Reference lists shown are the DBPR lists valid January through December 2026
Florida Roofing Contractor License Exam Prep
Two exams, eleven approved trade references, one statewide license
Prepare for both required Florida roofing contractor examinations with focused instruction, approved exam references, book-navigation strategies, practice questions, and licensing support.
Short answer
To become a Florida certified roofing contractor through examination, you must pass the Roofing Trade Knowledge examination (80 scored questions, five hours) and the Business and Finance examination (120 scored questions, 6.5 hours), each with a score of at least 70 percent, then satisfy the Department of Business and Professional Regulation licensing requirements for experience, financial responsibility, background screening, insurance, and fees.
Both examinations are multiple choice, computer based, and open book, and only references approved for that specific exam may be used. A certified license authorizes roofing work statewide within the scope set by Florida law.
Fast facts
Florida Roofing Contractor License at a Glance
The numbers candidates ask for most, in one place. Verify each item against the current DBPR materials before you apply or order books.
- License type
- Certified roofing contractor, issued by DBPR and regulated by the Construction Industry Licensing Board
- Geographic scope
- Statewide for a certified license. A registered license is limited to the local jurisdictions where the contractor holds competency credentials
- Exams required
- Roofing Trade Knowledge and Business and Finance
- Passing score
- 70 percent on each exam, scored separately
- Trade exam length
- 80 scored questions in five hours, an average of 3.75 minutes per question
- Business exam length
- 120 scored questions in 6.5 hours, an average of 3.25 minutes per question
- Exam format
- Multiple choice, computer based, open book with approved references only
- Approved trade references for 2026
- Eleven titles on the DBPR Roofing Trade Knowledge list
- Experience
- Four years of qualifying experience, or an accepted combination of college education and experience
- Minimum age
- 18
- Exam application
- Professional Testing approves candidates, then Pearson VUE schedules the computer-based exams
- Score validity
- DBPR states the license must be obtained within four years after receiving the examination score
| Exam | Scored questions | Time allowed | Format | Passing score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing Trade Knowledge | 80 | 5 hours | Computer based, open book | 70% |
| Business and Finance | 120 | 6.5 hours | Computer based, open book | 70% |
Both examinations are multiple choice and open book. Candidates may use only the references permitted for the applicable examination. The Business and Finance exam is shared across every Florida construction classification, so passing it also counts if you later add another license.
Scope questions
What a Florida Roofing Contractor License Covers
What is a Florida certified roofing contractor?
A Florida certified roofing contractor is a contractor licensed by DBPR whose services are unlimited in the roofing trade, with authority to contract anywhere in the state.
Florida law describes the roofing scope as installing, maintaining, repairing, altering, extending, or designing roofing systems when permitted by law. The statutory scope covers roofing, waterproofing, and qualifying coating work. It also includes related skylights, required roof-deck attachments, certain roof sheathing or fascia repairs performed during roof repair or replacement, and specified roof-to-wall connection work performed with a roof covering repair or replacement.
What work can a Florida roofing contractor perform?
A certified roofing contractor may contract statewide for any work inside the statutory roofing scope. That includes:
- Built-up roofing systems
- Shingle and shake roofing
- Architectural metal roofing
- Single-ply systems
- Modified roofing systems
- Concrete and clay tile roofing
- Membrane waterproofing
- Roof drainage, gutters, and downspouts
- Roof maintenance and repair
- Skylights and related roofing work
- Required roof-deck attachments
- Certain wood roof sheathing and fascia repair or replacement connected to roofing work
- Qualifying waterproofing and protective roof coatings
The precise scope is controlled by Florida law and board rules, not by course marketing language. When a project sits near the edge of the scope, confirm it with DBPR before you bid.
What is the difference between a certified and a registered roofing license?
A certified license is statewide. A registered license only authorizes work in the local jurisdictions covered by the contractor's local certificate of competency and registration.
Certified contractors may contract in any Florida jurisdiction within their license scope without separately satisfying that jurisdiction's competency requirements. Local permitting and other project requirements still apply everywhere.
Does the roofing license cover residential and commercial work?
Yes. The certified roofing scope is unlimited in the roofing trade rather than restricted to residential or commercial roofs, subject to the statutory scope and other applicable law.
Can a roofing contractor install skylights, or replace sheathing and fascia?
Yes to both, within the statutory limits. Skylights and related work appear expressly in the roofing scope, and repair or replacement of wood roof sheathing or fascia is included when it is needed during roof repair or replacement.
Roof-to-wall connection work performed together with a roof covering repair or replacement is also part of the scope, which matters on Florida wind mitigation jobs.
Does the roofing scope include waterproofing and coatings?
Yes. Waterproofing and qualifying coating work fall inside the roofing scope. The statutory exception concerns coating that is not represented to protect, repair, waterproof, stop leaks, or extend the life of the roof.
What roofing-adjacent work needs a different license?
Whole trades outside roofing, such as electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, require their own licenses even when the work touches a roof.
Rooftop solar is the common example. Roof covering, flashing, waterproofing, and roof penetration work can fall within roofing scope, while the photovoltaic and electrical portions generally require solar or electrical licensing. If your business plan overlaps other trades, look at Florida solar contractor prep, sheet metal contractor prep, or the broader building and general contractor licenses.
Step by step
How to Get a Florida Roofing Contractor License
Seven steps, in the order DBPR expects them. The sequence matters, particularly around fingerprinting and workers' compensation.
1
Confirm eligibility
Review the current DBPR certified roofing contractor application and check that your experience, education, financial history, and background can satisfy the licensing requirements before you spend money on exams and books.
2
Apply for examination approval
Construction examination candidates apply through Professional Testing. After approval, you may schedule the computer-based examinations with Pearson VUE. You cannot schedule with Pearson VUE before that approval comes through.
3
Obtain the current approved books
Use the DBPR reference lists effective for the year in which you will test. Do not rely on an old school list, a used bundle description, or a prior candidate's books without comparing every title and edition. See the 2026 reference lists below.
4
Prepare for both examinations
Study the official content outlines, practice the calculations, learn where each topic lives in each reference, and complete timed practice exams. Florida roofing practice tests are the fastest way to find your weak content areas.
5
Pass both required examinations
Pass the 80-question Roofing Trade Knowledge exam and the 120-question Business and Finance exam with at least 70 percent on each. The parts are scored separately, so you only retake what you did not pass.
6
Submit the licensure application
After passing, submit the applicable DBPR application with experience documentation, credit reports, fees, and the other required records. Incomplete packages are a common cause of delay. Application assistance is available if you want a second set of eyes.
7
Complete fingerprinting and insurance requirements
Follow the DBPR timing instructions. The department says the licensure application should be submitted before fingerprints. Workers' compensation coverage or a valid exemption must be obtained within 30 days after the license is issued. See fingerprinting and insurance requirements.
Trade exam
What Is on the Florida Roofing Trade Knowledge Exam?
The trade exam contains 80 equally weighted questions and allows five hours. The official content outline assigns these approximate weights, and DBPR notes each percentage may vary by up to three points.
Built-Up Roofs15%
Shingles and Shakes15%
Single-Ply Systems15%
Modified Roofing Systems15%
Architectural Metal Roofs10%
Concrete and Clay Tile Roofs10%
Equipment and Safety10%
Membrane Waterproofing5%
Drains and Gutters5%
| Content area | Approximate weight | What to study |
|---|---|---|
| Built-Up Roofs | 15% | BUR assemblies, felts, gravel stops, flashings, insulation, decks, tie-ins |
| Shingles and Shakes | 15% | Exposure, valleys, ridges, underlayment, fasteners, ventilation, repairs |
| Single-Ply Systems | 15% | Adhesives, heat application, mechanical fastening, seams, flashing, repairs |
| Modified Roofing Systems | 15% | APP, SBS, self-adhered systems, heat application, flashing, insulation |
| Architectural Metal Roofs | 10% | Fasteners, flashing, soldering, sealants, wind loads, dissimilar materials |
| Concrete and Clay Tile Roofs | 10% | Dead loads, bond lines, battens, foam, underlayment, fastening, ridges |
| Equipment and Safety | 10% | OSHA rules, ladders, scaffolds, hoists, kettles, welding, compressors, fall protection |
| Membrane Waterproofing | 5% | Below-grade walls and slabs, primers, hydrostatic pressure, membrane types |
| Drains and Gutters | 5% | Scuppers, gutters, downspouts, leaders, conductor heads, water flow |
Candidates also need to read plans, interpret specifications and codes, and perform basic calculations involving area, volume, fractions, decimals, percentages, triangles, square roots, powers, and simple algebra. Those skills run through every content area rather than sitting in one block of questions.
