• Business & Finance
    Exam
  • Trade License
    Exam
  • Application
    Process
  • Launch Your
    Business

01

Passing your

Business & Finance
Exam

SUCCESS CHECKLIST

  • Order Business & Finance Exam Study Books
  • Register as Contractor Applicant on DBPR
  • Attend Business & Finance Class
  • Schedule Business & Finance Exam
  • Schedule Tutoring Business & Finance Exam

02

Passing your

Trade License
Exam

SUCCESS CHECKLIST

  • Open Corporation & EIN #
  • Order Trade Exam Study Books
  • Attend Trade Class
  • Schedule Trade Exam
  • Schedule Trade Tutoring or Cram Course

03

Passing your

Application
Process

SUCCESS CHECKLIST

  • Schedule your Application Interview
  • Obtain Credit Reports
  • Fingerprints & Background Check
  • Gather & Submit Appication Documents
  • Obtain Insurance & Bond Quotes

04

You are Licensed!

Launch Your
Business

SUCCESS CHECKLIST

  • Post-License Bussiness Support

Building Contractor Description

  • AIA - A201 - General Conditions of the Contract for Construction, 2017
  • AIA - A401 - Standard Form of Agreement between Contractor-Subcontractor, 2017
  • AIA - A701 - Instructions to Bidders, 2018
  • Builders Guide to Accounting - Add To Cart
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  • Florida Statutes Chapter 455, 2024 - Add To Cart
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  • Contractor’s Manual, 2021 - Add To Cart
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  • OSHA Code of Federal Regulations Title 29, Part 1926 - Add To Cart
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  • Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition - Add To Cart
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  • Building Component Safety Information: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraint & Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses - Add To Cart
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  • Florida Building Code - Building, 2023 - Add To Cart
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  • Florida Building Code - Accessibility, 2023 - Add To Cart
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  • Florida Building Code - Residential, 2023 - Add To Cart
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  • Florida Building Code - Existing Building, 2023 - Add To Cart
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  • Florida Building Code - Energy Conservation, 2023 - Add To Cart
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  • Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, 2018 - Add To Cart
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  • Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition - Add To Cart
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  • Placing Reinforcing Bars, 10th edition - Add To Cart
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  • Walker's Building Estimator’s Reference Book, 33rd Edition - Add To Cart
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  • Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida, 11th Ed., 2024 - Add To Cart
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Florida

To become a Certified Building Contractor in Florida, you are required to:

  • Pass the Business and Finance Examination and the Building Contractor Trade Examinations administered by Pearson Vue. The Building Contractor Trade Examination is a two-part exam:
    1) Contract Administration and
    2) Project Management.
  • Attest to having obtained public liability and property damage insurance, meeting the minimum required amounts: $300,000 for public liability and $50,000 for property damage.
  • Obtain workers compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from workers compensation insurance within 30 days of license issuance.
  • Be at least 18 years of age and be of good moral character.
  • Complete a criminal background check by submitting fingerprints through a Livescan Service Provider registered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Fingerprints are electronically submitted to the FDLE and Federal Bureau of Investigation for screening, as mandated for all Construction Initial License, Initial Business, Additional Business, Transfer (Change of Status), and Endorsement applications.
  • Provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting a personal credit report and a credit report for the business you intend to qualify. Both reports must include a FICO-derived credit score from a recognized credit reporting agency, accompanied by a public records statement confirming that records have been reviewed at the local, state, and federal levels. Financial responsibility & stability can be demonstrated by a credit score of 660 or higher and no unsatisfied judgments or liens. Applicants with a FICO credit score below 660 must meet the financial stability requirement by completing an 14-hour financial responsibility course.
  • Contact us for more detailed information or if you have personal credit concerns.
  • Experience Required:
  • Building contractor applicants must present evidence of experience in four or more of the following areas per project:
    - Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sq. ft. (habitable structures)
    - Masonry walls
    - Steel erection
    - Column Erection
    - Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
    - Elevated slabs
  • A person will qualify for a certified license by meeting one of the following requirements:
  • 4 years of experience in the trade with at least 1 year as a foreman OR
  • A 4-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to three years experience) and 1 year of proven experience applicable to the category for which you are applying (A construction-related degree” is a baccalaureate degree, in the appropriate field of engineering, architecture, or building construction); OR
  • 1 year as a foreman and not less than 3 years of credits from any accredited college-level courses OR
  • 1 year as a worker, 1 year as a foreman, and 2 years of credits from any accredited college-level courses OR
  • 2 years of experience as a workman, 1 year as a foreman, and 1 year of credits from any accredited college-level courses OR
  • "Upgrade Method”. A certified residential contractor holding an active current license for a minimum of 3 yrs in the classification in which he or she is certified.
  • MILITARY VETERANS: A veteran will qualify for a certified license by meeting one of the following:
  • 3 years of military service and 1 year experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
  • 2 years of military service, 1 year experience as a foreman, and 1 year experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
  • 1 year of military service, 1 year experience as a foreman, and 2 years experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.

