Florida Business and Finance Exam Guide
What the Florida contractor Business and Finance exam covers and the numbers worth knowing cold, based on DBPR exam documents and the 2026 Florida Statutes.
Every Florida certified contractor takes the Business and Finance exam. Division I contractors (general, building and residential) also take Contract Administration and Project Management. Division II contractors take a trade knowledge exam. Professional Testing, Inc. runs the exams for DBPR.
Exam Format
DBPR's content information lists Business and Finance at 120 scored questions in 6.5 hours, given daily by computer. The service pool version has 60 questions in 3.5 hours. Questions are multiple choice with four options, and all questions carry equal weight.
What the Exam Covers
| Content Area | Weight |
|---|---|
| A. Establishing the Contracting Business | 11% |
| B. Managing Administrative Duties | 26% |
| C. Managing Trade Operations | 10% |
| D. Conducting Accounting Functions | 32% |
| E. Managing Human Resources | 6% |
| F. Complying with Government Regulations | 15% |
Weights can vary by up to 3 percentage points either way (DBPR content information). Our practice bank covers the statute topics in areas B and F: Chapter 489, lien law, workers' compensation and Chapter 455. It doesn't cover accounting calculations yet, so practise ratios, payroll taxes and job costing from your references as well.
Eligibility
Under s. 489.111, you must be 18. One route is at least 4 years of active experience, including at least 1 year as a foreman. College credit can count toward this under the statute.
Numbers Worth Knowing
- Renewal and CE: renew every 2 years, with 14 hours of CE (50-minute hours). One hour must be on laws and rules.
- Losing a qualifier: 60 days to replace the only qualifying agent.
- Deposits over 10%: apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days of permit issue (s. 489.126).
- Minor work exemption: under $2,500 total, provided it isn't part of a larger job.
- Recovery fund notice: required in residential contracts over $2,500. The cap per claim is $100,000 for Division I and $30,000 for Division II, for contracts from July 1, 2024.
- Board fines: up to $10,000 per violation. A project can be presumed abandoned after 90 days.
- Notice to owner: no later than 45 days after you first furnish labour, services or materials. The claim of lien must be recorded within 90 days of final furnishing, and the lien lasts 1 year unless a suit is filed. A Notice of Contest shortens that to 60 days.
- Notice of commencement: void if work doesn't start within 90 days. It expires 1 year after recording unless it states a different date.
- Workers' comp: construction employers with one or more employees must have coverage. Corporate officers who elect an exemption must each own at least 10% of the stock.
How to Prepare
- Learn where to find Chapter 489, Chapter 713 and Chapter 440 fast.
- Practise the accounting formulas and payroll tax calculations.
- Take timed mixed tests and review every explanation.
Sources: Florida Statutes Chapter 489, Chapter 713, Chapter 440 and the DBPR exam documents linked above.