At a glance
The Trade Knowledge exam is 50 questions, 2.5 hours, open book, 70% to pass, taken at a Pearson VUE testing center in Florida. It covers all 10 official DBPR content areas. It's one of two exams for the license — the other is Business & Finance.
The exam format
| Questions | 50 scored multiple-choice questions |
| Time limit | 2.5 hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Format | Open book — approved reference books allowed |
| Where | Pearson VUE testing center in Florida |
| Content areas | 10 official DBPR areas |
That's roughly three minutes per question. Open book helps, but only if you already know the material — see how hard the exam really is for why the clock, not the questions, is the usual problem.
What it covers
The 50 questions are spread across all ten DBPR content areas: fundamentals; design and engineering; plan reading and estimating; construction and installation; materials, tools and equipment; project management; building codes, permits and regulations; electrical systems integration; maintenance, repair and replacement; and trade safety. The heavier-weighted areas (construction/installation, design/engineering, codes) get more questions, but every area can appear, so you can't safely skip one.
How to register
Registration runs through Pearson VUE, the testing vendor DBPR uses. In broad strokes:
- Confirm you meet the experience and eligibility requirements for the license (see the licensing guide).
- Create a Pearson VUE account and select the Structural Aluminum or Screen Enclosure Trade Knowledge exam.
- Pick a Florida test center, date, and time, and pay the exam fee to book the seat.
- Keep your confirmation — you'll need it, plus valid ID, on the day.
Exact steps, eligibility, and current fees are set by the state and the testing vendor and change over time. Always confirm the latest details on the official DBPR and Pearson VUE sites before you book.
What it costs
There isn't one single price — budget for a few separate costs rather than one fee:
- The exam registration fee paid to Pearson VUE when you book the seat.
- The state application and license fees set by the DBPR (separate from the exam itself).
- Reference books for the open-book exam — these can add up.
- Exam prep — on this front FLPassPro is a flat, low one-time cost compared with classroom courses.
The exact state and vendor figures are set by the board and change over time, so confirm the current amounts on the DBPR site before you apply. Don't forget the second exam: the license also requires a Business & Finance exam, with its own fee.
What to bring on exam day
- Valid, current photo ID matching your registration name.
- Your approved reference books, within the testing center's rules (tabs/highlighting are often allowed; loose notes usually aren't).
- Arrive early — centers ask you to check in before your slot, and being rushed eats into your head start.
Confirm the current list of permitted reference materials and what's allowed in the room before you go; testing rules are set by DBPR/Pearson VUE and do change.
Practice in the real exam format
FLPassPro's timed simulation mirrors the 50-question, 2.5-hour exam, and the study guide and quiz cover all 10 content areas with full explanations. Start free.