6 Best Online Contractor License Schools
This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
Online contractor license schools help aspiring builders meet state-specific licensing requirements with on-demand courses. We reviewed general contractor schools available nationally and chose the top three; we also included the best schools in California, Florida, and Michigan to represent major regions. All schools were reviewed based on pricing, course format, reviews, and customer support.
- Builders License Training Institute: Best overall for professionals wanting contractor prelicensing, continuing education, and professional development courses
- @Home Prep: Recommended for contractors who want to build their career with additional certifications like OSHA training
- Contractor School Online: Ideal for aspiring contractors who want access to a la carte, subject-specific practice tests
- Contractor Training Center: Best for residential and commercial contractors who want individual tutoring or coaching
- The Construction Association: Excellent choice for contractors who want industry insights and continual support through a professional membership
- My Contractor’s License: Best fit for aspiring contractors who want a pass guarantee
School | Education Provided & Starting Price | Course Availability | Instructor Support | Customer Support |
---|---|---|---|---|
Prelicensing: $109 CE: $29 Exam Prep: $99 | All 50 states | ✔ | Phone, email, contact form, and live chat | |
Prelicensing: $149.99 CE: $79.99 | All 50 states | ✕ | Phone, email, and online form | |
Exam Prep: $114 | All 50 states | ✕ | Phone and email | |
Coaching: $979 Exam Prep: $249 | 27 states | ✔ | Phone and email | |
Membership Fee: $175 | All 50 states | ✔ | Phone and email | |
Exam Prep: $29 | 16 states | ✕ | Phone and email | |
Builders License Training Institute: Best Overall Contractor License School Online
What it is: Builders License Training Institute (BLTI) is an online contractor education platform that offers prelicensing, continuing education, and professional development courses in all 50 states.
Why it’s great: BLTI is the best choice for those who want a course provider that will provide education at every stage of your career.
Pros of BLTI | Cons of BLTI |
---|---|
Video, audio, and printable course material | Not all courses are available in every state |
Affordable courses | |
Large variety of course package options |
Builders License Training Institute Pricing
- Individual exam prep courses each cost $99
- Professional development classes range from $19 to $89
- Contractor License Course Packages range from $109 to $179
Builders License Training Institute Features
- Exam prep courses have a 98% pass rate
- Individual textbooks available for purchase
- Affordable prelicensing packages
- Mobile-friendly courses
- Access to instructor assistance
- Varying courses available in all 50 states
- Only school to offer financial aid and scholarship options
- Customer support is available by phone, email, contact form, and live chat
- Tech support available to current students
What Users Think About Builders License Training Institute
In general, BLTI students recommend the school to other aspiring professionals. In contrast, one user reported that they had trouble passing their exam and that BLTI didn’t allow them to retake the course; however, this problem was addressed by BLTI customer support.
Visit Builders License Training Institute
@Home Prep: Best for Additional Operational Certifications
What it is: @Home Prep is an online contractor licensing school offered through Stautzenberger College.
Why it’s great: @Home Prep offers prelicensing, continuing education, and certification courses for $79.99 to $199.99. It stands out because of its wealth of certification options. This school is the best choice if you are looking to advance your career with additional skills and certifications like OSHA training.
Pros of @Home Prep | Cons of @Home Prep |
---|---|
Competitive price guarantee | No courses in Washington, D.C. |
Visual and audio components | Not all courses and certifications available in every state |
Easy-to-navigate website |
@Home Prep Pricing
- General Building Contractor License Course ranges from $149.99 to $199.99
- Standard Law and Business Course costs $149.99
- Continuing education courses are offered for $79.99 (eight hours), $139.99 (16 hours), and $169.99 (32 hours)
- Offers a competitive price guarantee
- Course refund available if you don’t pass the exam on the first or second attempt
@Home Prep Features
- Wide range of continuing education courses and additional certifications
- Available in all 50 states
- Ability to retake courses you have taken in other states for a fee of $29.99 per course
- Mobile-friendly courses
- One year of course access
- Instant access to completion certificate
- Narrated and animated lectures
- Textbooks and additional resources available separately
- Certifications include basic electricity, OSHA training, blueprint reading, and project management
- Customer support is available by phone, email, and online form
- Tech support is available to students separately
What Users Think About @Home Prep
There are very few online reviews for @Home Prep, but they do have an impressive rating of 4.4 on Indeed. Students stated that their online courses are extremely useful and easy to follow. The only negative listed is that students wished they offered in-person courses.
Contractor School Online: Best for Subject-specific Practice Tests
What it is: Contractor School Online is an online course provider that offers national contractor licensing practice tests.
Why it’s great: Contractor School Online specializes in offering practice tests, so this is the best choice if you want to focus your prelicensing studies primarily on practice tests.
