If you’re thinking about becoming a general contractor, online education is a great way to get started. It helps you build up your knowledge, prep for your state licensing exam, and sharpen your skills to kick off a successful contracting career. I’ve reviewed a variety of contractor schools from across the country and narrowed it down to the six best general contractor schools online based on course format, student feedback, and where the programs are available.
- @HomePrep: Best for OSHA training and other certifications
- Contractor Training Center: Best for online courses with one-on-one support
- My Contractor’s License: Best for exam prep with a pass guarantee
- Builders License Training Institute: Best for interactive course formats
- Contractor School Online: Best for a la carte practice tests
- AGC The Construction Association: Best for industry insights and ongoing support
The Close’s Top Picks for Contractor License Schools Online
| Type of Software | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| @HomePrep: OSHA training and other certifications | |||
| Contractor Training Center: Online courses with one-on-one support | |||
| My Contractor’s License: Exam prep with a pass guarantee | |||
| Builders License Training Institute: Interactive course formats | |||
| Contractor School Online: A la carte practice tests | |||
| AGC The Construction Association: Industry insights and ongoing support | |||
| *Average pricing based on prelicensing and exam prep in all available states **AGC offers professional development courses only |
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@HomePrep: Best for OSHA Training & Other Certifications
Why I Chose @HomePrep
@HomePrep partners with Stautzenberger College to offer a solid range of online courses for general contractors, covering everything from prelicensing and exam prep to continuing education. I really like the school’s impressive selection of national and specialty courses, including construction, business, design, manufacturing, and even OSHA training. It also provides helpful perks like financing options, access to instructors, and live support. To improve the general contractor school online, @HomePrep should consider adding in-person classes or a mobile app.
Additional Features
- Refund/cancellation policy: Refunds are offered within 30 days, but only if less than 10% of the course has been accessed.
- Additional resources: In addition to various national courses, there is a fully stocked bookstore and application processing services.
Contractor Training Center: Best for Online Courses With One-on-One Support
Why I Chose Contractor Training Center
Contractor Training Center has a great lineup of online classes for general contractors, like exam prep, seminars, and practice tests. It even offers state-specific courses for specialties like electricians, mold remediation, and roofing. What’s really nice is that you choose how you want to learn—live webinars with an instructor, prerecorded videos, or even in-person classes. Plus, the school offers options like licensing consultations and one-on-one tutoring. The downside is that it is not available in more states.
Additional Features
- Refund/cancellation policy: For classroom and livestream courses, refunds are offered within 24 hours of purchase, or students can switch to a self-paced course; students are eligible for an online course refund within 14 days.
- Specialty courses: It offers prelicensing and exam prep courses for both residential and commercial contractors, as well as additional specialties.
My Contractor’s License: Best for Exam Prep With a Pass Guarantee
Why I Chose My Contractor’s License
My Contractor’s License has solid exam prep for both residential and commercial contractors, plus state-specific licenses like Alabama Home Builder or Florida NASCLA Commercial Builder. The best part? It offers a 110% pass guarantee—if you follow the course and still don’t pass on your first try, you get a 110% refund. My contractor’s license is available in 17 states, but it’d be great to see the school expand!
Additional Features
- Engaging course format: Courses include physical and audio components as well as study tools like digital study guides, practice quizzes, and online workshop classes.
- Additional resources: The Bookstore offers a wide variety of additional course topics, and many courses include coaching and support.
Builders License Training Institute: Best for Interactive Course Formats
Why I Chose Builders License Training Institute
Builders License Training Institute (BLTI) stands out by offering contractor licensing and CE courses in Spanish, which is pretty rare! The courses are packed with video and audio features, and the school even throws in extras like preprinted book tabs and free bonus videos, including “Social Media for Contractors.” It’s a great pick for anyone looking for engaging and easy-to-follow course options. Adding additional learning formats would be a great way to enhance learning options for students.
Additional Features
- Financial aid and scholarships: It offers discounts and scholarship options for military members and students.
- Private Tutoring Package: One-on-one tutoring and a full bookstore for extra support and study materials.
Contractor School Online: Best for A La Carte Practice Tests
Why I Chose Contractor School Online
Contractor School Online has you covered with everything you need to prep for your contractor exam—online practice tests, study guides, and course manuals—across 47 states. The school keeps it simple, offering exam prep courses for tons of state-specific licenses. In California alone, it has over 40 different courses, from fencing and masonry to roofing, landscaping, and fire protection. One thing that could improve would be to add interactive study groups and one-on-one coaching.
Additional Features
- Free construction glossary: It provides an easy-to-access glossary with topic-specific terms.
- Large topic variety: It provides over 2,000 online practice tests and manuals.
AGC The Construction Association: Best for Industry Insights & Ongoing Support
Why I Chose AGC The Construction Association
The Associated General Contractors (AGC) is all about supporting industry pros with insights, resources, and connections through its membership perks. AGC offers courses for building contractors, heavy construction, transportation, and utilities, plus live online classes with extra certifications. It’d be even better with wider availability and more budget-friendly pricing.
Additional Features
- Local chapters: It has local AGC chapters in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, plus over 150 student chapters at universities.
- Professional development: It offers courses in specific areas like law, environment, economics, risk management, safety and health, taxes, and workforce development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the requirements needed to become a general contractor?
It’s important to check the rules and regulations regarding general contractor licensing in your state and local area, as they may differ from place to place. For instance, in New York City, contractors must apply to the Department of Consumer Affairs and may also need to pass an examination.
How much does it cost to obtain a general contractor license?
Several factors, such as your profession and location, influence the cost of obtaining a general contractor license. The expense typically ranges from $0 to over $3,800, as different states and municipalities may impose varying fees. The pricing is also affected by the learning format and additional features.
Is it necessary to have a license to work as a general contractor?
Whether or not you require a license to work as a general contractor in your area depends entirely on the city and state where you are based. The process of verifying with your state licensing board and local licensing authority is straightforward, ensuring compliance with the regulations.
Methodology: How I Chose the Best Online Contractor License Schools
Our methodology at The Close ensures that our team of professionals, writers, and editors thoroughly analyzes each school. We meticulously evaluate online providers based on course formats, type of education offered, customer reviews, and customer support to determine our expert score.
We selected the best online contractor license schools to help aspiring contractors make confident, informed decisions about their education options. Our rigorous selection process ensures that our top picks make it easier for students to achieve their business goals.
The detailed criteria we used to determine the best general contractor schools online include the following:
- Learning Styles & Course Features (25%)
- General contractors must consider the best format for their learning, which includes self-paced, on-demand video, livestream, and in-person classes. Also, accessibility via multiple devices, like computers, tablets, and mobile devices, determines the convenience for users.
- Additional Features (25%)
- This criterion is based on the additional features each institution provides students to enhance their learning. These include career assistance, coaching and training, pass and refund guarantees, interactive study groups, and course extension options.
- Education Provided (20%)
- This comprises items that assist general contractors in completing their education, like types of courses offered, pass and refund guarantees, career and instructor support, coaching, training, interactive study groups, and course extensions.
- Help and Support (10%)
- If students need additional support, knowing the customer service options through phone, email, live chat, and ticket system is necessary.
- Customer Ratings (10%)
- This examines the reputation of each contractor licensing school through the lens of current and past students, reviewing the customer reviews and popularity of each provider.
- Expert Score (10%)
- The Close closely reviews each course for standout features, details, learning formats, and the education provided from an expert’s perspective.
Note: We did not take pricing into account in our evaluation since general contractor online courses vary widely by state and school.
Your Take
Signing up for a general contractor school online is a smart move if you’re aiming to get licensed. It lets you learn on your own schedule and gives you the tools and know-how to pass the licensing exam. Plus, the best schools go beyond the basics by offering continuing education and certifications to keep you current on industry trends and regulations.
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