The best Colorado contractor license exam prep for most people is a live class with the books included, and our Class C course in Lone Tree and Loveland is the one we recommend. We run it, so every provider below is listed only with what it publishes on its own site, checked October 30, 2026.
What the exam is and who requires it
Colorado has no statewide general contractor license, so each city sets its own rules. Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs and Boulder ask for an ICC exam. For residential work that is the National Standard Residential Building Contractor (Class C) exam, listed as G13 by some cities and F13 by others. Ask your building department which code it wants. Our Denver building department Q&A covers one city in detail.
The G13 has 80 multiple-choice questions, a four-hour limit and a 70% passing score. It is open book, given through Pearson VUE, and based on the 2018 International Residential Code.
How we ranked Colorado contractor license exam prep
- Live instruction from people who hold the license
- The right code books, included in the price
- Practice exams that match the real test
- Support when you get stuck
- Total cost
1. Contractors of Colorado
Our Colorado contractor license classes prepare you for the Class C (ICC G13) exam, live and local, with your books included. Licensed contractors who have passed these exams teach them over four Saturday mornings in Lone Tree and Loveland. You can attend in person or join the live stream, and every session is recorded.
- Small classes. We cap classes at 10 to 20 students, so you get your questions answered.
- The right books. The price includes the 2018 IRC and an exam-approved tab kit, so you do not show up with the wrong edition.
- Practice that matches the test. A class portal has mock exams and quizzes, and you can book office hours with your instructor whenever you need them.
- Payment plans. Pay 50% to hold your seat and the rest by week three, or use Klarna or Afterpay.
It costs more than the online options, at $2,499. That buys live teaching, books and instructor time. See dates on our contractor license exam prep classes page.
2. American Contractors Exam Services
A national provider with Colorado classes, offered as in-person seminars and live webinars. It says it has served more than 60,000 students and reports a 91% success rate, without explaining how it measures that. Seminar prices are not published. Call 800-955-7277 for dates and cost. Its code book bundles are sold separately.
3. Contractor Training Center
A national online school. Its G13 course is self-paced and comes with a practice exam simulator. Packages that include tabbed books run $449.97 to $599.97 on its G13 page. It claims a 90% first-time pass rate and offers extended access if you do not pass. It suits people who want the lowest cost and prefer to study alone. The course has no scheduled live classes.
4. Construction Exam Center, Englewood
A directory lists this Englewood company as a provider of study materials and practice exams for contractor licensing. We found no published prices or class details, so call before you plan around it.
5. Self-study with ICC materials
You can study the code books yourself and take ICC’s practice tests. It works if you read codes for a living and can hold yourself to a schedule. Buy the edition your exam uses.
Quick comparison
| Provider | Format | Price | Books included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contractors of Colorado | Live, in person or streamed | $2,499 | Yes, 2018 IRC and tab kit |
| American Contractors Exam Services | Seminar or live webinar | Call for price | Sold separately |
| Contractor Training Center | Online, self-paced | $449.97 to $599.97 with books | In some packages |
| Construction Exam Center | Study materials and practice exams | Not published | Ask |
How to choose
Pick a live class if you want a licensed instructor to answer questions and a set schedule that keeps you moving. Pick a self-paced course if cost matters most and you will keep yourself on track. Whichever you choose, confirm the exam code and code edition with your building department first. Many cities also want proof of experience before they issue the license, so ask about that early.
Have questions about the Class C course? Contact us and we will answer them directly.