National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies

What National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies does

The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA), founded in 1962 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) membership association that coordinates the activities of state contractor licensing agencies across all 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Its core function is to promote uniformity in contractor licensing standards and facilitate reciprocity through its Accredited Examination Program, which enables contractors to take a single national trade exam (currently covering Commercial General Building, Electrical, Journeyman Electrician, and Residential Electrical) accepted by participating state agencies in lieu of duplicative state-specific tests. A new Accredited Plumbing Examination Program is in development for 2026. The organization serves state regulatory agencies as primary members, alongside corporate members, trade associations, and individual contractors.

NASCLA's technology stack centers on the National Examination Database (NED) for exam applications and transcripts, the CSLID (Contractor State Licensing Information Directory) covering all 53 U.S. jurisdictions, the NASCLA Hub for live streaming and training, and emerging AI features including NAiLA (an AI-powered search assistant in the Digital CSLID) and AI-powered practice exams co-developed with testing partner PSI Services LLC. The organization publishes 28 distinct versions of the Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, runs specialized training programs for investigators ($495) and attorneys, coordinates nationwide enforcement initiatives (a 2025 effort involved 16 state agencies and 2,936 site visits), and hosts an Annual Conference and Annual Mission community service program.

Revenue is generated through membership dues ($99 individual, $475 state/international, $750 corporate with first-year promotional pricing at $375), examination application fees ($65 per attempt), publication and bookstore sales, training program fees, conference registrations, and corporate sponsorships from Lowe's, Home Depot, Thompson Construction Group, and others. Distribution occurs primarily through the NASCLA website, the NED portal, the NASCLA Hub, the online bookstore, and annual in-person events.

Name

National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies

Legal name

National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies

Website

https://www.nascla.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) membership association, founded in 1962 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, that coordinates state contractor licensing agencies across the U.S. and administers the Accredited Examination Program enabling multi-state contractor licensure reciprocity.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contractor Licensing Regulatory Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Occupational Licensing Examination Authorities (EDADAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA), Accreditation Coordination, Recognition & Meta-Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAH), Independent Contractor Compliance & Classification (IC vs Employee) (BPACAGAA)

Keywords

• Contractor licensing association
• Standardized national examinations
• Licensing information directory
• Contractor accreditation program
• Regulatory training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from Individual ($99), Business/Corporate ($750), State agencies ($475), and International members ($475). Membership provides access to resources, events, and member tools.
2. Examination Application Fees: $65 fee charged for processing examination applications for NASCLA Accredited Examinations for Commercial General Building Contractors and Electrical programs.
3. Publications and Bookstore Sales: Sale of 28 different versions of the Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, plus companion courses, practice exams, and the printed CSLID directory.
4. Digital Subscriptions: Digital CSLID subscription providing instant access to licensing requirements, agency contacts, and regulatory information nationwide. NASCLA Members receive discounted digital access.
5. Training Programs: Revenue from investigator training ($495), attorney training, and other professional development programs. Certificates of Completion issued upon completion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NASCLA operates as a national membership association that delivers standardized accredited examinations accepted by multiple U.S. states for contractor licensing (Commercial General Building, Electrical, Journeyman Electrician, Residential Electrical, and a forthcoming Plumbing program), alongside the CSLID licensing information directory, AI-powered practice exams, publications, training programs, and an annual conference. Its national exam database (NED) and digital platforms serve as infrastructure for both state regulators and contractors seeking multi-state licensure.

Product overview

NASCLA (National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies) operates a platform-plus-services model centered on its Accredited Examination Program, which enables contractors to obtain multi-state licensure through standardized national exams. The core offerings include the NED (National Exam Database) platform for exam applications and transcripts, multiple accredited examinations (Commercial General Building, Electrical, Journeyman Electrician, Residential Electrical, and an upcoming Plumbing program), and the AI-powered Practice Exam for exam preparation. Supporting services include the CSLID (Contractor State Licensing Information Directory) available in both digital and print formats, the NASCLA Hub for training videos and live streams, publications including the Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, and specialized training programs (Investigator Training, Attorney Training). The organization also facilitates member engagement through its Annual Conference, Annual Mission community service initiative, and newsletter subscription. A new Plumbing Examination Program is under development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NASCLA Accredited Examination Program: National standardized examination program for commercial general building contractors, electrical contractors, and journeyman electricians across participating states.
• NASCLA NED
• Contractor State Licensing Information Directory (CSLID)
• NASCLA Hub

