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Contractor Training Center Review by North Carolina General Contractor
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Date:
04 Dec 2025
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Licensed contractor Tara Whitley shares her experience with Contractor Training Center’s (CTC’s) NASCLA exam preparation program.
Tara Whitley, a general contractor working in Onslow County, North Carolina, recently completed Contractor Training Center’s NASCLA exam preparation course. After successfully obtaining her general contractor’s license, Whitley shared her candid review of the program that helped her transition from construction supervisor to licensed contractor.
Why She Chose Contractor Training Center
When Whitley decided to pursue her general contractor’s license in 2022, she researched multiple training providers before selecting CTC. The decision came down to ease of use and value. “The way that they had everything set up, it was easier for me to navigate,” Whitley explains.
Working full-time in residential construction supervision, Whitley also needed a program that could fit around her demanding schedule. The self-paced online format was essential: “It was self paced, so it was a little something I could do in the evenings, because I was still working my job full time.”
Course Content and Quality
Whitley found the program’s curriculum comprehensive, covering both residential and commercial construction. “My experience had been mostly construction supervision in residential homes. So a lot of the coursework was both residential and commercial,” she notes.
The program also prepared her for a range of licensing scenarios. “There’s a lot of content about commercial construction, where I need to know the specific rules and regulations for that type of construction.”
Whitley particularly appreciated the quality and authenticity of the instruction. The program featured real human instructors rather than AI-generated content, and avoided the repetitive practice questions common in other test prep programs.
“It wasn’t just repeated questions over and over again,” Whitley emphasizes. “And it was definitely not AI. The expertise of the instructors really comes through in the course materials.”
Exam Preparation and Results
After approximately five months of study—from late May through November 2022—Whitley felt thoroughly prepared for the demanding NASCLA exam. “I felt really confident before I took the test, that my scores were high enough.”
The program’s organization proved invaluable during the extensive six-hour exam with 21 reference books. “I think the way that it was broken down per area of construction, it was really easy for me to go back through and navigate when I had questions,” Whitley reports. She successfully passed the exam on her first attempt.
Career Impact and Value
Obtaining her NASCLA license through CTC’s program delivered immediate professional returns. Whitley transitioned from hourly work to a salaried position with increased responsibilities. “It was beneficial to me, because it came with a higher rung on the ladder. And of course, it came with a salary versus hourly wage.”
Beyond immediate compensation improvements, the license provides long-term career security. Working for a small construction company that builds 12 to 30 homes annually, Whitley now has the credentials to ensure career flexibility. “It’s something that I’ve worked hard to achieve, as far as the license goes, and ensures that I’m up to par with everything else that’s out there employment wise.”
Overall Recommendation
Whitley’s experience with Contractor Training Center was overwhelmingly positive, and she would recommend the program to other construction professionals. “The course was great. It was easy to navigate, easy to use and well thought out.”
For construction professionals balancing work commitments with licensing goals, Whitley’s review highlights CTC’s strengths: user-friendly technology, comprehensive content, authentic instruction, and flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals’ needs.
Contractor Training Center by Colibri offers NASCLA and state-specific exam preparation with over 30 years of experience and a 90% first-time pass rate. The program provides self-paced online courses, application assistance, and ongoing support to help construction professionals advance their careers.
Disclosure: Individuals or companies mentioned may have a commercial relationship with KeyCrew.
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