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Florida Certified Contractor Exam

Questions students ask:

Straightforward answers, no sales pitch. If yours is not listed here, call us — you will speak with someone who works on this examination, not a salesperson.

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Exam structure and process

How many exams do I need to pass for a Florida General Contractor license?
A certified General, Building, or Residential contractor must pass three examinations: Business and Finance, Contract Administration, and Project Management. Roofing is a Division II licence and requires two examinations: Business and Finance plus the Roofing trade knowledge exam.
What is the difference between the Business & Finance, Contract Administration, and Project Management exams?
Business and Finance covers accounting, contracts, project management principles, and Florida construction law. Contract Administration and Project Management focus on the technical and administrative knowledge drawn from the approved reference books. All three are required for Division I licences (General, Building, Residential).
How long is the Florida contractor exam and how many questions are on each part?
Business and Finance is 120 scored questions in 6 hours 30 minutes. For General Contractor, Contract Administration and Project Management are 60 questions each, with 4 hours 30 minutes allotted per exam. Building and Residential have slightly fewer questions on the trade portions but the same time limits.
What is the passing score for the Florida contractor exam?
You must score at least 70% on each examination. Scores are not averaged across parts.
Can I take the Florida contractor exams one at a time or do I have to take them all together?
You may take the exams one at a time. Most candidates do. You must, however, pass all required parts within four years of your first attempt.
How long do I have to pass all parts of the Florida contractor exam?
All sections must be passed within four years of the date of your first examination. After four years, previous passing scores expire and you must start over.
What happens if I fail one section of the Florida contractor exam?
You only need to retake the section(s) you did not pass. You do not have to retake the parts you already passed, provided you remain within the four-year window.
Can I review the questions I got wrong after failing the Florida contractor exam?
Yes. Candidates who fail are entitled to review the questions they answered incorrectly at a Pearson VUE test centre, under the same security conditions as the exam itself. You are given roughly half the original exam time, may review only your most recent attempt, and may not take notes.

Books and open-book rules

What books are required for the Florida contractor exam?
The state publishes a list of eighteen references. Thirteen may be carried into the testing room. Five are designated as study-only and may not be brought in. Questions are drawn from all eighteen. Our packages include the complete list. See the complete book list.
Which books can I bring into the Florida contractor exam testing room?
You may bring the thirteen references the state lists as permitted in the examination room. These include the Florida Building Codes, the Contractors Manual, AIA documents A201, A401 and A701, OSHA 29 CFR 1926, and several others. The exact current list is published on our Book List page.
What are the five study-only books that cannot be brought into the Florida contractor exam?
They are: Builder’s Guide to Accounting, Building Estimator’s Reference Book (Walker’s), Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, Placing Reinforcing Bars, and Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products (GA-216). You will still be tested on material from these books.
Are tabs and highlighting allowed on the Florida contractor exam?
Yes. Highlighting and underlining in pen or highlighter are permitted. Permanently attached printed tabs are allowed. Removable tabs (sticky flags, Post-it notes, etc.) are not.
Can I use sticky notes or removable tabs in my books for the Florida contractor exam?
No. The state does not allow moveable or removable tabs. Only permanently attached printed tabs are accepted. This is why our packages ship with tabs already printed and placed.
Are photocopies of reference books allowed in the Florida contractor exam?
Generally no. Only original editions are permitted unless the state’s list specifically authorises a PDF version. Authorised PDFs must be properly bound (ring binder, spiral, screw posts, etc.) — staples are not accepted.
What calculator can I use on the Florida contractor exam?
The calculator must be silent, hand-held, battery-operated, non-printing, and without an alphabetic keypad. The state specifically advises against solar-powered calculators. Devices with stored formulas or memory functions are not allowed.
What if I already own some of the books?
Call us and describe what is on your shelf. We will tell you what is missing — whether or not you buy the rest from us.

