Become A Florida Certified Residential Contractor
The Exam Pros #1 Contractor School
The Exam Pros provides you with the best educational materials for both Registered and State Certified Residential Contractors in the State of Florida. If you are a serious student who wants to pass their licensing exams the first time, talk to one of our experienced Trade Specialists today
Call 954-908-7010 or Fill out our EZ Form To Get Started.
Select The Best Exam Prep Package To Help You Pass Your Exams
Your Trade Specialist can customize any package for you, just ask. All Packages Include our Low-Priced Trade Books! Have your books? Get our exam prep Certified Residential Contractor Home Study Course and/or our Business & Finance Home Study Course to help you prepare. Either way, we've got your back!
4 Steps to Getting Your License
1. Select one of our books or course packages below. Florida Contractor exams are open book and you can bring these books into the exam with you.
2. Register for your Florida contractor State exams through Professional Testing Inc.
3. Prepare for and pass your exams.
4. Submit your application with passing scores to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. If completed correctly, you should receive your license in 60 - 90 days from when you submitted your application.
The Basics
New Set of Recommended Trade Books
Business & Finance Books Included
FREE start-up consultation with a Trade Specialist to guide you through the licensing process
(4 books)
$1,300
Add To CartThe Pro
New Set of Recommended Books (15)
Business & Finance Books Included
Building Contractor Online Home Study Course
Business & Finance Online Home Study Course
Practice Exams
FREE start-up consultation with a Trade Specialist
--- FREE Shipping ---
(4 books)
$2,250
Add To CartThe Ultimate
Everything in THE PRO Package PLUS All Books Highlighted and Tabbed - already done for you!
DBPR suggested study
(4 books - not highlighted and tabbed)Application Assistance including DBPR Fees and 1 personal and 1 business credit report
5 Hours of 1on1 Tutoring (Zoom/Phone or In-person)
FREE start-up consultation with a Trade Specialist
+$950 Refunded to you if all books returned within 6 months*
FREE Shipping
$4,000
Add To CartOptional Add-ons (in shopify cart)
Highlighted and Tabbed books have all of the important information highlighted and tabbed for you so it is easier for you to find the answers when needed. Highlighted and Tabbed books are already professionally done for you (nothing for you to do) and are in stock and ship the same day or next.
Tutoring – tutoring takes place with our knowledgeable instructors in a private, 1 on 1 session either by Zoom, over the phone or in-person at our office.
*Rentals – By selecting this option, the Rentor, the purchaser, agrees to return the books without any writing inside the books, broken binders or torn or unrecognizable covers. The books MAY have highlighting & tabbing inside as well as underlining or words or sentences in pen. Visit our Book Rentals page for more details or call and speak to a Trade Specialist.
DBPR suggested study (4 books)
Questions?
Call 954-908-7010 and Speak to a Trade Specialist
Interested In Becoming a Florida Residential Contractor?
Florida Residential contractors can legally engage in contracting involving the following type of work:
Grading, excavation, clearing, and grubbing for any construction plan
Repair - Remodel - Construct - Improve
- One Family - Two Family - Three Family residences - Not exceeding 2 habitable stories
A Residential Contractor can sub-contract the following licensed contractors, unless the contractor possesses a State certificate or registration in the particular trade category: Plumbing - Mechanical - Swimming Pool (not structural) - Electrical - Sheet Metal - Air Conditioning - Roofing (except for wood shakes or wood shingle roofing materials when the Residential contractor is the prime contractor
Subcontracting the repair or installation made under a warranty of asphalt, fiberglass, wood shakes or wood shingle roofing materials on a new building of his or her own construction shall not be mandatory.
License Requirements
Be 18 years of age.
Pass all parts of the exam(s) (within four years of the first attempt).
If an applicant has a Bachelor's degree in building construction or a related field, as well as a 3.0 GPA or higher, the applicant is only required to take the business exam. - Pay the fee for the Application.
