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
- 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 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.
- Pass the General Contractor exams (there is no tower-specialty-specific exam) and Business & Finance exams.(sign up for the exams)
- 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 Classes
An applicant for a tower specialty contractor certification shall pass the general contractor examination but apply for a Tower Specialty Contractors Licese.
-
indicador
Login credentials emailed upon enrollment
Unlimited access (no time limits)
Step-by-step solutions to math problems
-
indicador
Login credentials emailed upon enrollment
Unlimited access (no time limits)
Step-by-step solutions to math problems
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:
$1,704.36
-
TOWER SPECIALTY - BOOK SET WITH TABS INCLUDES ALL
BOOKS FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS EXAMS
Sales price:
$1,804.36
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.
- 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 (Florida Building Code - Accessibility) 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 includes 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 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 covers 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
Publication by the University of Florida which 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.
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!).