• To become a licensed contractor in Florida, applicants must sit for two exams: business and finance and the trade. Please note that Electrical Contractors will not sit for this examination as their requirements are different. Please view our Florida Electrical Contractor page for more information.
• Applicants must document four years of experience. Applicants are also required to provide a credit report and financial statement that is no more than 12 months old. A net worth of $2,500 - $20,000 (depending on classification) is required.
• The minimum general liability insurance that is required for licensure is $300,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage.

A "building contractor" means a contractor whose services are limited to the construction of commercial buildings and single-dwelling or multiple-dwelling residential buildings. These buildings cannot exceed three stories in height.

• Applications can be obtained from the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board by calling 1-850-487-1395. The application fee when applying for initial licensure from May 1st of an EVEN YEAR - August 31st of an ODD YEAR is $409. The application fee when applying for initial licensure from September 1st of an ODD YEAR through April 30th of an EVEN YEAR is $309.

• The examination is divided into two 4 1/2 hour sections with one section in the a.m. and the other in the p.m.
• A 70% is required to pass.
• The fee for the exam is $135.
• You will be scheduled for the examination date and site that you selected on your application.

The following references are permitted to be taken into the examination. These references may be tabbed (with a permanent index tab) and highlighted. It is available for purchase from our online contractor’s bookstore or by calling our office at 1-800-952-0910.

• AIA Documents Package, Florida
• Builder's Guide to Accounting
• Building Estimator's Reference Book
• OSHA Part 1926
• Contractors Manual
• Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
• Placing Reinforcing Bars
• Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction
• Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products (Click to print for free) 
• Energy Efficient Building Construction In Florida
• Guide to Handling, Installing, and Bracing Wood Trusses
• Florida Building Code, 2004
• Florida Residential Code, 2004
• Florida Existing Building Code

As of this time we do not offer any classes for this content. Please check back in the future for possible material. However, we do stock all of the recommended references in our online bookstore.