We’ve got you covered no matter where you are in your licensing journey.
We help you meet all contractor license requirements with the right tools, resources, and exam prep services. Our study programs include everything you need to get a strong start in building and growing your construction career. We have all the learning tools required for the exam and offer flexible courses to help you pass on the first try! Jump to a specific section if you are interested:
-
License Requirements
-
Exam Details
-
Exam Books
-
Live Classes
License Requirements
License Scope
A licensed building contractor can perform new construction up to 3 stories for all types of buildings, including residential, condominiums, apartments, commercial buildings, industrial and agricultural buildings. A building contractor can provide services above three stories for remodeling, repairing, or providing improvement of any size building - if the services do not affect the structural elements of the building.
Method of Qualification
In order to become licensed, you must meet the following qualifications.
(a) – Is 18 years of age,
(b) – Is of good moral character, and
(c) – Meets eligibility requirements according to one of the following criteria:
- Has a total of at least 4 years of active experience as a worker who has learned the trade by serving an apprenticeship as a skilled worker who is able to command the rate of a mechanic in the particular trade or as a foreman who is in charge of a group of workers and usually is responsible to a superintendent or a contractor or his or her equivalent, provided, however, that at least 1 year of active experience shall be as a foreman.
- Has received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited 4-year college in the appropriate field of engineering, architecture, or building construction and has 1 year of proven experience in the category in which the person seeks to qualify. For the purpose of this part, a minimum of 2,000 person-hours shall be used in determining full-time equivalency.
- Has a combination of not less than 1 year of experience as a foreman and not less than 3 years of credits for any accredited college-level courses; has a combination of not less than 1 year of experience as a skilled worker, 1 year of experience as a foreman, and not less than 2 years of credits for any accredited college-level courses; or has a combination of not less than 2 years of experience as a skilled worker, 1 year of experience as a foreman, and not less than 1 year of credits for any accredited college-level courses. All junior college or community college-level courses shall be considered accredited college-level courses.
- An active certified residential contractor is eligible to take the building contractors’ examination if he or she possesses a minimum of 3 years of proven experience in the classification in which he or she is certified.
Licensing Steps
Step 1. Register for one of our comprehensive exam preparation courses, and select the exam ready book purchase option. Please note: You are allowed to use the exam ready books at the open-book Florida contractors State exam!
Step 2. Register for your Florida contractors State exam. Let us help you with your exam registration - telephone CEI at: 800-423-7058. If you are confident with the required registration process and steps then you can register through Professional Testing Inc. at: www.floridaexam.com.
Step 3. Prepare for and pass your exam.
Step 4. Mail application with your passing exam scores to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You will receive your license within approximately 60 days after submitting the completed application.
For detailed information please visit the State of Florida website.
Exam Details
Exam Details - What to Expect
The Applicant will be required to pass 3 separate exams with a score of 70% or higher.
- Business & Finance Exam – 6.5 hour computer-based exam
- Contract Administration - 4.5 hour computer-based exam
- Project Management - 4.5 hour computer-based exam
All exams are open-book, multiple-choice, and timed.
Reference books should be brought to all three open book exams. Permanent book tabs and highlighting in books is allowed for the examinations.
Business & Finance Exam
The Business and Finance Examination is composed of 120 questions. It will be administered in one session via computer in the calm atmosphere of a convenient testing center at a time of your choosing.
Contract Administration and Project Management Exams
The Contract Administration and Project Management examinations each contain 50 questions. The Contract Administration examination will consist of 50 questions covering the management and operation activities of a construction company. The Project Management examination will consist of 50 questions covering managing, controlling, and conducting projects.
Preparing for Your Exam
Applicants will need to get familiar with all of their exam books. Applicants must know how to properly read the test questions and quickly locate the answers. Knowing which books to use for each content area is essential to passing the exam. A quality exam preparation class is the best way to prepare for the exam. We recommend either the Pro Pack or the Power Pack to prepare for your exam.
100% One Year Course Guarantee
Students receive access to their course for a full year from the date of their registration!
Exam Books
The licensing exam is an open-book exam. CEI stocks all books required for the general contractor exam.
EXAM READY BOOKS (Highlighted & Tabbed for the Exam)
Exam Ready Books are specially prepared to make passing the exam easier. Exam Ready Books are professionally highlighted and tabbed by CEI's staff to indicate the answers to common test questions. Book tabs will help you find the correct section of the books much more quickly when looking for the answer to an exam question, and highlights detail parts of the books from where questions are often asked.
Book set includes all references required for the Trade and Business & Finance exams:
- AIA Documents: (A-201, A-401, A-701)
- Builder's Guide to Accounting
- Florida Contractor's Manual
- Florida Statutes Chapter 455
- Code of Federal Regulations. OSHA Title 29, Part 1926
- Building Estimator's Reference Book
- Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
- Placing Reinforcing Bars
- Principles of Commercial Construction
- Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products
- Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida
- Building Component Safety Information
- Florida Building Code, Building
- Florida Building Code, Residential
- Florida Building Code, Existing Building
- Florida Building Code, Accessibility
- Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation
Live Classes
Class Dates & Times
Sarasota, FL
August 19 - 22, 2024 | October 21 - 24, 2024 | November 18 - 21, 2024
Orlando, FL
August 6 - 9, 2024 | September 10 - 13, 2024 | October 8 - 11, 2024 | December 3 - 6, 2024
Fort Lauderdale, FL
September 23 - 26, 2024 | November 4 - 7, 2024 | December 16 - 19, 2024
Locations
Sarasota, FL - CEI
CEI
5016 Calle Minorga
Sarasota, FL 34242
Orlando, FL - Spring Hill Suites
Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
5828 Hazeltine National Drive
Orlando, FL 32822
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tamarac Campus of GoldCoast
5600 Hiatus Road
Tamarac, FL 33321