Building Contractor - Business & Trade Knowledge Exams
A Florida Building Contractor license covers commercial and residential buildings up to three stories, including the work of related trades. It is a step up in scope from the Residential license without going to unlimited height.
The Best Tools for Passing Your Florida State Contractors Exam
- Online Learning Program
- Optional Classroom Review
- Free Instructor Support
- 96% Pass Rate & 100% Guarantee
FREE Demo Compare Programs Online Store
Our Learning Program is the most comprehensive available. We pinpoint the content currently covered on the test, and over 96% of our students pass their examination on the first try.
Business & Trade Knowledge Learning Program
Learning Program:
Our "Learning Program" consists of the following suite of learning modules, which may be purchased individually or as a complete package. The complete package is the most popular choice and it comes with a significant discount.
Click here to skip down to the Complete Exam Prep Package.
“Exam Review & Highlighting Guide” Modules
Our narrated "Exam Review & Highlighting Guide" videos walk you through each of the required "Exam Reference Books", reviewing the concepts from these books that are currently being covered on the exam and explaining the problem-solving techniques that you must master to do the math problems on your test.
These presentations also pinpoint "Answer Passages" to highlight and critical pages to tab for quick location. You may review each section at your convenience, on your own schedule, at your own pace, until you have mastered the required material, and using the latest in computer-based-training technology.
“We do not simply give students endless pages to read like other schools!”
Watch a video for more information on this module.
Interactive “Study Questions” Modules
Our "Study Questions" are extremely realistic and will be very similar to the questions that you will see on exam day. Every question in our innovative program is accompanied by a "Hint" and "Detailed Explanation". For tough estimating or mathematical problems, we’ve also included "Narrated Solution Presentations" that are attached right to the question for your convenience.
These features will ensure that you learn how to work through each problem and find the answer to each and every question on your exam. In the event that you do not fully understand any material, you are encouraged to call us at your convenience and one of our helpful instructors will be happy to review or explain any concepts you’re struggling with.
Watch a video for more information on this module.
“Flash Card” Review Modules
Time is of the essence on exam day! The "Flash Card" Review component of our Learning Program is designed to help you develop and hone your search procedures, to select the correct reference book and pinpoint the correct answer pages quickly and efficiently. This review shuffles all questions by book to challenge your skill level in picking out key words and navigating your books with confidence.
Students who train with our Flash Card Review modules are "Up-To-Speed-To-Succeed" on exam day.
Watch a video for more information on this module.
Randomly-Generated “Practice Exams” Modules
Unlike other schools that typically create one mock practice exam for their students, our revolutionary system randomly-generates a new set of questions each and every time you launch the module, utilizing the same content criteria the state uses to compile the real test.
Upon completion, the system will generate a unique "Performance Assessment" that isolates incorrectly answered questions and provides detailed explanations to ensure students know exactly how to derive the correct answers. Easy-to-read graphs will display the student’s areas of proficiency and areas of weakness. It also indicates where their speed is on target and where they are answering questions too slowly. This state-of-the-art tool gives our students a systematic approach to review and master the required material and increase their overall exam scores.
Because most contractors are active individuals out and about in the field each day, the experience of sitting in a cubical for 6 hours straight, taking a computer-based state certification exam is very stressful. Especially if they have never seen or used the computer program they are being tested on. Our students have a tremendous advantage because our proprietary "Practice Exams" were designed to explicitly match the real state exam interface. It has the same look, features, and functionality so our students can practice using this program BEFORE they sit for the real deal.
In fact, this module is such an invaluable tool that even instructors at competitive schools encourage their students to purchase our randomly-generated practice exams.
Note: This is a legitimate practice exam and the student needs to set aside the appropriate amount of time to take a full and complete exam to get meaningful results. For piracy protection reasons users are restricted to five openings per module.
Watch a video for more information on this module.
Specialty Learning Modules
Exam “Math Review” Modules
There are always several involved math questions on the Business & Finance exam and the test taker needs to have a basic understanding of these topics. Our Math Review Module will help students with calculating interest payments, retainage, depreciation, payroll, percentage of completion method of accounting, financial ratios, etc.
There are also several involved math questions on every Trade Knowledge exam. Our Trade Knowledge Math Review module will go over basic geometry and how to use simple geometric shapes in figuring cost and material estimates, which you are expected to be proficient in. It covers calculating asphalt for a parking lot, bulldozer excavating, brick wall calculations, labor costs based on material quantities, cubic yards of concrete for a slab, a stairway, an elevator pit and a covered walkway, calculating sod costs, and figuring equipment cycle time.
Because some of these problems can be very time consuming and your exam time is limited, it is important to understand that you should not waste too much time on exam day on complex problems with lengthy solutions. You need to have a basic understanding and learn to do quick estimates to find the most likely solution. If you have extra time at the end of your exam you can always go back and do a more detailed calculation to ensure you selected the right answer. Remember, a quick look-up question has the same point value as a long estimate question.
This math review module will teach you how to work through each problem in a fully detailed manner to find the exact solution, as well as tips for doing a quick estimate to find the closest answer choice quickly.
