Most states run their contractor exams through PSI, Prov, or Pearson VUE. Here is exactly how to create an account, register, schedule your test, what ID to bring, the fees, and the rescheduling rules for each vendor.
Once you have met your state's experience requirements and (in many states) gotten approved to test, the next step is actually booking the exam. Most state contractor boards do not run their own testing centers, they contract it out to one of three national testing vendors: PSI, Prov, or Pearson VUE. Each one has its own website, account system, and scheduling rules, and getting tripped up on the logistics can cost you days or a forfeited exam fee.
This guide walks through exactly how to register and schedule your contractor exam with each vendor, what identification you need, the fees, and the rescheduling rules. Note up front: this is about the logistics of booking and sitting the exam, not about how to study for it.
First: which vendor does your state use?
Before you can schedule anything, find out which vendor your state board uses for your specific license and trade. Your state board's website lists it, and the board issues a Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) for your exam, a free PDF that tells you the vendor, the exam name and code, the number of questions, the time limit, the passing score, references allowed, and the fee. Download and read your CIB first; it is the single most useful document in this whole process.
A rough guide: many states use PSI for trade and business/law exams (Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and others), some use Prov, and others use Pearson VUE. A few states use more than one vendor depending on the license. Always confirm against your CIB rather than assuming.
Do you need approval before you can schedule?
This is the step that catches people off guard. In some states you can create an account and book your exam immediately. In others, you must be approved to test first, either by the state board or by the testing vendor, before the system will let you register. For example, Georgia requires pre-approval through PSI (you submit experience and education documentation to PSI) before you can schedule, and states like California and Florida require board approval prior to testing. We cover that approval step in detail in our companion guide on whether you need board approval before taking the contractor exam. Check that requirement before you try to book, or you will hit a wall.
Scheduling with PSI
PSI runs scheduling through its website (psiexams.com / the PSI test-takers portal). The process:
- Create an account. Choose "Sign in / Create Account," then "Create Account." Online registration is available 24 hours a day.
- Use your exact legal name. Register with your legal first and last name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID. A mismatch can get you turned away at the testing center.
- Enter your board-issued ID number if required. Some states issue a candidate or contractor ID number (for example an "...Con ID #") that the board provides and PSI asks for during registration.
- Pay and schedule. Once registered, you pay the exam fee and pick a date, time, and location (or an online-proctored slot where offered).
ID requirements: PSI requires two forms of identification, one of which must be a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport) bearing your signature. Both IDs must match the name you registered under.
Scheduling with Prov
Prov (provexam.com) works similarly. You create a candidate account, select your state and the exam you are approved or eligible to take, pay the fee, and choose a date and location. Prov offers both physical testing centers and, for many exams, online proctored testing you can take from home with a webcam and a compliant workspace. As with PSI, register under your exact legal name and bring the identification specified in your CIB.
Scheduling with Pearson VUE
Pearson VUE (pearsonvue.com) uses an account-based system as well. You create a web account, select your exam, pay, and schedule at a test center or via OnVUE online proctoring.
Pearson VUE's rescheduling rules are clearly defined:
- Test center exams: you can reschedule for free up to 48 hours before your appointment. Reschedule inside 48 hours and you are charged a flat fee (commonly $25).
- OnVUE (online proctored): you can reschedule for free anytime before the appointment start time.
- Cancellation: if you do not cancel at least the required number of days in advance, your registration becomes invalid and you forfeit your exam fee.
Rescheduling and cancellation, the general rule
Across all three vendors, the theme is the same: give notice early. A common policy is that you must cancel or reschedule at least two business days before your exam, or you lose the fee. Pearson VUE's test-center window is 48 hours. Always check the exact policy in your CIB or your booking confirmation, because the cutoff and any reschedule fee vary by vendor and state.
Fees
Exam fees are set by the testing vendor (and sometimes the state board) and vary widely by state and by exam, a trade exam and a business-and-law exam are usually billed separately, and you pay again to retake a part you fail. Because these amounts differ by jurisdiction and change over time, do not rely on a number you read on a third-party site: your Candidate Information Bulletin lists the current fee for your exact exam. Testing-vendor and board fees are subject to change, so always verify the current amount with PSI, Prov, or Pearson VUE before you book.
What to bring on exam day
- The two forms of ID specified in your CIB (one government photo ID), names matching your registration
- Your confirmation/registration details
- Any references the CIB says are allowed (many contractor trade exams are open-book to specific code books and references, the CIB lists exactly which editions you may bring)
- Arrive early; late arrivals are often treated as no-shows and forfeit the fee
After you pass: turning the exam into a license
Passing the exam is a milestone, not the finish line. Depending on your state, you either submit your full license application after passing (Tennessee, for example, has you test first, then apply) or you complete an application that was already approved before testing. Either way, the license ultimately attaches to a qualified, legally responsible person.
That is where many contractors get stuck. Maybe you have the field experience but the exam or approval step is in your way, or you are building a company and need a licensed, responsible party to hold the license now. That licensed person is called a qualifying agent, and with TLC it is a real, full-time W-2 role with genuine responsibility, never a license rented out on paper. Start with what a qualifying agent is, and if you need a qualifier to hold a license while you work through your own exam and approval, learn how to hire a qualifying agent or book a consultation. If you already hold a license, you can put it to work, see how to become a qualifying agent.
For the bigger picture on getting licensed, see our guide on how long it takes to get a contractor license and what to do if your application is denied.
Frequently asked questions
Which testing vendor does my state use? It depends on your state and license. Check your state board's website and your Candidate Information Bulletin, many states use PSI, some use Prov, and others use Pearson VUE; a few use more than one.
Can I just schedule the exam, or do I need approval first? It varies. Some states let you register and book immediately; others (like Georgia, California, and Florida) require approval to test before you can schedule. See our approval-to-test by state guide.
What ID do I need for the contractor exam? Typically two forms of identification, one of which must be a valid government-issued photo ID with your signature, with names matching your exam registration exactly. Your CIB lists the specifics.
How much does the contractor exam cost? Fees are set by the testing vendor and vary by state and exam (trade and business/law are usually separate). Your Candidate Information Bulletin lists the current fee; these amounts are subject to change, so verify with the vendor before booking.
Can I reschedule my contractor exam? Yes, but give notice early. Pearson VUE allows free test-center rescheduling up to 48 hours out (a fee applies inside that window); PSI and Prov commonly require about two business days' notice. Miss the cutoff and you usually forfeit the fee. Check your confirmation for the exact policy.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, licensing guidance, or an offer of services. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction. For specific compliance questions, contact The Licensing Company for a confidential consultation.