The approved books, edition by edition
Florida's contractor exams are open book — but only for the exact references the DBPR approves, in the exact editions it lists. Exam answers are keyed to those editions, so an outdated printing isn't just against the rules; it can give you a wrong answer with full confidence. Here is every list, with the editions current for this exam cycle.
Exam-room rules for references
- Open book means the approved list only: one copy of each listed reference, and the answer key follows the listed edition. Earlier or later editions may be brought at your own risk.
- Original published editions only — except references the list designates as available as PDF, which must be printed and bound (ring binders, brads, plastic snap binders, spiral notebooks, or screw posts — not staples).
- Highlighting and pen underlining are allowed. Permanent tabs are allowed; movable tabs (Post-it flags) are not.
- No handwritten or typed notes — existing notes must be blacked out — and no marks may be made in the references during the exam.
Highlight the question, underline the answer
Don't just tab your books — mark them as you practice. Every time a question sends you into a reference, leave a two-part mark behind: highlight the passage the question is about, and underline the exact words that answer it. Do this through your whole question bank and the book turns into a map of the tested material — so on exam day you recognize the spot, not just the section.
- 1
Highlight what the question asks about
When you look up a practice question, highlight the sentence or table the question turns on. That block is now a visual landmark you'll spot on a fast flip.
- 2
Underline the exact answer
Inside the highlight, underline the specific number, deadline, or phrase that is the answer — with a fine-tip pen. Highlight = the topic; underline = the fact.
- 3
Color-code by what trips you up
Use one highlighter color for deadlines and numbers, another for definitions, a third for the answers you got wrong twice. Your weak spots become the brightest marks in the book.
- 4
Let your tabs and marks compound
A tab gets you to the chapter; the highlight gets you to the paragraph; the underline gets you to the answer. Built up across a full question bank, that three-layer trail is the open-book skill the exam actually tests.
All marking must be done before you walk in — the rules allow pre-marked books but bar making any new marks (or bringing notes) during the exam.
Business & Finance
Valid January 2026 – December 2026Every certified license category takes this exam — six references, no more.
State of Florida — Division of Legislative Information Services
How to tab this bookAssociation of Builders and Contractors Institute, Inc. — Beginning February 1, 2026, the 2025 edition is used for the exam. Reprints FS 489, 713, 440, and 455.
How to tab this bookAmerican Institute of Architects
How to tab this bookAmerican Institute of Architects
How to tab this book- OSHA 29 CFR 1926 is not on the Business & Finance list — safety questions are answered from the Contractors Manual.
- FS Chapters 489, 713, and 440 are not separate references; their full text is reprinted inside the Contractors Manual.
Used by: Certified General Contractor, Certified Building Contractor, Certified Residential Contractor, Air Conditioning Contractor — Class A, Air Conditioning Contractor — Class B, Certified Mechanical Contractor, Certified Plumbing Contractor, Certified Roofing Contractor, Commercial Pool/Spa Contractor, Residential Pool/Spa Contractor, Swimming Pool Servicing Contractor
Contract Administration & Project Management
Valid January 2026 – December 2026General, Building, and Residential Contractor candidates — one shared list covers both trade exams.
American Institute of Architects
How to tab this bookAmerican Institute of Architects
How to tab this bookU.S. Government Publishing Office (Mancomm reprint accepted)
How to tab this bookAssociation of Builders and Contractors Institute, Inc. — Beginning July 1, 2026, the 2025 edition is used for the exam. Reprints FS 489, 713, 440, and 455.
How to tab this bookSmith & Andres / Prentice-Hall
UF Shimberg Center — Program for Resource Efficient Communities
Truss Plate Institute — Beginning July 1, 2026, the 2025 edition is used for the exam.
Florida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookMichael C. Thomsett / Craftsman Book Company — Suggested study reference — may NOT be brought into the testing room (it is allowed in the Business & Finance exam).
