Georgia Residential-Basic License • PSI • 80 Trade Questions • Georgia Business & Law • Open Book
Ready to become a licensed residential home builder in Georgia? This Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor Exam Prep guide covers the official PSI examinations, licensing requirements, residential construction methods, approved study books, building codes, jobsite safety, financial responsibility, and contractor business preparation.
The Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor license is designed for contractors who build, construct, repair, or remodel qualifying one-family and two-family residential properties.
It also covers qualifying townhouses within Georgia's Residential-Basic license definition.
The license is regulated by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors.
It is a state contractor license, not simply a certificate showing that someone knows how to use a hammer!
To qualify through the examination pathway, candidates must generally pass two separate examinations.
The first is the Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor Trade Examination.
The second is the Georgia Business & Law Examination.
Both examinations are administered by PSI.
The Residential-Basic trade examination contains 80 scored questions.
Candidates receive 200 minutes, equivalent to three hours and twenty minutes.
The minimum passing score is 70%, requiring at least 56 correct answers.
The separate Georgia Business & Law examination contains 50 scored questions.
It allows 120 minutes and requires 70%, or 35 correct answers.
Both examinations are open book.
However, candidates may bring only references approved for the particular examination.
The Residential-Basic trade exam covers home construction, sitework, foundations, concrete, masonry, carpentry, roofing, building codes, associated trades, and OSHA safety.
The Georgia Business & Law exam covers contractor licensing, estimating, bidding, financial management, contracts, taxes, labor law, liens, risk management, and construction business responsibilities.
For many contractors, the trade examination feels familiar because it focuses on activities performed on a residential jobsite.
The business exam may be more surprising.
After all, knowing how to frame a roof is useful, but it will not automatically explain how to manage a construction contract, calculate overhead, or protect a company from financial risk.
Georgia also requires qualifying residential construction experience.
Applicants generally must be at least 21 years old and document at least two years of qualifying residential construction experience.
They must also show significant responsibility for the successful completion of at least two qualifying Residential-Basic projects during the preceding two years.
Financial responsibility is another important licensing requirement.
The Residential-Basic classification requires proof of at least $25,000 in financial responsibility through a recognized option.
Georgia allows certain alternatives to proving net worth, including qualifying surety bonds and other accepted financial instruments.
Applicants also need at least $300,000 in general liability insurance per occurrence.
Workers' compensation coverage is required when applicable under Georgia law.
Important code edition detail: Georgia currently adopts the 2024 International Residential Code with Georgia amendments for construction.
However, the published Georgia PSI Residential-Basic examination reference list identifies the 2018 International Residential Code for the licensing exam.
Those are different purposes.
The adopted state code governs construction, while the examination bulletin identifies the references permitted for testing.
Always confirm the current PSI bulletin before purchasing your exam books.
Contractor Exam Preps offers the Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor Complete Book Package, featuring eight major trade references.
The Georgia Residential-Basic Highlighted and Tabbed Book Package provides prepared books for study and open-book reference navigation.
For guided preparation, the Georgia Residential Basic Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package includes rental books, live and recorded instruction, self-study course access, and application support.
Contractors interested in business setup can explore The 1 Package for Georgia Residential Basic Contractors.
For the separate Business & Law exam, candidates can use the Georgia NASCLA Contractors Guide, 3rd Edition and the Georgia PSI Business & Law Online Practice Questions.
This guide includes an exam snapshot, licensing roadmap, topic weighting chart, construction illustration, approved references, study plan, product recommendations, credential artwork, interactive FAQs, and a related Georgia Residential-Basic licensing video from 1ExamPrep.
Important Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor 2026 Update: Georgia Residential-Basic applicants pursuing licensure through examination generally must pass the 80-question Residential-Basic trade exam in 200 minutes and the separate 50-question Georgia Business & Law exam in 120 minutes. Both are open book and require 70% passing. Georgia's current mandatory residential construction code is the 2024 IRC with state amendments, but the published PSI Residential-Basic examination bulletin specifies the 2018 IRC as a permitted testing reference. Some book packages also contain newer editions of technical references than those named in the published PSI bulletin. Check your actual examination reference list before testing. For licensing, applicants generally need two years of qualifying experience, two qualifying completed projects, $25,000 in financial responsibility, and $300,000 general liability insurance per occurrence.
A Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor is a licensed professional who performs or manages qualifying residential construction projects.
The license is primarily associated with detached one-family dwellings, detached two-family dwellings, and qualifying one-family townhouses not exceeding three stories in height.
It also encompasses related accessory buildings and structures within the statutory residential scope.
Residential-Basic contractors may work on new home construction, additions, renovations, repairs, and other qualifying residential building activities.
However, holding this license does not automatically authorize every type of commercial construction.
