The building contractor exam uses the same structure, the same reference list and nearly the same outline as the general contractor exam, with fewer questions. That has two consequences. You can study with GC material, and each question is worth more: a miss on a 50-question exam costs 2 percentage points instead of about 1.7.
A building contractor candidate takes three exams: Business and Finance, BC Contract Administration and BC Project Management. This page covers the two BC trade exams.
Format
| BC Contract Administration | BC Project Management | |
|---|---|---|
| Scored questions | 50 | 50 |
| Time | 4.5 hours | 4.5 hours |
| Delivery | Computer-based at Pearson VUE, daily | Same |
| Questions | Multiple choice, 4 options, equally weighted | Same |
| To pass | 70%: 35 of 50 | 35 of 50 |
| Open book | Yes | Yes |
| Exam fee | $40 | $40 |
The time limit is the same 4.5 hours GC candidates get for 60 questions, so BC candidates have about 5.4 minutes per question.
Content outlines, BC vs GC
From the January 2020 BC and GC ECIs. Weights may vary by plus or minus 3%.
Contract Administration
| Area | Topic | BC | GC | BC questions (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Preconstruction activities | 28% | 27% | 14 |
| B | Project contracts | 38% | 40% | 19 |
| C | Licenses, permits and approvals | 20% | 20% | 10 |
| D | Construction procedures and operations | 14% | 13% | 7 |
Project Management
| Area | Topic | BC | GC | BC questions (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Construction methods, materials, tools and equipment | 64% | 63% | 32 |
| F | Safety | 20% | 20% | 10 |
| G | Reading plans and specifications | 16% | 17% | 8 |
When we compared the BC and GC ECIs line by line, the knowledge statements under each area were the same; only the weights and title changed. So the BC exam can draw on the same topics: estimating and bid analysis, contract types, AIA general conditions, lien law, Chapter 558, the Residential Recovery Fund, permits and inspections, CPM scheduling, soils and earthwork, concrete, masonry, wood and metal framing, innovative systems such as tilt-up and ICF, energy efficiency, heavy equipment and lift plans, OSHA, and plan reading. The GC exam guide lists each area's knowledge statements.
Keep the scope in mind
Your license will be limited to buildings of three stories or less (and non-structural remodels of any size). The exam outline, however, still includes topics like cranes, hoisting, lift plans and steel erection. Study them anyway; the outline does not exclude them.
References
The BC exams use the GC/BC/RC Contract Administration and Project Management reference list. For 2026:
- AIA A201 (2017), A401 (2017) and A701 (2018)
- OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 (July 1, 2025)
- Contractors Manual (2021; 2025 edition used beginning July 1, 2026)
- Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition
- Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida (2024)
- BCSI truss handling and bracing guide (2020; 2025 edition used beginning July 1, 2026)
- Florida Building Code 2023: Building, Accessibility, Residential, Existing Building, Energy Conservation
The 2027 list notes the 2026 Florida Building Code will be used beginning August 1, 2027.
Using the books under time pressure
The reference rules are strict: original editions only (except listed PDFs, which must be bound, not stapled), highlighting allowed, no notes, and only permanently attached tabs with normal chapter or page headings. Removable tabs and Post-it flags are rejected at check-in.
What tends to work on a 50-question exam:
- Tab the high-weight books first. Area B (38%) leans on AIA A201 and the Contractors Manual. Area E (64%) leans on Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, the FBC Building volume and the BCSI guide. Area F is OSHA 1926.
- Use the FBC index and table of contents together. Find the chapter from the contents, then the section from the index.
- Two passes. Answer recall questions first, flag lookups, then return. The on-screen summary shows how many you have left.
Common trouble areas
From the outline:
- Methods and materials (Area E) is almost two thirds of PM. Concrete, soils and framing questions often combine a calculation with a code or reference lookup.
- Contract mechanics: change orders vs change directives, payment and retainage, substantial completion.
- Permits and licensing (Area C): which work a building contractor must subcontract under Chapter 489, and when special inspections apply.
- Math: volumes, slopes, right triangles and percentages appear in both exams.
Scheduling, results and retakes
- Register with Professional Testing, Inc. ($135), then schedule each exam with Pearson VUE once approved.
- Cancel or reschedule at least two full calendar days ahead to avoid losing the fee.
- Results are given on site right after the exam.
- After a fail you can review the questions you missed (request within 21 days, $35). A retake requires a new PTI registration and a 21-day wait.
- All parts must be passed within four years of your first scheduled exam.
Exam volume
Pearson VUE exam performance reports for the Florida DBPR construction exams:
| Exam | 2024 attempts | 2025 attempts | 2025 first-time pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| BC Contract Administration | 702 | 831 | 63% |
| BC Project Management | 808 | 954 | 59% |
FAQ
Is the building contractor exam easier than the GC exam?
It has fewer questions (50 vs 60) with the same time and nearly the same outline. In 2025 the BC Project Management first-time pass rate (59%) was higher than GC Project Management (51%), and BC Contract Administration matched GC at 63%.
Can I use GC study materials for the BC exam?
Yes, the topics and the reference list are the same. Adjust for the weights and the 50-question count.
How many questions can I miss?
15 on each BC exam. You need 35 of 50.
If I pass the BC exam, can I upgrade to GC later?
Yes. After 4 years of proven experience as an active certified building contractor, you can qualify for GC by passing the GC exams (F.S. 489.111(2)(c)4.c).
Related
See the building contractor license requirements. BC exam prep is in development; join the waitlist on this page. Business and Finance prep is available now: Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep.
Sources
- BC Contract Administration ECI (January 2020)
- BC Project Management ECI (January 2020)
- GC Contract Administration ECI (January 2020)
- GC, BC, RC CA and PM Reference List, 2026
- DBPR Candidate Information Booklet, Construction (Effective July 2024)
- DBPR Examinations at a Glance (Updated June 2024)
- PTI Examination Registration Instructions and Application 2026