Obtaining a Residential Contractor license in Florida
License Requirements
License Scope
A licensed residential contractor can perform new construction and remodeling, repair, or improvement on residential property up to two habitable floors with one uninhabitable floor below. Residential contractors cannot provide services on any commercial, industrial, agricultural, or multi-family properties such as condominiums or apartments.
Method of Qualification
You must have 4 years of construction experience, of which at least one year must have been as a foreman or supervisor. College credits can substitute for up to 3 years of experience. If you have a four year college degree in ANY field, that counts as 3 years of experience. You do not have to have the necessary experience before you take the exam. After passing the exam you have up to 4 years to gain the necessary experience to become a licensed Residential Contractor.
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.
Preparing for the Residential Contractor exam in Florida
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 45 questions. The Contract Administration examination will consist of 45 questions covering the management and operation activities of a construction company. The Project Management examination will consist of 45 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!
We have all the books required for the Residential Contractor exam.
Exam Books
EXAM READY BOOKS (Highlighted & Tabbed for the Exam)
The licensing exam is an open-book exam. CEI stocks all books required for the general contractor 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
We offer in-person live classes in multiple Florida locations.
Class Dates & Times
Sarasota, FL
August 19 - 22, 2024 | October 21 - 24, 2024 | November 18 - 21, 2024
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Locations
Sarasota, FL - CEI
CEI
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Sarasota, FL 34242
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Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
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Orlando, FL 32822
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Tamarac Campus of GoldCoast
5600 Hiatus Road
Tamarac, FL 33321