Florida Gypsum Drywall Contractor License

Florida Gypsum Drywall contractors can legally engage in contracts which involve working on:

Metal accessories (bearing, non-load bearing)
Metal studs
Runners
Hangers
Channels
Drywall metal suspension accessories
Prefabricated ceiling materials
Preparation of the surface over which drywall product is to be applied
Base and finish coats specifically designed for gypsum drywall products
Gypsum Drywall contractors cannot engage in the following type of work within the scope of their license:
- Plastering
- Block or wood partitions

How to Get a Gypsum Drywall Contractor's License in Florida

Be 18 years of age.
Pass all parts of the exam(s) (within four years of the first attempt).
If an applicant has a Bachelor's degree in building construction or a related field, as well as a 3.0 GPA or higher, the applicant is only required to take the business exam.
Pay the fee for the Application.
Complete the application form using the Online Services, or the Printable Application.
Be of good moral character.
Obtain worker's compensation and general liability coverage.
Demonstrate financial responsibility by submitting a Credit Report:
- 660 FICO credit score or higher (applicant must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit if below 660 - FICO derived).
- If FICO score is less than 660, the applicant must take a 14-hour financial responsibility course.
- If applicable, provide proof of satisfaction of liens, judgments, and bankruptcy discharge.
Background check with Electronic Fingerprints.
Obtain public liability and property damage insurance.
- Obtain workers' compensation or exemption from workers compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license.
Satisfy one of the experience requirements set forth by the CILB:
- A combination of Experience and Education
  - One year proved experience that applies to the category for which you are applying and a four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to 3 yrs. experience), or
  - No less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses, and One year of experience as a foreman, or
  - Two years of credits from accredited college-level courses, one year experience as a foreman, and One year experience as a worker, or
  - One year of experience as a foreman, one year of credits from accredited college-level courses, and two years of experience as a worker, or
  - Four years of experience as a foreman or worker of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
  - The board expects the applicant to have experience in the following areas of the Gypsum Drywall trade:
    - Gypsum Board
    - Light Steel Framing
    - Finishing
- Military Service
  Note: As part of the application applicant must submit the Fee Waiver and Military Service Verification for licensure
  - One year of experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying, and three years of military service.
  - One year of experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying, one year of experience as a foreman, and two years of military service.
  - Two years of experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying, and one year of military service.
Pass the Gypsum Drywall and Business & Finance exams.(sign up for the exams)
Submit the complete Gypsum Drywall application form to:
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783

Drywall Contractor employees install sheetrock panels — Employees of a Florida Drywall Contractor Install Ceiling Panels

Florida Drywall Contractor Exams

Florida Drywall Contractors must pass two exams prior to obtaining their license. Do not sign up to take your exams until you obtain your books and begin studying for them!

Florida Gypsum Drywall Contractor License Exam

Testing Method: Computer-based testing
Testing Company: Pearson Vue©
Number of Questions: 80
Types of Questions: Multiple Choice
Time Allowed: 300 Minutes
Minimum Passing Score: 70%
Subjects Involved:
- Gypsum and Gypsum Wallboard Installation (35%)
  - Determining the proper gypsum wallboard type given a specific application
    - Rated wall and ceiling assemblies
    - Exterior applications
    - Under ceramic tile
    - Sheathing
    - Interior ceilings
  - Installing gypsum wallboard
    - Over wood
      
      Metal
      
      Masonry
      
      Concrete surfaces
    - Temperature and humidity issues
    - Storage of materials onsite
  - Identifying the correct gypsum wallboard fastener or adhesive
    - Identifying required fastener spacings and penetrations into framing members
      
      1/4" Gypsum on wood
      
      1/2"
      
      5/8"
      
      1/4" Gypsum on metal
      
      1/2"
      
      5/8"
      
      Lamination methods
      
      Spacing of fasteners based on framing spacing
      
      Walls versus ceilings
  - Using tools and equipment to install gypsum wallboard
    - Hand and power tools
    - Ladders
    - Scaffolds
  - Estimating and bidding a job
    - Reading plans and specifications
    - Perform material take offs
    - Estimate material and labor costs
- Taping and Texturing (15%)
  - Selecting the correct joint compound and tape given the application and job conditions
    - Humidity
    - Temperature
    - Rated wall and ceiling assemblies
    - Exterior applications
    - Under ceramic tile
    - Sheathing
    - Interior ceilings
  - Applying joint compound to gypsum surface
    - Tape coats
    - Bed coats
    - Finish coats
    - Skim coats
    - Dry and wet sanding
  - Texturing
    - Knock down
    - Orange peel
    - Aggregated spray texture
    - Skip trowel
  - Using tools and equipment for gypsum wallboard taping and texturing
    - Hand tools
    - Mechanical tools (e.g., bazooka, angle box, banjo)
    - Texture machines
- Metal Stud Walls and Ceiling Grid Systems (35%)
  - Laying out and installing metal ceiling systems
    - Determine type of grid
      
