- The scored AZ-B2 outline has 100 questions, 240 minutes, and a 70% passing standard.
- Concrete (14 items) and Metals (13 items) are the two heaviest domains - prioritize them.
- PSI trade exam costs $66; the separate ROC Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) costs $61.
- Only the 2018 IBC, 2018 IRC, and OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 are permitted as open-book references.
Exam Snapshot: The Numbers That Matter
If you only have five minutes before test day, memorize this section. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) uses PSI to administer the trade examination for the B-2 General Small Commercial Contractor classification. The scored outline contains 100 questions delivered in 240 minutes, and you need 70% correct to pass. PSI may slip in 5-10 additional unscored experimental questions during the same time block, so don't panic if your total question count feels slightly higher than 100 - the scoring is still based on the 100-item outline.
This trade exam blueprint isn't exclusive to B-2. It's shared with the B-1, KB-1, and KB-2 classifications, but on this site every fact and figure refers specifically to the B-2 General Small Commercial Contractor version - not general residential, and not the NASCLA alternative pathway. For a deeper explanation of how this classification differs from similarly named credentials, see What Is AZ-B2? and AZ-B2 Meaning.
The 10 Domains and Their Item Counts
The trade outline effective May 9, 2024 breaks the 100 scored questions into 10 subject areas. Knowing the exact item count per domain lets you allocate study time proportionally instead of guessing. For the full walkthrough of each content area, see AZ-B2 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 10 Content Areas.
| Domain | Item Count |
|---|---|
| Sitework | 9 |
| Concrete | 14 |
| Masonry | 10 |
| Metals | 13 |
| Carpentry | 12 |
| Thermal and Moisture Protection | 10 |
| Doors and Windows | 5 |
| Finishes | 6 |
| Safety | 12 |
| General Building Code | 9 |
Concrete is the largest domain (14 items), followed by Metals (13 items). Together these two domains account for over a quarter of the scored exam. Carpentry (12) and Safety (12) are close behind. Doors and Windows, at only 5 items, is the smallest domain - don't over-invest there at the expense of Concrete or Metals.
Concrete
The single largest domain on the outline. Candidates should be fluent in placement, curing, reinforcement, formwork, and code-driven tolerances relevant to small commercial structures.
- Reinforcement placement and clearances
- Curing methods and timing
- Formwork design basics for commercial slabs and footings
Metals
The second-largest domain. Expect questions on structural steel connections, fastening, and metal component installation as it applies to small commercial projects.
- Bolted and welded connection basics
- Metal decking and framing sequencing
- Corrosion protection and fastener selection
Safety
Tied for third-largest at 12 items, this domain leans heavily on OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 - one of your three permitted open-book references.
- Fall protection thresholds
- Trenching and excavation safety
- Jobsite hazard communication
What B-2 Actually Covers (And What It Doesn't)
B-2 licensure authorizes qualifying new commercial structures or additions where total labor and materials come to $2,000,000 or less. That dollar ceiling is the defining feature of the "Small Commercial" designation - it's not a residential license, and it's not unlimited-scope commercial work.
Equally important is what B-2 does not let you self-perform. Electrical, plumbing, fire protection, air conditioning, boiler, swimming pool, spa, and water-well work must all be subcontracted to appropriately licensed specialty contractors. Expect the exam to test whether you know these carve-outs, not just general construction methods. If you're still sorting out how this classification compares to related credentials, review What Does AZ-B2 Mean? and What Is A AZ-B2? for clarification.
Key Takeaway
Memorize the subcontract-required trades list (electrical, plumbing, fire protection, HVAC, boiler, pool/spa, water-well) as a single group. Exam questions often test recognition of what falls outside B-2's direct scope.
Allowed References and Test-Day Rules
This is a restricted-reference, open-book exam - but "open book" doesn't mean any book. Only three references are permitted in the testing room:
- 2018 International Building Code (IBC)
- 2018 International Residential Code (IRC)
- OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926
Any other study-only materials you used to prepare are not allowed at the test center. Pre-existing highlighting, underlining, annotations, and permanent tabs in your allowed references are fine - but you cannot bring in loose or attached papers, and you cannot write in the books during the actual test session.
