FLORIDA GENERAL CONTRACTOR CERTIFICATION
EXAMINATION
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
SECTION 1: LICENSING AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE (Questions 1–15)
Question 1: Which Florida statute governs the licensing of general contractors?
Answer: Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, Part I.
Rationale: Chapter 489, Part I of the Florida Statutes governs the licensing and regulation of
contractors in Florida. It establishes the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) and sets
forth the requirements for licensure, including experience, examination, insurance, and
disciplinary actions. The CILB is responsible for implementing and enforcing this statute.
Chapter 713 governs mechanics liens.
Question 2: What is the minimum experience requirement to qualify for a Certified General
Contractor license in Florida?
Answer: Four years of experience in the construction industry, with at least one year as a
foreman or supervisor.
,Rationale: Florida requires applicants for a Certified General Contractor license to have at
least four years of experience in the construction industry. At least one year of this experience
must have been in a supervisory capacity, such as a foreman, superintendent, or project
manager. This ensures that licensed general contractors have both hands-on experience and
management skills. The experience must be verified by previous employers or licensed
contractors.
Question 3: Which Florida statute contains the Construction Lien Law (Mechanic's Lien Law)?
Answer: Chapter 713, Florida Statutes.
Rationale: Florida's Construction Lien Law is codified in Chapter 713 of the Florida Statutes.
This statute governs mechanic's liens, including the rights of contractors, subcontractors, and
material suppliers to file liens against property for unpaid work or materials. It establishes
notice requirements, deadlines for filing, and procedures for enforcing liens. Chapter 489
governs contractor licensing. Chapter 558 addresses construction defects.
Question 4: Under Florida law, what is the maximum amount of retention that can be withheld
on a private construction project?
Answer: 10% of the contract price.
,Rationale: Florida law limits retention (retainage) to 10% of the contract price on private
construction projects. The retained funds must be held in a trust fund for the benefit of the
contractor and must be released upon substantial completion of the work. This limit protects
contractors from excessive withholding and helps maintain cash flow during the project. The
owner may be required to place retention funds in an interest-bearing account.
Question 5: What is the passing score for each Florida contractor examination?
Answer: 70%.
Rationale: Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70% on each exam section to pass. If a
candidate fails one part, they only need to retake that specific section rather than the entire
examination. The Business & Finance exam typically requires approximately 84 correct answers
out of 120 scored questions. Scores are valid for three years from the date of examination.
Question 6: Under Florida law, who is responsible for verifying that subcontractors are properly
licensed?
Answer: The prime contractor (general contractor).
Rationale: The prime contractor has a legal responsibility to verify that all subcontractors meet
licensing and insurance requirements. This is a critical responsibility to protect the project
owner and ensure compliance with Florida law. Failure to verify subcontractor licenses can
, result in liability and license discipline. The prime contractor should obtain copies of each
subcontractor's license and insurance certificates before work begins.
Question 7: Under Florida law, a contractor's license may be revoked for which of the
following?
Answer: Fraud, misrepresentation, or gross negligence in the practice of contracting.
Rationale: The CILB has the authority to discipline licensees for violations of Chapter 489,
Florida Statutes. Grounds for discipline include fraud, misrepresentation, gross negligence,
abandonment of projects, failure to pay subcontractors, and violations of building codes.
Administrative penalties, sanctions, or both may be imposed. The CILB publishes a matrix of
violations and presumptive sanctions to help licensees understand potential repercussions.
Question 8: What is the minimum net worth requirement for a certified contractor applying for
licensure in Florida?
Answer: $10,000.
Rationale: Florida requires certified contractor applicants to demonstrate financial stability by
submitting a business financial statement showing a net worth of at least $10,000. This
requirement ensures that contractors have sufficient financial resources to operate their
businesses and complete projects. Some specialty contractors may have different requirements.
EXAMINATION
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES
SECTION 1: LICENSING AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE (Questions 1–15)
Question 1: Which Florida statute governs the licensing of general contractors?
Answer: Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, Part I.
Rationale: Chapter 489, Part I of the Florida Statutes governs the licensing and regulation of
contractors in Florida. It establishes the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) and sets
forth the requirements for licensure, including experience, examination, insurance, and
disciplinary actions. The CILB is responsible for implementing and enforcing this statute.
Chapter 713 governs mechanics liens.
Question 2: What is the minimum experience requirement to qualify for a Certified General
Contractor license in Florida?
Answer: Four years of experience in the construction industry, with at least one year as a
foreman or supervisor.
,Rationale: Florida requires applicants for a Certified General Contractor license to have at
least four years of experience in the construction industry. At least one year of this experience
must have been in a supervisory capacity, such as a foreman, superintendent, or project
manager. This ensures that licensed general contractors have both hands-on experience and
management skills. The experience must be verified by previous employers or licensed
contractors.
Question 3: Which Florida statute contains the Construction Lien Law (Mechanic's Lien Law)?
Answer: Chapter 713, Florida Statutes.
Rationale: Florida's Construction Lien Law is codified in Chapter 713 of the Florida Statutes.
This statute governs mechanic's liens, including the rights of contractors, subcontractors, and
material suppliers to file liens against property for unpaid work or materials. It establishes
notice requirements, deadlines for filing, and procedures for enforcing liens. Chapter 489
governs contractor licensing. Chapter 558 addresses construction defects.
Question 4: Under Florida law, what is the maximum amount of retention that can be withheld
on a private construction project?
Answer: 10% of the contract price.
,Rationale: Florida law limits retention (retainage) to 10% of the contract price on private
construction projects. The retained funds must be held in a trust fund for the benefit of the
contractor and must be released upon substantial completion of the work. This limit protects
contractors from excessive withholding and helps maintain cash flow during the project. The
owner may be required to place retention funds in an interest-bearing account.
Question 5: What is the passing score for each Florida contractor examination?
Answer: 70%.
Rationale: Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 70% on each exam section to pass. If a
candidate fails one part, they only need to retake that specific section rather than the entire
examination. The Business & Finance exam typically requires approximately 84 correct answers
out of 120 scored questions. Scores are valid for three years from the date of examination.
Question 6: Under Florida law, who is responsible for verifying that subcontractors are properly
licensed?
Answer: The prime contractor (general contractor).
Rationale: The prime contractor has a legal responsibility to verify that all subcontractors meet
licensing and insurance requirements. This is a critical responsibility to protect the project
owner and ensure compliance with Florida law. Failure to verify subcontractor licenses can
, result in liability and license discipline. The prime contractor should obtain copies of each
subcontractor's license and insurance certificates before work begins.
Question 7: Under Florida law, a contractor's license may be revoked for which of the
following?
Answer: Fraud, misrepresentation, or gross negligence in the practice of contracting.
Rationale: The CILB has the authority to discipline licensees for violations of Chapter 489,
Florida Statutes. Grounds for discipline include fraud, misrepresentation, gross negligence,
abandonment of projects, failure to pay subcontractors, and violations of building codes.
Administrative penalties, sanctions, or both may be imposed. The CILB publishes a matrix of
violations and presumptive sanctions to help licensees understand potential repercussions.
Question 8: What is the minimum net worth requirement for a certified contractor applying for
licensure in Florida?
Answer: $10,000.
Rationale: Florida requires certified contractor applicants to demonstrate financial stability by
submitting a business financial statement showing a net worth of at least $10,000. This
requirement ensures that contractors have sufficient financial resources to operate their
businesses and complete projects. Some specialty contractors may have different requirements.
