How to book, pay for and reschedule a contractor exam with PSI, Prov or Pearson VUE, from the current candidate bulletins: approval rules, fees, ID and deadlines.
Many state contractor boards do not run their own test centers. They contract the exam out, and three of the names you will meet most are PSI, Prov and Pearson VUE. You book, pay and reschedule with the vendor, not the board, and each vendor has its own portal, deadlines and ID rules.
This guide covers the logistics of booking and sitting the exam, vendor by vendor, using the current candidate bulletins and vendor program pages. For the licensing rules themselves in every state, start with how to get a contractor license in each state.
At a glance Tennessee moved its contractor exams from PSI to Prov on July 1, 2026; each exam is $53, paid to Prov. Florida candidates register with Professional Testing, Inc. first, then book the computer exams with Pearson VUE. Georgia, California and Louisiana require board approval before PSI will let you book. Free change windows: 3 business days at Prov (Tennessee), 2 days at PSI (Georgia, California) and at Pearson VUE (Florida). PSI (Georgia, California) and Prov want one current government photo ID; Florida wants two signature IDs.
Which Testing Vendor Does Your State Use?
Your state board names its vendor on its exam page, and the vendor publishes a Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) for your program. The table covers the programs this guide sourced; for any other state, the board's exam page is the first stop.
| Program | Vendor | Approval before booking? |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee contractors | Prov | No, except CMC and CMC-A exams |
| Florida CILB (certified) | Professional Testing, then Pearson VUE | Register with Professional Testing |
| Georgia residential and general | PSI | Yes, board approval |
| California CSLB | PSI | Yes, CSLB Notice to Schedule |
| Louisiana LSLBC | PSI | Yes, LSLBC approval |
| Hawaii contractors | PSI | Yes, board approval letter |
| NASCLA accredited exam | PSI | Yes, NASCLA approval |
| ICC contractor/trades exams | Pearson VUE | Depends on the jurisdiction |
Program notes
- Tennessee: the Board for Licensing Contractors says Prov began administering its exams July 1, 2026, and PSI kept only appointments already on its books through September. See our Tennessee contractor license guide.
- Florida: the DBPR construction booklet says Professional Testing registers candidates and Pearson VUE schedules and delivers the computer exams. See our Florida contractor license guide.
- Georgia: the PSI Georgia bulletin says the board decides eligibility, then tells approved applicants how to contact PSI.
- California: the CSLB exam FAQ says CSLB mails a Notice to Schedule once your application is accepted for testing.
- Louisiana: the LSLBC scheduling page says PSI has run its trade exams since August 5, 2025, and candidates need LSLBC approval first.
- Hawaii: the PSI Hawaii contractor bulletin says you may not register until the board sends an approval letter.
- NASCLA: NASCLA approves the application, then PSI emails a candidate ID and a scheduling link.
- ICC: the ICC Kansas bulletin says all Code Council contractor exams run through Pearson VUE; the local jurisdiction issues the license.
Read the Candidate Information Bulletin First
The CIB is a free PDF, and it is the document to read before anything else. It names the vendor, the exam and its code, the number of questions, the time limit, the passing score, the references you may bring and the fee.
It also holds the rules that cost people money: the cancellation deadline, the ID you must show and the late arrival policy. Download the current edition before you book. Tennessee's Prov bulletin is dated August 18, 2026, and the ICC Kansas bulletin was republished August 20, 2026, so an older copy may be out of date.
Do You Need Approval Before You Can Schedule?
This is the step that catches people off guard. Some programs let you book right away; others lock the scheduler until someone approves you.
- Book first, apply after: in Tennessee, most candidates register with Prov, pass, then apply to the board. The two exceptions are the Full Mechanical (CMC) and Plumbing (CMC-A) exams, which need board pre-approval and a $50 request fee.
- Register with the exam contractor first: in Florida you file a registration with Professional Testing, Inc., and Pearson VUE will not book you until it receives authorization from DBPR's Bureau of Education and Testing. You apply to DBPR for the license after you pass.
- Board approval first: Georgia, California, Louisiana and Hawaii approve your application before PSI will book you. The NASCLA exam works the same way through NASCLA.
Our companion guide on whether you need board approval before the contractor exam covers more states.
How to Schedule With Prov
Prov's Tennessee Candidate Information Bulletin lays out the online steps:
- Open the Prov scheduler and choose Self Registration.
- Under "Select Certifying Body," pick Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, then the license you want.
- Enter your first and last name, Social Security number, address, email and phone.
- Pick a date, time and location, then Add to Cart. Prov holds the seat for 10 minutes while you pay.
- Pay online; Prov emails the invoice to the address you gave.