Georgia maintains separate Residential-Light Commercial and General Contractor classifications for broader project types.
Residential construction involves several trades working together.
Consider the construction of a new single-family house.
The process begins with plans, budgets, permitting, surveys, and site preparation.
Excavation and grading establish the conditions needed for the foundation.
Concrete or masonry work provides the building's support.
Framing creates the walls, floors, and roof structure.
Roofing and exterior components protect the building from weather.
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems are installed as construction progresses.
Inspections help verify that different stages satisfy applicable requirements.
The general contractor must organize the sequence of that work.
For example, installing drywall before a required electrical inspection would create an unnecessary problem.
Missing roof truss bracing could create something much worse.
That is why Residential-Basic candidates need construction knowledge beyond one specialty.
The PSI trade examination covers foundations, carpentry, masonry, roofing, construction codes, associated trades, and OSHA safety.
Contractors must also understand project administration.
A well-built home can still become an expensive business problem when a contract is unclear, project expenses are underestimated, or subcontractor payments are poorly managed.
Georgia addresses those responsibilities through the separate Business & Law examination.
The Residential-Basic license may be held by an individual working in their own name or by a qualifying agent associated with a registered business organization.
The correct application depends on how the contractor intends to conduct business.
Official license: Residential-Basic Contractor.
Residential work: Qualifying one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
Height limit: Qualifying townhouses up to three stories.
Commercial construction: May require another contractor classification.
Trade and business exams: Both required for the normal examination pathway.
Becoming a Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor involves more than passing an examination. The state also reviews experience, project responsibility, financial documents, insurance, and the applicant's business arrangement.
| Step | Requirement | What to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Select License Type | Residential-Basic | Confirm that your intended work falls within the residential classification. |
| Select Applicant Type | Individual or Qualifying Agent | Determine whether you are applying personally or qualifying a business organization. |
| Verify Minimum Age | 21 Years | Confirm the age requirement. |
| Document Experience | At Least Two Years | Document qualifying residential construction employment or substantially similar approved experience. |
| Document Projects | Two Completed Projects | Provide evidence of significant responsibility on two qualifying projects completed within the preceding two years. |
| Prepare Project References | Board Application | Complete required project reference affidavits and descriptions. |
| Financial Responsibility | $25,000 | Use an accepted financial responsibility method. |
| Net Worth Alternative | Surety Bond or Other Accepted Option | Review the $25,000 bond, bank reference, line-of-credit, or letter-of-credit alternatives. |
| General Liability | $300,000 Per Occurrence | Maintain the required insurance coverage. |
| Workers' Compensation | When Applicable | Georgia generally requires coverage when the business has three or more employees. |
| Prepare Business Information | Correct Entity Information | Prepare affiliation details and business records where applicable. |
| Create State Account | Georgia GOALS | Create an account using the Georgia Secretary of State licensing portal. |
| Submit Application | Board Review | Upload the required documents and pay the application fee. |
| Receive Exam Approval | Board Authorization | Wait for the examination approval letter before scheduling. |
| Prepare Trade Books | PSI Reference List | Verify approved building code and construction book editions. |
| Prepare Business Book | Georgia NASCLA Guide, 3rd Edition | Study the separate Business & Law reference. |
| Pass Trade Examination | 80 Questions | Score at least 56 correct answers in 200 minutes. |
| Pass Business & Law | 50 Questions | Score at least 35 correct answers in 120 minutes. |
| Complete Board Processing | License Issuance | Finish any outstanding financial, insurance, or application requirements. |
| Maintain License | Renewal and Education | Complete applicable continuing education and renewal obligations. |
The following information comes from the Georgia PSI contractor examination structure. Candidates must prepare for both the Residential-Basic trade test and the separate Georgia Business & Law test.