A basic calculator is permitted, provided it's silent, nonprinting, non-programmable, and non-scientific. Remember: if you test remotely, physical scratch paper and breaks are off the table, so many candidates prefer an in-person test center for a smoother experience. For a detailed comparison of difficulty factors tied to these constraints, read How Hard Is the AZ-B2 Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026.
Fees, Retakes, and Application Timeline
Budget for two separate exam-related costs. The PSI trade examination attempt runs $66. Separately, the online ROC Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) course costs $61. Both must be completed before you submit your license application, and you must apply within two years of passing the trade exam. A full cost breakdown, including bonding and business-entity expenses, is available in AZ-B2 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
If you don't pass on the first attempt, you'll need to wait 30 days before retesting. That 30-day rule holds for the second and third attempts too - but starting with your fourth attempt, the required wait jumps to 90 days. Plan your study cycle accordingly rather than assuming you can retest immediately.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| PSI Trade Exam Fee | $66 per attempt |
| ROC SRE Fee | $61 |
| Scored Questions | 100 |
| Time Allowed | 240 minutes |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Retake Wait (attempts 1-3) | 30 days |
| Retake Wait (attempt 4+) | 90 days |
For the exact scoring mechanics behind that 70% threshold, see AZ-B2 Passing Score 2026: Exactly What You Need to Pass. And if you're wondering whether testing windows or bulletin updates might shift your prep schedule, check AZ-B2 Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling.
Experience and Licensing Checklist
Passing the trade exam is only one piece of licensure. The qualifying party ordinarily needs four years of relevant practical or management experience, with at least two of those years falling within the preceding ten. Approved technical training or education can offset part of that requirement, but the credit is capped at two years - it can't replace the entire experience requirement.
Beyond experience and exams, ROC licensing also requires:
- The appropriate contractor bond
- Business-entity standing in good order
- Background checks for qualifying parties and applicable owners
- Legally required workers' compensation coverage
Once licensed, renewal follows a biennial framework: a renewal application, the applicable fee, and a valid bond kept current. Full eligibility details, including edge cases, are covered in AZ-B2 Requirements 2026: Eligibility, Prerequisites & How to Qualify.
Last-Mile Review Plan
If you already studied the full outline and just need a final-week structure, weight your review sessions by domain size rather than splitting time evenly across all 10 areas.
Concrete and Metals
- Drill reinforcement, curing, and connection detail questions - these two domains carry 27 of the 100 scored items combined
Carpentry and Safety
- Cross-reference OSHA 1926 sections while reviewing Carpentry sequencing and fall-protection scenarios
Masonry, Sitework, General Building Code, Thermal/Moisture
- Review mid-weight domains and tab your 2018 IBC by chapter for quick lookup
Finishes, Doors and Windows, Full Mock Run
- Finish the lightest domains, then simulate a full 240-minute session under test-day reference restrictions
This schedule prioritizes the domains with the most points at stake first, while still ensuring every domain gets dedicated attention before test day. For a more complete first-attempt strategy, including how to sequence full-length study weeks, see AZ-B2 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt. You can also run timed practice sets on the AZ-B2 practice test platform to simulate the 100-question, 240-minute format before your real appointment.
Key Takeaway
Don't spread review time evenly across all 10 domains. Concrete and Metals alone represent more scored questions than Doors and Windows, Finishes, and General Building Code combined.
FAQ
The scored outline has 100 questions with 240 minutes to complete them, and you need 70% correct to pass. PSI may add 5-10 unscored experimental items, so your screen count may run slightly higher than 100.
Concrete, with 14 items, is the largest domain, followed by Metals at 13 items. Carpentry and Safety tie at 12 items each. These four domains together make up more than half the exam's weight.
Only the 2018 International Building Code, the 2018 International Residential Code, and OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 are permitted. Other study-only books are not allowed during the exam itself.
The PSI trade exam attempt costs $66, and the separate ROC Statutes and Rules Exam (SRE) course costs $61. These are distinct fees for distinct requirements, both due before you submit your license application.
You must wait 30 days before retesting after your first, second, or third attempt. Starting with your fourth attempt, the required wait extends to 90 days, so build extra study time into repeated attempts.