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Do you excel in jobs where you do a little bit of everything and every day holds exciting new challenges? If so, a career in a skilled trade like contracting might be perfect for you. 

As a contractor, you may do everything from hands-on work and supervision at construction sites to bidding for jobs to interfacing with clients and creating timelines and budgets. You may even be responsible for managing the supply chain, applying for permits, and maintaining site safety.

Contractors often work with electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Depending on your specific trade specialty, you might also be involved in areas like construction and roofing.

Before you can become a contractor, however, you must obtain a license from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Check out this guide to learn what licenses are available and how you can obtain your preferred license in Florida.

Florida Contractor Licenses

There are a range of license types available to professionals interested in becoming contractors. You could obtain a license to operate as a General Contractor or choose a specialty such as:

• Electrical contractor
• Limited energy contractor
• Mechanical contractor
• Air conditioning contractor
• Plumbing contractor
• Roofing contractor

In Florida, there are two potential routes for obtaining a license. You can get a Statewide Contractor License or a County Specific Contractor License that allows you to work only in the jurisdiction that issues the license.

Requirements to Obtain a License

Requirements for experience and education will vary based on the type of license you’re interested in. To earn a statewide license, you must pass at least two exams: the Florida Business & Finance Exam and a trade exam.

The Business & Finance Exam is an open-book test featuring 120 questions in the following categories:

• Establishing the contracting business
• Complying with government regulations
• Managing trade operations
• Managing administrative duties
• Managing human resources
• Conducting accounting functions
• Complying with government regulations

You’ll have 6.5 hours to complete the exam, and you must answer a minimum of 70% of questions (84) correctly to pass.

Trade exams differ by the type of license, and specific trades under the contractor umbrella may require additional tests as well. For example, a general contractor must pass the Contract Administration Exam and the Project Administration Exam, each consisting of 155 questions on the following topics:

• General (60)
• Building (50)
• Residential (45)

You have 4.5 hours to complete each exam and must get at least 109 questions correct on each test to pass. Requirements for a County Specific Contractor License may change from one county to the next, but you should expect to take the Business & Law Exam and at least one trade exam.

Test Prep to Pass on the First Try

A program created for working professionals is your best bet for passing your exam and continuing to work toward your professional goals. Look for targeted online courses that offer self-paced learning with 24/7 online access.

Are you interested in obtaining a Florida Contractor License? If you want to pass your trade exams and the Business & Finance Exam, contact RocketCert now to learn more and get started.