| Exam Detail | Category | Published Information |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing Authority | Georgia | State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors |
| Testing Provider | PSI | Computer-Based Examination |
| Trade Exam Name | Trade | Residential-Basic Contractor |
| Trade Questions | Trade | 80 Scored Questions |
| Trade Time | Trade | 200 Minutes |
| Trade Passing Score | Trade | 70%, 56 Correct |
| Trade Reference Format | Trade | Open Book |
| Business Exam Name | Business | Georgia Business & Law |
| Business Questions | Business | 50 Scored Questions |
| Business Time | Business | 120 Minutes |
| Business Passing Score | Business | 70%, 35 Correct |
| Business Reference Format | Business | Open Book |
| Sitework, Footings and Foundations | Trade | 8 Questions |
| Concrete and Reinforcement | Trade | 8 Questions |
| Masonry | Trade | 5 Questions |
| Carpentry | Trade | 16 Questions |
| Roofing | Trade | 8 Questions |
| General Code and Construction Knowledge | Trade | 18 Questions |
| Associated Trades | Trade | 10 Questions |
| OSHA Safety | Trade | 7 Questions |
| Licensing Requirements | Business | 5 Questions |
| Estimating and Bidding | Business | 7 Questions |
| Business Organization and Finance | Business | 7 Questions |
| Tax Laws | Business | 5 Questions |
| Labor Laws | Business | 5 Questions |
| Project Management and Lien Law | Business | 6 Questions |
| Contracts | Business | 6 Questions |
| Risk Management | Business | 4 Questions |
| Environmental and Safety | Business | 5 Questions |
| Published PSI Trade IRC Reference | Exam Books | 2018 International Residential Code |
| Current Georgia Construction IRC | State Code | 2024 International Residential Code with Georgia Amendments |
| Business Reference | Exam Books | Georgia NASCLA Contractors Guide, 3rd Edition |
| Minimum Applicant Age | Licensing | 21 Years |
| Residential Experience | Licensing | Two Years |
| Qualifying Projects | Licensing | Two Completed Residential-Basic Projects Within Preceding Two Years |
| Financial Responsibility | Licensing | $25,000 or Recognized Alternative |
| General Liability | Licensing | $300,000 Per Occurrence |
Trade: 80 scored questions, 200 minutes, 56 correct to pass.
Business & Law: 50 questions, 120 minutes, 35 correct to pass.
Both exams: Open book with approved references.
Current construction code: 2024 Georgia IRC with amendments.
Published examination code reference: 2018 IRC. Recheck PSI before testing.
The official PSI Residential-Basic examination contains eight major construction categories. Understanding how these topics connect is important because real residential construction projects involve more than one activity at a time.
Study site layout, grading, excavation, soil preparation, footing dimensions, foundation walls, drainage, waterproofing, and anchorage.
Foundation work is one of the earliest stages of home construction.
A mistake in this stage may affect the structure above it, so contractors should understand the relationship between soil, loads, foundations, and drainage.
Review reinforcing steel, concrete materials, formwork, placement, finishing, curing, and construction quality.
Understand the purpose of reinforcement and why proper concrete preparation matters.
Practice interpreting construction details and identifying correct installation methods.
Study concrete masonry units, brick, mortar, reinforcing, flashing, veneer construction, and related installation practices.
Know common masonry terms and the purpose of wall reinforcement and moisture protection.
Carpentry is the second-largest trade category.
Study wall framing, floor framing, roof framing, sheathing, fasteners, trusses, stairs, openings, and structural connectors.
Understand load paths and the sequence of residential framing.
Roof truss handling and bracing deserve particular attention because unsafe installation can create serious hazards.
Review roofing materials, underlayment, flashing, roof slope, roof coverings, ventilation, and moisture protection.
Know how roofing components work together to protect the building from rain and other weather conditions.
This is the largest Residential-Basic trade category.
It includes plan reading, residential building code requirements, construction principles, code terminology, and general building practices.
Practice using the International Residential Code to locate construction provisions.
Learn how building planning requirements connect with foundations, framing, stairs, guards, openings, and other residential systems.
Review the coordination of plumbing, electrical, mechanical, energy efficiency, and other activities that interact with residential construction.
A Residential-Basic contractor must understand how specialty trades affect scheduling, framing, inspections, and overall project completion.
Study fall protection, ladders, scaffolding, excavation hazards, personal protective equipment, tool safety, and other construction hazards.
Safety should be practiced on the jobsite, not simply remembered for a test.
Largest category: General Code and Construction Knowledge, 18 questions.
Second-largest: Carpentry, 16 questions.
Combined: 34 of 80 scored questions, or 42.5%.
Separate exam: Georgia Business & Law, 50 additional questions.
Begin with the official PSI Residential-Basic content outline.
This tells you exactly how the trade examination distributes its 80 scored questions.
Do not spend all your time on one subject simply because you enjoy it.
A carpenter may love framing but still need to study concrete, roofing, masonry, and OSHA.
A concrete specialist may need extra practice reading residential building plans.
The exam is designed to measure broad residential building knowledge.
General Code: 18 questions. Make residential code navigation a major priority.
Carpentry: 16 questions. Review floor, wall, and roof framing.
Associated Trades: 10 questions. Understand electrical, mechanical, and plumbing coordination.
Foundations: 8 questions. Study soil, excavation, footings, and site drainage.
Concrete: 8 questions. Review forms, reinforcing, placement, and curing.
Roofing: 8 questions. Study underlayment, flashing, materials, and slope.
OSHA: 7 questions. Review common jobsite hazards.
Masonry: 5 questions. Study concrete block, brick, mortar, and reinforcement.
The open-book format means reference navigation is also a major part of preparation.
Learn the table of contents, indexes, chapter names, and major sections of each approved book.