How to tab this bookFrank R. Walker Company — Suggested study reference — may NOT be brought into the testing room.
How to tab this bookPortland Cement Association — Suggested study reference — may NOT be brought into the testing room.
How to tab this bookCRSI — Suggested study reference — may NOT be brought into the testing room.
How to tab this bookGypsum Association — Suggested study reference — may NOT be brought into the testing room.
Used by: Certified General Contractor, Certified Building Contractor, Certified Residential Contractor
Air Conditioning Trade Knowledge
Valid January 2026 – December 2026Class A and Class B Air Conditioning candidates — the two lists are identical.
Billy C. Langley / Prentice-Hall
U.S. Government Publishing Office (Mancomm reprint accepted)
How to tab this bookAssociation of Builders and Contractors Institute, Inc. — Reprints FS 489, 713, 440, and 455 and includes IRS Circular E.
How to tab this bookForrest R. Lindsey / Industrial Press
NFPA
NFPA
NFPA
SMACNA — The list allows a printed-and-bound PDF of this standard in the test center.
SMACNA — The list allows a printed-and-bound PDF of this standard in the test center.
How to tab this bookSMACNA
Cengage — Replaced the Trane Air Conditioning Manual on the state list.
The Trane Company — A duct-sizing slide rule, not a book.
UF Shimberg Center — Program for Resource Efficient Communities
Florida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this book- All candidates: bring an architect's scale (including 1/4" and 1/8") for the trade knowledge exam.
- The Trane Air Conditioning Manual is no longer on the state list — Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology replaced it.
- EPA Section 608 is not an exam reference; it is a separate federal technician certification.
Used by: Air Conditioning Contractor — Class A, Air Conditioning Contractor — Class B
Mechanical Trade Knowledge
Valid January 2026 – December 2026Mechanical Contractor candidates — the Air Conditioning list plus fuel-gas and medical-gas references.
Billy C. Langley / Prentice-Hall
U.S. Government Publishing Office (Mancomm reprint accepted)
How to tab this bookAssociation of Builders and Contractors Institute, Inc. — Reprints FS 489, 713, 440, and 455 and includes IRS Circular E.
How to tab this bookForrest R. Lindsey / Industrial Press
NFPA
NFPA
NFPA
SMACNA — The list allows a printed-and-bound PDF of this standard in the test center.
SMACNA — The list allows a printed-and-bound PDF of this standard in the test center.
How to tab this bookSMACNA
Cengage — Replaced the Trane Air Conditioning Manual on the state list.
The Trane Company — A duct-sizing slide rule, not a book.
UF Shimberg Center — Program for Resource Efficient Communities
Florida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookNFPA
Florida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this book- All candidates: bring an architect's scale (including 1/4" and 1/8") for the trade knowledge exam.
Used by: Certified Mechanical Contractor
Plumbing Trade Knowledge
Valid January 2026 – December 2026Plumbing Contractor candidates. The Contractors Manual is not on this trade list.
Florida Department of Health
U.S. Government Publishing Office (Mancomm reprint accepted)
How to tab this bookNFPA
NFPA
Craftsman Book Company — The list allows either edition.
How to tab this bookFlorida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)
Florida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
- Bring a small 30/60-degree triangle for isometric drawings on Day 1 of the examination.
Used by: Certified Plumbing Contractor
Roofing Trade Knowledge
Valid January 2026 – December 2026Roofing Contractor candidates.
Frank R. Walker Company
How to tab this bookU.S. Government Publishing Office (Mancomm reprint accepted)
How to tab this bookSMACNA
Daniel Benn Atcheson / Craftsman Book Company
How to tab this bookNRCA
How to tab this bookNRCA
Florida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookFlorida Building Commission / ICC
Used by: Certified Roofing Contractor
Commercial Pool/Spa Trade Knowledge
Valid January 2026 – December 2026Commercial Pool/Spa Contractor candidates — the largest of the three pool lists.
