Florida General Contractor Florida General Contractor 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which Florida state agency licenses general contractors through the Construction Industry Licensing Board?
- Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) (Correct answer)
- Department of Financial Services
- Florida Department of Transportation
- Department of Environmental Protection
Correct answer: Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
The DBPR houses the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), which regulates and licenses Florida contractors.
Question 2: What is the primary distinction between a certified and a registered contractor in Florida?
- A certified contractor may work statewide, while a registered contractor is limited to a specific local jurisdiction (Correct answer)
- Certified contractors handle only residential work
- Registered contractors need no examination
- There is no practical difference between the two
Correct answer: A certified contractor may work statewide, while a registered contractor is limited to a specific local jurisdiction
Certified contractors pass the state exam and may work anywhere in Florida, while registered contractors are limited to the local area that granted their competency card.
Question 3: How many years of experience are typically required to qualify to sit for the Florida certified general contractor exam?
- 4 years of proven experience (or education plus experience combinations) (Correct answer)
- 1 year
- 10 years with no substitutions
- No experience is required
Correct answer: 4 years of proven experience (or education plus experience combinations)
Applicants generally need four years of experience, though approved education can substitute for a portion of that requirement.
Question 4: A general contractor in Florida is authorized to construct buildings with what limitation on stories?
- No limitation on the number of stories (Correct answer)
- No more than three stories
- No more than two stories
- Single-story structures only
Correct answer: No limitation on the number of stories
A certified general contractor may build structures of unlimited height, unlike a building contractor who is capped at three stories.
Question 5: Which document must a contractor file to protect an owner from paying twice when a project uses subcontractors and suppliers?
- Notice of Commencement (Correct answer)
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Notice of Termination
- Building permit application
Correct answer: Notice of Commencement
The Notice of Commencement is recorded before work begins and governs the timing and priority of construction lien rights under Chapter 713.
Question 6: What is the standard minimum passing score on each part of the Florida contractor examination?
- 70% (Correct answer)
- 60%
- 80%
- 50%
Correct answer: 70%
Candidates must achieve at least 70% on each portion of the state contractor exam to pass.
Question 7: Which of the following is a required qualification before a contractor's license is issued in Florida?
- Proof of financial responsibility and general liability insurance (Correct answer)
- A four-year architecture degree
- Membership in a national trade union
- Ownership of commercial real estate
Correct answer: Proof of financial responsibility and general liability insurance
Florida requires applicants to demonstrate financial stability and carry general liability (and workers' comp where applicable) insurance before licensure.
Florida General Contractor Florida General Contractor 2
Which Florida state agency licenses general contractors through the Construction Industry Licensing Board?