General Contractor License in Florida
Starting January 1st, 2020 certain books will not be allowed in the testing room
This change has academic implications on the exam, for more information click here.
The GC license is the most prestigious, most sought-after license in Florida. This single license allows you to work on most trades in your construction projects, and for the trades, it does not cover, it allows you to sub-out the work legally and for-profit to a licensed sub-contractor.
What can a General Contractor Do?
A general contractor's license in Florida ALLOWS you to:
- Build, repair, and remodel any type of building, regardless of size or number of stories
- Construct or alter the structural components of a building or structure
- Remodel any type of commercial or residential property
- Perform clearing, grubbing, grading, excavation, and any site work for any construction project
- Install and perform warranty repairs of wood shingles, wood shakes, or shingle roofing on new buildings of your own construction
- Perform structural swimming pool work
- Construct main sanitary sewer collection systems, storm collection systems, and water distribution systems
A general contractor's license does NOT allow you to perform the following work using your own employees, you must sub-contract the work to subs licensed in those trades:
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Air Conditioning
- Roofing (except for shingles on your own buildings--ones you have pulled permits for)
- swimming pool (Non-structural) work
- Continuation of utility lines from the mains to the buildings
What are the Requirements to Become a General Contractor in Florida?
Here is what you need to get your GC license in Florida:
General Contractor Requisites
- Have experience in the trade
- Age: Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Examination: Must take and pass the state certification examinations (Contract Administration, Project Management, and Business). Please note that the application process cannot be started until the exams are taken and passing scores are obtained.
- Financial / Credit: Applicants will need to provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting personal credit reports. Credit reports must include a FICO derived credit score and indicate that local, state, and federal records have been searched. Credit report containing a credit score (FICO derived) on the applicant from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency, which includes a public records statement that records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels. If the credit score is below 660 (FICO derived) applicant must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit. Note that Fifty percent (50%) of the bond or letter of credit requirement may be met by completion of a 14-hour financial responsibility course.
- Fingerprints: An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.
- Insurance: Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by Board rule. Applicants are also required to obtain worker's compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from worker’s compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license.
Ways to prove your General Contractor's Experience
- Work Experience and/or education
- Effective July 1, 2020, exam candidates who have received a baccalaureate degree in building construction from an accredited 4-year college, or a related degree as approved by board rule, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher are exempt from having to take the trade knowledge portion of the exam. You will be required to affirm that you qualify for this exemption later in this application. You will only be required to register for the Business and Finance exam.
- Four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to three years’ experience) and one year proved experience applicable to the category for which you are applying.
- One year of experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- One year of experience as a worker, one-year experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- Two years’ experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- Four years’ experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
- Be a certified residential or building contractor holding an active current license for a minimum of 4 years.
- Military service
- Three years of military service and one year experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
- Two years of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and one year experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
- One year of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and two years experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
Areas of Construction which satisfy GC Experience Requirements
- Must have at least one year of experience in the construction of structures at least four stories in height
- Applicants for the Certified General Contractor License must have experience in four or more of the experience areas listed below:
- Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sqft.
- Masonry walls
- Steel erection
- Precast concrete structures
- Column erection
- Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
- Elevated slabs
To download the different application forms related to the General Contractor’s License, you may visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site.
Florida General Contractor Exams
Below are the three exams you must pass in order to become a GC in FL. The first two make up the trade portion of your testing requirements. The third exam (Business and Finance) is the business part.
General Contract Administration Exam
- Part 1 of GC Trade Exam
- Testing Method: Computer-Based Testing
- Testing Provider: Pearson VUE
- Number of Questions: 60
General Project Management Exam
- Part 2 of GC Trade Exam
- Testing Method: Computer-Based Testing
- Testing Provider: Pearson VUE
- Number of Questions: 60
Business and Finance Exam
- Testing Method: Computer-Based Testing
- Testing Provider: Pearson VUE
- Number of Questions: 120
Florida General Contractor Classes
-
Login credentials emailed upon enrollment
Unlimited access (no time limits)
Lecture videos
Practice questions
How to find answers in the books
Step-by-step solutions to math problems
In-person review
classes$599.00$599.00 -
Login credentials emailed upon enrollment
Unlimited access (no time limits)
Lecture videos
Practice questions
How to find answers in the books
Step-by-step solutions to math problems
In-person review
classes$299.00$299.00
All General Contractor Classes are offered fully online (unlimited access to practice questions and lecture videos), and although not mandatory, in-person review classes are offered in Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers all year round. View Class Schedule
Florida General Contractor Books
FLORIDA GENERAL - BOOK SET WITHOUT TABS INCLUDES ALL BOOKS FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS EXAMS
Sales price: $1,439.73FLORIDA GENERAL - BOOK SET WITH TABS INCLUDES ALL BOOKS FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS EXAMS
Sales price: $1,539.73
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 Contractor Exams 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 General Contractor Trade Exams
The trade exams for General Contracting are Contract Administration and Project Management. The exact same list of books is used for both of them.
Starting July 1st, 2021 the 2020 code books will be used for contractor Licensing. Until then we will still be using the 2017 edition.
- Florida Building Code - Building
Florida Building Code 2017 edition is the primary source for building code compliance in Florida. - Florida Building Code - Accessibility
The Florida Accessibility Code (Florida Building Code - Accessibility 2017) 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 wheelchair ramps. - Florida Building Code - Residential
The 2017 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 (2017 edition) is the primary code reference for the remodeling and restoration of existing buildings in FL. - Florida Building Code - Energy Conservation
The 2017 edition of 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 the 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 the gypsum board. - Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida
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 just want the business book set, you can find it on the Business Exam page.
You can take General Contractor Classes in Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale 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 General Contractor Exam problems. The General Contractor Classes prepare you for the trade (Contract Administration and Project Management) and business and finance exams. You can take your classes at any time (visit Florida General Contractor Class Schedule) and when you are ready you can sign up for testing by visiting Sign Up for the General Contractor’s License in Florida. To sign up for the Florida General Contractor classes, simply click on the "enroll" button above and checkout; this will allow you to receive immediate access to the Florida General 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 GC Exams needed to get the GC license!).