Pass Your Florida
A/C Mechanical Contractor
Exam The First Time

The Mechanical licence is the one that covers medical gas, fuel gas lines inside buildings and process piping. Prepare for both exam parts with the approved reference set and a full year of access.

A/C Mechanical Contractor•Open-Book•2 Parts•130 + 120 Questions•

This is an open-book exam. These are reference-based exams. The goal is not to memorize every code, formula or rule - it is to know where to look, verify the answer and keep moving under time pressure. Gold Coast teaches a repeatable exam-navigation process through .

Trusted in Florida since 1970

90%
Pass Rate
55+
Years of Experience
6
Florida Locations
14+
License Types
4.9
across 8,200+ Google reviews

Choose Your A/C Mechanical Contractor Prep Option

Every option prepares you for both parts of the Florida A/C Mechanical Contractor exam: Trade Knowledge and Business & Finance. Classes run in class, by Livestream or on demand, in English and Spanish. Choose by what you already own.

Guided Path

$4,999$4,749
$250 off+$69 shipping est.Calculated at checkout

Best if you also want a licensing specialist to prepare your DBPR application while you focus on studying

Book option
0% APR or$198/mowithAffirmSee if you qualify →
What's included
  • Everything in Confidence Path
  • Dedicated licensing specialist
  • Full application preparation: forms, experience documentation, employer verification
  • Proactive follow-up with the state on your status
  • Prior denial review & corrective strategy
  • Free retakes for a full year
Most Popular

Confidence Path

$3,749$3,499
$250 off+$55 shipping est.Calculated at checkout

Best for first-time test takers who want the course and the current state reference set together

Book option
0% APR or$146/mowithAffirmSee if you qualify →
What's included
  • Complete A/C Mechanical reference set, including FBC Fuel Gas and NFPA 99 for medical gas
  • State-required reference materials
  • Lifetime books for professional reference
  • Tab set and highlighting guides where currently included
  • Free retakes for a full year

Essentials Path

$1,199$1,049
$150 off

Best for exam-takers who already own the current required reference books

0% APR or$73/mowithAffirmSee if you qualify →
What's included
  • Trade Knowledge + Business & Finance exam prep
  • Flexible live and/or on-demand learning based on current program availability
  • Practice exams and exam simulator access
  • Orientation and virtual office hours
  • Review/cram workshops where included
  • One full year of access
  • Free retakes for a full year
90%
Pass Rate
50+
Years of Experience
6
Florida Locations
14+
License Types
4.9
across 8,200+ Google reviews

Florida-owned and Florida-focused since 1970, nearly one million professionals trained.

Let Us Help You Choose

Check whether you qualify, then answer a few quick questions and we'll recommend the best prep path for your situation.

Question 1 of 333%

Do you already own exam reference books?

Three Levels Of Help. One Clear Next Step.

Application Processing Service

$999

Best for: Owners who want expert help preparing a complete, accurate application and will handle filing themselves.

Monthly payments with Affirm

Get started for $999

What's Included

  • A dedicated Florida licensing specialist, start to finish
  • Full review of your work history and a plan for documenting it
  • Every form completed, worded the way the board expects to read it
  • Experience affidavit strategy: who signs, what it says, what to avoid
  • Secure document portal for everything you send us
  • Pre-submission review before anything goes to the state
  • Step-by-step submission instructions
  • Support if the board comes back with questions
  • Already been denied? We read the board's letter and rewrite the file before it goes back.
Most Popular

Application Processing Service Plus

$2499 $2199

Best for: Busy owners who want us to prepare, file and manage the application process from start to finish.

Monthly payments with Affirm

Get started for $2199

What's Included

  • Everything in Application Processing Service
  • Roughly $400–$500 in fees covered: credit report, fingerprinting and the state application fee
  • We order and file both your personal and business credit reports, from an approved provider and in the format the state requires
  • We submit your application to DBPR and pay the state fee
  • We track your application and answer board requests on your behalf
  • Status updates so you're never wondering where it stands
  • No additional fees at any step

All you do: two short conversations about your work history, and show up for fingerprinting.

Application Processing Service Pro

$3499 $3199

Best for: Owners who want the application handled and help getting their Florida contracting business ready to operate.

Monthly payments with Affirm

Get started for $3199

What's Included

  • Everything in Plus
  • Business formation guidance
  • Assistance with Business name validation and registration
  • A dedicated business and licensing specialist
  • Website review with a prioritized fix list
  • SEO and AI search health check
  • Google Business Profile setup or cleanup
  • Lead generation systems designed for your trade
  • Social media review for 1 platform of your choice (Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn)
  • Marketing piece review (postcard, yard sign, flyer, or brochure)
Stories

Real Contractors. Real Results.

Verbatim quotes from verified Gold Coast students, straight from public Google reviews.

Troy B.

Construction Student

"Passed all three state tests on the first attempt. More than happy with my money being spent on Gold Coast Schools."
Verified Google review
Passed all 3 exams
Challenge

Troy needed his Florida contractor's license but wasn't sure which learning format would fit his schedule and learning style.

Solution

Gold Coast gave him access to multiple ways to prepare, including online practice, classroom instruction and intensive exam review.

Success

Troy passed all three state tests on his first attempt and felt confident he'd invested in the right preparation.

Ricky P.

Construction Student

"Passed all 3 state-level exams on the first try and left with lifelong friends and future industry connections."
Verified Google review
First try, all 3 exams
Challenge

Ricky needed a structured path through the Florida contractor exams and a study plan he could actually follow.

