Exam Guide
Florida General Contractor Exam Book List (2026 and 2027)
By LicenseAcademy Team · October 21, 2026 · 7 min read
The Florida contractor exams are open-book, but only for the books on the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) reference list. DBPR publishes one list per exam, and right now two versions are posted: one valid January–December 2026 and one valid January–December 2027. The questions are written against the editions on the list. You may bring a different edition, but in DBPR's words that is "AT YOUR OWN RISK."
This page restates both lists for the General, Building and Residential contractor exams (one shared list) and for the Business & Finance exam. It was checked against the DBPR documents on October 21, 2026. Before you buy anything, open the current list on DBPR's reference list page; lists change every year.
General, Building and Residential: Contract Administration and Project Management
One list covers all three license types. These are the only books allowed in the testing room for these exams.
| Ref. | Book | 2026 list | 2027 list |
|---|---|---|---|
| R5 | AIA A201, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction | 2017 | 2017 |
| R6 | AIA A401, Standard Form of Agreement between Contractor-Subcontractor | 2017 | 2017 |
| R7 | AIA A701, Instructions to Bidders | 2018 | 2018 |
| R46 | Code of Federal Regulations, OSHA 29 Part 1926 | July 1, 2025 | July 1, 2025; the July 1, 2026 edition is used beginning August 1, 2027 |
| R50 | Contractors Manual (Associated Builders and Contractors Institute), includes the 2025 Circular E | 2021; the 2025 edition is used beginning July 1, 2026 | 2025 |
| R85 | Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction, 11th Edition | 2024 | 2024 |
| R140 | Energy Efficient Building Construction in Florida (Shimberg Center, University of Florida) | 2024 | 2023 (as printed on the 2027 list) |
| R247 | BCSI-ED2-D, Guide to Good Practices for Handling, Installing and Bracing of Metal Connected Wood Trusses | 2020; the 2025 edition is used beginning July 1, 2026 | 2025 |
| R200 | Florida Building Code – Building | 2023 | 2023; the 2026 FBC is used beginning August 1, 2027 |
| R203 | Florida Building Code – Accessibility | 2023 | 2023; 2026 FBC beginning August 1, 2027 |
| R250 | Florida Building Code – Residential | 2023 | 2023; 2026 FBC beginning August 1, 2027 |
| R251 | Florida Building Code – Existing Building | 2023 | 2023; 2026 FBC beginning August 1, 2027 |
| R252 | Florida Building Code – Energy Conservation | 2023 | 2023; 2026 FBC beginning August 1, 2027 |
What this means by test date. Both lists already point to the 2025 Contractors Manual and the 2025 BCSI. The bigger change is in 2027: from August 1, 2027 the exam moves to the 2026 Florida Building Code books and the July 1, 2026 OSHA edition. If your exam is before August 1, 2027, the 2023 FBC set applies. If it is on or after that date, plan for the 2026 set and check the list again before you buy.
Suggested study only — not allowed in the testing room
The same DBPR list names five books that are recommended for study but "MAY NOT be brought into the testing room":
- R37 — Builder's Guide to Accounting, 2001
- R38 — Building Estimator's Reference Book, 32nd Edition, 2024
- R52 — Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 17th Edition, 2021
- R83 — Placing Reinforcing Bars, 10th Edition, 2019
- R87 — Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, GA-216, 2018 Edition
Note that Builder's Guide to Accounting is study-only for these exams but is an allowed reference on the Business & Finance exam.
Business & Finance
The Business & Finance exam has a shorter list:
| Ref. | Book | 2026 list | 2027 list |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | Florida Statutes, Chapter 455 (a bound PDF printout may be brought in) | 2025 statutes | 2026 statutes; the 2026 Chapter 455 is used beginning March 1, 2027 |
| R37 | Builder's Guide to Accounting | 2001 | 2001 |
| R50 | Contractors Manual, includes the 2025 Circular E | 2021; the 2025 edition is used beginning February 1, 2026 | 2025 |
| R5 | AIA A201, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction | 2017 | 2017 |
| R6 | AIA A401, Standard Form of Agreement between Contractor-Subcontractor | 2017 | 2017 |
| R7 | AIA A701, Instructions to Bidders | 2018 | 2018 |
Chapter 455 is the only statute listed on its own. Licensing and construction lien law reach you through the Contractors Manual, whose chapters include Licensing and Construction Lien Law.
Rules for the books you bring
The reference lists and DBPR's construction candidate information booklet set these rules:
- Original editions only, except references the list marks as available in PDF. Photocopies are not allowed without prior written authorization.
- Bound, and kept bound. PDF printouts must be bound with ring binders, brads, plastic snap binders, spiral binding or screw posts — not staples.
- One copy of each reference.
- Highlighting and underlining with pen or highlighter are allowed.
- No notes. Handwritten and typewritten notes are not allowed; existing handwritten notes must be blacked out or removed completely.
- No removable tabs. Moveable tabs such as Post-it flags are not allowed. Permanently attached tabs with only normal chapter or page headings are permitted. See how to tab your books.
- No marks during the exam, and no writing tablets or electronic tablets.
Sources
- DBPR, Construction Examinations Reference Lists — General, Building & Residential and Business and Finance lists, effective January 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027.
- DBPR, Candidate Information Booklets — Construction Contractors (excluding Plumbing).
LicenseAcademy's practice questions and codebook search are organized by these same reference books, so you practice finding answers in the books you will have on exam day. Start with a free account.