Any contractor looking to grow their business beyond their home state has more than likely come across the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program for contractors. But that doesn’t mean that it’s only contractors looking to cross state borders who should take NASCLA. So, if you’ve been wondering whether this exam is worth the effort, the short answer is Yes!
The NASCLA exam saves you time, money, and frustration while opening doors to better opportunities across the country. It’s a strategic move for every contractor who sees the bigger picture of their career. Here’s why taking the NASCLA exam is one of the smartest decisions you can make.
1. It Streamlines Multistate Licensing
Normally, obtaining a license in more than one state can be a headache, as each state has a different trade exam. And if you think about it, it’s often not worth all the trouble, considering you’re proving the same skills again and again. The NASCLA exam changes that. Once you pass it, your results will be stored in the National Examination Database (NED), so you can use them to skip the trade exam requirement in the participating states.
It’s best to utilise well-prepared NASCLA exam preparation resources from a reputable provider such as RocketCert to enhance your chances of passing. After making it past this hurdle, you can enjoy fewer testing hassles, lower travel expenses, and more time to focus on your projects. For contractors trying to grow regionally or nationally, the NASCLA program is, therefore, a major advantage.
2. Builds Your Professional Credibility
Passing the NASCLA exam signals something important to your employers or clients, and the various contractors’ licensing boards. Even your partners will take your professionalism more seriously when they see how keen you are on improving your qualifications.
This added credibility can be quite handy when bidding on larger commercial projects or when working with out-of-state contractors. And in an industry built on trust and reputation, such credentials matter a lot.
3. You’ll Learn More Than You Expect
Some contractors approach the NASCLA exam just to meet a requirement for licensing, but many are surprised by how much they actually learn. The courses you take to pass this exam cover various topics, including business operations, insurance, contracts, and risk management. These areas are crucial for running a profitable contracting business, yet they are often overlooked in day-to-day fieldwork.
Preparing for NASCLA will force you to sharpen your understanding of how successful construction companies operate behind the scenes. In that sense, studying for the exam is professional development disguised as test prep.
4. It’s Open Book, But With a Catch
The NASCLA exam is open book, but that shouldn’t fool you into believing it’s easy. You have to navigate through a dozen reference books under time pressure. The skill lies in understanding your materials: where to find information fast, how to interpret it correctly, and how to manage your time cleverly.
Remember, you will be tackling a total of 115 questions, and you have to answer at least 81 of these correctly to reach the minimum passing score. Though this sounds like quite an intimidating process, it makes you a more disciplined and organised professional.
5. The ROI Makes Sense
Let’s talk numbers: the exam fee is approximately $125, without considering the application fee (about $35). Don’t forget you’ll need NASCLA-authorised books ($1,000-$1,900). What’s more, you will want to get prep courses to make it more likely that you will pass the exam. In short, you are spending a few thousand dollars, and that’s quite something when you think that all you’re interested in is passing a single exam.
If, however, you compare the cost of preparing for this exam the right way compared to the cost of taking multiple state exams and the time you spend preparing for each, NASCLA is the clear winner. In short, it’s an investment with clear, measurable returns, so don’t hesitate to go for it.
Get Ready to Tackle NASCLA Today
Taking the NASCLA exam is more than a paperwork shortcut. It’s a professional milestone that tells clients, licensing boards, and other stakeholders that you’re serious about your trade and ready to compete at a national level.
Yes, it will require serious preparation and commitment, but the freedom you get in return is a major payoff. So, head over to rocketcert.com today to equip yourself with what you need to move forward.