Pros of Contractor School Online | Cons of Contractor School Online |
---|---|
Largest selection of practice tests | Only three months of course access |
Free construction glossary | Least extensive customer support options |
No CE or professional development options |
Contractor School Online Pricing
- Practice tests range from $114 to $521
- Individual manuals can be purchase for as little as $80
Contractor School Online Features
- Courses and practice exams available in every state, including the District of Columbia
- Courses include books, CDs, and DVDs
- Three months of course access
- Over 2,000 online practice tests and manuals
- Free construction glossary
- Customer support available by phone and email
What Users Think About Contractor School Online
We were unable to find any reviews regarding the courses and practice tests available through Contractor School Online. However, the school’s website indicates the company has over 25 years of experience in the contractor education industry.
Visit Contractor School Online
Contractor Training Center: Best for One-on-One Support
What it is: Contractor Training Center is an online platform offering courses, tutoring, coaching, and consulting for current and aspiring general contractors.
Why it’s great: The Contractor Training Center offers the highest number of course format options. It is also the only school to offer coaching and consulting for current general contractors, and tutoring for those studying for the license exam.
Pros of Contractor Training Center | Cons of Contractor Training Center |
---|---|
Only school to offer one-on-one support | Personalized coaching and consulting can be expensive |
Largest variety of course format options
| Does not offer any in-person options |
90% pass rate |
Contractor Training Center Pricing
- National Prep Seminar starts at $249
- General Contractor Business Law Exam Prep Course starts at $249
- Individual consulting services range from $979 to $1,997
- No pass, no pay guarantee
Contractor Training Center Features
- Courses available in 27 states
- National exam prep course available
- One-on-one coaching or consulting for contractors available
- Courses available in-person, live streamed, and prerecorded
- Mobile-friendly courses
- Startup consultation services
- Assistance with submitting your license application
- Search engine optimization (SEO) services
- State-specific textbooks available for purchase
- Customer support available by phone and email
What Users Think About Contractor Training Center
Customers on Facebook, Shopper Approved, and Bird Eye all gave Contractor Training Center a 4.9 rating. Students say that the courses are clear, easy to use, and were necessary to pass the exam. They also stated that customer support is always willing to help.
Visit Contractor Training Center
The Construction Association: Best for Ongoing Industry Insights
What it is: The Construction Association is an association within the construction industry created to provide support to professionals in the industry with insights, tools, resources, and connections as part of ongoing membership.
Why it’s great: The Construction Association offers courses for building contractors, federal and heavy construction, transportation construction, and utility construction. There are a number of education programs to enhance your career path.
Pros of The Construction Association | Cons of The Construction Association |
---|---|
Continuing education and professional development courses | No prelicensing or exam prep courses |
Specific courses for different construction specialties | Professional development courses can be expensive |
Networking events that enhance your knowledge and skill |
The Construction Association Pricing
- AGC membership is $175 annually
- Courses range from $0 to $2,000, depending on the topic, location, and format
The Construction Association Features
- In-person events hosted at your local chapter
- Available in every state
- In-person and online courses available
- Frequently offers free educational seminars
- Courses in specific areas like law, environment, economics, risk management, safety and health, taxes, and workforce development
- Customer support available by phone and email
What Users Think About The Construction Association
Since The Construction Association is an association that includes courses, there aren’t any reviews online. However, the cost of membership is affordable and the extensive resources offered are often free.
Visit The Construction Association
My Contractor’s License: Best for Exam Pass Guarantee
What it is: My Contractor’s License is an online platform that specializes in exam prep for general contractors.
Why it’s great: Because My Contractor’s License has specialized in exam prep, they have extremely high pass rates and extensive package options.
Pros of My Contractor’s License | Cons of My Contractor’s License |
---|---|
110% pass guarantee | No continuing education or professional development |
Wide range of course options | Not available in every state |
99% pass rate |
My Contractor’s License Pricing
- General Contractor’s Unlimited Full Prep Course is $749
- Business Law Complete Study Pack Course is $199.95
- Business Law Prep Course is $99
- State-specific practice exam is $29
- 14-day satisfaction guarantee
- If you don’t pass the exam on your first try, you get a full refund plus 10%
My Contractor’s License Features
- Available in 16 states
- National NASCLA exam prep course
- 99% pass rate
- Offers a free demo before your purchase
- State-specific books and resources available separately
- Courses include physical and audio components
- Customer support available by phone and email
What Users Think About My Contractor’s License
There are no third-party reviews for My Contractor’s License. However, their website hosts over 60 5-star customer reviews. These students say that the practice exams are exactly like the actual exam, and that they prepared them fully for the exam. Since there is a 110% pass guarantee, there is virtually no risk to trying these courses.
How We Evaluated Contractor License School Online Options
General contractor schools online are an effective and convenient way to prepare for the licensing exam, meet continuing education requirements, and build your career with certifications and professional development. To help you choose the best courses, we evaluated online providers with a national or multistate presence.
The criteria we used to evaluate the best general contractor schools online include:
- Pricing
- Course format
- Course selection
- User reviews
- Customer support
- Geographic availability
Based on the criteria above, we identified Builders License Training Institute (BLTI) as the best nationwide contractor license school online. Not only does BLTI feature prelicensing and continuing education courses, it offers professional development classes. This makes it our best option overall and ideal for professionals who want a one-stop shop for their education needs.