General Contractor License in Florida

Florida General contractors can legally engage in contracting involving the following type of work:

• 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
• Clearing, grubbing, grading, excavation, and any site work for any construction project
• Install and perform warranty repairs of wood shingles, wood shakes, or asphalt or fiberglass shingle roofing on new buildings of the GC's own construction
• Structural swimming pool work
• Construction of main sanitary sewer collection systems, storm collection systems, and water distribution systems
• Continuation of utility lines from the mains in mobile home parks
• Some work can be contracted by General Contractors, but must be sub-contracted out to properly licensed contractors:
  • Electrical
  • Mechanical
  • Sheet Metal
  • Plumbing
  • Air Conditioning
  • Roofing (except for shingle installations where the GC is the prime contractor)
  • Swimming Pool (Non-structural) work
  • Continuation of Utility Lines from the mains to the buildings

How to Get a General 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:
        • Masonry walls
        • Elevated slabs
        • Column erection
        • Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sqft
        • Steel erection
        • Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
        • Construction of structures at least four stories in height (1 year of experience)
    • Upgrade an Existing Residential or Building license (must have held the license for a minimum of 4 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 Contract Administration, Project Management, and Business & Finance exams.(sign up for the exams)
12. Submit the complete General application form to:
    Department of Business and Professional Regulation
    2601 Blair Stone Road
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783

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.

For more information on how to prepare for Florida contractor exams, visit our link Florida School for General Contractors

Florida General Contractor Classes

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

  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

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, Fort Myers, Miami, and Jacksonville 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: $1,682.53

• FLORIDA GENERAL - BOOK SET WITH TABS INCLUDES ALL BOOKS FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS EXAMS

  Sales price: $1,782.53

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.

• 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 wheelchair 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 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.

The following books are used for studying but are not allowed within the testing center for the trade exams (Contract Administration and Project Management):

• Builder's Guide to Accounting (this book is not allowed in the trade exams, but it IS allowed in the Business and Finance exam)
• 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, Miami, Jacksonville 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!).