What is the first step I need to take in order to acquire a license?

The locality in which you practice your trade and/or operate your business will determine the type of license you must acquire. The first step you must take is locate the local Building Department and apply for licensure – once the application process is completed, they will direct you as to where and what exams you must pass in order to meet their specific requirements for licensure. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN SPONSORED BY A LICENSING AGENCY, WE CANNOT SCHEDULE YOU FOR AN EXAM.

What do I need to schedule my exam?

Once you have been approved by the sponsoring agency to take the required exam for licensure, your information will be sent to the appropriate testing agency for scheduling. In order to schedule your exam, you will need to confirm that this information is correct, as well as provide your driver’s license number and method of payment for your exam(s). The cost for testing varies by locality and sponsoring agency. Please have ready your date of approval for testing as sent to you by your sponsoring agency. We accept as payment methods: Visa, MasterCard, or Discover card (credit or debit payments are acceptable), as well as Money Order or check-by-mail. Please note: we can only schedule you for your exam ONCE PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED. If sending payment by mail, once received we will contact you by phone in order to schedule your exam.

How often can I test?

Each sponsoring agency/county has its own ordinance that governs the amount of times a candidate may test on each approval, as well as the locality the candidate must test in and the deadline by which they must test from date of approval. For specific information regarding what requirements must be met in the locality in which you wish to license, please contact your local sponsoring agency for more information.

What books am I allowed to bring with me?

The approved references are found on the bottom of the Examination Information Sheet that corresponds to the exam you are taking. You may find the Examination Information Sheet you need by looking at our home page and choosing the appropriate drop-down menus. Which books each candidate decides to purchase is up to the individual’s discretion. Two bookstores that carry construction books are:

Building Trade Education Services – 1.800.832.2496

Gainsville Independent Testing Services – 1.800.997.2129

Are ALL of the questions actually found in the books?

ALL of the items found on the exams have been reviewed and approved by the local Building Departments in each of the localities for which we test. While a majority of the items are directly written from the references, there are some items (including “estimating” items as well as “general knowledge” items) which are deemed “Trade Knowledge” and are considered items which test the candidate in areas of knowledge that are expected to have been acquired through necessary experience in the given field.

Are there any schools or practice tests available?

At this point in time, all of our items are currently in use on our exams: we do not have any practice tests available. While, as an independent testing agency we cannot officially sponsor any schools or education services, there are some available that may aid in preparing you for your exam. Please contact Building Trade Education Services (1.800.832.2496) for more information.

When do I find out how I scored on my exam?

For all of our paper/pencil exams, the test administrator will instruct you as to how you may find out your score after you’ve taken your exam. For all of our computer-administered exams, your score will appear automatically on the computer screen once you have completed and submitted your exam. IN NO LOCALITY ARE THE SCORES GIVEN OUT ANY MORE THAN 1(ONE) WEEK FOLLOWING THE TEST ADMINISTRATION. Please note: passing scores are determined by the local sponsoring agency and vary accordingly. To find out what the required score is for each individual exam, please contact your local sponsor.

Can I take my exam in a language other than English?

We do have translation services available. However, each candidate must be approved to take their exam in any language other than English at their time of application with the sponsoring agency. Please make all requests for translated exams accordingly – once we receive notice of approval for a translated exam, we will schedule and charge you for your translated exams accordingly. CANDIDATES MAY NOT HAVE THEIR OWN TRANSLATOR/INTERPRETER ACCOMPANY THEM AT THE TIME SCHEDULED TO TAKE THEIR EXAM(S). Each translator/interpreter whose services we employ has been properly certified and/or approved to do so. The following English/Spanish Construction dictionaries have also been approved as references:

Means Spanish/English Construction Dictionary: An Essential Tool on the Job Site and in the Office

DEWALT Spanish/English Construction Dictionary: Illustrated Edition (Dewalt Trade Reference Series)

Can I have a copy of my test after I’ve taken it?

Because all of our items are currently in use and protected under copyright laws, we cannot allow candidates under ANY circumstances to own/keep a copy of their test. What we have available for those interested in seeing their test is a REVIEW. You may schedule a review of the last exam(s) that you took by calling our office and making an appointment to do so, much in the same fashion as when you sat for your exam. Reviews are $40.00, and the amount of time allotted for the review is half the amount of time that was allotted for your exam. Please note: reviews DO NOT change your score; they are a study aid ONLY. If comments are made during a review that indicate the possibility that an item was marked wrong in error, the appropriate action will be taken once we are able to manually examine the comments. A NEW exam must be administered in order to achieve a higher score.

When will I get my license?

As we are an independent testing company, we are not the issuing party; in order to find out when your license will be issued, please contact your sponsoring agency.

Can I use my license in other locations?

Some localities allow you to use (reciprocate) your licenses acquired in other locations. In order to find out whether your license may be reciprocated or not, you must contact the sponsoring agency in the locality you wish to transfer/reciprocate your license in. For all localities that reciprocate, a score of 75% or higher must be achieved on the necessary exam(s).