Florida Tower Specialty Contractor's License

Florida Tower Specialty contractors can legally engage in contracting involving the construction and repair of uninhabitable towers for purposes of:

  • Communications
  • Energy
  • Water
  • Utilities

Tower contractors can also engage in the construction of accessory use structures not exceeding 3 stories in height which house related equipment.

How to Get a Tower Specialty 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 Tower Specialty trade:
        • Tower Construction
          • Guyed Tower
          • Mono Pole Tower
          • Lattice/Self Supported Tower
        • Construction/Installation of:
          • Accessory Structures
          • Equipment Housings
          • Deadman Anchors
          • Guy Wires
    • 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 General Contractor exams (there is no tower-specialty-specific exam) and Business & Finance exams.(sign up for the exams)
  12. Submit the complete Tower Specialty application form to:
    Department of Business and Professional Regulation
    2601 Blair Stone Road
    Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783

Which exams to take to obtain a Tower Specialty License in Florida

An applicant for a tower specialty contractor certification shall pass the general contractor examination and shall demonstrate experience in the construction, repair and alteration of towers and accessory use structures.

Florida Tower Specialty (General) Contractor License Exam

  • Testing Method: Computer-based testing
  • Testing Company: Pearson Vue©
  • Number of Questions: 120
  • Types of Questions: Multiple Choice
  • Time Allowed: 540 Minutes
  • Minimum Passing Score: 70%
  • Subjects Involved:
    • Contract Administration (60 questions | 270 Minutes)
      • Preconstruction Activities (27%)
        • Preparing cost-estimates
          • Cost-estimates in bidding estimate using take-offs
          • Material estimating and costing
          • Labor estimating and costing
          • Equipment estimating and costing
          • Overhead costs
          • Contract requirements
          • Financing requirements
          • Understanding scopes of work
        • Obtaining and evaluating bids
          • Estimates from subcontractors and suppliers
          • Unit price and lump sum methods for bids
          • Check bid specifications for completeness
            • General specifications
            • Plans
            • Site and codes
          • Determine proper bid by calculating margins of profit
            • Calculating profit
            • Fixed and variable costs
            • Profitability break-even point
        • Estimating using systems approach (square foot method)
          • Figure overall job costs
          • Interpret charts for square foot estimating
          • Estimating software
        • Understanding penalties and contingencies
          • Liquidated damages
          • Regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA, DEP, impact fees)
      • Project Contracts (40%)
        • Understanding types of contracts
          • Lump sum contracts
          • Cost-plus contracts
          • Guaranteed maximum price contracts
          • Unit cost contracts
        • Defining primary contracts
          • General conditions for contracts
          • Supplemental conditions for contracts
          • Special conditions for contracts
          • Specifications for contracts
          • Lien laws
          • Residential Recovery Fund
          • Chapter F.S. 558
        • Developing subcontractor agreements
          • Contract law
          • Work orders
          • Monitoring subcontracts
          • Contract documents (e.g., addenda)
          • Insurance certification requirements
        • Executing contract amendments
          • Change orders
          • Authorizations (e.g., field orders)
          • Change directives
        • Obtaining payments and draws
          • Payment methods
          • Payment procedures
          • Payment schedules
          • Schedule of values
          • Payment for onsite/offsite material storage
          • Partial release of lien
          • Interior punch list
        • Closing out contracts
          • The concept of and what constitutes substantial completion
          • Release of retainage funds
          • Warranties
          • Final release of lien
          • Final punch lists and their relationship to contract documents
          • Certificate of occupancy
      • Obtaining Licenses, Permits and Approvals (20%)
        • Identify licenses required for different scopes of work
          • Identify licenses required for different scopes of work
          • knowledge of 61.G F.A.C.
        • Obtaining permits
          • Activities which require permits
          • Local requirements
          • Exemptions from inspections, permits, and approvals
        • Arranging for inspections
          • Local requirements
          • Proper sequence of inspections
          • Special inspections (e.g., threshold, environmental, plumbing)
      • Construction Procedures and Operations (13%)
        • Developing construction schedules
          • Follow-up with suppliers (submittals)
          • Time for architect and engineer to approval submittals
          • Shipping, scheduling, deliveries, storage, and lead times
          • Flow charts, Critical Path Method (CPM)
          • Progress, predictions (i.e., look ahead), deficiencies in scheduling
          • Scheduling software
        • Coordinating construction activities
          • Subcontractor meetings
          • Daily logs for subcontractors and contractors
          • Scheduling personnel and contractors
          • Scheduling subcontractors and suppliers
          • Safety meetings
          • Inventory controls
          • Sustainability (e.g., LEEDS, Green Globe)
    • Project Management (60 questions | 270 Minutes)
      • Construction Methods, Materials, Tools, and Equipment (63%)
        • Performing site layouts
          • Understanding of surveys (e.g., types, instruments, methods)
          • Benchmarks
          • Elevations (including FEMA requirements)
          • Setbacks and easements
          • Interpretation of site plan
          • Environmental impact (e.g., wetlands, trees, retention ponds, storm water drainage)
          • Material storage
        • Evaluating soil conditions
          • Soils (e.g., soil types, compaction, density, proctor, moisture content)
          • Soil reports
          • Appropriate foundation types given soil conditions
          • Water tables
        • Performing earthwork
          • Excavations (e.g., cut and fill calculations, calculating excavations and grades, trenching)
          • Preparation of site for foundation (e.g., angle of repose, soil compaction)
          • Sheeting, shoring for excavations and dewatering
          • Erosion control
          • Quality control related to earth-work
        • Placing and testing concrete
          • Shoring
          • Loads (e.g., volume, pressure)
          • Concrete (e.g., Footings, piles and pile caps, placing slabs and decks, columns, walls)
          • Forming practices, bracing and erection
          • Concrete reinforcement
          • Quality control related to concrete
          • Concrete mixtures and additives
        • Placing masonry
          • Erection and bracing
          • Masonry materials and handling
          • Quality control related to masonry
          • Reinforcement
          • Grouting
        • Framing with Wood
          • Lumber types (e.g., engineered, wood grades, species)
          • Truss erection and bracing
          • Rafters, floor joists and studs
          • Span tables
          • Wind loads and fasteners
          • Roof framing, sheathing and materials
        • Framing with metal
          • Metal materials (e.g., aluminum, steel, gauges, grade)
          • Pre-engineered buildings
          • Erection and bracing techniques
          • Metal studs, beams columns, bar joists, fasteners and trusses
          • Coatings (e.g., painting, fire and corrosion protection)
          • Welding and connections of steel framing
          • Metal roof framing
        • Understanding innovative techniques
          • Tilt-up construction
          • SIP's (Structural Insulated Panels)
          • ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms)
          • Slip forming
        • Implementing Energy efficient construction
          • Interpret energy calculations
          • R-values and U-values for different materials
          • Building envelopes
          • Blower door testing
          • Pertaining to energy efficiency
          • Types and placement of insulation (e.g., rigid and spray foam, batts)
        • Installing miscellaneous materials
          • Gypsum materials and methods (e.g., fastening requirements, fire wall assembly)
          • Plaster and stucco materials and methods
          • Moisture control (vapor barriers, flashings, etc.)
          • Cementitious materials
          • Fire-proofing wall and floor penetrations
          • Insulated wall panels
          • Roof covering materials (e.g., preengineered systems, shingles)
        • Understanding the use of heavy equipment
          • Cranes
          • Hoisting equipment
          • Lift plans
      • Safety (20%)
        • Complying with OSHA standards
          • Site layout
          • Soil conditions
          • Shoring for concrete
          • Bracing and erection
          • Earth-work
          • Formwork for concrete
          • Framing
          • Scaffolding
          • Trench safety
          • Ground fault interruption
          • Construction equipment
          • Field log record keeping
          • Fall protection
          • Job site safety information requirements
          • Other OSHA regulations
        • Complying with other safety standards and practices
          • Asbestos
          • Lead paint
          • Hazardous waste disposal
          • Mold remediation
      • Reading Plans and Specifications (17%)
        • Reading construction documents
          • Ability to read and understand plans and drawings (e.g., knowledge of sections and views)
          • Basic math skills and calculations associated with reading construction drawings
          • Architectural and engineering symbols, tables and specifications
          • Interpreting shop drawings and submittals
        • Interpreting construction codes and standards
          • Ability to read, understand, and apply codes and standards
          • Building codes
          • ADA requirements
  • Official list of subjects for the Contract Administration part of the Tower Specialty (General) contractor exam
  • Official list of subjects for the Project Management part of the Tower Specialty (General) contractor exam

