A Florida Building Contractor (CBC) means a contractor whose services are limited to construction of commercial buildings and single-dwelling or multiple-dwelling residential buildings, which do not exceed three stories in height, and accessory use structures in connection therewith or a contractor whose services are limited to remodeling, repair, or improvement of any size building if the services do not affect the structural members of the building. This is the correct license for those contractors wishing to build new residential and commercial structures up to three-stories. If you are a contractor engaged in the construction of new structures higher than three-stories (high-rise buildings) you need a Florida General Contractor’s License (CGC) instead. The Florida Building Contractor’s License allows contractors to remodel any type of residential or commercial unit, regardless of height (the 3-story limitation only applies to structural work and new construction, not to non-structural remodeling work). If your scope of operation is strictly limited to new residential construction and remodeling, you only need a Florida Residential Contractor’s License (CRC).

Age

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Examination

Must take and pass the state certification examinations (Contract Administration, Project Management, and Business). Please note that the application process cannot be started until the exams are taken and passing scores are obtained.

Experience / Education

A person will qualify for a Certified Building Contractor’s license by meeting one of the following requirements:

Four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to three years’ experience) and one year proven experience applicable to the category for which you are applying.

One year experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses.

One year experience as a worker, one-year experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses.

Two years’ experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses.

Four years’ experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.

“Upgrade Method”: A certified residential contractor holding an active current license for a minimum of 3 yrs does not need to meet any other experience requirements.

Military Veterans

A veteran will qualify for a certified license by meeting on of the following:

Three years of military service and one year experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.

Two years of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and one year experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.

One year of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and two years experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.

Applicants for the Certified Building Contractor License must have experience in four or more of the experience areas listed below:

-Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sqft.

-Masonry walls

-Steel erection

-Precast concrete structures

-Column erection

-Formwork for structural reinforced concrete

-Elevated slabs

Financial / Credit

Applicants will need to provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting personal credit reports. Credit reports must include a FICO derived credit score and indicate that local, state and federal records have been searched. Credit report containing a credit score (FICO derived) on applicant from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency, which includes a public records statement that records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels. If credit score is below 660 (FICO derived) applicant must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit. Note that Fifty percent (50%) of the bond or letter of credit requirement may be met by completion of a 14-hour financial responsibility course.

Fingerprints

An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.

Insurance

Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by Board rule. Applicants are also required to obtain workers compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from worker’s compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license.

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To download the different application forms related to the Building Contractor’s License, you may visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site.

As an exam prep school, Contractor Prep School does not have any enrollment requirements, we will provide anyone with the books and the classes needed. It is your responsibility to make sure you can meet the requirements once you pass the exams! Remember that you must pass the exams first, and then you apply for the actual license.

We offer no formal review of your experience history and cannot give you a guarantee regarding whether the board will approve or deny your application once you pass the exams. For questions directly related to whether you meet the licensing criteria or not, please contact the DBPR’s Construction Industry Licensing Board directly.

Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Division of Professions
Construction Industry Licensing Board
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
Customer Contact Center: 850-487-1395

Below are the three exams you must pass in order to become a BC in FL. The first two make up the trade portion of your testing requirements. The third exam (Business and Finance) is the business part.

Building Contract Administration Exam

This is the morning test of the trade portion of the exam. This test lasts 4.5 hours, and contains 50 questions. Some of the subjects included in this test are: Pre-construction Activities, Project Contracts, Obtaining Licenses, Permits and Approvals, and Construction Procedures and Operations.

Building Project Management Exam

This is the afternoon test of the trade portion of the exam. This test lasts 4.5 hours, and contains 50 questions. Some of the subjects included in this test are: Construction Methods, Materials, Tools, and Equipment; Safety; and Reading Plans and Specifications.

Business and Finance Exam

This business test is not taken on the same day as the trade exams listed above. This is a separate test which lasts 6.5 hours, and contains 120 questions. Some of the subjects included in this test are: Establishing the Contracting Business, Managing Administrative Duties, Managing Trade Operations, Conducting Accounting Functions, Managing Human Resources, and complying with Government Regulations.

ENROLL TO TAKE YOUR EXAM:WWW.FLORIDAEXAM.COM