Practice identifying the most useful reference before opening a book.
For example, a truss-bracing question should direct you toward the truss safety reference rather than an unrelated masonry book.
A concrete curing question may be answered through the concrete construction guide.
A residential building planning question may require the International Residential Code.
Keep code editions straight.
Georgia's current mandatory construction code is the 2024 IRC, but the published PSI reference list identifies the 2018 IRC for the Residential-Basic examination.
Verify the edition the exam will accept before buying a replacement book.
The Georgia Residential-Basic 8-Book Package provides a coordinated set of construction references.
The Highlighted and Tabbed Book Package helps candidates organize the books for faster reference lookups.
Practice finding answers while using a timer.
Next, prepare for Georgia Business & Law separately.
Use the Georgia NASCLA Contractors Guide, 3rd Edition, to review licensing, estimating, financial management, contracts, labor laws, taxes, lien law, risk management, and safety.
Complete practice questions for both exams and review missed answers.
The goal is not to memorize hundreds of isolated answers. The goal is to understand construction principles and know how to confirm important details quickly.
Residential-Basic contractors must understand how foundations, framing, roofing, exterior materials, building systems, and safety requirements fit together.
Conceptual illustration only. Actual construction must follow approved plans and applicable Georgia codes.
Use these eight steps to organize the licensing process from qualifying experience through state approval.
Confirm that your planned work involves qualifying residential buildings rather than a broader commercial scope.
Document at least two years of qualifying residential construction work and significant responsibility for two recent completed Residential-Basic projects.
Review the $25,000 financial responsibility requirement, available alternatives, and minimum $300,000 general liability coverage.
Choose the individual or qualifying-agent application and provide the necessary information and supporting documents.
Wait for the Georgia Board's approval letter before registering for the PSI examinations.
Study Residential-Basic construction topics and the separate Georgia Business & Law reference.
Earn at least 56 of 80 on the trade exam and 35 of 50 on the business exam.
Finish Board processing, maintain required insurance, and meet continuing education and renewal requirements.
These percentages are calculated from PSI's published 80-question Residential-Basic content outline.
Total trade questions: 80.
Top two categories: General Code and Construction Knowledge plus Carpentry.
Top two combined: 34 questions, representing 42.5%.
Separate Business & Law: 50 additional scored questions.
The official PSI Residential-Basic reference list identifies several construction books and code references.
Contractor Exam Preps' eight-book package provides a coordinated library, although some package editions are newer than those shown in the published PSI examination bulletin.
Always match your testing books to the current PSI instructions.
| Reference Book | Edition or Reference | Primary Study Topic |
|---|---|---|
| International Residential Code | 2018 in Published PSI Exam Bulletin | Residential building planning, foundations, framing, roofing, and code requirements. |
| Current Georgia Residential Construction Code | 2024 IRC with Georgia Amendments | The currently adopted code governing residential construction in Georgia, distinct from the published exam reference. |
| OSHA Construction Standards | 29 CFR Part 1926, Latest Amendments | Construction safety, fall hazards, ladders, scaffolding, excavation, and worker protection. |
| Carpentry and Building Construction | 2010 or 2016 Student Edition in PSI Bulletin | Carpentry, framing, stairs, materials, layout, and general residential building methods. |
| BCSI Guide to Good Practice for Wood Trusses | 2018, Updated March 2020 in Published PSI Bulletin | Handling, installing, restraining, and bracing metal plate connected wood trusses. |
| BCSI Guide in Store Package | 2025 Edition | Newer educational edition; verify whether acceptable in the testing room. |
| The Contractor's Guide to Quality Concrete Construction | 2005, 3rd Edition | Concrete materials, reinforcing, placement, finishing, curing, and quality. |
| Modern Masonry: Brick, Block, Stone | 2015, 8th Edition in Published PSI Bulletin | Mortar, brick, block, stone, masonry reinforcement, and installation. |
| Modern Masonry in Store Package | 10th Edition | Newer educational edition; verify acceptance for your testing window. |
| Pipe and Excavation Contracting | Dave Roberts, 2011 | Excavation, grading, underground piping, site operations, and construction methods. |
| International Energy Conservation Code | 2015 | Insulation, energy efficiency, building envelope, and energy compliance. |
| Georgia State Construction Code Amendments | Applicable Georgia Amendments | State-specific requirements affecting residential construction. |
| Georgia NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management | 3rd Edition | Separate Georgia Business & Law examination, licensing, contracts, taxes, estimating, and financial management. |
Contractor Exam Preps trade package: Eight construction books.
Trade exam: Use the current PSI-approved references and editions.
Business exam: Georgia NASCLA Contractors Guide, 3rd Edition.
Current Georgia code: 2024 IRC with Georgia amendments.
Exam code edition in published bulletin: 2018 IRC.