Products and services

• NASCLA NED (National Examination Database) Centralized database for contractors and regulators that hosts exam applications, transcript access, and state-agency verification for the NASCLA Accredited Examination Program; accessed via the NED portal at ned.nascla.org.
• NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors National trade exam allowing commercial general building contractors to obtain licensure in multiple participating states with a single standardized examination; applications are processed through the NED portal.
• NASCLA Accredited Examination for Electrical Contractors / Journeyman Electricians / Residential Electrical Contractors Comprehensive national electrical licensing examinations covering electrical theory, calculations, and the National Electrical Code, plus journeyman and residential electrical trade exams, accepted by multiple participating states.
• NASCLA Accredited Plumbing Examination Program New national plumbing examination program under development, with subject matter expert recruitment underway to build a multi-state licensing solution for plumbers.
• CSLID (Contractor State Licensing Information Directory) Comprehensive directory covering contractor licensing requirements for all 50 states, D.C., Guam, and the Virgin Islands; available in a searchable digital platform with NAiLA AI-powered search and side-by-side jurisdiction comparison, and in a printed edition.
• Digital CSLID with NAiLA Subscription-based digital version of the Contractor State Licensing Information Directory offering instant access to licensing requirements, agency contacts, and regulatory information, with NAiLA, NASCLA's AI-powered search assistant providing cited answers.
• NASCLA Practice Exam AI-powered online practice exam for the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractors Exam that delivers an adaptive learning assistant to help candidates prepare for the national exam.
• NASCLA Online Examination Practice Course AI-powered online practice course designed to support candidates in preparation for the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors, strengthening the education pipeline and enhancing candidate readiness.
• Electrical Contractor/Master Electrician Online Practice Exam AI-powered online practice exam in development to expand candidate preparation to the electrical contractor and master electrician accreditation pathway.
• Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management NASCLA publication available in 28 different versions tailored to state-specific requirements, sold through the NASCLA online bookstore to contractors preparing for licensing examinations.
• NASCLA Business & Law Companion Course Online study companion course aligned with the Contractors Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, supporting contractors preparing for NASCLA licensing examinations.
• State Agency Companion Course Package Turnkey pre-licensure, remedial, or continuing education package powered by NASCLA's Guide to Business Law and Project Management that state licensing agencies can offer to their contractors.
• State Business and Law Exams Individual state business and law examinations for contractors requiring state-specific licensing requirements beyond the national NASCLA exams.
• NASCLA Investigator Training On-demand training program consisting of five modules covering construction regulatory enforcement, leading to a NASCLA Investigator Training Certificate; priced at $495 per program.
• NASCLA Attorney Training Specialized training program for attorneys involved in contractor licensing regulation and enforcement actions.
• NASCLA Annual Conference NASCLA's premier annual gathering (NASCLA 2026 scheduled September 14–17, 2026, in Grand Rapids, MI) bringing together members, state licensing agencies, and sponsors for educational sessions, networking, committee meetings, and regulatory discussion.
• NASCLA Membership Tiered annual membership program (Individual $99, Business/Corporate $750, State $475, International $475) providing access to resources, member-only tools, the member directory, and discounted offerings such as the digital CSLID.
• NASCLA Annual Mission Community service initiative where NASCLA volunteers partner with local organizations to support disaster recovery and community restoration efforts; the 5th Annual Mission in Marshall, NC supported Hurricane Helene recovery.
• NASCLA Scholarship Program Financial scholarship program supporting individuals pursuing careers in construction regulation and contracting, with past scholarship winners recognized on the NASCLA site.
• NASCLA Sponsorship Program Corporate sponsorship program with named tiers (e.g., Skyscraper sponsor) enabling partners such as Lowe's, The Home Depot, Prov, ARS, PVC Pipe Association, and Thompson Construction Group to support NASCLA initiatives and the Annual Mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 16 state agencies coordinated in 2025 nationwide enforcement initiative resulting in 2,936+ site visits and 922 violations identified
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lowe's Home Centers / Lowe's ServicescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLowe's is a major corporate sponsor and partner for NASCLA initiatives. They have sponsored multiple Annual Mission events including disaster recovery efforts in New Mexico and North Carolina, providing both funding and volunteer support. Lowe representatives participate on NASCLA committees including the Accredited Examination Program Committee and Advocacy & Partnership Committee.
