Reference books
Florida Contractors Manual: The 2025 Edition Explained
The Contractors Manual is the book you'll open more than any other on the Florida contractor exam, and the edition matters. DBPR's 2026 reference lists switched to the 2025 edition, first for Business & Finance and then for Contract Administration and Project Management. Here's which exams use it, what DBPR's rules allow in the testing room, and how to set it up so you can find answers fast.
Florida Contractors Manual 2025 at a glance
| Name on DBPR's reference lists | Contractors Manual, 2025 (reference R50) |
|---|---|
| Publisher (as listed by DBPR) | Association of Builders and Contractors Institute, Inc., 3730 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek, FL 33066 · 866-930-4222 |
| Includes | The 2025 Circular E (IRS Publication 15, the Employer's Tax Guide), as described on DBPR's 2026 reference lists |
| Used on Business & Finance | Since February 1, 2026 |
| Used on general, building and residential Contract Administration and Project Management | Since July 1, 2026 |
| Allowed in the testing room as | An original, bound book (no photocopies or PDF copies) |
| In our set? | Yes, it's one of the five books in our $499 Business & Finance set |
Which Florida exams use the 2025 Contractors Manual
Business & Finance: since February 1, 2026
Every construction license category uses the same Business & Finance exam: 120 questions in 6.5 hours. The Contractors Manual is one of its six references. DBPR's 2026 list names the 2021 edition, then says that from February 1, 2026 the 2025 edition is used for the exam.
General, building and residential CA and PM: since July 1, 2026
Contract Administration and Project Management share one reference list for general, building and residential contractors. The Contractors Manual is on that list too, and the 2025 edition has been used for those exams since July 1, 2026. On the same date, the BCSI truss guide moved to its 2025 edition.
Trade exams
The Contractors Manual also appears on reference lists for other construction trades. For example, DBPR's 2026 Marine Specialty list names the 2025 edition. Check the list for your exact trade on DBPR's reference-list page before you buy.
2025 vs 2021: which Florida Contractors Manual edition to use
If you're taking Business & Finance or the general, building or residential Contract Administration and Project Management exams now, the exam's answers are based on the 2025 edition. DBPR does let you bring an earlier or later edition, but "at your own risk," in the list's own words. If a section moved or changed, an older copy slows you down or points you to the wrong answer.
DBPR's 2025 reference lists named the 2021 edition (with the 2020 Circular E). The 2026 lists name the 2021 edition (with the 2025 Circular E) until each switch date, then the 2025 edition.
What about a 2024 or 2017 edition?
Neither appears on DBPR's 2025 or 2026 reference lists, which name only the 2021 and 2025 editions. If a listing online says "2024 Florida Contractors Manual," check the edition year printed on the book itself.
What's inside the Contractors Manual
It's the main business reference for the exam: the book you reach for on business, legal and payroll questions. DBPR describes the 2025 edition as including the 2025 Circular E, the IRS Employer's Tax Guide, which covers payroll tax withholding.
Test-center rules for the Contractors Manual
- Bring the original. DBPR allows only original editions, except for references marked PDF-OK, and the Contractors Manual isn't one of them. No photocopies, no printed PDF.
- It must stay bound. Don't take the binding apart.
- Highlight all you want. Underlining and highlighting in pen or highlighter are allowed.
- No notes. Handwritten and typewritten notes aren't allowed. If you buy a used copy, you have to black out or remove the previous owner's notes.
- No moveable tabs. Post-it Flags and similar moveable tabs aren't allowed.
- One copy. Only one copy of each reference is allowed. You can't mark the book during the exam.
How to tab and highlight the Contractors Manual
Tab by what you'll look up, not by chapter. When a question asks for a lien deadline, you want to land on the right page in seconds, not scan a chapter. Set up your tabs and colors before exam day, then practice finding answers against the clock.
The tab & highlight guide shows exactly where to mark the Contractors Manual and the Builder's Guide to Accounting. For the method, read how to tab and highlight your reference books. Then time yourself on the free Florida general contractor practice test.
Where to get the 2025 Contractors Manual
The 2025 Contractors Manual is one of the five books in our $499 Business & Finance set, along with the Builder's Guide to Accounting and AIA documents A201, A401 and A701. Order once and I ship the correct editions from stock. The details and terms are on the Florida contractor license books page.
Buying it somewhere else, or used? Check that the edition year printed on the book is 2025 and that there are no handwritten notes inside.
Florida Contractors Manual FAQ
Is the Florida Contractors Manual the same as the "Contractors Manual" on DBPR's list?
Yes. DBPR lists it as "Contractors Manual" (reference R50), published by the Association of Builders and Contractors Institute, Inc. in Coconut Creek, Florida. Most candidates and booksellers call it the Florida Contractors Manual.
Which edition of the Florida Contractors Manual do I need?
The 2025 edition. It has been used for Business & Finance since February 1, 2026, and for the general, building and residential Contract Administration and Project Management exams since July 1, 2026.
Can I still use the 2021 edition?
DBPR allows earlier or later editions in the testing room, but at your own risk. The exam's answers are based on the edition on the reference list, which is now 2025.
Is there a 2024 Florida Contractors Manual?
Not on DBPR's lists. The 2025 and 2026 reference lists name only the 2021 and 2025 editions.
Can I bring a PDF or photocopy of the Contractors Manual?
No. DBPR allows only original editions, except for references it marks as PDF-OK. The Contractors Manual isn't one of them.
Does the Florida Contractors Manual include Circular E?
Yes. DBPR describes the 2025 edition as including the 2025 Circular E, which is IRS Publication 15, the Employer's Tax Guide.
Can I highlight and tab the Contractors Manual?
You can highlight and underline it. Moveable tabs such as Post-it Flags aren't allowed, and neither are handwritten or typewritten notes.
Where can I buy the Florida Contractors Manual 2025?
It's one of the five books in our $499 Business & Finance set on the Florida contractor license books page. DBPR's reference list also gives the publisher's contact details: Association of Builders and Contractors Institute, Inc., 3730 Coconut Creek Parkway, Coconut Creek, FL 33066, 866-930-4222.
Need the whole list? See every Florida contractor license book on DBPR's reference lists, or read what books you need for the Florida GC exam.
Stop guessing
Walk into that testing center knowing exactly what the day looks like.
Start with Business and Finance — the longest part of the exam — or take the free practice exam and see where you stand. Either way, you'll have done the real thing, on the clock, before it counts.