Construction / Specialty Contractor License / Nevada
- Nevada
- Specialty Contractor
- C-3 Carpentry & C-4 Painting
- Updated Oct 2026
How to Get Your Nevada C-3 & C-4 Specialty Contractor Licenses
This page covers two Nevada specialty classifications: C-3 Carpentry, Maintenance and Minor Repairs, and C-4 Painting and Decorating (including the narrower C-4A Painting license). Here’s what the Nevada State Contractors Board asks for, which exams you’ll sit and how to stay licensed.
Last updated October 27, 2026 from Nevada State Contractors Board requirements
Application fee
$300
Plus $140 PSI exams (one trade + CMS) and $600 license fee
Exam time
4 hrs
Trade exam + Contractor Management Survey (3 hrs for C-4A)
Time to get license
Varies
The Board weighs the experience you document
Continuing ed
Not required
No CE for renewal
Overview
Do you need a Nevada specialty contractor license?
In Nevada, carpentry, drywall, insulation, overhead door, painting and wallcovering work is licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board. You pick the classification that matches your work, qualify through a Qualifying Party and pass two exams.
License required when
- Framing, siding, roof decking, finish carpentry, cabinets, wood flooring or millwork (C-3)
- Insulation, weather stripping, caulking or firestop systems (C-3)
- Overhead door installation, or drywall, acoustical tile and nonstructural metal framing (C-3)
- Painting, staining, coatings and wallcovering on buildings (C-4 or C-4A)
Common exceptions
- C-3 finish carpentry does not include tile or stone work
- C-4A covers paint and coatings only, not wallcovering or drywall
Penalties for unlicensed work
Our source notes don’t list penalty amounts. In general, the Nevada State Contractors Board can investigate unlicensed contracting and take disciplinary action, so get licensed before you bid or start work.
Your fast-track Nevada specialty contractor license checklist
The Nevada application, one page
- Business registered with the Nevada Secretary of State
- A designated Qualifying Party
- Education and work records for your experience
- Current financial statement
- Proof of general liability insurance (C-4 and C-4A)
- Passing scores on your trade exam and the Contractor Management Survey
Types
Nevada specialty contractor license types and classifications
Each classification has its own trade exam. Everyone also passes the Contractor Management Survey exam. The Board decides the level and amount of work you can take on based on your application.
C-3
Several trades
Carpentry, Maintenance & Minor Repairs
Carpentry and repairs, finish carpentry, insulation and weather stripping, overhead doors, and drywall.
Exam
C-3 + CMS
Limit
Set by the Board
C-4
Broadest painting
Painting & Decorating
Paint, varnish, stain, coatings and wax, wallcovering, surface prep, plus drywall, metal studs and acoustical tile.
Exam
C-4 + CMS
Limit
Set by the Board
C-4A
Paint only
Painting
Paints, varnishes, protective coatings, shellacs, stains and other pigment by brush, spray or roller.
Exam
C-4A + CMS
Limit
Set by the Board
Requirements
Nevada specialty contractor license requirements, class by class
The application basics are the same across these classifications. The trade exam is what changes.
| Requirement | C-3 | C-4 | C-4A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | Documented in application | Documented in application | Documented in application |
| Qualifying Party | Required | Required | Required |
| Secretary of State registration | Required | Required | Required |
| Financial statement | Current statement | Current statement | Current statement |
| General liability proof | Not stated | Required | Required |
| Trade exam | 60 questions, 2 hrs | 50 questions, 2 hrs | 30 questions, 1 hr |
| Contractor Management Survey | Required | Required | Required |
Steps
How to get your Nevada specialty contractor license, step by step
- Choose your classificationBefore you start
Match your work to C-3, C-4 or C-4A. Each has its own trade exam. - Register your businessBefore you apply
Register with the Nevada Secretary of State and name a Qualifying Party for the license. - Apply for exam approvalBefore the exam
Request and submit your application through the Board’s website. Include your education and work records so the Board can judge your experience. - Get your eligibility letterAfter approval
If approved, the Board mails a Candidate Eligibility letter with a PSI registration form and scheduling instructions. - Pass both exams with PSIExam day
Schedule at candidate.psiexams.com or call 855-205-5827. You need your trade exam and the Contractor Management Survey. - Finish your license applicationFinal step
Send the Board your financial statement, proof of insurance where required, and the rest of the application to get licensed.
Exam
What to expect on the Nevada specialty contractor exam
You sit two exams with PSI: the trade exam for your classification and the Contractor Management Survey, which covers business and law. The C-3 and CMS exams are open book. The C-4 and C-4A painting exams are closed book.
