Contractor Exam (FAQ’s)
Bureau of Education and Testing – Candidate Services – Exams
1. Q. Application and check has been mailed to the Department, but no information has been received regarding the examination. How is confirmation of application receipt and status confirmed?
A. Contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395. Bureau of Education and Testing (BET) does not handle applications.
2. Q. The testing vendor’s records reflect the authorization has been received for the wrong part. What is the procedure for requesting that the examination authorization be changed to reflect the correct part?
A. Contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395 to verify the correct examination authorization to be sent to the testing vendor. The process takes few days before the vendor receives the updated authorization.
3. Q. What do I do if I have changed my name since I sent my application to the Department?
A. Remember, to sit for your Computer Based Testing (CBT) you will need two photo IDs which must match the name exactly as it appears on your application and department records. If you have taken and passed the examination, you must notify the Department of the name change and request that it be reflected on the license, when issued. To make this request, you must provide documentation to the Department which reflects the new legal change of name. The request should be mailed to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Central Intake Unit, 1940 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee. FL. 32399-0783.
4. Q. The Department advised that my examination application has been approved and authorization has been sent to the testing vendor. However, the testing vendor advised that an authorization for my examination has not been received yet. The testing vendor will not schedule the examination without the authorization from the Department. What should I do?.
A. Remember that it take at least 48 hours to complete the electronic transfer of the authorization to load up on the vendor system. You may contact the Bureau of Education and Testing, CBT Unit at 850.488.5952
5. Q. How do I check on the status of my license?
A. Contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395,
or visit on line @ https://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/index.html
6. Q. How do I request out of state testing?
A. Contact the testing vendor at the number designated on the authorization sent to you by the vendor. The testing vendor will inform you of the procedures necessary to follow for scheduling an examination administration in a state other than Florida.
7. Q. I have made an application with the Department to take an exam. When does my application expire?
A. Depending on the profession you have chosen to test for, applications are set to expire based on a time frame stated in the rule and/or statute. For example, Real Estate applications expire two years from the date the department “receives” the application, not from the approval date, where others expire based on the approval date.
8. Q. I received my authorization from the vendor to take my examination and noticed that my Social Security Number is incorrect. How do I get my SSN corrected?
A. Contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.
9. Q. I have completed my pre-licensure course for Real Estate. When does my education expire?
A. Two years from the date of successfully completing the course.
10. Q. I passed my examination and have not received my license.
A. Please allow 14 days to receive your new license.
11. Q. How long does it take for my application to be approved to sit for an examination?
A. Allow a minimum of 30 days before calling the Department to check on your application status.
12. Q. I indicated affirmative answers on my application regarding my background. Will these hold up my application approval?
A. Based on the answers, certain infractions can be approved by the Department. Others will need to be presented to the board office for approval and will take more time.
13. Q. Do I need to wait for my application to be approved before I have my fingerprints taken electronically?
A. No, you can call the vendor anytime to make an appointment to have your fingerprints taken electronically, or visit their website at http://www.catglobal.com .
14. Q. Where do I go to have my fingerprints taken electronically?
A. The testing vendor, Promissor will electronically scan your fingerprints at their testing sites.
15. Q. I have been approved to take my exam but have not received my authorization from Promissor.
A. The authorization is not needed to take or schedule your examination. You will give your SSN to the vendor to schedule your exam.
16. Q. Do you offer accommodations to candidates applying for state board exams with disabilities?
A. The Department will provide special assistance to candidates with documented disabilities. If a candidate has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, he/she may request special assistance for the examination process. For detailed instructions and required documentation for receiving ADA accommodations, please visit our website at: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/ADA.html
17. Q. I don’t have any school records showing that I have a Learning Disability, and I don’t have a psychologist. What can I do?
A. To assess the reported disability, an evaluation completed by a licensed psychologist or school psychologist is required. The report must include a specific diagnosis of the disability. This provides the nature and severity of the disability, for purposes of determining appropriate testing accommodations. BET consultant works with the ADA coordinator to determine accommodations afforded.