      Ceiling tile
      
      Accessories needed
      
      Fastener type
    - Framing for suspended ceiling
      
      Accoustical ceiling
    - Soffits
  - Laying out and installing metal stud wall systems
    - Install metal door jambs
    - Determine spacing, gage, and type of stud to use given application
      
      Accessories needed
      
      Fastener type
    - Bulkhead walls
  - Installing wall and ceiling systems
    - Hand tools
    - Power actuated tools
    - Lasers
    - Water levels
- Special Applications (15%)
  - Forming curves and angles with gypsum wallboard
    - Framing requirements
    - Determine thickness and layers needed given curve
  - Installing gypsum wallboard in fire and sound control systems
    - Smoke barrier
    - Sound board
  - Applying exterior gypsum wallboard
    - Under wall and roof sheathing
    - Exterior finish drywall
  - Demonstrate knowledge of relevant job safety procedures and requirements
    - OSHA
Official list of subjects for the Gypsum Drywall contractor exam

Florida Gypsum Drywall Business and Finance Exam

Testing Method: Computer-based testing
Testing Company: Pearson Vue©
Number of Questions: 120
Types of Questions: Multiple Choice
Time Allowed: 390 Minutes
Minimum Passing Score: 70%
Subjects Involved:
- Establishing the Contracting Business (11%)
  - Determining the Business Organizational Structure
    - Business structure laws and regulations
    - Fiduciary responsibilities of officers and directors
    - Open vs. closed corporations
    - Organizational charts and chain of responsibilities
    - State and local licensure requirements
    - Tax advantages and/or liabilities for various business structures
  - Develop the Business Plan
    - Accounting practices
    - Local marketplace
    - Scope of contractor license
  - Establish Relationships with Other Professionals
    - Accountant specialization
    - Attorney specialization
    - Insurance types and limitations
    - Underwriting requirements for bonding
  - Acquire Fixed Assets
    - Advantages/disadvantages of business location
    - Advantages/disadvantages of lease vs. purchase
  - Obtain Insurance
    - knowledge of accounting practices
    - Advantages/disadvantages of various types of insurance
    - Coverages and limitations of insurance
- Managing Administrative Duties (26%)
  - Develop the Business
    - Availability of staffing for business operation
    - Income sources
    - Markets and market share.
  - Determine Outsourced Services
  - Determine Business Overhead
    - FICA
    - Advertising costs (business cards, dues, printing, etc.)
    - Communication costs (cell phones, land lines, etc.)
    - Cost of sales (travel expenses)
    - Federal unemployment (FUTA)
    - General liability rates
    - Lease expenses
    - Loan financing expenses (interest, etc.)
    - Medicare rates
    - Rent costs
    - State unemployment (SUTA)
    - Utility costs
    - Worker’s compensation
  - Preparing Bids/Proposals
    - Accounting principles
    - AIA documents
    - Business projections/goals current status
    - Company overhead
    - Contract documents
    - Contract law
    - Cost of financing projects
    - Costs associated with growth
    - General conditions costs of projects
    - How to review contracts
    - How to write offer
    - Insurances associated with labor rates
    - Labor productivity
    - Statute of frauds
    - Taxes associated with labor rates
    - Components of valid contract
  - Purchase Materials/Supplies
    - Depreciative costs
    - Fundamentals of Uniform Commercial Code
    - Inventory system operation (FIFO, etc.)
    - Invoice approval systems
    - Negotiating skills
    - Purchasing systems
    - Receiving systems
    - State sales tax laws
    - Statute of frauds
    - Vendors in area
  - Prepare Invoices/Draw Requests
    - Basic math skills
    - Calculation of percentage of work completed
    - Contract/subcontract documents
    - How to prepare invoices/draw requests
    - Lien laws
  - Develop a Safety Program
    - Drug testing regulations
    - MSDS sheets
    - OSHA regulations
  - Maintain Insurance
    - General terms and definitions used in policies
    - Insurance policies
    - Limits of insurance
    - Various types of insurance
    - Various types of risk
  - Managing Contracts
    - Contract law
    - Contract scope
    - Job completion schedules
    - Lien laws
    - Mediation and arbitration processes
    - Local building code requirements
    - Tort law
    - Risk management
- Managing Trade Operations (10%)
  - Schedule Trade Operations
    - Critical path method (CPM)
    - Delivery times
    - Manufacturing times
    - Requests for information (RFI)
    - Sequencing trades
    - Submittals/approval/fabrication process
  - Maintain OSHA/Safety Records
    - Document/record retainage requirements
    - Penalties for non-compliance with OSHA
  - Purchase/Order Materials & Supplies
    - Accounting skills
    - Basic math skills
    - Job schedules
    - Negotiation skills
    - Organizational skills
    - Plan reading skills
    - Quality control
    - Quantity take-offs
    - Terms and abbreviations on invoices
    - Types of building materials
  - Leasing/Purchasing Equipment
    - Cost of operation of equipment
    - Depreciation
    - Equipment operation
    - Forecasted use of purchased equipment
    - Interest costs for financing
    - Maintenance
    - Salvage resale values
    - Support equipment required for equipment
    - Tax credits associated with purchases
    - Training needs for equipment
    - Transportation costs for equipment
  - Manage Material/Tool/Equipment Inventory
    - Equipment maintenance procedures
    - Inventory methods
- Conducting Accounting Functions (32%)
  - Manage Accounts Receivable
    - Accounting principles
    - Basic math skills
    - Computer skills
    - Lien laws
  - Manage Accounts Payable
    - Accounting principles
    - Basic math skills
    - Computer skills
    - How to calculate discounts
    - Lien laws
  - Manage Cash Flow
    - Accounting
    - Banking
    - Basic math skills
    - Financial ratios
  - File Tax Forms & Returns
    - Accounting principles
    - Basic math
    - Federal tax laws
    - Property tax laws
    - Record keeping requirements
    - Sales tax laws
    - State tax laws
  - Track Job Costs
    - Accounting principles
    - Basic math
  - Calculate Employee Payroll
    - Accounting
    - State & federal tax laws
    - Basic math
    - Employment laws
    - Employment/labor laws
    - Hierarchy of garnishments
- Managing Human Resources (6%)
  - Hire New Employees
    - Employment laws
    - Discrimination laws
    - Interviewing skills
    - Required forms for new hires
    - Background checks
  - Develop Human Resource Policies & Procedures
    - Employment/labor laws
    - OSHA
    - Chain of custody (drug tests)
    - Insurance regulations
  - Evaluate Employees
    - Employment/labor laws
- Complying with Government Regulation (15%)
  - Comply with Federal Laws & Regulations
    - FEMA (immigration components)
    - OSHA
    - Tax laws
    - National Pollution Discharge
    - Elimination System (NPDES)
    - Environmental laws
  - Comply with State Laws& Regulations
    - Chapter 455 F.S.(Business & Professional Regulation)
    - Chapter 713 F.S. (Liens)
    - 61G4 F.A.C.
    - Worker’s Compensation
    - Laws/DOR Sales/Use Tax
    - Chapter 489, Part 1 F.S (Construction Contracting)
    - Required continuing education
    - CEU credit records
    - License holder responsibilities
Official list of subjects for the Business and Finance exam

Florida Drywall Contractor Classes

You can sign up for your classes at any time and receive access to lecture videos, practice questions, tabbing and highlighting instructions, as well as to step-by-step explanations on how to solve typical Drywall Contractor Exam Problems. The Drywall Contractor Classes prepare you for the trade and business exams. Florida Drywall Contractor Testing Schedule). You must pass all exams before applying for the Drywall Contractor’s License in Florida. To sign up for the Florida Drywall Contractor classes, simply click on the "enroll" button below and checkout; this will allow you to receive immediate access to the Florida Drywall Contractor Classes online. All students have access for an unlimited amount of time (until passing all the Florida Drywall Contractor exams needed to get the Drywall License!). All live refresher online classes are on Saturdays from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (ET). For a list of upcoming classes for the Florida Drywall Contractor Exams click on the link within the course description below.

Florida Drywall Contractor Books

The set of books includes all required references for both the Drywall and Business and Finance exams. Orders placed before 2 PM are shipped the same day via UPS and a tracking number is emailed before 3 PM.