License Scope

A gypsum drywall contractor is a specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the installation of all necessary and incidental metal accessories, including non-load bearing metal studs, runners, hangers, channels, drywall metal suspension accessories and prefabricated ceiling materials; and the preparation of the surface over which drywall product is to be applied. This includes the application of base and finish coats specifically designed for the gypsum drywall products of their own erection. This category shall not include plastering, block, or wood partitions.

Method of Qualification

In order to become licensed, you must meet the following qualifications.

(a) – Is 18 years of age,
(b) – Is of good moral character, and
(c) – Meets eligibility requirements according to one of the following criteria:

1. Has received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited 4-year college in the appropriate field of engineering, architecture, or building construction and has 1 year of proven experience in the category in which the person seeks to qualify. For the purpose of this part, a minimum of 2,000 person-hours shall be used in determining full-time equivalency.
2. Has a total of at least 4 years of active experience as a worker who has learned the trade by serving an apprenticeship as a skilled worker who is able to command the rate of a mechanic in the particular trade or as a foreman who is in charge of a group of workers and usually is responsible to a superintendent or a contractor or his or her equivalent, provided, however, that at least 1 year of active experience shall be as a foreman.
3. Has a combination of not less than 1 year of experience as a foreman and not less than 3 years of credits for any accredited college-level courses; has a combination of not less than 1 year of experience as a skilled worker, 1 year of experience as a foreman, and not less than 2 years of credits for any accredited college-level courses; or has a combination of not less than 2 years of experience as a skilled worker, 1 year of experience as a foreman, and not less than 1 year of credits for any accredited college-level courses. All junior college or community college-level courses shall be considered accredited college-level courses.

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Licensing Steps

Step 1. Purchase or rent the books you will need to take the licensing exam. The exam is open book and you are allowed to bring the state approved reference books to the exam with you. 

Step 2. Register for your Florida gypsum drywall contractor trade knowledge exam and business and finance exam.  We can help you with your exam registration - telephone CEI at: 800-423-7058. If you are confident with the required registration process and steps then you can register through Professional Testing Inc. at: www.floridaexam.com.

Step 3. Prepare for the licensing exams. You must pass both the technical trade knowledge exam and the business & finance exam to receive your license. We recommend that you sign up for our online or live business & finance exam preparation course to prepare for the business & finance exam, especially if you are not very familiar with accounting and construction business law.

Step 4. Take and pass both exams.

Step 5. Mail the license application with your passing exam scores to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You will receive your license within approximately 60 days after submitting the completed application.

For detailed information please visit the State of Florida website.

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Exam Details - What to Expect

The Applicant will be required to pass 2 separate exams with a score of 70% or higher.

• Business & Finance Exam – 6.5 hour computer-based exam
• Trade Knowledge Exam - 5 hour computer-based exam

Both exams are open-book, multiple-choice, and timed.

Reference books should be brought to both open book exams. Permanent book tabs and highlighting in books is allowed for the examinations.

Business & Finance Exam

The Business and Finance Examination consists of 120 questions. Candidates are allowed 6 ½ hours (390 minutes) of time to complete the examination.

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Trade Knowledge Exam

The trade knowledge exam consists of 80 questions. Candidates are allowed 5 hours (300 minutes) of time to complete the examination.

Preparing for Your Exams

Applicants will need to get familiar with all of their exam books. Applicants must know how to properly read the test questions and quickly locate the answers. Knowing which books to use for each content area is essential to passing the exam. A quality exam preparation class is the best way to prepare for the exam. Most candidates are comfortable with the trade knowledge exam material, but need additional preparation for the business & finance exam material.

100% One Year Course Guarantee

Students receive access to their course for a full year from the date of their registration!

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Exam Reference Books

The licensing exams are open book exams. You must bring the books with you to your exams. Books can be rented from CEI for $295 plus a refundable deposit. The deposit will be refunded in full provided the books are returned to CEI in good condition within six months of the original rental date. If you prefer, you may purchase the books. The business and finance exam books will be tabbed and highlighted if you purchase an online or live business and finance course. The trade exam books are not tabbed or highlighted.

Gypsum Drywall Contractor Exam Book Set (Includes Trade Knowledge and Business & Finance Reference Books):

• AIA Documents: (A-201, A-401, A-701)
• Builder's Guide to Accounting
• Florida Contractor's Manual
• Florida Statutes Chapter 455                               
• Code of Federal Regulations. OSHA Title 29, Part 1926
• Standard Specification for Installation of Steel Framing Members to Receive Screw-Attached Gypsum Panel Products
• Standard Specification for Application and Finishing of Gypsum Board
• Standard Specification for Accessories for Gypsum Wallboard and Gypsum Veneer Base
• Standard Specification for Gypsum Board
• Building Estimator’s Reference Book, Walker’s
• Ceiling Systems Handbook
• Gypsum Construction Handbook
• Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, GA-216

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