Florida Contract Admin Exam Study Guide (2026)
Everything the Florida General Contractor Contract Administration Exam tests, topic by topic: what each section covers, the facts that come up most, and how to study it. Pair it with the free 15-question practice test.
The exam at a glance
| Questions | 60 multiple-choice questions |
|---|---|
| Time | 4.5 hours |
| Passing score | 70% (42 of 60 correct) |
| Format | Open book (approved reference list) |
| Licensing body | Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) |
| Test provider | Pearson VUE |
Mind map: the whole exam on one screen
1. AIA Agreements and A201
This topic covers the main AIA agreement forms and the A201 General Conditions that tie them together. Many questions simply ask which document governs a relationship or what A201 says about a party's duties. Know the form numbers cold and where key A201 rules live.
Key facts
- A101 is the Owner-Contractor agreement on a stipulated sum. A102 is cost of the work plus a fee with a Guaranteed Maximum Price. A103 is cost plus a fee without a GMP. (AIA A-series)
- A401 is the Contractor-Subcontractor agreement and B101 is the Owner-Architect agreement. (AIA)
- A201 is the General Conditions of the Contract for Construction. It sets the rights and duties of owner, contractor and architect and is incorporated into A101, A102 and A401. (AIA A201-2017)
- The Contract Documents are the Agreement, Conditions, Drawings, Specifications, Addenda issued before execution and Modifications. Bidding requirements are excluded unless listed in the Agreement. (A201-2017 §1.1.1)
- The Contract Documents are complementary: what one requires is as binding as if required by all. A201 itself sets no order of precedence. (A201-2017 §1.2.1)
- The Architect is the Initial Decision Maker for claims unless the Agreement names someone else. (A201-2017 §1.1.8 and §15.2.1)
- The contractor may terminate if the Work is stopped for 30 consecutive days through no fault of its own for listed reasons, after 7 days' notice. (A201-2017 §14.1.1 and §14.1.3)
Flashcards
Exam tip: Read the question for the parties involved: owner and contractor points to A101 or A102, contractor and sub points to A401, owner and architect points to B101.
2. AIA G-Series Forms
The G-series are the administrative forms used to run a project after the contract is signed. The exam often names a situation and asks which form to use. Match each number to its purpose.
Key facts
- G701 is the Change Order, signed by owner, contractor and architect. (AIA G701; A201-2017 §7.2.1)
- G702 is the Application and Certificate for Payment and G703 is its Continuation Sheet listing the schedule of values. (AIA G702/G703)
- G704 is the Certificate of Substantial Completion. (AIA G704)
- G706 is the Contractor's Affidavit of Payment of Debts and Claims. G706A is the Contractor's Affidavit of Release of Liens. (AIA G706/G706A)
- G707 is Consent of Surety to Final Payment, required on bonded work before final payment. (AIA G707; A201-2017 §9.10.2)
- G710 is Architect's Supplemental Instructions for minor changes. G714 is the Construction Change Directive. G716 is the Request for Information. (AIA G-series)
- A310 is the Bid Bond and A312 is the Performance Bond and Payment Bond. (AIA A-series)
Flashcards
Exam tip: G706 and G707 both relate to final payment: G706 is the contractor's own affidavit, G707 is the surety's consent.
3. Plans, Specs and MasterFormat
This topic covers reading drawings, how specifications are organized and the CSI MasterFormat numbering system. Expect questions that ask where something is found or what a drawing view shows. Scale math also appears here.
Key facts
- Current MasterFormat has 50 divisions numbered 00 through 49, replacing the old 16-division system. (CSI MasterFormat)
- Key divisions: 01 General Requirements, 03 Concrete, 04 Masonry, 05 Metals, 06 Wood, Plastics and Composites, 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection, 08 Openings, 09 Finishes. (CSI MasterFormat)
- Building services: 21 Fire Suppression, 22 Plumbing, 23 HVAC, 26 Electrical. Site work: 31 Earthwork, 32 Exterior Improvements, 33 Utilities. (CSI MasterFormat)
- Each spec section has three parts: Part 1 General, Part 2 Products, Part 3 Execution. (CSI SectionFormat)
- Shop drawings, product data and samples are not Contract Documents. They show how the contractor proposes to meet the design. (A201-2017 §3.12.4)
- At a scale of 1/4 inch = 1 foot, each inch on the drawing equals 4 feet (1:48).
