Florida Solar Contractor Exam - Books & Courses Rental

Prepare for the Florida Solar Contractor licensing examinations with a complete rental package that combines professionally highlighted and tabbed reference books, online exam-prep courses, and business flash cards. This package supports preparation for both the Florida Solar Contractor Trade Knowledge examination and the required Business and Finance examination.

The rental includes the complete set of listed Florida Solar Contractor trade exam books and the complete set of listed Business and Finance books. The references are professionally highlighted and tabbed to help candidates identify important material, navigate major sections, and practice locating information during open-book exam preparation.

Solar contractor candidates must work with information from several construction disciplines. Trade preparation may involve photovoltaic systems, solar water heating, pool heating, electrical requirements, roofing systems, plumbing provisions, construction safety, estimating, and residential building requirements. Business preparation adds subjects such as accounting, contracts, bidding, project administration, contractor regulations, and business management.

Combining the books with online courses gives candidates a structured way to study both sides of the licensing examination process. The books provide the technical and regulatory source material, while the courses help organize review, reinforce important concepts, and support practice-oriented preparation.

The professionally prepared tabs help identify major chapters and frequently referenced subjects. Highlighting draws attention to selected definitions, requirements, tables, and technical information. Candidates should still study each reference and become familiar with its index, organization, terminology, and supporting provisions.

The rental period and course access period are tied to a six-month preparation window. Candidates should create a study schedule early, begin using the books when they arrive, and reserve time to return the complete rental set within the required period and in similar condition.

Exam Details

The Florida Solar Contractor licensing examination process includes the Solar Contractor General Trade Knowledge examination and the Business and Finance examination. The Trade Knowledge examination is delivered in a computer-based testing format and consists of 80 equally weighted questions.

The published Solar Contractor Trade Knowledge content outline divides the examination into three principal areas:

• Photovoltaic Systems: 50% of the trade examination.
• Domestic Hot Water: 25% of the trade examination.
• Swimming Pools: 25% of the trade examination.

Photovoltaic preparation may involve site evaluation, solar access, system design, array orientation, modules, inverters, conductors, grounding, bonding, overcurrent protection, disconnecting means, batteries when applicable, electrical calculations, equipment installation, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and safety.

Domestic hot-water preparation may include solar collectors, direct and indirect systems, pumps, piping, storage, heat exchangers, valves, controls, freeze protection, pressure protection, system sizing, startup, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Swimming-pool preparation may address collector sizing, system orientation, pool and spa heating, piping arrangements, flow requirements, hydraulics, valves, controls, roof installation, freeze protection, system testing, maintenance, and code compliance.

The Business and Finance examination addresses the business responsibilities associated with contracting. Preparation may involve accounting, financial management, contracts, bidding, project administration, employment requirements, risk management, business organization, and Florida contractor laws and rules.

Candidates should be prepared to interpret plans, specifications, contracts, code provisions, technical diagrams, tables, and construction calculations. Practice should include both knowledge review and timed reference lookup using the actual books.

Open Book Test

Florida construction examinations are open book and use multiple-choice questions. Candidates may bring the references approved for the examination, subject to the current testing rules and the reference list for the applicable exam.

Open-book testing requires efficient navigation. Candidates do not have unlimited time to search every book for every answer. Effective preparation involves identifying the subject of a question, selecting the correct reference, locating the applicable section, and confirming the answer without unnecessary searching.

The professional highlighting and tabs in this rental package are designed to support that process. Tabs provide visible access points to major subjects and chapters. Highlighting helps selected information stand out during review. Candidates should practice using the books repeatedly so the organization becomes familiar before exam day.

Approved references containing highlighting may be used under Florida’s published construction examination rules. Handwritten and typewritten notes are not permitted in examination references. Candidates must follow all current rules regarding book condition, binding, tabs, notes, and materials brought into the testing room.