You can also book by phone at 866-720-7768. Prov is not allowed to decide which exam you need, and the fee is not refunded if you take the wrong one, so settle that with the board before you pay.
Testing from home: Prov offers Examroom, a remote proctored option on your own computer, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. You need Chrome or Edge, a webcam and microphone, an upload speed above 3 Mbps and the ProvLock Chrome extension. Run the Examroom system check before you book.
Test centers: Prov lists five Tennessee sites, in Chattanooga, Greenville, Memphis, Murfreesboro and Tullahoma, and you may test at any Prov center in the country.
How to Schedule With PSI
PSI books the Georgia, California, Louisiana, Hawaii and NASCLA programs through its candidate portal, PSI test takers, where each program has its own page. Georgia's bulletin describes the flow:
- Wait for your approval notice from the board (or NASCLA).
- Open your program on the PSI portal and choose Sign in / Create Account, then Create Account.
- Register with your legal first and last name exactly as it appears on your ID; PSI's Hawaii bulletin requires an exact match.
- Pay, enter your zip code, and pick a test site and an open date.
Online registration runs 24 hours a day. In Georgia, if a seat is open, you may book as late as one day before the exam, up to 7:00 p.m. Eastern. California candidates can also call PSI at 877-392-6422, and Georgia candidates at 855-744-0314.
How to Schedule With Pearson VUE
Florida certified contractors go through two companies. The steps, from the Professional Testing registration instructions and the booklet:
- Register online at Professional Testing and pay the registration fee.
- Watch for your authorization and candidate ID; Pearson VUE cannot book you until DBPR authorizes you.
- Schedule each computer exam online at Pearson VUE Florida construction or by phone at 888-204-6230, paying each exam fee to Pearson VUE.
Pearson VUE takes appointments up to one calendar day ahead, subject to seats. Rule 61G4-16.009 requires you to pass every part within four years of your first attempt, and the Professional Testing instructions allow unlimited attempts inside that window.
ICC contractor and trades exams use Pearson VUE's ICC program page. There are two tracks: one for exams that need pre-authorization, which asks for the ICC ID number on your Eligibility To Test Notice, and one that does not. You need the three-digit exam code before you register, and you can call 877-234-6082.
What the Exam Costs
Exam fees are set by each program and paid to the testing company or exam sponsor, separate from the board's license application fee. These are the amounts in the current bulletins and program pages.
| Exam | Paid to | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee, each exam or retake | Prov | $53 |
| Florida registration | Professional Testing | $135 |
| Florida Business and Finance | Pearson VUE | $80 |
| Florida Trade Knowledge | Pearson VUE | $80 |
| Florida Contract Administration | Pearson VUE | $40 |
| Florida Project Management | Pearson VUE | $40 |
| Georgia General Contractor (NASCLA) | PSI | $106 |
| Georgia Residential Basic or Light Commercial | PSI | $72 |
| Georgia Business and Law | PSI | $60 |
| NASCLA exam application | NASCLA | $65 |
| ICC Kansas contractor exams | Pearson VUE | $115 |
A Florida Division I candidate (general, building or residential) who registers all three parts at once pays $295 in all. You pay again for every retake, so read the fee line in your own bulletin before you book.
Rescheduling and Cancellation Deadlines
In each program below, you keep your fee only if you change the appointment in time. Miss the deadline or the appointment and you can lose the fee.
| Program | Free change deadline | If you miss it |
|---|---|---|
| Prov, Tennessee | 3 business days before | Fee forfeited |
| PSI, Georgia | 2 days before | Fee forfeited |
| PSI, California CSLB | 2 days before | Fee forfeited, new fee to rebook |
| Pearson VUE, Florida | 2 full calendar days before | Fees may be forfeited |
PSI counts calendar days: for a Monday exam, Georgia's bulletin says your notice must arrive by Saturday. A voicemail does not count; use the website or speak to a PSI representative.
Florida excuses a missed exam for your illness or an immediate family member's, a death in the immediate family, a disabling traffic accident, a court appearance or jury duty, or military duty, with written proof to Pearson VUE within four days after the exam date. Professional Testing makes the first registration change free and charges $20 for each change after that.
What to Bring on Exam Day
| Vendor | ID required |
|---|---|
| Prov, Tennessee | One current government photo ID |
| PSI, Georgia | One current government ID with photo and signature |
| PSI, California CSLB | One current government photo ID |
| Pearson VUE, Florida | Two signature IDs, one government issued |
Prov turns away expired IDs, temporary or paper licenses and birth certificates, and the name must match your registration. Florida does not accept student or employment IDs, and your name and address must match your application.
- Arrive early: Prov opens its doors at least 15 minutes before the session and turns away anyone who arrives after it starts. PSI Georgia and Florida both ask you to arrive 30 minutes early.
