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Georgia Contractor License Exam Prep
Georgia contractors are licensed by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential & General Contractors. Most classifications sit a trade paper plus Law & Business. Need only the business paper? It is sold standalone. If you buy a Georgia classification that sits that exam, that paper is 75% off where we offer it.
Confirm question count, time, open-book rules, and passing score on the live board bulletin before you sit. We do not publish a single Q-count for every classification on this page, and we do not guarantee a passing result.
Preparing for the Georgia contractor license exam? Contractor Pathway provides original, exam-focused study guides and four full-length practice exams for Georgia’s General Contractor, Residential, and Business & Law credentials — matched to the blueprint used by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SLBRGC). Choose your classification below to start studying today.
How Georgia contractor licensing works
Georgia general and residential contractors are licensed by the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SLBRGC), housed under the Georgia Secretary of State. A contractor license is generally required for projects exceeding $2,500. Candidates sit for a trade/classification exam plus business and law content; exams are delivered by PSI at approved testing centers. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam details on the SLBRGC website before applying.
Georgia classifications we cover
- General Contractor (GC) — the broad commercial/general building classification.
- General Contractor – Limited Tier (GCLT) — the monetary-limited general tier (shares the GC exam).
- Residential-Light Commercial (RLC) and Residential Basic — residential-focused classifications.
- Business & Law — the business/law content required across classifications.
- Each course includes a topic-by-topic study guide and four full-length practice exams with detailed answer explanations.
How to get licensed in Georgia
Georgia licenses through the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors, under the Secretary of State. The residential and commercial divisions have separate qualifications; the figures below are taken from the Board’s rules at Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 553-3.
- Residential-Basic: two years of proven experience. The rule requires “at least two years of proven experience working as or in the employment of a residential contractor.”
- Residential-Light Commercial: three routes. Qualify with a relevant degree plus one year of experience, four years of combined education and experience, or four years of construction industry experience.
- Carry the right liability limit. Georgia sets the insurance floor by tier: $300,000 general liability for Residential-Basic and $500,000 for Residential-Light Commercial, plus workers’ compensation cover. You must also demonstrate financial responsibility.
- Pass the division’s examination. Every qualified applicant must sit and pass an examination prepared by the residential contractor division, unless exempt under O.C.G.A. § 43-41-8 or continuously licensed as a qualifying agent.
- Mind the retake rule. Fail and you may retake within one year — but a third attempt requires waiting a full calendar year. Georgia is stricter here than most states, which makes first-time preparation worth more.
- Renew on the two-year cycle. Residential licences renew every two years with continuing education; commercial general contractors are not subject to the same continuing-education requirement. Confirm current hours and fees with the Board.
Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 553-3, Qualifications for Licensure — Residential Contractor Division. Net-worth and fee figures are set elsewhere in the Board’s rules and are not reproduced here; confirm them with the Board. Contractor Pathway is an independent exam-preparation provider and is not affiliated with the Board or the Secretary of State.
How to pass
- Pick your classification and study the topic-area guide built to the SLBRGC blueprint.
- Drill the trade and business/law content, focusing on code, safety, contracts, and lien law.
- Take all four timed practice exams and review every explanation until you score consistently above passing.
- Confirm your exam date and application steps with the SLBRGC, then schedule with PSI.
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Georgia contractor exam — FAQ
Who licenses contractors in Georgia?
The State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors (SLBRGC), under the Georgia Secretary of State. A license is generally required for construction projects exceeding $2,500.
What exams does Georgia require?
Two PSI exams, each requiring 70% to pass: a Business and Law exam (60 questions, 180 minutes) and either the General Contractor Trade exam or the NASCLA Commercial General Building exam (115 questions, 330 minutes – you need 81 of the 115 correct).
Can I use the NASCLA exam in Georgia?
Yes – SLBRGC accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination in lieu of the state trade exam, though you must still pass the Business and Law portion. Each passed part is valid for two years, and the fee is $110 per part.
What contractor classifications does Georgia offer?
Residential-Basic, Residential-Light Commercial, General Contractor, and General Contractor Limited Tier. Choose the classification that matches the scope and value of the work you perform.
How long should I study for the Georgia exam?
Most candidates do well on a 30-, 60-, or 90-day plan depending on experience, which is why we offer access at all three terms ($99 / $129 / $169). Each guide includes a day-by-day study plan.