Roof assemblies over wood, steel, and concrete decks Underlayment and adhesives Fasteners and fastening patterns Flashing and counterflashing Penetrations, crickets, and saddles Slope, drainage, and thermal values Ventilation and dead loads Wind loads and HVHZ protocols Material coverage and waste Ladders, scaffolds, and hoists Kettles and welding equipment Fall protection
Business exam
What Is on the Florida Business and Finance Exam?
What does the Business and Finance exam cover?
It contains 120 questions over 6.5 hours and tests the knowledge needed to establish, manage, and operate a compliant contracting business. The major content areas are:
- Establishing the contracting business
- Managing administrative duties
- Managing trade operations
- Conducting accounting functions
- Managing human resources
- Complying with government regulations
Within those areas, prepare for contract documents, bids, overhead, payroll taxes, workers' compensation, accounting, lien law, insurance, purchasing, project scheduling, safety records, employment practices, and regulatory compliance. Roofers with strong field backgrounds often underestimate this part, and it is the one that sends people back for a retake. Full detail sits on the Florida Business and Finance exam prep page.
Do I have to take Business and Finance if I already hold another Florida license?
Requirements depend on your existing credential and the pathway you are using, so check the current application instructions for your exact situation. For most first-time applicants seeking certification through examination, both parts are required.
Should I take both exams on the same day?
You do not have to. They are separate examination appointments.
Together the two exams run 11.5 hours, so schedule them according to testing availability and your own stamina rather than trying to prove something on a single day.
Approved references
Florida Roofing Exam Books for 2026
These titles appear on the DBPR lists valid January through December 2026. Reference lists change, so compare every title and edition against the official list for your exam and year before ordering or bringing books to the test center.
| Roofing Trade Knowledge reference (2026) | Used for | Study priority |
|---|---|---|
| The NRCA Roofing Manual: Steep-Slope Roof Systems, 2025 | Shingles, shakes, tile | High |
| The NRCA Roofing Manual: Membrane Roof Systems, 2023 | Low-slope membranes, single-ply, modified | High |
| Florida Building Code - Building, 2023 | Code interpretation | High |
| Florida Building Code - Test Protocols for High Velocity Hurricane Zones, 2023 | HVHZ wind and testing questions | High |
| Roofing Construction and Estimating, 13th Printing, 2022 | Roofing fundamentals and estimating | High |
| Walker's Building Estimator's Reference Book, 33rd Edition, 2024 | Quantities, estimating, pricing | High |
| Code of Federal Regulations, OSHA 29 Part 1926, July 1, 2025 | Safety, fall protection, scaffolds | High |
| SMACNA Architectural Sheet Metal Manual, 7th Edition, January 2012 | Metal flashing and sheet metal details | High |
| The NRCA Roofing Manual: Architectural Metal Flashing and Condensation and Air Leakage Control, 2022 | Flashing across systems, condensation control | High |
| The NRCA Roofing Manual: Metal Panel and SPF Roof Systems, 2024 | Metal panels and spray polyurethane foam | Medium |
| The NRCA Waterproofing Manual, 2nd Edition, 2020 | Waterproofing and below-grade work | Medium |
| Business and Finance reference (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Florida Statutes Chapter 455, 2025 | Permitted as a bound PDF |
| Builder's Guide to Accounting, 2001 | Accounting and financial functions |
| Contractors Manual | Edition transition is stated on the official list, so check it |
| AIA A201, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction, 2017 | Contract administration |
| AIA A401, Standard Form of Agreement Between Contractor and Subcontractor, 2017 | Subcontractor agreements |
| AIA A701, Instructions to Bidders, 2018 | Bidding procedures |
Do I need every approved reference?