Complete the application form using the Online Services, or the Printable Application.
Be of good moral character.
Obtain worker's compensation and general liability coverage.
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Demonstrate financial responsibility by submitting a Credit Report:
660 FICO credit score or higher (applicant must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit if below 660 - FICO derived).
If FICO score is less than 660, the applicant must take a 14-hour financial responsibility course.
If applicable, provide proof of satisfaction of liens, judgments, and bankruptcy discharge.
Background check with Electronic Fingerprints.
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Obtain public liability and property damage insurance.
Obtain workers' compensation or exemption from workers compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license.
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Satisfy one of the experience requirements set forth by the CILB:
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A combination of Experience and Education
One year proved experience that applies to the category for which you are applying and a four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to 3 yrs. experience), or
No less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses, and One year of experience as a foreman, or
Two years of credits from accredited college-level courses, one year experience as a foreman, and One year experience as a worker, or
One year of experience as a foreman, one year of credits from accredited college-level courses, and two years of experience as a worker, or
Four years of experience as a foreman or worker of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
The board expects the applicant to have experience in the following areas of the General trade:
Masonry walls
Foundation / Slabs / Structural formwork
Column erection
Structural demolition
Structural wood framing, including trusses (excluding platform framing)
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Military Service
Note: As part of the application applicant must submit the Fee Waiver and Military Service Verification for licensure
One year of experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying, and three years of military service.
One year of experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying, one year of experience as a foreman, and two years of military service.
Two years of experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying, and one year of military service.
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Pass the Residential (Contract Administration, Project Management) and Business & Finance exams.(sign up for the exams)
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Submit the complete Residential Contractor License application form to:
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
You must pass 3, open book exams in order to become a Florida General Contractor. The first two make up the trade portion and the third exam is for Business and Finance.
Florida General Contractor License Exam
Testing Method: Computer-based testing
Testing Company: Pearson Vue©
Number of Questions: 120
Types of Questions: Multiple Choice
Time Allowed: 540 Minutes (two exams)
Minimum Passing Score: 70%
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Subjects Involved:
Contract Management Content for the exam (60questions|270Minutes)
Project Management Content for the exam(60 questions | 270 Minutes)
Florida General Contractor Business and Finance Exam
Testing Method: Computer-based testing
Testing Company: Pearson Vue©
Number of Questions: 120
Types of Questions: Multiple Choice
Time Allowed: 390 Minutes
Minimum Passing Score: 70%
Business and Finance Content and Subjects for the exam(120 questions I 390 minutes)
We have all the books required for the Florida Certified Residential Contractor exams in stock and ready to ship, including our Highlighted and Tabbed versions. We beat all other schools with our prices, speak to one of our Trade Specialists today! Call 954-908-7010 or Fill out our EZ Form To Get Started
List of Books for the Certified Residential Contractor Trade Exams (ALL trade and business and finance books included in all 3 packages)
This reference list is Valid from July 1, 2024
The following books are used for studying but are not allowed within the testing center for the trade exams (Contract Administration and Project Management)
Below are some common questions students have about our Florida Residential Contractor exam prep and licensing program. Feel free to contact our team of Trade Specialists directly with any questions.
Am I required to take a class to get my contractor’s license?
While there are no required classes to qualify you to become a Florida Certified Contractor, we do encourage you to take one of our online courses to help you prepare to take your exams.
Do I actually need a contractor’s license?
If you are performing contractor related services for compensation, you would likely need to be licensed in the specialty that you are working in. Check with both the local and State government agencies to determine if your scope of work requires a license.
Do I need to purchase the state reference books?
Yes. The state exam is open book and to pass it you will need to have all of the business and finance and trade books specific to your license. We also recommend purchasing the Highlighted and Tabbed books if you can, giving you an advantage when it comes to knowing where to look during your timed exams. We teach you how to navigate these books quickly so that you will successfully pass the exams and get your license.