, NAC 624.130 and the PSI Nevada candidate bulletin, checked October 2026.
Reciprocity
Does Nevada accept out-of-state residential contractor licenses?
Nevada’s listed reciprocity agreements cover journeyman licenses, not the B-2 contractor license.
No reciprocity agreements
Our notes don’t show any agreement for the B-2. Apply as a new applicant and take both exams, or ask the Board whether your out-of-state license helps.
Local
Do Nevada cities and counties have their own residential contractor licensing rules?
Your B-2 comes from the state, but local building departments still handle permits and inspections.
State handles
- B-2 licenses and monetary limits
- Exam pre-approval and Candidate Eligibility letters
- Qualifying Party approval
City & county handle
- Building permits and inspections
- Local business licenses
- Local code enforcement
Governance
Who regulates residential contractors in Nevada
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues B-2 and other contractor licenses
- Approves exam candidates and Qualifying Parties
- Sets monetary limits based on financial statements
- Reviews contractor applications
Maintenance
How to renew your Nevada residential contractor license and keep it active
Nevada doesn’t require continuing education for the B-2 license. Licenses renew every 2 years for $600, and a late renewal adds a $150 fee.
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
CE hours
Not required
Renewal fee
$600
Late penalty
$150
FAQ
Nevada residential contractor license FAQs
How much experience do I need for a Nevada B-2 license?
At least 4 years as a journeyman, foreman, supervising employee or contractor in the classification, within the 10 years before you apply.
What exams do I take for the B-2?
Two: the B-2 trade exam (80 questions, 3 hours, 56 correct to pass) and the Contractor Management Survey (60 questions, 120 minutes, 75% to pass). Both are open book.
Who gives the Nevada contractor exams?
PSI. You’ll schedule after the Board mails your Candidate Eligibility letter.
What financial statement do I need?
It depends on your monetary limit. Up to $10,000 can use a Board form or software balance sheet with an affidavit; higher limits need CPA-compiled, reviewed or audited statements.
Is continuing education required for a B-2?
No. Nevada doesn’t require CE for this license.
Does Nevada have reciprocity for the B-2?
Not that our notes show. Nevada’s listed agreements cover journeyman licenses, so plan to apply as a new applicant.
Sources
Official sources for the Nevada residential contractor license
- Nevada State Contractors Board, Contractor applications
- PSI, Nevada contractor examinations
- Nevada One Call Law and suggested marking guidelines
- Nevada State Contractors Board, License application form
- Nevada State Contractors Board, Applying for a contractor’s license brochure
- Nevada Administrative Code chapter 624 (NAC 624.130 fees)
- PSI, Nevada B classification candidate information bulletin
Last updated October 27, 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Exam Insiders is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Nevada State Contractors Board.