Before contacting a licensing agency or building department, read the exam bulletin or online exam requirements for your jurisdiction. This helps you understand the process and ask the right questions.
We list the official licensing agencies and exam providers for each state and local jurisdiction on our site, making it easier to identify who administers your exam.
Your first step is to obtain the most current exam bulletin for your specific exam. Use its content outline as your primary study guide. Bulletins are usually published by the exam provider, and our site often links directly to the correct one.
Most bulletins can be found at one of the following exam providers:
(AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DC, GA, IA, LA, MD, MI, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV)
(National Local Exams, CO, DC, KS, KY, LA, MN, MO, OH, PA, SD, WY)
(AL, AR, FL, IN, KY, ME, MO, NH, SC, UT, VT, WV)
Exam bulletins typically explain license classifications, exam subjects, required and allowed books, testing locations, scheduling instructions, exam length, passing scores, fees, and registration details.
The application is the first step toward licensure. Understand application requirements before spending money on books, study materials, or courses to avoid wasted time and expense.
If your license is issued locally, search for the official city or county licensing agency. Avoid unofficial sites that charge fees. Our trade pages list the correct agency and contact information..
Most agencies require an approved application before you can schedule an exam. You will usually need to document relevant work experience. Confirm documentation requirements directly with the agency.
Licensing agencies rely on letter-size documents and PDFs. A desktop or laptop is strongly recommended. Public libraries often provide free computer access if needed.
Tablets generally work for reading documents, but you must know how to download files, extract ZIP archives, and open PDFs properly.
We do not handle licensing paperwork. If you use a consultant, research them carefully, avoid large upfront fees, and review privacy policies. Consider using a separate email address for the licensing process.
Common costs include application fees, background checks, bonding, insurance, books, courses, exam fees, and printing. Review all requirements before committing money.
Do not skip required books. Our study materials assume you have the official references listed in the bulletin. Printed books are often allowed in exams; digital versions usually are not. Marked books may be rejected.
Allow at least three weeks of steady study before your exam. Avoid last-minute cramming and focus on learning how to navigate the reference materials.
High-quality third-party tools can improve pass rates, especially for open-book exams where fast lookup skills matter.
For example, if you’re taking an NEC-based electrical exam, the exam bulletin may list only the official reference books used to write the questions. However, tools such as “Tom Henry’s Key Word Index” or “Ferm’s Fast Finder” can help you quickly look up answers in the NEC during an open-book exam. Many of our trade pages list these kinds of supplemental references and link to places where you can buy them.
Writing notes and explaining concepts to others improves retention. Short, focused study sessions are usually most effective.
Each exam provider has strict rules on allowed materials. Ignoring them can result in rejected books or rescheduling fees. Open-book exams reward efficient lookup, not memorization.
Some states write and administer their own exams and may not publish clear reference lists. Confirm required books directly with the licensing agency.
Many exams reference state statutes found on legislative websites. We link to commonly tested sections on our trade pages when possible.
Statutes are often difficult to print or interpret. You may need to extract sections manually or purchase printed copies. Assistance from someone familiar with legal language can be helpful.
Updated: 12/26/25
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