“Exam-Plans Analysis” Module
There will be several questions on the trade knowledge exam testing your ability to comprehend plans and specifications and evaluate contract documents, with and without blueprints attached. Our Plans Analysis Module will cover types of sheets, understanding scale, dimensions and notes, how to tackle quantity take-off questions, solving areas and quantities using basic geometric shapes, as well as estimating concrete, rebar, sod, studs, base plates, tile and labor through various examples.
This Plans Analysis Module will ensure you are confident in answering many different types of plans and specifications related questions, and provide you with tips for answering them quickly and efficiently.
“Exam-Vocabulary” Module
Whether you’re new to the construction industry or a seasoned pro, more than likely you will come across unfamiliar terminology on this exam. The exam draws on many subject areas with unique vocabulary, including: project management, contract administration, code interpretation, agency acronyms, construction techniques and equipment. Familiarize yourself with the exam’s unique terminology with our Exam Vocabulary Module. You can also search for a specific term or review definitions in conjunction with our Study Questions modules.
Optional Classroom Instruction
Optional Classroom Review:
Over 15,000 students have successfully utilized our advanced home-study program to pass their exams on the first attempt, and validate the quality and success of our school every day. You are welcome to review their comments and even contact graduates yourself on our References Page.
However, we also offer the same exam review lectures in a traditional classroom setting as an additional option. Our live classes are offered based on the number of interested attendees, so please call for availability. The majority of our students do not feel they need this additional review once they have completed the online program.
The choices for locations and dates of the optional live classes are listed below.
Rosen Centre
9840 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Business & Trade Knowledge Books and Tabs
Exam Reference Book Set:
You can purchase the complete set of Exam Reference Books for both exams at a bundled and discounted price.
Business & Finance and Trade Knowledge Exams Book Package
- AIA Documents: (A201, A401, A701)
- Builder’s Guide to Accounting
- Florida Contractor’s Manual
- Code of Federal Regulations, OSHA Title 29, Part 1926
- Building Estimator’s Reference Book
- Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures
- Placing Reinforcing Bars
- Principles of Commercial Construction
- Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products
- Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida
- Building Component Safety Information
- Florida Building Code, Building
- Florida Building Code, Residential
- Florida Building Code, Existing Building
- Florida Building Code, Accessibility
- Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation
To view the State of Florida’s list of required Exam Reference Books: Click here
To purchase any of these books individually: Click here
Quick Location Tabs:
Our professionally printed tabs are absolutely the best available. They are continually updated to reflect the most current exam content. They’re also large, easy to read, and uniquely color-coded for efficient use. BLUE tabs will direct you to pages related to the common math problems and formulas you need to know. BLACK tabs pinpoint pages of common look-up questions. And RED tabs identify pages to start a keyword search (Table of Contents, Indexes, Glossaries etc.).
Pre-Printed, Exam-Approved “Quick Location” Tabs
- Business & Finance reference books
- All 13 Trade Knowledge reference books
- Colour-coded blue, black and red
Business & Trade Knowledge Package Discounts
Learning Program Package:
This package is designed to give a student who already has books and tabs an all-inclusive offering of our full "Learning Program" at a bundled and discounted price.
| Learning Program (All 14 Learning Modules) | $1,500 |
| Learning Program Discount | ($800) |
| Learning-Program Package | $700 |
Exam Prep Package:
This package is designed to give a student who is just starting out an all-inclusive offering of everything needed to pass the Business & Finance, Contract Administration and Project Management exams: our acclaimed "Learning Program" with "Exam Reference Books" and "Quick Location Tabs", at a bundled and discounted price.
| Learning Program (All 14 Learning Modules) | $1,500 |
| Exam Reference Book Package | $1,550 |
| Quick Location "Tabs" | $100 |
| Exam Prep Package | $3,150 |
| Learning Program Discount | ($950) |
| Exam Prep Package | $2,200 |
Exam Prep Package (With Rental Books):
This package is identical to the one above, except that instead of new Exam Reference Books to add to your professional library, it includes a Rental Book Set which must be returned to our school within 6 months.
| Learning Program (All 14 Learning Modules) | $1,500 |
| Rental Book Set (Rental Fee) | $300 |
| Rental Book Set (Deposit) | $1,550 |
| Exam Prep Package (With Rental Books) | $3,350 |
| Learning Program Discount | ($500) |
| Buy Exam Prep Package (With Rental Books) | $2,850 |
| Refund upon Rental Book Set Return | ($1,550) |
| Adjusted Student Cost | $1,300 |
Rental Books are in limited supply. Please call for availability before ordering. (888) 405-7849
Confirmation and Shipping:
- For your security, all Credit Card transactions are validated through the secure PayPal processing system. You will not be required to open an account with PayPal, nor will they charge you any additional fee for this transaction.
- Upon your authorization of payment, the order will be transferred to us along with a confirmation E-Mail to you. If you do not receive a confirmation within one business day of placing an order, please contact our office.
- Upon shipment, an email will be sent to you with a UPS tracking number for your convenience.
- The above prices do not include shipping & handling or sales tax if applicable.