Important: Technical book editions in commercial packages may differ from PSI's listed reference editions.
Both Georgia Residential-Basic and Georgia Business & Law are open-book examinations.
However, open book does not mean candidates can bring a suitcase full of notes into the examination center.
PSI permits approved references with compliant highlighting, underlining, indexing, and permanent tabs.
Loose papers, handwritten notes, and removable temporary tabs are not permitted.
Trade pace: 200 minutes divided by 80 questions equals 2.5 minutes per scored question.
Business pace: 120 minutes divided by 50 questions equals 2.4 minutes per scored question.
Permitted tabs: Permanent tabs only.
Reference edition: Verify with PSI before testing.
A Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor may perform qualifying residential contracting within the state's defined Residential-Basic scope.
That includes construction activities involving detached one-family residences, detached two-family residences, and qualifying one-family townhouses not exceeding three stories.
Related accessory buildings and structures may also be part of the Residential-Basic scope.
This classification is relevant for contractors who primarily build or remodel homes.
Residential-Basic work can involve site preparation, foundations, framing, roofing, exterior construction, renovations, and coordination of building systems.
The contractor may manage subcontractors, budgets, purchasing, schedules, inspections, and communication with the property owner.
For example, building a new house may require excavation, a concrete foundation, framing, roof installation, windows, doors, siding, interior finishes, and coordination with plumbing, electrical, and HVAC subcontractors.
The contractor is responsible for making sure different work activities occur in the proper order.
Residential construction also requires attention to code requirements.
Georgia currently adopts the 2024 International Residential Code with amendments.
Contractors should follow the current construction code and local enforcement requirements when performing actual work.
The licensing examination may use an older reference edition identified in PSI's bulletin, so exam preparation and active construction compliance must not be confused.
Residential-Basic does not automatically authorize unrestricted commercial construction.
Contractors who want to perform qualifying light commercial projects should compare Georgia's Residential-Light Commercial classification.
Contractors seeking broader commercial general contracting should review the General Contractor and General Contractor Limited Tier classifications.
Specialty activities may also require separately licensed trades where Georgia law applies.
The Residential-Basic license does not replace applicable electrical, conditioned air, or plumbing contractor licenses.
One important distinction is financial responsibility.
Georgia's Residential-Basic classification requires $25,000 in financial responsibility, but that amount is not the same as a $25,000 maximum construction contract.
Georgia's official licensing guidance does not impose a contract-dollar ceiling on Residential-Basic work simply because the financial responsibility amount is $25,000.
The main limitation is the type of building and work authorized by the license.
Residential-Basic scope: Qualifying one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
Townhouse height: Not more than three stories.
No $25,000 project cap: The $25,000 figure concerns financial responsibility.
Commercial work: May require a broader classification.
Specialty trades: Separate licenses may apply.
| Classification | License Type | Main Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Residential-Basic Contractor | Residential | Qualifying detached one-family and two-family dwellings and qualifying townhouses within the statutory scope. |
| Residential-Light Commercial Contractor | Residential and Defined Light Commercial | Includes Residential-Basic work plus certain light commercial projects within Georgia's defined limits. |
| General Contractor | Unlimited Commercial | Broader commercial general contracting authority with higher financial requirements. |
| General Contractor Limited Tier | Limited Commercial | Commercial general contracting with a $1 million per-contract restriction. |
| Residential-Basic Trade Exam | PSI | 80 questions, 200 minutes, 70% passing. |
| Residential-Light Commercial Trade Exam | PSI | 90 questions, 230 minutes, 70% passing. |
| Commercial General Contractor Trade | NASCLA | 115 scored questions, 330 minutes, 70% passing. |
| Georgia Business & Law | Separate Exam | 50 questions, 120 minutes, 70% passing for applicable Residential and General Contractor examination applicants. |
| Residential-Basic Financial Responsibility | Financial | $25,000 or accepted financial alternative. |
| Residential-Basic Liability Insurance | Insurance | $300,000 per occurrence. |
| Residential-Light Commercial Liability | Insurance | $500,000 per occurrence. |
| Unlimited Commercial GC Net Worth | Financial | $150,000 minimum. |
| Individual Licensee | Application Type | Works under the individual's name or sole proprietorship. |
| Qualifying Agent | Application Type | Qualifies an affiliated registered business organization. |
Residential-Basic: Primarily qualifying residential home construction.
Residential-Light Commercial: Adds certain defined commercial work.
General Contractor: Broader commercial authority.
General Contractor Limited Tier: $1 million contract limit.
Choose by project scope: Not simply by which examination sounds easier.
Qualify for Residential-Basic
Required Before Licensure
Georgia Board and PSI
Residential-Basic experience: Two years and two recent qualifying projects.
Financial requirement: $25,000 or recognized alternative.