Classifications and license types

What is the difference between a Florida General Contractor, Building Contractor, and Residential Contractor license?
A General Contractor has unlimited scope — any structure, any height, including structural steel and concrete. A Building Contractor is limited to commercial buildings and residences up to three storeys. A Residential Contractor is limited to one-, two-, and three-family residences up to two storeys and accessory structures.
Do I need a General Contractor license or is a Building Contractor license enough?
It depends on the work you intend to perform. If you will work on structures over three storeys or involving significant structural steel or concrete, you need the General classification. For most commercial and multi-family work up to three storeys, Building is sufficient. Call us with the type of work you plan to do and we can help you determine the correct classification.
What work can a Florida Residential Contractor perform?
A Residential Contractor may construct, repair, or improve one-, two-, and three-family residences not exceeding two storeys in height, plus accessory structures such as garages and sheds. Commercial work and taller residential buildings fall outside this licence.
What is the difference between a certified and a registered contractor in Florida?
A certified contractor is licensed by the state and may work anywhere in Florida. A registered contractor holds a local licence and may work only in the jurisdiction that issued it. The examinations we prepare candidates for are the state certified examinations.
Does Florida accept the NASCLA exam for contractor licensing?
Yes. Florida accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors as substantially equivalent to the trade knowledge portions for Division I licences. Candidates still need to pass the Florida Business and Finance examination and meet other state requirements.

Experience, application and costs

How many years of experience do I need for a Florida General Contractor license?
The state generally requires four years of experience in the category, with at least one year in a supervisory capacity. General Contractor applicants must also demonstrate experience in specific structural categories and, in many cases, experience with structures of four storeys or more.
What experience is required for a Florida Building or Residential Contractor license?
Four years of relevant experience is the standard expectation, with at least one year supervisory. The exact categories of experience differ slightly by classification. The state’s candidate information booklet provides the detailed breakdown.
Does Florida require a certain credit score for a contractor license?
Applicants are typically asked for a credit report showing a FICO score of 660 or higher. If the score is below that threshold, the common path is completion of a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility and stability course.
How much does it cost to take the Florida contractor exam?
There are two separate fees: a registration fee paid to Professional Testing, Inc., and an examination fee paid to Pearson VUE for each part you sit. Both are set by the state and its vendors and change periodically. Check the current amounts directly with Professional Testing or Pearson VUE.
How much does Florida contractor exam prep typically cost?
Complete packages that include all required books, tabs, and a full learning program commonly range from roughly $2,200 to well over $4,000 depending on the school and what is included. Our complete packages (all eighteen books, tabs, and the full learning program) start at $2,200 for General, Building, and Residential. See our packages.
Why do package prices vary so widely between schools?
Most often because they contain different numbers of books. The five study-only references are frequently sold as a separate add-on. Ask any school for its full list of titles and count them against the state list before comparing prices.
What is the return and/or refund policy?

New Books & Tabs
Our school will gladly refund the purchase price of new books or tabs with the following conditions:

  • The refund is requested within 15 days of purchase.
  • The item is returned to our school within 15 days of purchase.
  • The item is returned to our school in “as new” and “salable” condition.
  • “Salable” condition will be determined by our school and in our sole discretion.
  • The cost of return shipping of items to our school is paid by the student.

Online Course Material
Our school will gladly refund the purchase price of our “Learning Program” or learning modules purchased individually with the following conditions:

  • The refund is requested within 15 days of purchase.
  • The “Learning Program” or individual learning modules have not been previously opened, accessed or utilized.

Rental Book Set (Deposit) & Rental Agreement
Our school will gladly refund the Rental Book Set (Deposit) with the following conditions:

  • The Rental Book Set is returned to our school within 6 months of the (purchase and/or rental) date.
  • The Rental Book Set is returned to our school in “salable” condition.
  • “Salable” condition will be determined by our school and in our sole discretion.
  • The cost of return shipping of Rental Books to our school is paid by the student.
  • If the Rental Book Set is not returned to our school in “salable” condition within 6 months of the (purchase and/or rental) date then the Rental Book Set (Deposit) will be forfeited. In this case the Rental Book Set (Deposit) will become the property of our school and the Rental Book Set will become property of the student.