- Bring your references: the Tennessee, Florida, Georgia and ICC Kansas exams are open book. Prov allows highlighting and permanent tabs, but no handwritten notes, sticky notes or photocopies. Florida allows highlighting and permanently attached tabs, but removable tabs and sticky notes must come out.
- Calculator: Prov permits a simple four function calculator. Florida allows a silent, battery operated calculator with no alphabetic keypad.
Tennessee candidates who own study books from the PSI era may use Prov's alternate book list through January 1, 2027. After that date only the references Prov lists are allowed.
After You Pass: Turning the Exam Into a License
Passing is a milestone, not the finish line. Prov scores Tennessee exams on the spot against a 73 percent passing standard, sends the result to the board, and emails you a score report. You then file your license application; the board says exam results are typically valid for two years.
The clock matters elsewhere too. California gives you 18 months from the day your application is accepted to pass, and Georgia gives you one year from the approval letter. Florida gives you four years to pass every part. For the whole timeline, see how long it takes to get a contractor license, and if a board turns you down, read what to do if your application is denied.
Who Sits the Exam for a Company?
A company license rests on a person who passed the exams. The Tennessee board says the Qualifying Agent is the person designated to take the exams for the entity, must register with the exam provider, and may be an owner, a full time employee or an officer. Up to two people may take each exam for the company.
That is where many growing companies stall: the work is ready but nobody on staff has passed the exams yet. A qualifying agent qualifies the company, as a real W-2 employee with genuine responsibility for the work. Learn what a qualifying agent is, and when you need one in place now, hire a qualifying agent. If you already hold a license and want that role, see how to become a qualifying agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which testing vendor does my state use? Your state board's exam page names it, and the vendor's Candidate Information Bulletin confirms it. Tennessee now uses Prov, Florida uses Professional Testing with Pearson VUE, and Georgia, California and Louisiana use PSI.
Do I need approval before I can schedule? It depends on the program. Tennessee lets most candidates book with Prov right away, while Georgia, California, Louisiana, Hawaii and NASCLA approve you before PSI will book you. Florida candidates register with Professional Testing first.
Can I take the contractor exam online from home? Some programs allow it. Prov offers Tennessee candidates the Examroom remote option on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. with the ProvLock extension; Florida's booklet sends candidates to Pearson VUE test centers.
What ID do I need for the contractor exam? PSI in Georgia and California and Prov in Tennessee ask for one current, government issued photo ID whose name matches your registration. Florida asks for two signature IDs, one of them government issued.
How much does the contractor exam cost? It depends on the program: $53 per exam in Tennessee, $106 for Georgia's NASCLA general contractor exam at PSI, and $135 to register in Florida plus a Pearson VUE fee for each part. Your bulletin lists the current amount.
Can I reschedule my contractor exam? Yes, if you act before the deadline: 3 business days at Prov in Tennessee, 2 days at PSI in Georgia and California, and 2 full calendar days at Pearson VUE for Florida. Miss it and the fee is usually forfeited.
How soon can I retake a failed exam? Prov has no waiting period in Tennessee. The ICC requires a 10 day wait, and California requires 21 calendar days, inside its 18 month window.
Get Help With the Qualifier Side
If the exam or approval step is holding up your company's license, our team can walk through your state and trade with you. Call 615-219-2110 or start at hire a qualifying agent.
Sources
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors, Exam Information, retrieved 2026-09-29
- Prov, Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors Candidate Information Bulletin (TNCONT_CIB 2026.08.18), retrieved 2026-09-29
- Florida DBPR, Construction Candidate Information Booklet (effective July 2024), retrieved 2026-09-29
- Professional Testing, Florida Construction Examination Registration Instructions (revised 08/01/2024), retrieved 2026-09-29
- Professional Testing, Florida CILB Examinations, retrieved 2026-09-29
- Pearson VUE, Florida DBPR Construction, retrieved 2026-09-29
- Pearson VUE, ICC Contractor/Trades Exams, retrieved 2026-09-29
- ICC, State of Kansas Contractor/Trades Examination Bulletin (published August 20, 2026), retrieved 2026-09-29
- PSI, Georgia Residential and General Contractors Candidate Information Bulletin, retrieved 2026-09-29
- PSI, Hawaii Contractor Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin, retrieved 2026-09-29
- PSI, California CSLB Exam Page, retrieved 2026-09-29
- California CSLB, Examination FAQ, retrieved 2026-09-29
- Louisiana LSLBC, Test Registration and Scheduling, retrieved 2026-09-29
- NASCLA, Apply for NASCLA Exams, retrieved 2026-09-29
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.