During study sessions, practice locating definitions, tables, formulas, contract provisions, accounting concepts, safety requirements, code sections, and installation standards. Each lookup exercise should begin by deciding which book is most likely to contain the answer.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the Certified Solar Contractor classification. Confirm that the Florida Solar Contractor license matches the contracting services you intend to offer.
2. Review experience and education requirements. Florida applicants are generally required to document four years of experience or an accepted combination of education and experience.
3. Apply for the required examinations. Submit the applicable examination application and complete the approval process.
4. Prepare for Trade Knowledge. Study photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, electrical requirements, roofing, plumbing, safety, estimating, and residential construction.
5. Prepare for Business and Finance. Review accounting, contracts, bidding, business management, project administration, and Florida contractor regulations.
6. Schedule the examinations. After examination approval, schedule the applicable computer-based testing appointments through the designated examination vendor.
7. Pass the required examinations. Complete every examination part required for the Certified Solar Contractor license.
8. Submit the license application. File the appropriate Certified Solar Contractor application with the required supporting records.
9. Complete remaining requirements. Provide applicable experience documentation, fingerprints, financial information, insurance documentation, workers’ compensation information, and business qualification records.

State Requirements

Florida Certified Solar Contractor applicants must generally pass the state certification examination before initial licensure. Passing the examinations does not automatically issue a license. Applicants must complete the appropriate licensing application and satisfy the requirements established by the Construction Industry Licensing Board.

Applicants are generally required to have four years of qualifying experience or a combination of college education and experience. Proof of experience must correspond with the contractor category for which the applicant is applying.

The licensing process also includes financial responsibility, background screening, insurance, and business qualification requirements. Applicants may need to submit fingerprints, a credit report, proof of public-liability and property-damage insurance, workers’ compensation coverage or an applicable exemption, and documentation for the business being qualified.

Applicants should use the application that matches their intended license status. Florida provides separate application paths for individuals, contractors qualifying a business, contractors qualifying an additional business, and applicants pursuing an available endorsement path.

After passing the state certification examination, applicants must obtain licensure within the period established by Florida board rules. Examination preparation and licensing preparation should therefore be treated as connected parts of the same goal.

Reference Books

Florida Solar Contractor Trade Book Rentals

• Included Rental Book: Walker's Building Estimator’s Reference Book, Walker’s, 33rd Edition
  A construction-estimating reference covering measurements, quantities, labor, materials, equipment, and construction calculations.
• Included Rental Book: Code of Federal Regulations, OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926
  The federal construction-safety regulations addressing fall protection, ladders, scaffolds, electrical hazards, protective equipment, tools, and workplace practices.
• Included Rental Book: National Electrical Code Handbook, 2020
  An electrical reference combining code provisions with explanatory material related to photovoltaic installations, wiring, grounding, bonding, equipment, and protection.
• Included Rental Book: Photovoltaic System Design, Course Manual
  A solar-focused manual supporting the study of photovoltaic site evaluation, system layout, equipment selection, array design, and installation planning.
• Included Rental Book: Solar Water & Pool Heating Manual, 2006
  A technical reference addressing solar water-heating and pool-heating systems, including collectors, pumps, piping, controls, sizing, and troubleshooting.
• Included Rental Book: Photovoltaic Systems, 3rd Edition, 2012
  A detailed photovoltaic reference covering solar resources, modules, arrays, electrical principles, inverters, system design, installation, testing, maintenance, and safety.
• Included Rental Book: The N.R.C.A. Roofing Manual: Membrane Roof Systems, 2023
  A roofing reference covering membrane roof materials, assemblies, drainage, flashing, penetrations, and installation considerations.
• Included Rental Book: The N.R.C.A. Roofing Manual: Metal Panel and SPF Roof Systems, 2024
  A technical manual addressing metal-panel and spray polyurethane foam roof systems, details, attachments, maintenance, and rooftop coordination.
• Included Rental Book: The N.R.C.A. Roofing Manual: Steep-Slope Roof Systems, 2025
  A reference covering steep-slope roofing materials, underlayments, flashing, fastening, drainage, penetrations, and installation practices.
• Included Rental Book: Florida Building Code – Plumbing, 2023
  The plumbing volume of the 8th Edition Florida Building Code, covering water distribution, piping, valves, materials, drainage, and related requirements.
• Included Rental Book: Florida Building Code – Residential, 2023
  The residential construction code containing structural, roofing, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and building-planning provisions.