Study and preparation

How long should I study for the Florida contractor exam?
Most candidates who pass invest between 50 and 60 hours of focused study. Because the exam is open-book, the goal is not memorisation — it is learning where the answers live and being able to find them quickly under time pressure.
Is the Florida contractor exam open book?
Yes. You may bring the permitted reference books into the testing room. This does not make the exam easy. Time pressure and the need to locate answers efficiently are the main challenges.
What is the best way to prepare for the open-book Florida contractor exam?
Master the approved reference books, tab and highlight them systematically, practice locating answers under timed conditions, and use realistic practice exams. Our learning program is built around exactly these skills, and the free demo lets you evaluate the approach before purchasing.
Why do so many people fail the Florida contractor Business & Finance exam?
Business and Finance has a significant failure rate on first attempt. Common reasons include underestimating the accounting and financial concepts, insufficient familiarity with the Contractors Manual and AIA documents, and inadequate timed practice. It is the section that most often requires a second attempt.
Should I buy the study-only books even though I cannot take them into the exam?
Yes. Questions are written from those five books. Candidates who skip them frequently encounter material they cannot answer. Our packages include all five so you are not left short.
Can I examine the program before paying?
Yes. The complete program is available as a free demo with no payment and no obligation. Open it here.
What is the (96% Pass Rate & 100% Guarantee)?
Our 96% Pass Rate:

Tens of thousands of students have utilized our “Learning Program” and successfully passed their Florida Contractor Exams. Now, we will be the first to admit that this success is not only due to the quality of our program but also due the hard work, perseverance and preparation by these students. Individuals who complete our “Learning Program” pass. Individuals who only do some of the program and/or try to take short cuts, are much less likely to pass.

So what do we mean by completing our “Learning Program”?

(1) Preparing:
Completing the “Exam Review and Highlighting Guide” Modules.
Reviewing the Exam reference passages. Personally highlighting and tabbing your Exam Reference Books. Spending the time to be totally familiar with and have intimate knowledge of these books. Your familiarity and knowledge of your exam reference books is the key to passing your exam.

Consequentially, having someone else review these answers passages and highlight your exam books for you or purchasing or renting “pre-highlighted books”, will obviously save you time. But will not give you the knowledge & experience required to pass your exams and will not entitle you to our “Learning Program” guarantee.

(2) Practicing:
Completing the “Study Question” Modules.
Practice working with your reference books, finding correct answers and solving problems.

(3) Developing speed and efficiency:
Completing the “Flash Card Review” Modules.
Time is of the essence on exam day, and our "Flash Card Review” is designed to help you develop and hone your search procedures so you will be able to locate the correct answers quickly and efficiently.

(4) Proving you are ready:
Completing the “Practice Exam” Modules.
You can test yourself in the convenience of your own home or office at any time with our randomly-generated "Practice Exams". A typical exam will be created using the same content criteria that is used for the State Exam.
Students should not schedule their real exam until they are consistently earning a score of 80% to 90% on their practice exams.

Our 100% Guarantee:
If you purchase and complete our "Learning Program" and then fail to pass your exams, we will refund to you the purchase price of our "Learning Program" (prorated, less any specials or discounts).

To qualify for our “Learning Program” guarantee, the student must do the following.

  • Complete their entire “Learning Program” as outlined above & take their exams within six months of purchase.
  • Purchase and utilize the current “Exam Reference Books” for their exams.
  • Submit their results to our office within ten days of failing their exams.
  • Immediately stop accessing and utilizing our “Learning Program” if they fail their exams and desire a refund.

After the exam

What do I do after I pass the Florida contractor exam?
After passing all required parts, you apply to the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board for your licence. You will need to submit the application, supporting experience documentation, financial responsibility information, and any other required items. The board’s website and the candidate information booklet outline the current process.
How long do I have to apply for my Florida contractor license after passing the exams?
You generally have four years from the date of your first examination to complete the licensing process. Passing scores older than four years become invalid.
Can I work while waiting for my Florida contractor license to be issued?
You may not perform work that requires a contractor licence until the licence is actually issued. Working without the proper licence can result in disciplinary action.

Still uncertain?

Describe what is already on your shelf and we will tell you what is missing — whether or not you buy the rest from us.

Open the free demo Call (888) 405-7849