A Residential Contractor is one whose services are limited to the construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of 1 family, 2 family, or 3 family residences, which are not more than 2 stories in height. It also covers the accessory use structures in connection with these buildings. An accessory use structure would be a garage, guesthouse, garden shed, or other outbuilding.
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The references listed below are permitted to be taken into the examination. These references may be tabbed (with permanent index tabs) and highlighted. They are available for purchase from our online contractor’s bookstore or by calling our office at 1-800-992-1910.
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The Florida Business and Finance exam as well as the Residential exam is required to be passed to obtain your contractor’s license.
Minimum amounts required for General Liability insurance for General, Residential, and Building contractors are $300,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage. All contractors are required to carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance OR Exemption Certificate.
All contractors must be at least 18 years of age and be of good moral character.
Beginning November 1, 2007, all applicants for initial licensure or changed of status will be required to have a criminal background check performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT YOUR FINGERPRINTS HAVE BEEN SCANNED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S VENDOR, PROMISSOR/PEARSON VUE, PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION.
If an applicant has a FICO credit score lower than 660, he/she will be requested to provide a licensing bond or letter of credit to obtain licensure. Please review the Department’s Financial Responsibility and Stability website for additional information on the Board’s requirements. The amount of the licensing bond or letter of credit is based on the type of license requested: $20,000 for Division I contractors and $10,000 for Division II contractors.
Experience Required:
4 years of experience in the trade with at least 1 year having been supervisory work OR
A 4-year degree from an accredited college and 1year proven experience applicable to the category for which you are applying OR
1 year as a foreman and not less than 3 years of credits from any accredited college level courses OR
1 year as a workman, 1-year proven experience as a foreman, and 2 years of credits from any accredited college level courses OR
2 years of experience as a workman, 1 year of experience as a foreman, and 1 year of credits from any accredited college level courses OR
Have an active Certified Florida contractor’s license (This option only applies to Certified Building, Residential, Air Conditioning, and Swimming Pool contractors as provided in Section 489.111 (2)(c)4-6, Florida Statutes).
Building officials are no longer allowed to vouch for Florida Contractors’ experience. Only Florida State Certified Contractor, U.S. License Architects and U.S. Licensed Engineers
*You can substitute up to 3 years of college credit for experience*
A Residential Contractor is one whose services are limited to the construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of 1 family, 2 family, or 3 family residences, which are not more than 2 stories in height. It also covers the accessory use structures in connection with these buildings. An accessory use structure would be a garage, guesthouse, garden shed, or other outbuilding.
To apply, contact State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1-850-487-1395.
If applying for initial licensure from May 1st of an Even numbered year through August 31st of an Odd numbered year the fee is $249.
If applying for initial licensure from September 1st of an Odd numbered year through April 30th of an Even numbered year the fee is $149.
You must pay a fee of $56.25 to Promissor/Pearson VUE for the processing of your electronic fingerprints.
However, test scores and license approval do not become official until ratified by the Contractors Licensing Board at their next meeting.
Licenses are typically received within 14 days of the exam.As of March 1, 2019, Florida is accepting the NASCLA exam. Scores from the NASCLA exam are now acceptable for the Residential, Building, or General Contractor classifications. Applicants using the NASCLA exam will still be required to pass the Florida Business and Finance exams and meet all other application requirements.
As of this time Florida requires 14 hours of board approved continuing education each biennium prior to the renewal period for both certified and registered contractors. At least 1 hour must deal with workplace safety, 1 hour must be on the subject of worker’s compensation, 1 hour must cover the subject of business practices, 1hour must cover the subject of laws and rules, 1 hour must cover wind mitigation methodologies, and 1 hour must cover the Florida Building Code advanced modules.
All parts of the examination:
Pay $135.00 examination development fee payable to PTI, $80.00 examination administration fee payable to DBPR, but mailed to PTI. An $80.00 examination administration fee payable to Pearson Vue (formerly Promissor), the CBT (Computer Based Testing) contracted vendor, is due at the time of scheduling.
Beginning August, 2018 examinations will be administered in a computer-based testing format that you can take anytime at a Pearson Vue testing facility near you. Test locations are in Orlando, Tallahassee, and Miami.
Applicants must submit an application and exam fee to become registered to take the exam. The testing company must receive completed applications and appropriate fees no later than 30 days prior to the next scheduled exam date.
Topics covered on the contract administration exam portion are pre-construction activities, project contracts, construction procedures and operations, obtaining licenses, permits, and approvals. Topics covered on the project management exam portion are reading plans and specifications, safety, construction methods, materials, tools, and equipment.
Topics covered on the business and finance exam portion are establishing the contracting business, managing administrative duties, managing trade operations, conducting accounting functions, managing human resources, and complying with government regulations.
American Contractors offers a 5 day seminar to prepare for the Florida Residential Construction license exam and includes preparation for the Business and Finance exam. Please contact us for additional information, 1-800-992-1910.