• PSI Services LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationPSI is the official testing provider for NASCLA Accredited Examinations, administering computer-based exams at PSI testing centers nationwide. NASCLA and PSI co-developed the AI-powered practice exam platform for examination preparation.
• The Home DepotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of NASCLA with representatives participating on the Advocacy & Partnership Committee.
• Thompson Construction GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of NASCLA.
• Prov (Provexam)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSkyscraper sponsor of NASCLA.
• ARS (American Residential Services)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of NASCLA.
• PVC Pipe AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of NASCLA.
• New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department / Construction Industries DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with NASCLA for the 4th Annual Mission in December 2024 to provide emergency relief kits to residents affected by natural disasters including South Fork and Salt Fires and Hermit's Peak and Calf Canyon Fires.
• New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with NASCLA for the 4th Annual Mission, providing essential distribution support for emergency relief kits to disaster-affected residents.
• Town of Marshall, North CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 5th Annual Mission in Marshall, NC supporting Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. NASCLA volunteers worked on restoration projects at Blannahassett Island Park and Rollins Park.
• North Carolina Plumbing and Heating BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 5th Annual Mission providing volunteer support for community recovery projects.
• North Carolina Electrical BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 5th Annual Mission providing volunteer support for community recovery projects.
• North Carolina General Contractors BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 5th Annual Mission providing volunteer support for community recovery projects.
• Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of North CarolinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 5th Annual Mission providing volunteer support for community recovery projects.
• AvalaraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness license experts who partnered with NASCLA for educational webinars on license compliance for construction and contracting organizations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES): The closest structural analog to NASCLA: a nonprofit association coordinating state licensing boards for engineers and surveyors, administering standardized national exams accepted across multiple jurisdictions. Operates the same member-board, exam-reciprocity, and accreditation model in an adjacent professional vertical.
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN): Nonprofit umbrella of state nursing boards that runs the NCLEX and oversees multi-state licensure (Nurse Licensure Compact). Closely comparable member-board-and-exam model to NASCLA's contractor-licensing focus.
• National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA): Coordinates state accountancy boards and facilitates uniform CPA exam administration and licensure mobility. Same member-association-of-state-boards model with national examination oversight as NASCLA.
• Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB): National nonprofit representing U.S. state medical boards, supporting the USMLE and interstate medical licensure. Comparable structure of member-state-boards, standardized exams, and reciprocity coordination.
• Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB): Nonprofit association of state landscape architecture licensure boards administering the LARE exam. Direct parallel to NASCLA in scale, structure, and mission of multi-jurisdiction professional licensure for a specific trade.
• Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT): Member organization of state physical therapy licensing boards administering the NPTE. Same member-board + national standardized examination architecture as NASCLA.
• Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Nonprofit association of social work licensure boards that develops and delivers standardized examinations for multi-state social work licensure. Same exam-and-reciprocity flywheel model as NASCLA in a different professional field.

Emerging players

• PSI Services LLC: NASCLA's official testing partner for accredited examinations, administering computer-based exams at PSI testing centers nationwide and co-developing the AI-powered practice exam platform. Closely intertwined operationally and a comparable vendor for similar licensure programs.

Others

• Council on Licensure, Enforcement & Regulation (CLEAR): International nonprofit association of regulatory boards and agencies across all licensed professions; NASCLA's Executive Director is an active participant. Comparable mission of advancing best practices in occupational licensing and enforcement.
• Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards (FARB): Umbrella body for occupational and professional licensing associations (NASCLA's Executive Director is a governing member). Highly comparable mission of facilitating cooperation among member licensing boards and enforcement authorities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NASCLA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nascla
• Instagraminstagram.com/nascla_
• Xx.com/nascla1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies