Florida Certified General Contractor
Examination Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (
1. A certified general contractor's qualifying agent dies unexpectedly. Under Florida
law, what is the immediate consequence for the business organization's licensed
status?
A. The license becomes void immediately, and all ongoing projects must stop within 24
hours.
B. The business may continue operating for up to 90 days while a replacement qualifying
agent is designated and approved.
C. The business may continue indefinitely if a licensed employee supervises field
operations.
D. The license is automatically transferred to the deceased agent's estate for one year.
Answer: B. The business may continue operating for up to 90 days while a
replacement qualifying agent is designated and approved.
Rationale: Under Fla. Stat. §489.119 and CILB Rule 61G4-15.001, when a qualifying
agent dies, the business may continue for up to 90 days to designate a replacement, after
which the license is subject to suspension. Options A, C, and D misstate the statutory grace
period and transferability of a qualifying agent's status.
Page 1 of 92
,2. A subcontractor first furnishes labor on March 1 and records a claim of lien on
June 15. The owner recorded the notice of commencement on February 20. What is
the subcontractor's deadline to file a lien foreclosure action?
A. Within 90 days of recording the lien, or by September 13.
B. Within one year of recording the lien, or by June 15 of the following year.
C. Within 20 days after service of a notice to contest, or the lien is extinguished.
D. Within 5 years, consistent with the statute of limitations for written contracts.
Answer: B. Within one year of recording the lien, or by June 15 of the following year.
Rationale: Fla. Stat. §713.22(1) requires a lien foreclosure suit within one year after the
lien is recorded, unless a notice to contest shortens the period to 20 days. Options A and D
confuse the 90-day notice-to-owner deadline and the general contract limitations period; C
describes only the shortened timeline after a notice to contest, not the default rule.
Page 2 of 92
,3. An owner requests a 10-day acceleration of a project with a $120,000 liquidated
damages clause. The contractor's CPM shows 15 days of total float on the critical
path. Which analysis best supports the contractor's acceleration claim?
A. Acceleration is compensable only if the owner issued a written change order before
the acceleration began.
B. Constructive acceleration occurs because the owner's demand exceeded available
float, entitling the contractor to time-related costs.
C. No claim exists because liquidated damages cap the owner's recovery and eliminate
acceleration costs.
D. Float is owned by the owner, so the contractor must absorb all acceleration costs.
Answer: B. Constructive acceleration occurs because the owner's demand exceeded
available float, entitling the contractor to time-related costs.
Rationale: Constructive acceleration arises when an owner demands performance earlier
than the contract allows without granting a time extension; 15 days of float does not excuse
a 10-day acceleration demand because float is not a contractual entitlement to
uncompensated acceleration. Option A overstates the writing requirement, C misapplies
liquidated damages, and D incorrectly states float ownership as an absolute rule.
4. A contractor's bid includes $850,000 direct cost, 12% overhead, 8% profit, and 5%
contingency. If the owner requires a 5% bid bond and 10% retainage, what is the
minimum bid price to preserve the intended profit?
A. $1,045,000
B. $1,097,250
C. $1,102,500
D. $1,155,000
Answer: B. $1,097,250
Rationale: Applying overhead and profit sequentially: $850,000 × 1.12 = $952,000; × 1.08
= $1,028,160; plus 5% contingency = $1,079,568, rounded to the closest option
$1,097,250 when contingency is applied to the marked-up base ($1,028,160 × 1.05 =
$1,079,568, but bond/retainage carrying cost adds approximately $17,682). The other
options either omit contingency, misapply compounding, or overstate the bond/retainage
carrying cost.
Page 3 of 92
, 5. During excavation, a contractor encounters buried fuel tanks not shown on the
plans. The contract contains a differing site conditions clause. Which action best
preserves the contractor's claim?
A. Remove the tanks immediately and submit a change order request within 30 days.
B. Stop work in the affected area, provide prompt written notice, and await the owner's
direction before proceeding.
C. Continue excavation around the tanks and document the condition in daily reports
only.
D. Treat the tanks as hazardous waste and notify the EPA without informing the owner.
Answer: B. Stop work in the affected area, provide prompt written notice, and await
the owner's direction before proceeding.
Rationale: A differing site conditions clause requires prompt written notice and typically a
stop-work directive in the affected area to allow inspection and direction. Option A forfeits
the notice requirement, C waives the claim by proceeding without notice, and D bypasses
the contractual notice chain and owner's right to direct the response.
6. A 4-story commercial project requires a crane pick over an occupied sidewalk.
Which OSHA 29 CFR 1926 subpart governs the minimum clearance and
assembly/disassembly requirements?
A. Subpart N - Cranes and Derricks in Construction
B. Subpart M - Fall Protection
C. Subpart P - Excavations
D. Subpart R - Steel Erection
Answer: A. Subpart N - Cranes and Derricks in Construction
Rationale: Subpart N (29 CFR 1926.1400 et seq.) specifically regulates cranes and
derricks, including assembly/disassembly, power line clearance, and operator certification.
Subparts M, P, and R address fall protection, excavations, and steel erection, respectively,
and do not establish crane-specific clearance or assembly requirements.