Liability insurance: $300,000 per occurrence.
Continuing education: Three hours per year.
Application: Board approval is needed before the examination process.
This plan combines residential trade study with Georgia Business & Law preparation. Adjust the schedule based on your experience and available study time.
The Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor exam can be challenging because candidates need broad residential construction knowledge rather than expertise in only one trade.
Some candidates have extensive framing experience but less knowledge of concrete reinforcement.
Others understand sitework and foundations but need additional practice with residential codes.
The trade examination covers eight categories.
General Code and Construction Knowledge is the largest, with 18 questions.
Carpentry is second, with 16 questions.
Together, those two areas account for 42.5% of the exam.
The remaining questions are spread among foundations, concrete, masonry, roofing, associated trades, and OSHA safety.
A successful candidate should understand how those construction systems connect.
For example, residential roof construction involves more than selecting shingles.
It requires understanding the supporting roof structure, installation practices, underlayment, flashing, water protection, and relevant code requirements.
Foundation construction involves soil preparation, concrete, reinforcement, drainage, and structural support.
Associated-trade knowledge is another important part of the examination.
Even when licensed subcontractors perform the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work, the residential contractor must coordinate the overall project.
The open-book format can make the exam seem easier than it really is.
However, candidates have only 200 minutes to answer 80 questions.
That provides an average of 2.5 minutes per scored question.
If someone spends five minutes searching for every answer, the time disappears quickly.
That is why reference organization matters.
Approved permanent tabs, compliant highlighting, and repeated code lookup practice can improve efficiency.
The separate Georgia Business & Law examination is another challenge.
It includes 50 questions on licensing, contracts, taxes, estimating, financial management, labor laws, liens, and risk management.
A contractor can be excellent at building homes and still need more preparation for these subjects.
The good news is that the Business & Law examination also permits an approved reference.
Practice using the Georgia NASCLA Contractors Guide rather than trying to remember every detail without checking the book.
Contractor Exam Preps offers book packages and guided rental packages that support both examinations.
As you study, focus on understanding the correct construction process and finding the related reference quickly.
With consistent practice, the broad collection of residential construction topics becomes easier to organize and review.
Residential-Basic: 80 questions, 200 minutes, 70% passing.
Business & Law: 50 questions, 120 minutes, 70% passing.
Open book: Approved references only.
Important: Check permitted editions in the current PSI bulletin.
Contractor Exam Preps offers Residential-Basic book packages, highlighted and tabbed references, rental programs, Business & Law practice questions, and licensing support packages.
Prepared Residential Construction References
Core Residential Construction Study Library
Books, Instruction and Application Support
All-Inclusive Licensing and Business Setup: The 1 Package for Georgia Residential Basic Contractors.
Residential-Basic Pre-Printed Tabs: View Permanent Reference Tabs.
Georgia Business & Law Guide, 3rd Edition: View Reference Book.
Georgia Business & Law Online Practice: View Practice Questions.
Georgia Contractor License Jumpstart: View Application and Business Preparation Package.
Availability: Confirm current product stock, rental terms, course access, and package contents before purchasing.
Georgia Residential-Basic book-set artwork from the ContractorExamPreps.com product collection.
This educational credential illustration features the Georgia state outline, a residential house, a roof structure, framing, and construction symbols.
It represents preparation for the Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor licensing examination and related Georgia Business & Law exam.
It is not an official state-issued contractor license or proof of examination passage.
The accompanying book-set image comes from the Contractor Exam Preps store and links to the matching Residential-Basic construction reference package.
• Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor
• Statewide Residential Contractor License
• PSI Trade Examination
• 80 Trade Questions
• 200-Minute Trade Exam
• 70% Trade Passing Score
• Georgia Business & Law Exam
• 50 Business Questions
• 120-Minute Business Exam
• Open-Book Testing
• Residential Construction Codes
• 2018 IRC Published Exam Reference
• 2024 Georgia IRC Construction Code
• Sitework and Excavation
• Footings and Foundations
• Concrete and Reinforcement
• Masonry and Mortar
• Carpentry and Framing
• Floor and Wall Systems
• Roof Framing and Trusses
• Roofing and Flashing
• Associated Construction Trades
• Energy Efficiency
• OSHA Construction Safety
• Project Estimating
• Construction Contracts
• Lien Law and Risk Management
• Business Financial Responsibility
• $25,000 Financial Qualification
• $300,000 Liability Insurance
• Two Years of Experience
• Two Qualifying Completed Projects
• Georgia GOALS Application
• Continuing Education
Prepare with organized reference books, residential construction knowledge, timed practice exams, and Georgia Business & Law review.
Georgia Residential-Basic Licensing
A Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor is a state-licensed professional authorized to perform qualifying residential construction within the Residential-Basic scope.