Florida Tower Specialty (General) Contractor 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 Tower Specialty (General) Contractor Classes

An applicant for a tower specialty contractor certification shall pass the general contractor examination but apply for a Tower Specialty Contractors Licese.

We offer free live refresher online classes (access to practice questions and lecture videos) for all Florida General Contractor Contractors to help get ready for the General Contractor Exam with the online class's purchase. The online classes are unlimited and can be accessed whenever needed; You can also attend live online classes as needed. All live refresher online classes are on Saturdays from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (ET); we teach how to solve math problems for trade, business, and finance problems. View Class Schedule

Florida Tower Specialty (General) Contractor Books

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

  • TOWER SPECIALTY - BOOK SET WITHOUT TABS INCLUDES ALL BOOKS FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS EXAMS

    Sales price: $1,872.52
  • TOWER SPECIALTY - BOOK SET WITH TABS INCLUDES ALL BOOKS FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS EXAMS

    Sales price: $1,972.52

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 Tower Specialty Contractor Trade Exam

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

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 which 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 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 Tower Specialty Contractor Exam problems. The Tower Specialty Contractor Classes prepare you for the trade (Contract Administration and Project Management) and business and finance exams. You can take your classes at anytime (visit Florida Tower Specialty Contractor Class Schedule) and when you are ready you can sign up for testing by visiting Sign Up for the Tower Specialty Contractor’s License in Florida. To sign up for the Florida Tower Specialty Contractor classes, simply click on the "enroll" button above and checkout; this will allow you to receive immediate access to the Florida Tower Specialty Contractor Classes online. All students have access for an unlimited amount of time (until passing all the GC Exams needed to get the GC license!).