Pass Your Florida
Building Contractor
Exams The First Time

Join the 90% of Gold Coast Building Contractor students who pass. Prepare for all three open-book exams with flexible instruction, realistic practice, exam-ready books and one full year of unlimited review support.

Certified Building Contractor License•Open-Book Exam•3 Independent Sections•

This is an open-book exam. You'll bring your references into the testing room, so the real skill isn't memorization. It's knowing exactly where to look. That's why we created built to help you find any answer in under 3 minutes.

Trusted in Florida since 1970

90%
Pass Rate
50+
Years of Experience
6
Florida Locations
14+
License Types
4.9
from 8,200+ Google reviews

Choose Your Building Contractor Prep Package

Gold Coast prepares students for all three Florida Building Contractor examinations: Business & Finance, Building Contract Administration and Building Project Management. Choose classroom, livestream or 24/7 on-demand instruction and add the required books, professional tabbing and highlighting, or additional licensing support based on what you need.

Guided Path

Confidence Path + application help + tutoring option

$4,999$4,749
$250 off+$69 shipping est.Final calc'd at checkout

Best for exam-takers who want maximum support

Book option
0% APR or$198/mowithAffirmSee if you qualify →
What's included
  • Everything in Confidence Path, plus:
  • Supplemental Building Contractor study references
  • Contractor Licensing Start-Up Consultation
  • Discount on your first 1:1 tutoring session
  • Additional guidance for contractors who want more help navigating the path from exam prep to licensing
  • Full Application Processing Service available separately if you want Gold Coast to help prepare your licensing application
  • Pass Support Guarantee
Most Popular

Confidence Path

Essentials Path + professionally tabbed & highlighted book set

$3,749$3,499
$250 off+$55 shipping est.Final calc'd at checkout

Best for first-timers who want everything ready for the testing room

Book option
0% APR or$146/mowithAffirmSee if you qualify →
What's included
  • Everything in Essentials Path, plus:
  • Complete Building Contractor reference set
  • Complete Division I books needed for your exams
  • Professionally tabbed & highlighted books
  • Phone + email support from Gold Coast advisors
  • Everything organized so you can focus on learning how to use the books instead of figuring out what to buy
  • Pass Support Guarantee

Essentials Path

$1,199$1,049
$150 off

Best for exam-takers who already own current-edition books

0% APR or$73/mowithAffirmSee if you qualify →
What's included
  • Building Contractor exam prep — classroom, livestream, or 24/7 on-demand
  • Business & Finance and Building trade instruction
  • Realistic online practice exams
  • Digital study materials & guides
  • New Student Orientation and virtual office hours
  • Intensive review workshops before exam day
  • One full year of course access
  • Pass Support Guarantee
90%
Pass Rate
50+
Years of Experience
6
Florida Locations
14+
License Types
4.9
Google Rating

Trusted in Florida since 1970 — Building trust, one contractor at a time.

Let Us Help You Choose

Answer a few quick questions and we'll recommend the best path for your situation.

Question 1 of 520%

Which part of the exam are you preparing for?

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 Building Contractor licensing examination is made up of three independent, computer-based, open-book sections. Each section is scheduled separately, and each must be passed to complete the examination requirement for the Building Contractor license.

6.5 hours

Business & Finance

Florida contracting business practices, accounting, financial management, contracts, employment requirements, licensing rules and business operations.

4.5 hours

Building Contract Administration

Preconstruction activities, estimating, project contracts, permits and approvals, scheduling, payments, closeout and construction operations.

4.5 hours

Building Project Management

Construction methods and materials, site work, concrete, masonry, wood and metal framing, safety, plans, specifications and building codes.