Candidates are strongly encouraged to bring the approved references needed to answer the examination content. A preparation provider should never call a bundle complete unless it matches the current official list for that exact exam and year.
Can I use an older or newer edition?
The 2026 lists say earlier or later editions may be brought at the candidate's own risk, but exam answers are based on the listed editions. Testing with the specified editions is the safer strategy.
Can I buy the books from any seller?
Yes. DBPR states that reference materials may be purchased from construction schools, bookstores, and retailers, and it does not endorse a particular provider.
What matters is that a bundle clearly identifies the examination covered, every included title and edition, whether books are new or used, whether tabs are permanent and test compliant, whether highlighting follows a study guide, shipping and return terms, and expected fulfillment time on special-order titles. Our Florida roofing contractor books page lists what is in each set.
Publisher check before this section goes live: the supplied draft listed a book package at $1,646.00 with eight titles, which does not match the current 2026 official roofing reference list. Do not publish that package as complete for a 2026 exam unless the underlying product has been updated and independently checked against the DBPR list.
Open-book rules
What You Can and Cannot Bring to the Exam
Open book does not mean unrestricted. For 2026 examinations, the official reference lists and Candidate Information Booklet rules set the following limits.
Allowed
- Approved references only, one copy of each
- Original editions, unless a title is specifically allowed as a PDF
- Printed PDF references bound in an approved manner
- Underlining and highlighting done before exam day
- Permanently attached tabs showing normal chapter or page headings
Not allowed
- Handwritten or typewritten notes of any kind
- Moveable tabs, including removable flags
- Writing tablets and electronic tablets
- Marking your references during the examination
- References that are not on the list for that exam
Can I highlight my Florida roofing exam books?
Yes. Approved references may contain underlining and highlighting. You may not mark books during the test, so all highlighting has to be done in advance.
Can I use removable tabs or sticky notes?
No. Moveable tabs and removable flags are not allowed. Permanently attached tabs using ordinary chapter or page headings are permitted under the current candidate rules.
Can I use digital books during the exam?
No. Writing tablets and electronic tablets are not allowed. Where the official list permits a PDF reference, it must be printed and properly bound.
Study strategy
How to Prepare for the Florida Roofing Contractor Exam
On a timed open-book exam, navigation speed decides outcomes as much as subject knowledge does. Build both.
Get the books before you start intensive study
The course and the references should work together. Early access lets you learn how each book is organized instead of trying to memorize isolated answers you will never see again.
Tab and highlight within the rules
Use permanent tabs with ordinary chapter or page headings, and highlight the relevant passages without adding handwritten or typewritten notes. Confirm every marking and tab complies with the current candidate rules before test day.
Build an index by topic
Know which reference is most likely to hold each subject, then practice moving from the question to the correct book, section, table, or formula. That path is the skill being tested.
Practice roofing math
Review slope, area, squares, waste, material quantities, coverage, drainage, labor, estimating, and unit conversions. Work the calculations until they are automatic rather than guessing under the clock.
Use timed simulations
The trade exam allows an average of 3.75 minutes per scored question and Business and Finance allows 3.25 minutes. Some questions take seconds while others require book research, so practice pacing across a full session, not a ten-question quiz.
Study weak areas by content weight
Use the official content outlines to prioritize. A weak 15 percent category deserves more attention than an isolated low-frequency topic, though safety and code navigation should never be skipped.
Practice with the physical references
Looking up answers inside a digital course is not the same as navigating bound books at the test center. Run practice sessions with the same legal references and tab layout you plan to carry on exam day.
Weeks 1 to 2
Setup and business
- Exam rules, license scope, open-book limits
- Tab and highlight every reference
- Business and Finance basics, accounting and lien law
- First timed business practice set
Weeks 3 to 4
Math and low slope
- Squares, slope, waste, takeoff
- Walker's and Roofing Construction and Estimating
- Built-up, single-ply, and modified systems
- NRCA Membrane manual navigation
Weeks 5 to 6
Steep slope, metal, code
- Shingles, shakes, tile, metal roofs, flashing
- SMACNA sheet metal details
- Florida Building Code and HVHZ protocols
- OSHA safety and equipment
Week 7
Timed practice
- Full-length timed trade simulations
- Weak-topic drills by content area
- Lookup speed practice
Week 8
Final simulation
- Full simulation of both exams
- Book lookup under the clock
- Exam-day checklist and logistics
Prefer 90 days
Stretch the plan
- Add a week each to math and NRCA systems
- Add a dedicated code and HVHZ week
- Add a second practice-exam week
- Same order, more repetition
Eligibility
Florida Roofing Contractor License Requirements
Applicants should verify the current application instructions for their exact pathway. The principal requirements for initial certification as an individual include the following.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 18 years old |
| Examinations | Pass the required state certification examinations |
| Experience | Four years of qualifying experience, or an accepted combination of college education and experience |
| Financial responsibility | Credit reports showing financial stability and responsibility, including a FICO-derived score, with local, state, and federal records searched |
| Background screening | Fingerprint-based background check through an FDLE-registered Livescan provider, after submitting the licensure application |
| Insurance | Attest to public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts required by board rule |
| Workers' compensation | Coverage or a valid exemption within 30 days after license issuance |
| Fees | Pay the required application fee |
| Application | Submit the correct DBPR application with supporting documents |
| Timing | Obtain the license within four years after receiving the examination score |
What experience pathways does Florida accept?
Florida generally requires four years of qualifying experience or an approved combination of experience and college credit. Common pathways include:
- A four-year construction-related degree plus one year of proven experience in the category
- Four years of active trade experience, including at least one year as a foreman
- One year as a foreman plus three years of qualifying college-level credit
- One year as a skilled worker, one year as a foreman, and two years of qualifying college-level credit
- Two years as a skilled worker, one year as a foreman, and one year of qualifying college-level credit
Roofing applicants may need to document experience across multiple roofing systems, so keep records that show the range of work you performed. Use the current application instructions to confirm which verification forms are required.
Does a construction degree replace all required experience?
No. A qualifying four-year construction-related degree may provide education credit, but the commonly stated pathway still requires one year of proven experience in the license category.
Can military roofing or construction experience count?
It may count when it satisfies the applicable licensing standards. DBPR provides military-service verification procedures and may offer certain fee benefits to eligible veterans, spouses, and Florida National Guard members.
Is a credit report required, and does a 660 score decide the outcome?
A credit report is required for the applicant and applicable business entities, and it must include a FICO-derived score. A score below the board's threshold may trigger additional financial-security requirements such as a bond or letter of credit.
A score by itself does not guarantee approval, and no single financial responsibility course applies universally to every applicant. Confirm the current financial responsibility rules and application instructions before you plan around either.
Does passing the exams guarantee license approval?
No. Passing satisfies the examination requirement only. DBPR separately evaluates experience, education, financial responsibility, background, insurance, application completeness, and the other licensing requirements. No exam preparation school can make the board's final eligibility decision, so applicants with uncertain experience should contact DBPR or the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Scheduling and after
Applying, Testing, and Renewing
Who administers the Florida roofing contractor exam?
Professional Testing registers construction candidates and handles examination applications. Approved candidates then schedule the computer-based examinations with Pearson VUE for the Florida DBPR.
The official DBPR examination page directs construction candidates to apply through Professional Testing at FloridaExam.com. Candidates do not register directly with DBPR, and they cannot book with Pearson VUE until Professional Testing approves the application.