Solution

Gold Coast combined instructor-led preparation, workshops and support to give him a clear path from enrollment through exam day.

Success

Ricky passed all three state-level exams on his first attempt and walked away with new industry connections as well.

Thomas A.

Construction Student

"Definitely would not have passed either exam without Gold Coast's prep courses."
Verified Google review
90+ on both exams
Challenge

Thomas needed to prepare for his trade exam and Business & Finance and didn't feel confident studying alone.

Solution

He used Gold Coast's online trade preparation, business instruction, webinars and realistic practice exams.

Success

Thomas scored 90+ on both exams and credits the prep courses with helping him get there.

See which prep path fits your situation.

Know Your Exam

The Florida A/C Mechanical examination has two parts and you must pass both: the Mechanical trade exam (130 questions, 7.5 hours) and Business & Finance (120 questions, 6.5 hours), the same length as the A/C Class A exam, and one of the longest Florida gives.

Key trade focus: fuel gas and natural gas lines inside buildings, medical gas, oxygen and nitrous oxide, process and pressure piping, boilers and unfired pressure vessels, refrigeration, heating and ventilation, ductwork and mechanical codes.

Because the exams use approved references, preparation should focus on knowing the material and learning how to navigate the books efficiently under time pressure.

Confident in the exam details? Let's get you ready!

Our Proprietary Method

The TRICK™ System

An open-book exam isn't about memorization, it's a race against the clock. TRICK teaches you to find any answer in your reference books in under 3 minutes.

TTopic

Identify the main topic and key words from the question. What concept is being tested? What terms should you search for?

RReference

Determine which specific reference book is most likely to contain the answer. Each exam has defined approved references.

IIndex

Go to that book's index and look up the specific terms or keywords. Know exactly what words to search for.

CConfirm

Flip to the page numbers from the index, scan the relevant section, and confirm the correct answer matches what you find.

KKeep Moving

If the term isn't in the index, try the next reference book. If it's taking more than 3 minutes, flag the question and move on.

Every student learns TRICK. Our prep courses don't just give you books, they train you to navigate them with speed and precision so you walk into the exam confident, not anxious.

Want to master TRICK™? It's built into every prep course.

FAQ

Questions You're Actually Asking

Is this the right licence for me, or do I need A/C Class A or B?
Choose A/C Mechanical if your work includes fuel gas or natural gas lines inside buildings, medical gas, oxygen and nitrous oxide, process or pressure piping, or lift stations. If you install and service central A/C, refrigeration, heating and ventilation without that scope, you want the A/C Contractor programme: Class B covers systems up to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU of heating; Class A is unlimited in capacity. If you are unsure, call 1-800-732- 9140 before you buy, the book sets are different and cost $500 apart.
What is the best Florida A/C Mechanical Contractor exam prep option for a first-time test taker?
If you already own the current approved A/C Mechanical books, Essentials Path is enough. If you need the course and the reference set, Confidence Path is the simplest all-in-one, it is what most first-time test takers choose. Choose Guided Path if you also want a licensing specialist to prepare your DBPR application.
Does Gold Coast's Pass Support Guarantee apply to A/C Mechanical Contractor exam prep?
Yes. The Pass Support Guarantee applies to Gold Coast exam-prep packages. Review the current guarantee terms and eligibility requirements when you enroll.
What exam sections do I need to pass for the Florida A/C Mechanical Contractor license?
You will prepare for Trade Knowledge, Business & Finance. Each required part must be passed under Florida's current examination rules.
Are the Florida A/C Mechanical Contractor exams open book?
The contractor exams are reference-based/open-book under current testing rules, using approved materials. That is why learning how to navigate the reference books quickly is a core part of Gold Coast prep.
Are the required books included?
Confidence Path and Guided Path include the complete A/C Mechanical reference set, plain or professionally tabbed and highlighted, your choice. It is the most extensive set we supply, because the Mechanical scope adds the fuel gas and medical gas references that the A/C Class A and B sets do not carry. Essentials Path does not include books; the exams are open book, so you will need the current approved set either way.
What is the difference between standard books and exam-ready books?
Standard books are the required references without professional preparation. Exam-ready books include professional tabbing and highlighting where that option is offered, helping you locate information faster while studying and on exam day.
Can I study online or by Livestream?
Yes. Gold Coast offers flexible live and on-demand learning options depending on the program, so you can prepare around your work schedule.
How long do I have access to the course?
Gold Coast contractor exam-prep tuition includes one full year of course access.
What happens if I fail one exam section?
Because the licensing exam is divided into separate parts, you generally retake the part you did not pass rather than repeating sections you already passed, subject to Florida’s current exam rules and score-validity requirements.
What experience do I need for the Florida A/C Mechanical Contractor license?
Four years of experience as a worker or foreman, of which at least one year must have been as a foreman. College credit can substitute for up to three of the four years, but the foreman year is always required. Experience does not have to be gained in Florida, or even in the USA, so long as it can be verified and notarised by a Florida State Certified A/C Contractor at an equal or higher certification.
What if my credit score is below 660?
You can still get licensed. DBPR looks for a FICO-derived score of 660 or above, and applicants below that complete the board-approved 14-hour Financial Responsibility course.
Can Gold Coast help with my license application?
Yes. Choose the $79 Start-Up Application Consultation if you mainly need direction, or the Full Application Processing Service if you want more hands-on help preparing and organizing the application package.
Can I talk to a real person before I enroll?
Absolutely. If you are unsure which license, books or package you need, call Gold Coast at 1-800-732-9140 before purchasing.

Questions answered? Let's get you licensed.

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