Computer-based

Schedule each section on separate days at your convenience

Open-book

Bring specific, tabbed, and highlighted references into the exam

70% to pass

Each section scored independently

Retake only what you fail

No need to redo sections you've already passed

Sign up for your exam at MyFloridaLicense.com

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

What is the best Florida Building Contractor exam prep package for a first-time test taker?
The Confidence package is the best starting point for most first-time test takers. It includes preparation for all three exams, the required reference books, and professional tabbing and highlighting. The Guided package also includes supplemental references, a start-up application consultation, and discounted tutoring.
Does Gold Coast have a Florida Building Contractor pass guarantee?
Yes. Gold Coast's Pass Support Guarantee applies to all Building Contractor exam-prep packages.
What is Gold Coast's Florida Building Contractor pass rate?
Gold Coast currently reports that 90% of its Building Contractor students pass. Your individual result depends on preparation, attendance, practice and exam performance.
How many Florida Building Contractor exams are there?
Three: Business & Finance, Building Contract Administration, and Building Project Management. You must pass all three required examination sections.
How long are the Florida Building Contractor exams?
Business & Finance is 6.5 hours. Building Contract Administration is 4.5 hours. Building Project Management is 4.5 hours. The sections are separate computer-based examinations.
How many questions are on the Florida Building Contractor exams?
Business & Finance contains 120 scored questions. Building Contract Administration contains 50 scored questions. Building Project Management contains 50 scored questions.
What score do I need to pass the Florida Building Contractor exams?
A passing score is required on each individual examination section.
Are the Building Contractor exams open book?
Yes. Florida construction examinations are open book, but only approved reference materials may be used. That makes learning how to navigate the books efficiently a critical part of preparation — not simply owning them.
Are the required books included?
Required books are included with the Guided and Confidence packages. They are not included with the Essentials package. The specific titles and editions included are shown before checkout.
What is the difference between the Plain Books and Exam-Ready book sets?
The Plain Books set includes the required reference books without tabs or highlighting. The Exam-Ready set includes professional tabbing and highlighting on eligible books, so they arrive ready to use.
Can I take the Building Contractor course online?
Yes. Gold Coast offers Building Contractor exam preparation through classroom, livestream and 24/7 on-demand learning. Your enrollment also lets you use the different available formats throughout your access period.
How long do I have access?
Building Contractor exam-prep tuition currently includes one year of access, giving you time to study, review instruction and attend eligible workshops before your exams.
What happens if I fail one exam section?
The Florida Building Contractor examination consists of three separate parts. You generally retake the examination part you did not pass rather than repeating sections you have already successfully completed, subject to Florida's current examination rules.
What experience do I need for a Florida Building Contractor license?
Florida requires Building Contractor applicants to meet experience or qualifying education-and-experience requirements. Building experience should be verifiable and needs to demonstrate appropriate experience in the structural areas required for the license. If you aren't sure whether your background counts, talk with Gold Coast before purchasing application services.
Do I need all of my experience before taking the exam?
You can take the state examination before completing every licensing step, but passing the exams alone does not give you a contractor license. Before investing in the process, make sure you understand the experience, financial and application requirements that apply to your situation.
What if my FICO-derived score is below 660?
A score below 660 does not automatically mean you cannot become licensed. Additional financial-responsibility requirements, such as a licensing bond, may apply. Gold Coast can help you understand the next step based on your situation.
What can a Florida Building Contractor do?
A Florida Certified Building Contractor has a broader scope than a Residential Contractor and can perform eligible commercial and residential building work within the scope established for the Building Contractor license. If you're deciding between Residential, Building and General Contractor licensing, speak with a Gold Coast licensing specialist before enrolling so you choose the license that matches the work you plan to perform.
Can Gold Coast help with my license application?
Yes. If you only need direction, the Start-Up Application Consultation gives you a personalized roadmap. If you want more hands-on assistance, the Full Application Processing Service provides dedicated support preparing and organizing your application package.
Can I talk to a real person before I enroll?
Absolutely. If you're unsure about your eligibility, which books you need or which package fits your situation, speak with a Gold Coast advisor before purchasing. Call 1-800-732-9140.

Questions answered? Let's get you licensed.

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