APSP / Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
How to tab this bookAPSP / Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
How to tab this bookAPSP / ICC / Pool & Hot Tub Alliance — Beginning July 1, 2026, the 2025 edition is used for the exam.
How to tab this bookFrank R. Walker Company
How to tab this bookFlorida Department of Health — Free download from flrules.org. Only the Service Pool list explicitly allows a bound PDF — verify with the DBPR before bringing a printout.
How to tab this bookU.S. Government Publishing Office (Mancomm reprint accepted) — Beginning July 1, 2026, the 2025 edition is used for the exam.
How to tab this bookPortland Cement Association — Out of print — plan ahead if you want a copy on the desk.
American Concrete Institute
NFPA — Article 680 — swimming pools, fountains, and similar installations.
Florida Building Commission / ICC — Public pool construction is §454; the pool lists do not include FBC — Residential.
How to tab this bookUsed by: Commercial Pool/Spa Contractor
Residential Pool/Spa Trade Knowledge
Valid January 2026 – December 2026Residential Pool/Spa Contractor candidates — the residential APSP standards plus the construction set; no public-pool documents.
APSP / Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
How to tab this bookAPSP / ICC / Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
How to tab this bookFrank R. Walker Company
How to tab this bookU.S. Government Publishing Office (Mancomm reprint accepted)
How to tab this bookPortland Cement Association — Out of print — plan ahead if you want a copy on the desk.
American Concrete Institute
NFPA — Article 680 — swimming pools, fountains, and similar installations.
Florida Building Commission / ICC — The pool lists use FBC — Building only; FBC — Residential is not on them.
How to tab this bookUsed by: Residential Pool/Spa Contractor
Swimming Pool Servicing Trade Knowledge
Valid January 2026 – December 2026Swimming Pool Servicing Contractor candidates — chemistry and equipment focused; no estimating or concrete books.
APSP / Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
How to tab this bookAPSP / Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
How to tab this bookAPSP / ICC / Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
How to tab this bookFlorida Department of Health
How to tab this bookU.S. Government Publishing Office (Mancomm reprint accepted)
How to tab this bookNFPA — Article 680 — swimming pools, fountains, and similar installations.
Florida Building Commission / ICC
How to tab this bookUsed by: Swimming Pool Servicing Contractor
Gear for marking your books
The cheap supplies that make an open-book exam fast: permanent tabs, highlighters, and pens for the marking method above, plus the tools a few trade exams require.
Permanent self-adhesive index tabs
Write-on tabs that stick for good. The exam rules allow permanent tabs but ban movable Post-it flags, so buy tabs meant to stay put.
Your tab set is the single highest-leverage thing you bring. One tab per spot in our guides means a cited section is a flip away, not a scavenger hunt.
Shop on AmazonAssorted-color highlighters
A multi-color pack. Highlighting is expressly allowed, and a color code (one color per topic, or question-vs-answer) makes the right line jump off the page.
Color-coding is how you find an answer in two seconds instead of twenty. Pair these with the marking method below.
Shop on AmazonFine-tip pens for underlining
Smooth, fine-point pens. Pen underlining is allowed and is cleaner than a highlighter for marking the exact answer phrase inside a highlighted block.
Highlight the topic, underline the answer. A fine tip keeps a long statute sentence readable instead of buried under ink.
Shop on AmazonArchitect's scale (1/4" and 1/8")
Required for the trade-knowledge exams — the reference lists tell every candidate to bring one.
Plan-reading questions are unanswerable without it. Practice reading at 1/4" and 1/8" before exam day so the tool isn't new under the clock.
Shop on AmazonSimple non-programmable calculator
A basic battery/solar calculator for the Business & Finance and trade-math questions. Fresh batteries.
Job-costing, ratios, and takeoff math are timed. Use a calculator you already know — exam day is the wrong time to learn one.
Shop on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, LicenseReady may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through these links — at no additional cost to you. We only list gear we'd bring to the exam ourselves.