Is the exam computer based?
Yes. Both the Roofing Trade Knowledge and Business and Finance examinations are administered in computer-based testing format after examination approval.
How long are passing examination scores valid?
DBPR states that applicants must obtain the license within four years after receiving the examination score.
Is continuing education required after licensing?
Florida certified contractors are generally subject to continuing education requirements for renewal. Verify the current hours, required subjects, reporting cycle, and any exemptions directly with DBPR, since those details change. Our Florida continuing education page tracks the current offerings.
Does Florida have reciprocity for roofing contractors?
Licensure by endorsement may be available in qualifying situations, but it is not automatic reciprocity for every out-of-state license. Review the current endorsement application and DBPR requirements for your state and credentials.
How difficult is an open-book roofing exam?
The time limit is what makes it hard. You have to recognize the topic, choose the right reference, locate the relevant rule or table, and apply it correctly, over and over. Preparation should combine subject knowledge, a compliant book setup, and timed lookup practice rather than memorization.
Preparation options
Florida Roofing Exam Prep From 1 Exam Prep
Choose the format that matches your schedule and the materials you already own. Confirm current schedule, location, price, inclusions, and refund terms before enrolling.
Roofing Trade Knowledge online course
Self paced, plus live virtual classes
- One year of access to the self-study course
- Instructor-led virtual classes, recorded for on-demand review
- Highlighting and tabbing instructions for each required book
- Hundreds of practice questions in printable and timed formats
- Test-taking techniques built for open-book exams
Ultimate exam prep rental package
Most complete preparation
- Tabbed and highlighted books for the trade and business exams
- One year of online course access
- Weekly live, instructor-led virtual classes
- One-year book rental with refundable deposit
- Licensure application assistance
The 1 Package
Licensing and business setup
- Everything in exam prep plus book rentals
- State and licensing fees covered
- Corporate setup, EIN filing, workers' comp exemption
- Credit reports and municipal contractor registrations
Complete book set, trade books
All 11 approved trade references
- Every trade title required for the open-book roofing exam
- Clean copies you tab and highlight yourself
- Compare editions against the current DBPR list before ordering
Book set, highlighted and tabbed
Exam ready on arrival
- All 11 trade books, tabbed and highlighted by hand
- Tabs that are easy to read and navigate under time pressure
- Allow additional business days for fulfillment
Pre-printed tabs and highlights
For books you already own
- Pre-labeled tabs and highlighting guidance
- Covers the trade and Business and Finance references
- Set up your own books without handwritten notes
Book rental
Refundable deposit
- All required references for both exams
- Includes Business and Finance flash cards
- Choose your course and rental period at checkout
Online practice questions
Three months of access
- Practice questions across every roofing content area
- Roof systems, estimating, plan reading, safety, HVHZ protocols
- Practice access only, books and courses sold separately
Not sure which pieces you actually need? Call 877-757-5405 and an advisor will walk through what you already own, which references are current for 2026, and what is worth adding.
Where to go next
Florida Licensing Resources, Tier by Tier
This page sits inside a wider Florida licensing library. The hub above covers every classification, the pages beside this one cover the shared exam, and the pages below cover the specific tasks a roofing candidate has to complete.
Tier 1 hub
Start with the statewide guide
If you are still deciding which Florida license fits your business, start here and work down.
Tier 2 classifications
Compare licenses and the shared exam
Roofing is a specialty classification. These pages cover the neighboring licenses and the Business and Finance exam every classification requires.
Roofing contractor license (this page) Florida Business and Finance exam prep General contractor prep Building contractor prep Residential contractor prep Sheet metal contractor prep Solar contractor prep
Tier 3 tasks
Books, practice, application, and renewal
The task-level pages a roofing candidate uses week to week.
Start Preparing for Your Florida Roofing Contractor License
Live instruction, online study, practice questions, approved reference books, tabbing and highlighting support, and help with the DBPR application, all built around the two exams you have to pass.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.