How Hard Is the General Contractor Exam in North Carolina?
North Carolina does not publish a first-attempt pass rate for the General Contractor exam. Exam content and the passing score are set by the state — check with North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC).
Figures below come from the same dataset as the full guide and list only what the state publishes. Anything not published is marked “varies — check the board” rather than guessed.
General Contractor exam difficulty — North Carolina at a glance
| First-attempt pass rate | Not published |
| Difficulty | Not rated |
| Questions | 90 national / — state |
| Time limit | 180 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Exam vendor | PSI |
Official source: North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) ↗
Study strategies that work for the General Contractor exam
State-law and state-rule questions are where most candidates lose points. Study the state portion before the national portion, then reinforce both with practice questions.
Take full-length practice tests in the real format until you consistently score above the passing standard. Review every missed question — the explanation matters more than the answer.
Many vendors (PSI, Pearson VUE, Prometric) return a report showing which content areas you missed. Study exactly those sections, then re-test them.
Know the question count and time limit going in. Flag hard questions and come back to them — finishing the exam beats getting stuck on a single item.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the General Contractor exam in North Carolina?
No first-attempt pass rate is published by North Carolina. Check North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) for the current data.
What is a passing score on the General Contractor exam in North Carolina?
You need a 70% to pass on the 90-question exam.
How many questions are on the General Contractor exam in North Carolina?
90 national questions, with a 180-minute time limit.
How should I study for the General Contractor exam?
Spend most of your time on the state-specific content, drill with timed practice exams until you consistently score above the passing standard, and review every missed question. If the vendor provides a weak-area diagnostic, study exactly those sections before retaking.
Plan your General Contractor exam prep
This page is informational and not legal advice. Fees, pass rates and retake rules change frequently — verify all figures with North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) and your exam vendor before paying (retrieved 2026-08-20).