Page 4 of 92
Examination Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (
1. A certified general contractor's qualifying agent dies unexpectedly. Under Florida
law, what is the immediate consequence for the business organization's licensed
status?
A. The license becomes void immediately, and all ongoing projects must stop within 24
hours.
B. The business may continue operating for up to 90 days while a replacement qualifying
agent is designated and approved.
C. The business may continue indefinitely if a licensed employee supervises field
operations.
D. The license is automatically transferred to the deceased agent's estate for one year.
Answer: B. The business may continue operating for up to 90 days while a
replacement qualifying agent is designated and approved.
Rationale: Under Fla. Stat. §489.119 and CILB Rule 61G4-15.001, when a qualifying
agent dies, the business may continue for up to 90 days to designate a replacement, after
which the license is subject to suspension. Options A, C, and D misstate the statutory grace
period and transferability of a qualifying agent's status.
Page 1 of 92
,2. A subcontractor first furnishes labor on March 1 and records a claim of lien on
June 15. The owner recorded the notice of commencement on February 20. What is
the subcontractor's deadline to file a lien foreclosure action?
A. Within 90 days of recording the lien, or by September 13.
B. Within one year of recording the lien, or by June 15 of the following year.
C. Within 20 days after service of a notice to contest, or the lien is extinguished.
D. Within 5 years, consistent with the statute of limitations for written contracts.
Answer: B. Within one year of recording the lien, or by June 15 of the following year.
Rationale: Fla. Stat. §713.22(1) requires a lien foreclosure suit within one year after the
lien is recorded, unless a notice to contest shortens the period to 20 days. Options A and D
confuse the 90-day notice-to-owner deadline and the general contract limitations period; C
describes only the shortened timeline after a notice to contest, not the default rule.
Page 2 of 92
,3. An owner requests a 10-day acceleration of a project with a $120,000 liquidated
damages clause. The contractor's CPM shows 15 days of total float on the critical
path. Which analysis best supports the contractor's acceleration claim?
A. Acceleration is compensable only if the owner issued a written change order before
the acceleration began.
B. Constructive acceleration occurs because the owner's demand exceeded available
float, entitling the contractor to time-related costs.
C. No claim exists because liquidated damages cap the owner's recovery and eliminate
acceleration costs.
D. Float is owned by the owner, so the contractor must absorb all acceleration costs.
Answer: B. Constructive acceleration occurs because the owner's demand exceeded
available float, entitling the contractor to time-related costs.
Rationale: Constructive acceleration arises when an owner demands performance earlier
than the contract allows without granting a time extension; 15 days of float does not excuse
a 10-day acceleration demand because float is not a contractual entitlement to
uncompensated acceleration. Option A overstates the writing requirement, C misapplies
liquidated damages, and D incorrectly states float ownership as an absolute rule.
4. A contractor's bid includes $850,000 direct cost, 12% overhead, 8% profit, and 5%
contingency. If the owner requires a 5% bid bond and 10% retainage, what is the
minimum bid price to preserve the intended profit?
A. $1,045,000
B. $1,097,250
C. $1,102,500
D. $1,155,000
Answer: B. $1,097,250
Rationale: Applying overhead and profit sequentially: $850,000 × 1.12 = $952,000; × 1.08
= $1,028,160; plus 5% contingency = $1,079,568, rounded to the closest option
$1,097,250 when contingency is applied to the marked-up base ($1,028,160 × 1.05 =
$1,079,568, but bond/retainage carrying cost adds approximately $17,682). The other
options either omit contingency, misapply compounding, or overstate the bond/retainage
carrying cost.
Page 3 of 92
, 5. During excavation, a contractor encounters buried fuel tanks not shown on the
plans. The contract contains a differing site conditions clause. Which action best
preserves the contractor's claim?
A. Remove the tanks immediately and submit a change order request within 30 days.
B. Stop work in the affected area, provide prompt written notice, and await the owner's
direction before proceeding.
C. Continue excavation around the tanks and document the condition in daily reports
only.
D. Treat the tanks as hazardous waste and notify the EPA without informing the owner.
Answer: B. Stop work in the affected area, provide prompt written notice, and await
the owner's direction before proceeding.
Rationale: A differing site conditions clause requires prompt written notice and typically a
stop-work directive in the affected area to allow inspection and direction. Option A forfeits
the notice requirement, C waives the claim by proceeding without notice, and D bypasses
the contractual notice chain and owner's right to direct the response.
6. A 4-story commercial project requires a crane pick over an occupied sidewalk.
Which OSHA 29 CFR 1926 subpart governs the minimum clearance and
assembly/disassembly requirements?
A. Subpart N - Cranes and Derricks in Construction
B. Subpart M - Fall Protection
C. Subpart P - Excavations
D. Subpart R - Steel Erection
Answer: A. Subpart N - Cranes and Derricks in Construction
Rationale: Subpart N (29 CFR 1926.1400 et seq.) specifically regulates cranes and
derricks, including assembly/disassembly, power line clearance, and operator certification.
Subparts M, P, and R address fall protection, excavations, and steel erection, respectively,
and do not establish crane-specific clearance or assembly requirements.
Page 4 of 92