The license covers qualifying detached one-family and two-family dwellings and qualifying one-family townhouses not exceeding three stories, along with applicable accessory structures.
Not automatically. The Residential-Basic license has a defined residential scope. Commercial work may require Residential-Light Commercial or another appropriate General Contractor classification.
The Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors, through the Secretary of State.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
Georgia generally requires at least two years of qualifying residential construction experience or substantially similar experience acceptable to the Board.
At least two qualifying Residential-Basic projects that you had significant responsibility for completing during the two years immediately preceding the application.
Residential-Basic Trade Examination
The trade examination contains 80 scored questions.
200 minutes, equivalent to three hours and twenty minutes.
70%, requiring at least 56 correct answers out of 80 scored questions.
Yes. Candidates may bring approved references subject to PSI rules.
Sitework, foundations, concrete, masonry, carpentry, roofing, general construction codes, associated trades, and OSHA safety.
General Code and Construction Knowledge, with 18 questions.
Carpentry accounts for 16 scored questions, or 20% of the trade examination.
Yes. Roofing contains eight questions and Sitework, Footings and Foundations contains eight questions.
Georgia Business and Law Examination
Yes. Residential-Basic examination applicants must pass the separate Georgia Business & Law examination.
There are 50 scored questions.
120 minutes, or two hours.
70%, or at least 35 correct answers.
The Georgia NASCLA Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management for the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, 3rd Edition.
Licensing, estimating, bidding, financial management, taxes, labor law, contracts, project management, liens, risk, environmental requirements, and safety.
Residential Code and Approved Books
Georgia currently adopts the 2024 International Residential Code with Georgia amendments for construction.
The published bulletin identifies the 2018 International Residential Code. Confirm the edition approved for your actual examination before testing.
The state adopts codes for construction, while the licensing examination provider publishes the reference editions used for testing. Updates do not always occur on the same schedule.
Yes. PSI permits highlighting, underlining, and indexing in approved reference materials, subject to its restrictions.
Yes. PSI permits permanent tabs, while temporary removable tabs are prohibited.
No. Loose papers, inserted notes, and unauthorized handwritten materials are not allowed in examination references.
No. PSI specifies code editions and reference requirements. Verify the relevant book before bringing it to the examination center.
Financial and Insurance Requirements
Georgia requires proof of $25,000 in financial responsibility, which may be satisfied through an accepted net-worth or alternative financial instrument.
Yes. A qualifying $25,000 surety bond is among the financial responsibility alternatives recognized by Georgia.
At least $300,000 per occurrence for the Residential-Basic classification.
Georgia generally requires workers' compensation insurance for employers with three or more employees, subject to applicable law.
No. The $25,000 figure is a financial responsibility requirement, not a Residential-Basic contract-dollar limit.
Georgia Contractor Business and Licensing
An individual licensee works under their own name or sole proprietorship. A qualifying agent qualifies an affiliated registered business organization such as an LLC or corporation.
Yes. Georgia reviews the application and issues examination authorization before candidates schedule through PSI.
Georgia's published Board guidance identifies reciprocity arrangements with Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina, subject to eligibility and current requirements.
Yes. Residential-Basic contractors must complete three hours of continuing education per year.
Contractor Exam Preps Products
Yes. ContractorExamPreps.com offers an eight-book Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor reference package.
Yes. A Georgia Residential-Basic Highlighted and Tabbed Book Package is listed in the store.
Yes. The Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package includes rental references and study resources. Review current package terms before purchasing.
Yes. Georgia PSI Business & Law Online Practice Questions are available for timed study and review.
Yes. The 1 Package combines Residential-Basic exam preparation with selected application, business-formation, EIN, and related support services.
No. Study and application services can help candidates prepare, but licensing approval depends on satisfying Georgia's requirements and passing the necessary examinations.
Watch this related 1ExamPrep video about the Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor license, qualifying experience, the state application process, and preparation for the required examinations.
The video explains the licensing journey for contractors who want to build homes or grow a residential construction business in Georgia.
Video: How to Get a Georgia Residential Basic Contractor License.
Channel: 1ExamPrep.
Topics: Residential contractor licensing, experience, applications, examination requirements, and preparation materials.
Residential-Basic trade exam: 80 questions, 200 minutes, 70% passing.
Business & Law: 50 questions, 120 minutes, 70% passing.
Reminder: Confirm reference-book editions and current state application rules before testing.
Watch Georgia Residential Basic Contractor Licensing on YouTube
Read the Related 1ExamPrep Georgia Residential-Basic Exam Guide
Explore Residential-Basic exam preparation products from Contractor Exam Preps and verify requirements through Georgia's official licensing and examination resources.
Official license: Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor.
Trade exam: 80 questions, 200 minutes, 56 correct to pass.
