The Florida Business and Finance Exam is a mandatory, open-book examination administered by Pearson VUE and Professional Testing, Inc. (PTI) that every applicant must pass to obtain a Florida certified or registered contractor license under the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). The test contains 120 multiple-choice questions, has a 6.5-hour (390-minute) time limit, and requires a 70% score (84 correct answers) to pass.

Below is a direct comparison of state-aligned exam prep providers, reference book packages, and exam specifications.

Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep Providers:

Provider Comparison:

Provider	Course Format	Prep Only Price	Prep + Books & Tabs Bundle	Guarantee / Access	Best For
RocketCert	100% Online Self-Paced	$329.00	$889.00	Lifetime Access: “No Pass, No Pay”	Fast digital simulation & high-accuracy tabbing
AtHomePrep	Online Self-Paced	$328.99	$824.95	1-Year Access; Pass Guarantee	Budget book bundle with pre-printed tabs

Provider Course Profiles:

1. RocketCert

Delivery:
Online video modules, audio-assisted reading, and timed Pearson VUE test simulators.

Key Features:
Math & accounting problem walk-throughs, highlighting guides for every reference text, randomized exam questions, and automated test simulations.

Testing Agency Alignment: Pearson VUE & PTI.

Core Advantage: Includes a “No Pass, No Pay” policy and grants lifetime access to updated material if testing dates are delayed.

2. AtHomePrep

Delivery:
Online self-paced instruction with physical book delivery.

Key Features:
Over 250 test bank questions, permanent index tabs, financial ratio calculators, and optional full-service licensing application review.

Testing Agency Alignment: Pearson VUE & PTI.

Core Advantage: A complete book bundle ships all approved reference manuals and pre-cut permanent tabs in a single order with free shipping.

Florida Business & Finance Exam Requirements

Passing the Business and Finance portion satisfies the business law requirement across all 18 CILB license categories (General, Building, Residential, Roofing, HVAC, Mechanical, Plumbing, Pool, and Specialty).

Exam Specifications

• Question Count: 120 scored questions (except Service Pool candidates, who take 60 questions).
• Time Allowed: 6.5 hours (390 minutes).
• Passing Grade: 70% (84 correct answers minimum).
• Exam Format: Open-book, computer-based testing at authorized Pearson VUE testing centers.
• Retake Policy: If an applicant fails Business & Finance but passes trade components (or vice versa), only the failed part must be retaken within a 4-year eligibility window.

Exam Content Areas & Weighting

• Content Area A — Establishing the Contracting Business (11%):
  Entity structures (LLC, Inc.), business plans, licensing qualification, and professional services.
• Content Area B — Educational and Experience Requirements (5%):
  DBPR board qualification rules, background requirements, and continuing education criteria.
• Content Area C — Managing Administrative Duties (16%):
  Construction contracts, bidding, estimating, AIA documents, and record keeping.
• Content Area D — Managing Trade Operations (14%):
  Jobsite safety protocols, OSHA 1926 regulations, and project closeouts.
• Content Area E — Financial Management & Accounting (36%):
  Financial statement analysis, working capital, quick ratio, debt-to-equity, cash flow management, job costing, payroll withholding, and tax forms.
• Content Area F — Risk Management & Compliance (18%):
  Florida Construction Lien Law (F.S. Chapter 713), Workers’ Compensation (F.S. Chapter 440), general liability insurance, and Florida Statutes Chapters 455 and 489.

Approved Open-Book References

Candidates must bring their own permanently bound copies to the testing center. Loose pages, temporary sticky notes, and handwritten notes are prohibited by Pearson VUE. Only permanent tabs and highlighting are permitted:

1. Florida Contractors Manual (2025 Edition)
   Includes Florida Statutes Chapters 455, 489, 713, and Circular E tax tables.
2. Builder’s Guide to Accounting (Revised Edition)
   Covers financial statements, balance sheets, markup vs. margin, and overhead allocation.
3. AIA Document A201 (2017)
   General Conditions of the Contract for Construction.
4. AIA Document A401 (2017)
   Standard Form of Agreement Between Contractor and Subcontractor.
5. AIA Document A701 (2018)
   Instructions to Bidders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Florida Business and Finance exam open book?

Yes. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) allows candidates to use the 5 state-approved reference books inside the Pearson VUE testing room. Books must be professionally bound with permanent or pre-printed index tabs attached.

Can I take the Florida Business and Finance exam online from home?

No. The exam must be taken in person at an authorized, proctored Pearson VUE test center on an assigned computer terminal.

Which contractor licenses require the Florida Business and Finance Exam?

All licenses governed by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) require passing this exam. This includes Certified General (CGC), Building (CBC), Residential (CRC), Roofing (CCC), Air Conditioning Class A & B (CAC), Mechanical (CMC), Plumbing (CFC), and Commercial Pool/Spa (CPC) contractors.

What happens if I fail the business and finance portion?

You only retake the portion you failed. You do not need to retake trade exams (such as Contract Administration or Project Management) if you have already passed them, provided all remaining sections are completed within 4 years of your first test date.

How much does the Florida Business & Finance exam fee cost?

The examination registration fee paid to Pearson VUE / PTI is $80.00 per attempt. This is separate from prep course enrollment and book purchases.

How much study time is recommended to pass?

Most test preparation academies recommend 40 to 60 total study hours spread over 4 to 6 weeks. Because 36% of the exam covers accounting and financial math, preparation focuses primarily on reference book indexing, financial ratio lookups, and timed practice simulations.