A Building Contractor is a professional whose services are limited to constructing commercial buildings and single or multiple dwelling residential buildings that do not exceed three stories in height. This contractor is also permitted to construct accessory structures associated with these buildings, such as garages, guesthouses, garden sheds, or other outbuildings. Additionally, the Building Contractor license allows for remodeling, repair, or improvements to any building, provided these services do not impact the building’s structural elements.


Applications for the Florida Building Contractor License must be submitted to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. For application instructions and assistance, call 850-487-1395. The application process includes proof of financial stability, details of insurance coverage, and electronic fingerprinting, among other requirements.


Since March 1, 2019, Florida accepts the NASCLA Accredited Exam for Commercial General Building Contractors as a qualifying credential for Residential, Building, or General Contractor licenses. Applicants using the NASCLA exam still need to pass Florida’s Business and Finance exam and meet all other application requirements, including proof of experience, financial stability, and insurance. This change offers flexibility for contractors from other states while maintaining Florida's standards for licensing.


Florida requires all licensed contractors to complete 14 hours of continuing education during each biennial renewal period. This education must include 1 hour on workplace safety, 1 hour on workers' compensation, 1 hour on business practices, 1 hour on laws and rules, 1 hour on wind mitigation, and the remaining hours on general subjects.


  • To schedule your exams, you must first contact Professional Testing Inc. (PTI) at 407-364-0562 or visit them online at: www.floridaexam.com to register. A $135.00 registration fee is payable to PTI at the time of registration.
  • After your registration is processed (typically within 10-15 business days), you will receive instructions from Pearson VUE on how to schedule your exams and pay the associated examination administrative fees. The exam fees are $80.00 for the Business and Finance exam, $40.00 for the Contract Administration Trade exam, and $40.00 for the Project Management Trade exam. For assistance, contact Pearson VUE directly at 888-204-6230.
  • Examinations are administered in a computer-based testing (CBT) format that you can take anytime at a Pearson VUE testing facility.
  • A score of at least 70% is required to pass the exams.
  • The exam is open book, multiple-choice, and timed.
  • There are 3 parts to the exam:
  • The Florida Building Contractor Contract Administration trade exam portion is a 4.5 hr exam consisting 50 equally weighted questions.
  • Topics covered on the contract administration exam portion include pre-construction activities, project contracts, construction procedures and operations, obtaining licenses, permits, and approvals.
  • The Florida Building Contractor Project Management trade exam portion is a 4.5 hr exam consisting of 50 equally weighted questions.
  • Topics covered on the project management exam portion include reading plans and specifications, safety, construction methods, materials, tools, and equipment.
  • The Florida Business and Finance exam is a 6.5 hr exam consisting of 120 equally weighted questions.
  • Topics covered on the business and finance exam portion include establishing the contracting business, managing administrative duties, managing trade operations, conducting accounting functions, managing human resources, and complying with government regulations.
  • You must complete all portions of the examination within 4 years of the first attempt. After four years, all previous test scores become invalid, and you will be required to take all parts of the examination again.

Training for the Florida Building Contractor exam is available through various providers, offering courses that cover both Building Contractor requirements and essential preparation for specific trade knowledge. These courses are designed to help applicants pass their exams on the first attempt by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and test-taking strategies.