18. Q. I mailed my special testing application to the Board office with my other paperwork. Why haven’t you responded to my request?
A. The Board office does not process special testing accommodation requests. To guarantee efficient processing, all special testing applications and confidential documentation must be mailed to the Bureau of Education and Testing, Special Testing Office. This is indicated on the Special Testing Application.
19. Q. What are some examples of disabilities?
A. 1. Learning Disabilities
2. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
3. Chronic Health Problems
4. Hearing Impaired
5. Physical
6. Visual Impaired
7. Temporary Accidental Injury
20. Q. What are some sample accommodations?
A. 1. Private Room
2. Additional Time
3. Reader
4. Large Print Exam
5. Assistance in Marking Answers
6. Printed Copy of Verbal Instructions
7 Wheelchair Accessible Table
21. Q. How will I know if I am approved or temporarily denied accommodations?
A. Upon approval or denial of accommodations, candidates are notified in writing of the decision. If accommodations are denied, a letter is mailed to the candidate listing the reason(s). Incomplete application and Insufficient documentation are normally reasons for denial.
22. Q. How are accommodations processed for National Exams?
A. Applications should be mailed to the Bureau of Education and Testing
with required documentation.
23. Q. How do I request accommodations if I was previously approved and need to retake my exam?
A. Submit a request in writing to the Bureau of Education and Testing requesting same accommodations as previously afforded.
24. Q. How does this process apply to Computer Based Testing (CBT)?
A. Once the candidate has been approved for special testing accommodations, the Special Testing Coordinator will inform the vendor who will make the necessary arrangement. Only after the candidate has been approved by the Board and receives the authorization from Promissor to make their testing arrangements, can the candidate schedule their test date.
25. Q. Once approved, how do I schedule my CBT exam?
A. Candidates should then call Ms. Taylor at 1-(800)-274-3707, option #1.
26. Q. I failed my pencil and paper exam, what options do I have besides applying to retake?
A. Each candidate who takes and fails an examination is given an Informal Review and Formal Hearing Information Sheet. This information sheet is distributed along with failing grade reports. It outlines the review process, fee, method of payment, and time frames involved in requesting a review. For detailed instructions and required documentation on our Post examination review and hearing process, please visit our website at: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/ExamReview.html
27. Q. When should I submit my request for a review?
A. Requests for a review must be received within a specified time period (generally 21 days) from the mailing date on the original grade report.
28. Q. What information will I be provided at my review?
A. Examination questions, answers, grades, papers and grading key used for that examination. It identifies to the candidate exactly which question was missed and the correct answer for that question.
29. Q. What are the fees for a review?
A. The fees for this service range from $25.00 to $150.00, depending on which professional examination is being reviewed.
30. Q. Where do I send my review request for a pencil and paper exam?
A. All requests should be mailed to the Bureau of Education and Testing with the appropriate review fee.
31. Q. How will I know when my review is scheduled?
A. Pencil and paper candidates are notified in writing of their review appointment. This letter will contain specific information concerning the date, time and location of the review along with guidelines governing the review session.
32. Q. How do I obtain a copy of my exam grades report?
A. You must fax you request to 850.487.9757 and include your name, social security number, exam name and the date of your exam.
33. Q. How do I schedule and/or reschedule my Construction examination?
- A. You will need to contact Professional Testing Inc. at 407.264.0562 or use their on-line application at www.floridaexam.com Examination information, including application can be viewed at: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/ConstructionExamInformation.html
34. Q. What must I do to obtain a Candidate Information Booklet (CIB)?
A. You can print a candidate information booklet by going on-line to the Department/BET website at: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/booklets.html
35. Q. Where can I find the examinations dates and locations?
- A. Visit BET web page for details on all pencil and paper examinations, dates and sites including the map with directions. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/exam.html