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Florida offers several different contractor licenses, depending on the scope of work you want to do. A residential contractor is permitted to work on one-, two-, and three-family residences up to two stories high, while a building contractor may complete work on residential and commercial structures up to three stories high.

As a general contractor, your professional activities are unlimited. You can oversee residential, commercial, and industrial projects, including building, remodeling, repairing, and altering.

You can contract for end-to-end building projects, from pouring foundations to finishing roofing, or subcontract for smaller projects like site development, framing, and more.

You may be registered to work in a specific jurisdiction or certified to work throughout the state. However, you must first obtain a general contractor license from the Construction Industry Licensing Board under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Requirements to Obtain a General Contractor License

There are several requirements for obtaining a general contractor license. First, you must submit electronic fingerprints and a completed background questionnaire detailing:

• Criminal convictions
• Bankruptcies, judgments, and liens (personal or business)
• License denials, revocations, annulments, suspensions, or surrenders

You must also meet education or experience requirements, including one of the following:

• Four years of qualifying work experience, including one year as a foreman
• Two years of work experience, one year as a foreman, and one year of credits from qualifying courses at an accredited college or university
• One year of work experience, one year as a foreman, and two years of college credits
• One year of experience as a foreman and three years of college credits
• One year of work experience and a four-year college degree

In addition, professionals who have maintained an active, current license as a certified residential or building contractor for four years may be exempted from education and experience requirements. Military veterans may also be exempted in certain circumstances.

Further, you must provide a credit report showing financial responsibility and stability, as well as proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Finally, you must pass three state exams, including the Contract Administration Exam, the Project Administration Exam, and the Business and Finance Exam.

What You Should Know About State Exams

The Contract Administration Exam for general contractor licenses includes 60 questions on topics like:

• Bidding
• Project scheduling
• Site management
• Contract law

The Project Administration Exam features 60 questions covering topics like:

• Project management
• Construction techniques
• OSHA regulations

You will have 4.5 hours to complete each test, and you must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly to pass. The Business and Finance Exam consists of 120 questions on topics like:

• Business organization
• Financial management
• Accounting practices
• Lien law
• Contract administration
• Tax regulations
• Insurance
• Labor law

You will have 6.5 hours to complete this test, and you must answer a minimum of 70% of the questions correctly to pass.

Test Prep That’s Guaranteed

The best test prep program for working professionals will provide 24/7 online access to course materials for self-paced learning. It should also be designed to help you pass on the first try, with a “no pass, no pay” policy that guarantees results.

Are you ready to obtain a general contractor license in Florida? Contact RocketCert now to learn more.