Business & Law: 50 questions, 120 minutes, 35 correct to pass.
Testing: Open book, approved references only.
Financial responsibility: $25,000 or accepted alternative.
General liability: $300,000 per occurrence.
Experience: Two qualifying years and two qualifying recent projects.
Current Georgia building code: 2024 IRC with amendments.
Published PSI trade reference: 2018 IRC, subject to verification for the testing date.
Becoming a licensed Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor is an important step for construction professionals who want to build and remodel qualifying residential properties.
The Residential-Basic classification covers work involving qualifying one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses within Georgia's defined residential scope.
This license is regulated by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors.
It is designed for contractors who understand residential building methods, construction codes, jobsite safety, project management, and the responsibilities of operating a construction business.
Georgia Residential-Basic examination applicants generally must pass two separate tests.
The first is the Residential-Basic Contractor trade examination.
The second is the Georgia Business & Law examination.
The trade exam contains 80 scored questions and allows 200 minutes.
Candidates must score at least 70%, or 56 correct answers.
The separate Business & Law exam contains 50 questions and allows 120 minutes.
Its minimum passing score is also 70%, requiring 35 correct answers.
Both examinations are open book, but candidates may use only approved reference materials.
The Residential-Basic trade examination covers eight major construction subjects.
These include sitework and foundations, concrete and reinforcement, masonry, carpentry, roofing, general code and construction knowledge, associated trades, and OSHA safety.
General Code and Construction Knowledge is the largest category, containing 18 questions.
Carpentry follows with 16 questions.
Together, these two categories account for 42.5% of the scored trade examination.
However, candidates should prepare for all eight subjects.
A residential contractor must understand how foundations, framing, roofing, exterior finishes, and building systems fit together.
Construction projects depend on careful planning and the proper sequence of work.
The contractor also needs to recognize safety hazards, coordinate specialty trades, and understand the requirements affecting each stage of construction.
The Georgia Business & Law examination covers different responsibilities.
It includes contractor licensing, estimating, bidding, financial management, taxes, labor laws, liens, contracts, risk management, environmental concerns, and construction safety.
These topics are important because operating a successful construction company requires more than building knowledge.
Contractors need to manage payments, agreements, schedules, materials, employees, subcontractors, and financial risk.
Both examinations permit approved reference books.
That creates an opportunity for candidates who practice efficient book navigation before testing.
Knowing where information is located can save valuable time.
For example, a roof truss question should direct the candidate to the appropriate truss reference, while a building planning question may require the residential code.
A business law question should lead to the Georgia NASCLA Contractors Guide.
One important 2026 detail concerns code editions.
Georgia's currently adopted residential construction code is the 2024 International Residential Code with Georgia amendments.
However, the published PSI Residential-Basic examination bulletin identifies the 2018 IRC as a testing reference.
Candidates should verify the current approved examination reference list before purchasing or bringing books into the testing room.
Contractor Exam Preps offers several useful study options.
The Georgia Residential-Basic Contractor 8-Book Package includes major construction references covering building codes, carpentry, trusses, concrete, masonry, excavation, energy efficiency, and safety.
The Georgia Residential-Basic Highlighted and Tabbed Book Package provides prepared study references.
The Georgia Residential Basic Ultimate Exam Prep Rental Package combines rental books, classes, course access, and application support.
For contractors who also want assistance setting up a business, The 1 Package includes additional services.
Candidates can also use the Georgia PSI Business & Law Online Practice Questions to strengthen preparation for the separate business examination.
Studying is only one part of qualifying for the license.
Georgia generally requires applicants to be at least 21 years old, have two years of qualifying residential experience, and document significant responsibility for two qualifying completed projects within the preceding two years.
Applicants must also satisfy financial responsibility requirements.
Residential-Basic requires proof of $25,000 in financial responsibility, or an accepted alternative such as a qualifying surety bond.
General liability insurance of at least $300,000 per occurrence is also required.
Workers' compensation insurance applies when required by Georgia law.
The application is submitted through the state's licensing process, and eligible candidates receive authorization before scheduling their examinations.
After passing both exams and completing any outstanding requirements, the Georgia Board determines license issuance.
Residential-Basic contractors also need to maintain their licenses through renewal and continuing education.
A consistent preparation plan can make the process more manageable.
Study the highest-weight trade subjects, practice code lookups, review safety, and complete timed examinations.
Prepare separately for Georgia Business & Law so that neither examination becomes an unexpected obstacle.
With the correct references, organized study habits, practical residential construction knowledge, and clear understanding of Georgia's licensing requirements, candidates can approach the Residential-Basic Contractor examination with stronger preparation and confidence.
Find residential construction study books, highlighted references, licensing packages, and Georgia Business & Law preparation at ContractorExamPreps.com.
