NASCLA or the Florida State Exam?
Two testing routes lead to the same Certified General Contractor license. One stops at the state line; the other travels to 18 jurisdictions. Here's how to choose.
The decision in one paragraph
If Florida is the only state you'll ever contract in, take Florida's own three-part exam — it's the straightforward path. If you plan to work commercial jobs across state lines, the NASCLA Accredited exam replaces the trade exam in 18 jurisdictions, so you sit it once instead of once per state. Either way, Florida's Business & Finance exam and the DBPR application are still required — NASCLA is a trade-exam waiver, not a license.
Side by side
| Florida state exam | NASCLA exam | |
|---|---|---|
| Administrator | Professional Testing, Inc. / Pearson VUE | PSI |
| Structure | 3 parts: Contract Administration (60 Q, 4.5 hrs), Project Management (60 Q, 4.5 hrs), Business & Finance (120 Q, 6.5 hrs) | 1 sitting: 115 scored questions + 10 unscored pretest, 330 minutes (5.5 hrs) |
| Format | Open book | Open book (~24 references) |
| Passing score | 70% per part | ≈70% (scaled) |
| Exam fees | $295 first full attempt ($135 + $80 + $40 + $40) | Set by PSI/NASCLA — check the current NASCLA candidate bulletin |
| Where it counts | Florida only | 18 jurisdictions, including Florida |
| What's still required in FL | DBPR application | DBPR application + Business & Finance exam |
NASCLA covers commercial general building work only. Residential-only and specialty-trade licenses (roofing, plumbing, HVAC, electrical) always go through the state's own exams — see the Florida trade guides.
Pick NASCLA if…
- You'll work in two or more of the 18 jurisdictions. Storm restoration, franchise build-outs, and industrial work all cross state lines — one NASCLA pass means never re-taking a trade exam as you expand.
- You'd rather master one book set. Tabbing and indexing ~24 references once beats rebuilding a reference library for every state's exam.
- You're commercial-first. The credential is built for commercial general building contractors — exactly the work that travels.
Pick the Florida state exam if…
- Florida is your only market. No reason to study a multi-state syllabus for a single-state career.
- You want the residential scope. NASCLA's waiver targets commercial general building; Florida's own GC exam is the native path for the full CGC scope. Compare the GC, Building, and Residential licenses first.
- You prefer shorter sittings. Two 4.5-hour trade parts you can schedule separately — and retake separately — instead of one 5.5-hour marathon.
Either way, the skill is the same
Both exams are open book, long, and time-pressured — which makes them navigation races. The candidates who pass aren't the ones who memorized the most; they're the ones who can put a finger on the right table in the right book in under a minute. That's the Tab & Pass method, and it transfers completely between the two routes.
Start with a free timed practice test to see where you stand, then rehearse the full exam-day experience in the simulator. And whichever route you choose, don't skip the fee math in what the exam really costs.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NASCLA exam replace the whole Florida GC exam?
No. NASCLA waives the trade portions only — Contract Administration and Project Management. Florida still requires the Business & Finance exam and the full DBPR application for every certified contractor.
Is NASCLA harder than the Florida state exam?
Different, not necessarily harder. NASCLA is one long sitting — 115 scored questions in 330 minutes with roughly two dozen approved references — while Florida splits the trade content into two 60-question, 4.5-hour parts. Both are open book, so book navigation under time pressure is the deciding skill either way.
Which states accept the NASCLA exam?
18 jurisdictions accept the NASCLA Accredited Commercial General Building Contractor exam in place of their commercial general building trade exam, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, and more. Each state applies its own conditions — check its rules before relying on it.
Navigation wins both exams
Whichever route you take, find out today whether you'd clear the 70% line — free, timed, with book-and-section references on every answer.
Start the Free Practice Test