Florida Business and Finance Book Rentals

• Included Rental Book: A201 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction, 2017
  A standard contract document addressing the rights, responsibilities, and relationships of the owner, contractor, and architect during construction.
• Included Rental Book: A401 Standard Form of Agreement Between Contractor and Subcontractor, 2017
  A standard agreement defining the contractual relationship between a contractor and subcontractor.
• Included Rental Book: A701 Instructions to Bidders, 2018
  A bidding document addressing procedures, requirements, submissions, modifications, and responsibilities associated with the bidding process.
• Included Rental Book: Builders Guide to Accounting, Michael C. Thomsett, Copyright 2001
  A construction-accounting reference supporting the study of financial statements, bookkeeping concepts, costs, cash flow, and business records.
• Included Rental Book: Contractors Manual, 2025
  A business and regulatory reference used to study Florida contracting requirements, project administration, financial management, and business operations.
• Included Rental Book: Florida Statutes Chapter 455, Current Edition
  Florida statutory provisions addressing the regulation of professions and occupations under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Test Information and Study Materials

The included trade and business courses provide 6 months of course access. Candidates can use the courses to organize the books into manageable subject areas, reinforce key concepts, and practice working through exam-style questions.

Begin trade preparation with the three official content areas. Allocate substantial study time to photovoltaic systems because they represent half of the published Trade Knowledge outline. Divide the remaining trade study time between domestic hot water and swimming-pool heating, while also reviewing electrical, roofing, plumbing, estimating, and safety topics.

Business preparation should combine course review, book navigation, and flash-card practice. Use the included business flash cards for repeated review of important terms and concepts, then confirm those concepts in the appropriate business reference.

Create a weekly schedule that includes reading, course lessons, calculations, reference lookups, and practice questions. Avoid saving all book-navigation practice until the end. Regular use of the books helps candidates recognize where information is located and which reference applies to each subject.

Protect the rental books throughout the six-month period. Keep the complete set together, avoid adding unauthorized notes or markings, and prepare the books for return in similar condition. The $1,200 deposit is refundable when the books are returned according to the stated rental terms.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep combines organized courses with professionally prepared references to help candidates build a practical study system for both required examination areas. Rather than approaching the trade and business material as one unstructured library, candidates can work through focused topics and connect each lesson with the appropriate book.

Trade-focused review helps candidates study photovoltaic systems, solar water heating, pool heating, electrical requirements, roofing practices, plumbing provisions, estimating, residential construction, and OSHA safety. Business-focused review supports preparation in accounting, contracts, bidding, project administration, contractor regulations, and business management.

Practice-oriented preparation encourages active use of the references. Candidates can review a subject, answer questions, locate supporting information, and revisit difficult concepts. This process strengthens knowledge while improving open-book navigation skills.

The highlighted and tabbed rental books provide a consistent reference structure, while the included business flash cards support repetition and recall. Together with 6 months of course access, these materials help candidates create an organized preparation routine and approach the examinations with greater familiarity and confidence.

FAQ Section

What is included in this rental package?

The package includes the listed highlighted and tabbed Solar Contractor trade books, the listed highlighted and tabbed Business and Finance books, both online exam-prep courses, business flash cards, and 6 months of course access.

What is the total price?

The package price is $1,899, and the refundable book deposit is $1,200. The total due at purchase is $3,099.

Is the $1,200 deposit refundable?

Yes. The $1,200 deposit is refundable when the rental books are returned in similar condition within six months from the date they are shipped.

How long do I have access to the courses?

The package includes 6 months of course access for the Business and Finance and Solar Contractor Trade exam-prep courses.

How long does book preparation take?

Please allow an additional 15 business days for professionally highlighted and tabbed book package orders.

Are both examination areas included?

Yes. The package supports preparation for the Florida Solar Contractor Trade Knowledge examination and the Florida Business and Finance examination.

Are the Florida construction examinations open book?

Yes. Florida construction examinations are open book, subject to the current official reference lists and examination-room rules.

Can I write notes in the rental books?

Candidates should not add handwritten or typewritten notes to examination references. Rental books must also be returned in similar condition to qualify for the refundable deposit.

Does the package guarantee that I will pass?

No. Examination results depend on the candidate’s preparation, knowledge, reference-navigation skills, time management, and performance on test day.

Does passing the exams automatically issue a Florida license?

No. Applicants must also complete the appropriate licensing application and satisfy the applicable experience, education, financial, insurance, background, and business qualification requirements.