Format
Computer, PSI test centers
Questions
30–60 trade + 60 CMS
Passing score
70% trade, 45 of 60 CMS
Exam vendor
PSI
Scoring & content
- C-3: 60 questions, 42 correct to pass, 2 hours, open book (safety, insulation, windows and doors, rough and finish carpentry, drywall, siding)
- C-4: 50 questions, 35 correct to pass, 2 hours, closed book (materials, surface prep, application, tools, problems, safety, drywall, color)
- C-4A: 30 questions, 21 correct to pass, 1 hour, closed book
- Contractor Management Survey: 60 scored questions plus 3 unscored, 45 correct to pass, 120 minutes, open book
- C-3 references include the 2018 International Building Code
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
- You need Board pre-approval before PSI will schedule you
- Contact PSI at 855-205-5827 about rescheduling and retakes
- Test centers are in Nevada’s larger cities
Exam references · Varies
The C-3 Carpentry, Maintenance and Minor Repairs exam is open book, with approved references you can tab, highlight and bring in, while the C-4 and C-4A painting exams are closed book, so their books are for study only. Every applicant also takes the open-book Contractor Management Survey (CMS) exam.
| Book | Edition | Use |
|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) — C-3 exam | 2018 | Allowed in exam |
| OSHA 1926 Construction Industry Regulations — C-3, C-4 and C-4A exams | Not stated | Study only |
| Carpentry and Building Construction, Student Edition — C-3 exam | 2016 | Study only |
| Building Component Safety Information (BCSI) — C-3 exam | Not stated | Study only |
| The Gypsum Construction Handbook — C-3 exam | 7th edition | Study only |
| Finish Carpenter’s Manual — C-3 exam | Not stated | Study only |
| PDCA Craftsman Manual & Textbook — C-4 and C-4A exams | 8th edition | Study only |
| Nevada Construction Business and Law Manual — Contractor Management Survey exam | Not stated | Allowed in exam |
Prep
Best Nevada specialty contractor exam prep, compared
We haven’t compared prep courses for this exam yet.
Costs
How much does a Nevada specialty contractor license cost?
| Item | Type | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Fixed | $300 |
| PSI exams (C-3 or C-4 + CMS) | Fixed | $140 |
| License fee (2 years) | Fixed | $600 |
| Financial statement preparation | Variable | Varies |
| General liability insurance | Variable | Varies |
| State fees and exams | Excludes financial statement and insurance; a second trade exam is $95 | $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 specialty contractor licenses?
Nevada has reciprocity agreements that can waive a trade exam. Our notes list different partner states for different classifications, so confirm with the Board which agreement applies to yours.
Arizona — trade exam waiver
Listed for the C-4 painting trade exams.
California — trade exam waiver
Listed for the C-4 painting trade exams.
Utah — trade exam waiver
Listed for the C-4 painting trade exams.
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi & Tennessee — reciprocity
Listed for the C-3 classification. Ask the Board what’s waived.
Local
Do Nevada cities and counties have their own specialty contractor licensing rules?
Your Nevada license is issued by the state, but cities and counties still handle permits and inspections where you work.
State handles
- Contractor licenses and classifications
- Exam approval and eligibility letters
- Setting the level and amount of work you can do
- Discipline of licensees
City & county handle
- Building permits and inspections
- Local business licenses
- Local code enforcement
Governance
Who regulates specialty contractors in Nevada
Oversight responsibilities
- Issues and renews contractor licenses
- Reviews experience and sets what work you can take on
- Approves applicants to sit for PSI exams
- Disciplines licensees
Maintenance
How to renew your Nevada specialty contractor license and keep it active
Nevada doesn’t require continuing education to renew these licenses. 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
Nevada contractor applications
Applications and forms from the Nevada State Contractors Board
FAQ
Nevada specialty contractor license FAQs
What does a Nevada C-3 license cover?
Carpentry and repairs, finish carpentry, insulation and weather stripping, overhead doors, and drywall. Finish carpentry doesn’t include tile or stone.
What’s the difference between C-4 and C-4A?
C-4 covers painting plus wallcovering, surface prep, drywall, metal studs and acoustical tile. C-4A is limited to applying paints, coatings, stains and similar finishes.
How many exams do I take?
Two: the trade exam for your classification and the Contractor Management Survey. Both are given by PSI.
Are the Nevada exams open book?
The C-3 and Contractor Management Survey exams are open book. The C-4 and C-4A painting exams are closed book.
What score do I need to pass?
C-3 needs 42 of 60, C-4 needs 35 of 50, and C-4A needs 21 of 30. The Contractor Management Survey needs 45 of 60 scored questions.
Is continuing education required?
No. Nevada doesn’t require CE to renew these licenses.
Does Nevada have reciprocity?
Yes, with some states. Arizona, California and Utah are listed for the painting trade exams, and Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee for C-3. Confirm with the Board before you apply.
Sources
Official sources for the Nevada specialty contractor license
- Nevada State Contractors Board, Contractor applications
- PSI, Candidate exam scheduling
- Nevada State Contractors Board, C-3 and C-4 classification scopes
- PSI, Nevada Contractor Management Survey exam outline
- 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 C 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.