- A plan is a horizontal view, an elevation shows a vertical face, and a section is a vertical cut through the building.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Old 16-division numbers (like Division 15 Mechanical) show up as wrong answers. Current plumbing is 22 and HVAC is 23.
Test yourself on these topics
Take the free 15-question Florida Contract Admin test, then save your results to unlock your Readiness Score and the mistakes bank.
4. Takeoff and Estimating
Estimating questions are math problems: area, volume, unit counts, conversions and markups. They take the most time on the exam. Most errors come from unit conversions, not hard math.
Key facts
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards.
- 1 square yard = 9 square feet. 1 roofing square = 100 square feet. 1 acre = 43,560 square feet.
Flashcards
Exam tip: Check that your answer is in the unit the question asks for. Choices often include the cubic feet result next to the cubic yard result.
5. Concrete, Masonry and Rebar
This topic covers basic structural materials: concrete strength and testing, reinforcing bars and cover, and mortar types. Questions are mostly fact recall from ACI 318 and ASTM standards. Know the key numbers.
Key facts
- Specified compressive strength (f'c) is based on 28-day tests unless the documents specify another age. (ACI 318)
- A strength test is the average of at least two 6 x 12 inch or three 4 x 8 inch cylinders. Test at least once a day, once per 150 cubic yards and once per 5,000 square feet of slab or wall. (ACI 318-19 §26.12)
Flashcards
Exam tip: One low cylinder test does not automatically fail the concrete. Check both ACI rules: the three-test average and the 500 psi single-test limit.
6. Changes and Claims
This topic covers how the scope, price and time of a contract are changed under A201, and how claims are made and resolved. Expect questions on which change tool to use and on notice deadlines. Missing a deadline can waive a claim.
Key facts
- A Change Order is signed by owner, contractor and architect and states agreement on the change, Contract Sum and Contract Time. (A201-2017 §7.2.1)
- A Construction Change Directive is signed by owner and architect and directs a change before price or time is agreed. (A201-2017 §7.3.1)
Flashcards
Exam tip: Agreed price and time means Change Order; no agreement yet means CCD; no cost or time change means a minor change by the architect.
7. Payment and Completion
This topic covers progress payments, retainage, substantial completion and final payment. Expect G702-style math and questions on payment timelines and waivers. Florida lien and retainage law can also appear.
Key facts
- The contractor submits an Application for Payment at least 10 days before the payment date. The architect certifies or gives reasons for withholding within 7 days. (A201-2017 §9.3.1 and §9.4.1)
- If payment is not certified or made on time, the contractor may stop work after 7 additional days' written notice. (A201-2017 §9.7)
Flashcards
Exam tip: In G702 math, subtract retainage from the full work completed to date before subtracting previous payments, never the other way around.
How to pass
- You get about 4.5 minutes per question. Estimating problems are where that time goes.
- Learn what each AIA document is by number. Many questions just ask which form to use.
- Do takeoff math twice. Unit conversions (sq ft to sq yd, cu ft to cu yd) are the classic trap.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I study for the Florida Contract Admin exam?
Most working candidates need 4 to 8 weeks at 45 to 60 minutes a day. Book your exam once your Readiness Score has stayed at 80 or higher for about a week.
Is the Florida Contract Admin exam open book?
Open book (approved reference list). Check the current candidate information bulletin from Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) for the approved reference list and tabbing rules.
What score do I need to pass the Florida Contract Admin exam?
70% (42 of 60 correct). The exam has 60 multiple-choice questions and a time limit of 4.5 hours.
What are the most tested topics?
The outline covers aia agreements and a201, aia g-series forms, plans, specs and masterformat, takeoff and estimating, concrete, masonry and rebar, changes and claims, payment and completion. Use the free practice test to see which ones you need most.
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Summarized from official candidate information and the statutes, codes and regulations cited, checked October 2026. Confirm current requirements with Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB).