Florida Building Contractor License

Florida Building (CBC) contractors can legally engage in contracting involving the following type of work:

• Construction of Commercial buildings
• Single-dwelling or multiple-dwelling residential buildings not more than 3 stories in height
• Accessory-use structures
• Remodeling and repair of any type of building
• Building contractors are prime contractors and therefore can contract for the following work outside their scope, as long as it is subcontracted to properly licensed specialty contractors:
  • Electric
  • Mechanical
  • Sheet Metal
  • Plumbing
  • Air Conditioning
  • Roofing (except for wood shakes and fiberglass/wood shingle roofing when the Building contractor is the prime contractor)
  • Swimming Pool and Spa work (except for structural work)

When remodeling buildings higher than 3 stories, no structural members of the building can be modified.

How to Get a Building Contractor's License in Florida

1. Be 18 years of age.
2. 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.
3. Pay the fee for the Application.
4. Complete the application form using the Online Services, or the Printable Application.
5. Be of good moral character.
6. Obtain worker's compensation and general liability coverage.
7. 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.
8. Background check with Electronic Fingerprints.
9. Obtain public liability and property damage insurance.
   • Obtain workers' compensation or exemption from workers compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license.
10. 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 General trade:
        • Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
        • Masonry walls
        • Column erection
        • Steel erection
        • Elevated slabs
        • Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sqft
    • Upgrade an Existing Residential license (must have held the license for a minimum of 3 years).
    • 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.
11. Pass the Building and Business & Finance exams.
12. Submit the complete Building application form to:
    Department of Business and Professional Regulation
    2601 Blair Stone Road
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783

Florida Building Contractor Exams

The Florida Building Contractor Examination in Florida consists of a Business and Finance test, as well as a Trade Test. The Trade test is divided into two sections; the morning section of the trade test is known as the Contract Administration exam, while the afternoon section of the Trade test is known as the Project Management exam. It is possible to pass one and fail the other but both sections must eventually be passed (along with the business and finance test) in order to satisfy the State's academic requirements. Do not sign up to take your exams until you obtain your books and begin studying for them.

Florida Building Contractor Classes

You can take Building Contractor Classes in Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Miami, or Online. 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 Building Contractor Exam problems. The Building Contractor Classes prepare you for the trade and business exams. Florida Building Contractor Testing Schedule). You must pass all exams before applying for the Building Contractor’s License in Florida. To sign up for the Florida Building Contractor classes, simply click on the "enroll" button below and checkout; this will allow you to receive immediate access to the Florida Building Contractor Classes online, and will also enable you to attend in-person Exam Prep classes. All students have access to both online and in-person classes for an unlimited amount of time (until passing all the Florida Building Contractor exams needed to get the Building license!). The in-person classes are not mandatory and can be taken at the student's discretion. For a list of upcoming classes for the Florida Building Contractor Exams click on the link within the course description below.

• indicador

  BUILDING CONTRACTOR STATE (PEARSON VUE©) LICENSE EXAM PREP CLASSES FLORIDA

  Login credentials emailed upon enrollment

  Unlimited access (no time limits)

  Lecture videos

  Practice questions

  Key concepts

  Step-by-step solutions to math problems

  In-person review

  classes

  $699.00

  $699.00

  Demo

• indicador

  FLORIDA BUSINESS AND FINANCE (CONSTRUCTION) (PEARSON VUE©) COURSE

  Login credentials emailed upon enrollment

  Unlimited access (no time limits)

  Lecture videos

  Practice questions

  Key concepts

  Step-by-step solutions to math problems

  In-person review

  classes

  $399.00

  $399.00

  Demo

Florida Building Contractor Books

The set of books includes all required references for both the Building 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.

If you want to buy individual books or tabs rather than the package you may click on the links below or visit our Books for the General-Building Contractor Exam page, it will be easier to pick and choose what you need and add the items to your cart (you can do so on that single page).

List of Books for the Building Contractor Trade Exams

The trade exams for Building Contracting are Contract Administration and Project Management. The exact same list of books is used for both of them.

• Florida Building Code - Building
  Florida Building Code is the primary source for building code compliance in Florida.
• Florida Building Code - Accessibility
  The Florida Accessibility Code (outlines the code requirements for compliance with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) as it relates to the construction of public buildings and structures. Samples of its content include specifications on the construction of handicapped-accessible restrooms, as well as requirements of the construction of wheel chair ramps.
• Florida Building Code - Residential
  The Residential Code is the primary resource for code compliance for single and multi-family dwelling construction in Florida.
• Florida Building Code - Existing Building
  The Florida Existing Building Code is the primary code reference for the remodeling and restoration of existing buildings in FL.
• Florida Building Code - Energy Conservation
  The Florida Energy Conservation Code is the current and primary source of code compliance for mechanical contractors and builders. This book used to be Chapter 13 of the Florida Building Code in prior code editions (before it was published separately).
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
  Many advances have been made in concrete technology over the decades ranging from new materials and testing methods to improved concrete properties and construction practices. Concrete construction today follows a mantra of quicker, stronger, more durable, more resilient, and more sustainable. That story is proudly displayed within the pages of this centennial edition of Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures.
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
  Placing Reinforcing Bars covers all aspects of concrete reinforcement.
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction
  Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction cover all aspects of the building process with a focus on civil structures and high-rise buildings.
• A201 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction
  The A201 is published by the AIA and establishes the general conditions of the contract for construction.
• A401 Standard Form of Agreement between Contractor Subcontractor
  Please beware of companies selling photocopies of AIA documents. You will not be allowed to use photocopies during testing. If you suspect a company of engaging in this illegal practice, please notify the publisher.
• A701, Instructions for Bidders
  Please beware of companies selling photocopies of AIA documents. You will not be allowed to use photocopies during testing. If you suspect a company of engaging in this illegal practice, please email the publisher
• Builder's Guide to Accounting
  Builder's Guide to Accounting is used for the Business and Finance contractor exam in Florida.
• Walker's Building Estimator's Reference Book The Building Estimator's Reference Book is an important reference used for estimating and as a reference for contractor exams.
• CFR (OSHA) Tile 29 Part 1926
  OSHA (CFR 29 Part 1926) is the leading safety reference in the construction industry covering all aspects of construction.
• Florida Contractor's Manual
  The Florida Contractor's Manual is used as one of the references for the Business and Finance exam.
• Specifications for the Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, GA-216
  This illustrated book gives recommendations for the proper installation and finishing of gypsum board.
• Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida
  This publication by the University of Florida covers all aspects of energy-efficient construction in Florida.
• Building Component Safety Information Handling, Installing, and Bracing Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses, HIB-91
  This book covers all aspects of the handling and installation of metal plate-connected wood trusses. It is a great reference for carpenters and builders.
• Florida Statutes Chapter 455
  Business and Professional Regulation: General Provisions) contains regulation directly impacting the licensing process of contractors in the State of Florida.

Starting January 1st, 2020, these books will NOT be allowed in the testing room but will be tested on.

• Builder's Guide to Accounting
• Walker's Building Estimator's Reference Book
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction
• Specifications for the Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, GA-216

Please note that A201, A401, A701, Builder's Guide to Accounting, and Florida Contractors Manual are required for both the business and the trade exams. Florida Statutes 455 is the only book that is used exclusively on the Business and Finance Exam. If you only need the business books, you can buy them by visiting our Business and Finance Exam in Florida page.