Professional Construction Education
Construction Education
Built for the Real World
New at NCSI
INTRODUCING
CONTRACTOR 101
You Know How to Build.
Now Learn the Business Behind It.
Our new four-week introductory program covers the essential business fundamentals of residential contracting.
Contracts · Estimating · Bidding · Project Management · Business Operations
Construction Education Built for the Real World
Live, instructor-led contractor education in licensing exam preparation, code navigation, and construction business fundamentals.
Learn in person or live online. NCSI's new hybrid classroom brings students together for interactive instruction, whether they're attending at our Colorado classroom or joining remotely from across the country.
Our programs emphasize practical construction experience, code application, and real-world business knowledge—not prerecorded lessons or memorization-based instruction.
November 2026 Cohorts
Enrollment Is Now Open
Live, instructor-led contractor education. Two programs designed for working contractors.
Contractor 101 — Business Fundamentals
4 Weeks · $1,500
Mondays & Wednesdays,
5:00–7:00 p.m. MT
G13 Residential Exam Preparation
5 Weeks · $1,300
Saturdays, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. MT
WHAT SETS NCSI APART
Built on Experience.
Focused on Education.
NCSI was founded to provide practical, professional construction education grounded in decades of experience as a general contractor, building inspector, and educator. Every course is designed to develop lasting competence, confident decision-making, and success throughout a construction career.
Zero marketing fluff
No high-pressure sales tactics
No membership dues or unnecessary add-ons
Just contractor education built by a contractor, for contractors
A Different Way to Navigate the Code
We teach students to navigate the code efficiently, find information quickly, and apply it under real-world construction conditions.
Custom Tabs & Reference Systems
Custom tab systems and organized reference materials built around the navigation methods taught in class — less page-flipping, more understanding.
Built Around Real Construction
Training is built around inspections, plans, project coordination, documentation, and the problems contractors actually run into on real jobsites.
Live Instructor-Led Training
No giant prerecorded video libraries. Students work directly with a live instructor using guided exercises, practical examples, and real-world problem solving.
Built for Long-Term Construction Competence
Passing the exam matters — but long-term success comes from knowing how to find information, solve problems, stay organized, and operate professionally under pressure.
FEATURED PROGRAMS
Find the Right Path for You
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Residential Contractor Licensing Preparation
Instructor-led training built around the National Standard Residential Contractor (G13) exam. Learn to navigate and apply the IRC using the NCSI navigation system and real-world examples.
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Commercial Contractor Licensing Preparation
Training designed around the National Standard Commercial Contractor (G12) exam and commercial code navigation, reference lookup, documentation, and real commercial-project problems.
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Contractor 101: Business and Project Systems
Practical construction training focused on project organization, documentation, communication, scheduling, and the operational systems used in the real world.
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Plan Reading & Estimating for the New Contractor
Designed to strengthen code literacy, construction knowledge, and long-term professional competence within the construction industry.
Who These Programs Are Built For
Contractors preparing for licensing exams
Project managers and supervisors
Individuals entering construction
Pros strengthening code knowledge
Owner-builders & small business operators
Contractors building stronger systems
Preparing for an ICC Contractor Exam?
NCSI offers live, instructor-led preparation for the ICC G13 Residential and G12 Commercial Contractor Exams.
New for G13: Hybrid Learning. Attend our Saturday residential exam preparation classes in person at our Colorado classroom or participate live online from anywhere in the United States.
Explore Our Exam Preparation Programs
The Standard for Code Knowledge in North America
NCSI provides live, instructor-led education for beginning students as well as experienced code professionals. Students learn to navigate the IRC and IBC efficiently, organize their approved references, work through exam-style questions, and apply the code under timed testing conditions.
Practical preparation led by an experienced general contractor, building inspector, and construction educator.
WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING
Trusted by Contractors Nationwide and Here in Colorado
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![Five gold stars indicating a five-star rating.]()
“Matt’s test prep classes are great! As a teacher he brings a wealth of knowledge from his past experiences as a general contractor and an inspector with the building department. His style is super easy to follow and made it very easy for me to pass my exam 2 weeks after class concluded. If I could give Matt 6 stars I would.”
— Corey
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![Five green stars in a row]()
“Matt Pennington is one of those rare instructors who can take dense, technical material and make it both understandable and interesting. His teaching style is patient, thorough, and clearly drawn from real industry experience. I’d take another course from him in a heartbeat.”
— Vas
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![Five green stars]()
“What sets Matt apart is the real world experience he brings into every class. He’s not just teaching from a book he’s an actual general contractor and inspector, so everything he explains comes from firsthand experience. That makes a huge difference because he teaches what really happens in the field and what you actually need to know! He has been in our boots and completely gets our questions and concerns!”
— Jorge
Have questions before you enroll?
Schedule a consultation and we’ll help you map your path to licensure.