NASCLA reference books: the 24 titles and tabbing

The 24 listed references

Listed in the bulletin's order, with the editions it allows.

1. Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction Managers, 4th edition, 2024 (American Technical Publishers)
2. ICC A117.1-2017, Standard for Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (International Code Council)
3. BCSI: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining, and Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2018 (updated March 2020) or 2025 edition (SBCA and TPI)
4. Carpentry and Building Construction, 2016 edition, Feirer and Feirer (McGraw-Hill)
5. 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA construction standards), 2023 edition with the latest amendments, or PSI's OSHA Excerpts 2025
6. Construction Jobsite Management, 4th edition 2017 or 5th edition 2024, Mincks and Johnston
7. Construction Project Management, 4th edition 2014 or 5th edition 2022, Gould and Joyce (Pearson)
8. NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Basic 14th edition (NASCLA)
9. Erectors' Manual: Standards and Guidelines for the Erection of Precast Concrete Products, 2nd edition, 1999 (PCI)
10. Green Building Fundamentals, 2nd edition, 2011, Montoya (Pearson)
11. Gypsum Construction Handbook, 7th edition, 2014 (USG)
12. Technical Digest No. 9, Handling and Erection of Steel Joists and Joist Girders, 3rd edition, 2008 (Steel Joist Institute)
13. International Building Code, 2021 or 2024 (International Code Council)
14. ACI 318-14 or ACI 318-19 (2022), Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary (American Concrete Institute)
15. Training and Certification of Field Personnel for Unbonded Post-Tensioning, Level 1 Field Fundamentals, 3rd edition, 2003 (Post-Tensioning Institute)
16. Modern Masonry: Brick, Block, Stone, 9th edition, 2020, Kicklighter (Goodheart-Willcox)
17. Pipe and Excavation Contracting, 2011, Roberts (Craftsman Book Company)
18. Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th edition, 2024, Andres and Smith (Pearson)
19. Roofing Construction and Estimating, 1995 (reprinted 2022), Atcheson (Craftsman Book Company)
20. Placing Reinforcing Bars, Recommended Practices, 10th edition, 2019 or later printing (CRSI)
21. SDI Manual of Construction with Steel Deck, 2016 (Steel Deck Institute)
22. The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction, 4th edition, 2018 (American Concrete Institute)
23. Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites, 2007, EPA document 833R06004 (U.S. EPA)
24. ANSI/EIMA 99-A-2017, Standard for Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) and EIFS with Drainage

The test center also hands out a physical diagram and blueprint packet. You do not bring that. The diagram and blueprint packet guide sets out what the bulletin says about it and what it leaves out.

Two of the 24 cost nothing to read. OSHA publishes 29 CFR 1926 online, and the bulletin says the EPA stormwater guide can be downloaded free or ordered as a free printed copy from the EPA by searching its document number, 833R06004. For the others, check libraries and used copies, and match the edition the bulletin allows.

Editions: code books versus everything else

For code questions, the exam uses only the code editions listed. For the other references, the bulletin says you may use earlier or later editions as they come out, but at your own risk: if a different edition gives a different answer, that is not grounds for appeal. Where the bulletin allows two editions, either one is accepted.

What you may and may not do to your books

From the bulletin:

• You may highlight, underline and index your books.
• You may not write in them, and they may not contain any extra papers, loose or attached.
• Permanent tabs only. Temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are not allowed and must be removed before the exam starts.
• Phones, tablets and other electronic devices go in storage, so plan on printed copies, not e-books.

If you are unsure whether something you have done to a book is allowed, ask PSI before test day, not at the check-in desk.

A tabbing plan that saves time

These are our suggestions, not PSI's rules.

1. Tab the finders first. In every book, tab the table of contents and the index. Most lookups start there.
2. One color per subject area. Match tab colors to the twelve areas in the exam outline, so a glance at the shelf tells you which book to grab.
3. Tab chapters, not sentences. A few tabs per chapter beats dozens of tabs you cannot read at speed. Add more only where practice shows you lose time.
4. Use preprinted or blank permanent tabs. Because you may not write in the books, check with PSI before handwriting labels on tabs.
5. Practice with the tabs you will bring. Do your timed practice in the same tabbed books, so the layout is second nature on exam day.
6. Stack the heavy hitters on top. Procurement and Contracting Requirements and General Requirements are almost half the questions. Keep their books where you can reach them first.

To tab on paper, print the free NASCLA tabbing guide (PDF). It lists all 24 books in the bulletin's order with a tab color and the topics to tab in each, plus the book rules above. No email.

Bid Bond never reproduces text from these books. Our explanations name the book and topic so you can find it in your own copy. See the NASCLA study guide for when to tab during your plan.

Take the free 10-question check and see your score by subject area in minutes. It needs no signup and explains every answer.

The NASCLA Commercial course has a lesson for each of the 12 subject areas that shows which listed reference to open and how to apply it, original practice questions with every answer worked, and four timed practice exams of 115 questions on a 330-minute clock. Your scores come back by subject area, so you know where the next study hour goes. See the course.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by NASCLA or PSI. NASCLA and PSI are named only to identify the exam and its test vendor. Book titles are named only to identify them.

FAQ

How many books are allowed on the NASCLA exam?

24 listed references, in the editions PSI's Candidate Information Bulletin names. You bring your own copies; none are provided at the test center.

Can I write in my NASCLA books?

No. You may highlight, underline and index them with permanent tabs. Other writing, loose or attached papers and temporary tabs such as Post-its are not allowed.

Which NASCLA reference can I read free online?

29 CFR 1926, OSHA's construction standards, is free to read on eCFR. The bulletin lists the 2023 edition with amendments, or PSI's 2025 OSHA excerpts.

Sources

Show the list

• PSI Candidate Information Bulletin 1458, reference list and reference rules, updated 7 Jul 2026. Retrieved 5 Nov 2026.
• NASCLA Commercial Exam, NASCLA. Retrieved 5 Nov 2026.
• 29 CFR 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, OSHA. Link as given in the bulletin.