General
Contractor
General
Contractor
-
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
Product 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
- Building Component Safety Information: Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraint & Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses - Add To Cart
- Contractor’s Manual, 2021 - Add To Cart
- Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 16th Edition - Add To Cart
- Florida Building Code - Building, 2020 - Add To Cart
- Florida Building Code - Residential, 2020 - Add To Cart
- Florida Building Code - Existing Building, 2020 - Add To Cart
- Florida Building Code - Energy Conservation, 2020 - Add To Cart
- Florida Building Code - Accessibility, 2020 - Add To Cart
- Florida Building Code - Mechanical, 2020 - Add To Cart
- Florida Building Code - Plumbing, 2020 - Add To Cart
- Florida Building Code - Fuel Gas, 2020 - Add To Cart
- Florida Contractor’s Business Procedures Reference Manual, Ninth Edition, 2021 - Add To Cart
- NASCLA - Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Florida 1st Edition - Add To Cart
- OSHA Code of Federal Regulations Title 29, Part 1926 July 2021 - Add To Cart
- Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 10th Edition - Add To Cart
- Guide to Handling, Installing & Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, 2018 - Add To Cart
- Florida Statutes Chapter 455, 2021 - Add To Cart
Florida
To become a licensed contractor in Florida, you are required to:
- Pass a state certification examination (Florida Business & Finance and Trade Knowledge exams).
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Prove that you are financially stable. (credit score of 660 or higher; otherwise, you must obtain a licensing bond).
- Present evidence of liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
- Demonstrate good moral character.
- NOT have any outstanding debts owed to the state (related to construction).
- Comply with IRS rules by providing your federal employer identification number or social security number (if you are an individual).
- Fulfill the experience/education requirements (as applicable).
- Submit an electronic fingerprint.
Residential Contractor means a contractor whose services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of one-family, two-family, or three-family residences not exceeding two habitable stories above no more than one uninhabitable story and accessory use structures in connection therewith.
Applications for the Florida Residential 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, insurance coverage details, and electronic fingerprinting among other requirements.
Florida has a limited form of reciprocity with other states. If you have passed the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors, you may be exempt from the Florida Trade Knowledge exam. You are still required to pass the Florida Business and Finance exam and fulfill other specific state requirements.
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 obtain a Florida Residential Contractor license, you must pass two exams: the Florida Business and Finance exam and the Trade Knowledge exam. These exams cover topics such as financial management, contract administration, project management, safety, building codes, and specialty contracting practices. The exams are administered by Professional Testing, Inc. (PTI).
Training for the Florida Residential Contractor exam is available through various providers, offering courses that include both Business and Finance and Trade Knowledge preparation. These courses are designed to help applicants pass their exams on the first attempt by providing them with the necessary knowledge and test-taking strategies.