FITI · Florida International Training Institute
Florida Contractor Exam Prep
Explore four statewide contractor license paths.
Exam Reference Books
Selected 2026 references. Check the official reference list for your exam date.
Certified Air Conditioning Contractor · Class A or B
HVAC/R Contractor Exam Prep
Review refrigeration, heating, ventilation, ductwork, controls, and mechanical codes.
Florida exams
- Class A or Class B Air Conditioning Trade Knowledge
- Business & Finance
License requirements
- The standard path requires four years of qualifying trade experience, including at least one year as a foreman.
- Class A has no capacity limit within its HVAC scope. Class B is limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU of heating per system.
Exam Reference Books
Selected 2026 references. Check the official reference list for your exam date.
Certified General Contractor · CGC
General Contractor Exam Prep
Review Florida building codes, plan reading, contracts, estimating, scheduling, and jobsite safety.
Florida exams
- Contract Administration
- Project Management
- Business & Finance
License requirements
- The standard path requires four years of qualifying construction experience, including at least one year as a foreman.
- Applicants on the standard path document at least four specified structural work areas and one year on new construction of buildings at least four stories high.
Exam Reference Books
Selected 2026 references. Check the official reference list for your exam date.
Certified Plumbing Contractor · CFC
Plumbing Contractor Exam Prep
Review drainage, waste and venting, water distribution, gas piping, code calculations, and isometric drawings.
Florida exams
- Plumbing Trade Knowledge includes 110 multiple-choice questions and five isometric drawings on paper. The passing score is 112 out of 160 points.
- Business & Finance is computer-based.
License requirements
- The standard path requires four years of qualifying plumbing experience, including at least one year as a foreman.
- Document the plumbing systems you worked on and your duties as a worker or foreman.
Exam Reference Books
Selected 2026 references. Check the official reference list for your exam date.
Certified Electrical Contractor · EC
Electrical Contractor Exam Prep
Review National Electrical Code lookup, load calculations, wiring methods, grounding, bonding, and safety.
Florida exams
- Technical/Safety
- Business
License requirements
- Florida recognizes several qualification routes, including four years of qualifying supervisory or contractor experience within the previous eight years.
- DBPR requires at least 40% of the qualifying experience to involve three-phase services for the EC license.
FITI Schools · Florida International Training Institute
Contractor Exam Prep Packages
Compare course access, book options, and licensing support to find the package that fits how you want to prepare.
Exam Prep Essentials
$1,199
Already have your exam books? Use your own references and get a structured course, practice tests, and review sessions.
Books
Bring your own exam reference books.
Included in this package
- Attend in person, join by livestream, or study on demand any time
- Practice tests modeled on the exam format
- Digital study guides and course resources
- Email access to the student advising team
- Intensive review workshops before exam day
Complete Exam Prep
$3,499
$3,749
Save $250
Estimated book shipping is $55.
Preparing for your first attempt? Get the course, a reference book set, and a dedicated advisor in one package.
Included in this package
- Everything in Exam Prep Essentials
- 14-book exam reference set
- Guides for organizing tabs and highlights
- Phone and email access to a dedicated advisor
- Pre-enrollment eligibility review
Exam Prep + Licensing Support
$4,749
$4,999
Save $250
Estimated book shipping is $69.
Get help from exam prep through the license application, with a specialist to guide you through the paperwork and next steps.
Included in this package
- Everything in Complete Exam Prep
- Four additional references for self-study outside the exam room
- A dedicated licensing specialist
- Support with preparing and processing your license application
- Reduced rates for one-on-one tutoring
- A post-exam consultation about next steps
- Priority phone support
FITI Schools · Trade Programs
Inside FITI’s Trade Classrooms and Labs
See photos from our General Contractor, HVAC/R, Electrical, and Plumbing program pages.
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General ContractorClassroom instruction -
HVAC/RHands-on equipment training -
ElectricalTraining panel demonstration -
PlumbingPiping systems in the lab -
HVAC/RDuctwork practice -
ElectricalPractice at a framed training station -
PlumbingPipe and fitting demonstration
FITI · Contractor Licensing Guide
How to Become a Licensed Contractor in Florida
Whether you plan to manage construction projects, install HVAC systems, perform plumbing work, or run an electrical contracting business, start by matching your experience and the work you want to do to the right Florida license.
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Choose your license category
General Contractor covers a broad range of construction projects. HVAC/R, Plumbing, and Electrical each have a separate trade license. For HVAC/R, compare Class A and Class B based on the systems you plan to work on.
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Document your experience
Gather employer names, dates, job duties, and relevant project details. Record when you supervised crews or performed specialized work. Use the application for your category to check which experience qualifies.
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Prepare for the state exams
Check your exam outline, approved book editions, and scheduling instructions. Practice finding answers in the references and completing questions under time limits. Florida publishes separate exam instructions for construction and electrical contractors.
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Apply for your license
After passing the required exams, submit your application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Check the application for fees, financial documentation, and any applicable insurance or business qualification requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a certified and a registered contractor?
A Florida certified contractor can contract statewide within the scope of the license. A registered contractor is generally limited to the local jurisdictions covered by the registration. Local permitting requirements still apply.
Can a general contractor also perform HVAC, plumbing, or electrical work?
Florida generally requires general contractors to subcontract those trades to appropriately licensed contractors unless they hold the applicable trade credential or a statutory exception applies. Florida Statutes, Section 489.113
What if I plan to contract through an LLC or corporation?
If you plan to contract through a company, check the DBPR requirements for qualifying that business. Florida requires a qualifying agent who is responsible for the company’s contracting operations. Construction business requirements · Electrical business requirements
