Florida Construction Exam Prep Building Contractor License

A “building contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to the construction of commercial buildings and single-dwelling or multiple-dwelling residential buildings. These buildings cannot exceed three stories in height.

To become a licensed contractor in Florida, applicants must sit for two exams: business and finance and the trade. Please note that Electrical Contractors will not sit for this examination as their requirements are different. Please view our Florida Electrical Contractor page for more information.

• Applicants must document four years of experience. Applicants are also required to provide a credit report and financial statement that is no more than 12 months old. A net worth of $2,500 – $20,000 (depending on classification) is required.
• The minimum general liability insurance that is required for licensure is $300,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage.

Applications can be obtained from the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board by calling 1-850-487-1395. The application fee when applying for initial licensure:

For Individual Only

• From May 1st of an EVEN YEAR through August 31st of an ODD YEAR is $249.
• From September 1st of an ODD YEAR through April 30th of an EVEN YEAR is $309.

Qualifying a Business

• From May 1st of an EVEN YEAR through August 31st of an ODD YEAR is $308.
• From September 1st of an ODD YEAR through April 30th of an EVEN YEAR is $208.

If you need assistance with the application process, @ Home Prep- a division of Stautzenberger College can help you by saving you time and money. With our years of experience, we can quickly and accurately submit your application to your state.

The examination is divided into two 4 1/2 hour sections with one section in the a.m. and the other in the p.m. A 70% is required to pass. There are 2 fees to take this exam: $135 paid to PTI and $80 paid to DPBR but mailed to PTI. You will be scheduled for the examination date and site that you selected on your application.

The following references are permitted to be taken into the examination. These references may be tabbed (with a permanent index tab) and highlighted. It is available for purchase from our online contractor’s bookstore or by calling our office at 1-800-952-0910.

• AIA Documents Package, Florida
• OSHA Part 1926
• Florida Contractors Manual
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction
• Energy Efficient Building Construction In Florida
• Guide to Handling, Installing, and Bracing Wood Trusses
• Florida Building Code, 2023
• Florida Building Code – Accessibility, 2023
• Florida Building Code – Residential, 2023
• Florida Building Code – Existing Building, 2023
• Florida Building Code – Energy Conservation, 2023

Not allowed in exam:

• Builder’s Guide to Accounting
• Building Estimator’s Reference Book
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction
• Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products

We offer review for the Florida General Contractor Exam through a home study/online course format. The fee for the online class is $249.99 for the Contract/Project Administration exam review ONLY or $399.99 for the full review which includes the Business and Finance exam review.

The Florida Contractor Exam Review Online includes:

• Highlighting Guides
• Practice Exams
• Math and Plans
• Study Tips
• Licensing Information
• Instructor Support

For more information, or to order, contact our office at 1-800-952-0910.

Each contractor is required to take 14 hours of continuing education during each 2 years prior to the renewal period. We offer this online.

Florida has no reciprocity agreements; however, does endorse certain examinations from California, Georgia, and North Carolina for electrical contractors in select categories. The endorsements from Georgia include alarm and specialty categories.