Homeowner (Owner-Occupier) Exams

Exams are offered in person at the Contractor Licensing counter. An appointment is not required to take a homeowner's exam. Exams are free of charge, open book and untimed. The exams are currently only available in English.

Exam hours

Exams are available Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and are not available on Fridays. All exams must be initiated no later than 2:30 p.m. and must be completed by 3:30 p.m.

Exams offered

• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Mechanical
• HVAC (heating, ventilation, or air conditioning)

A state license may substitute for electrical or plumbing exams.

Note: Exams are not required for general residential construction, including roofing, soffit/fascia, blown insulation, and exterior wall covering.

Taking the Exam

Only the owner-occupier or a legally authorized agent may take homeowner exams, obtain permits and perform the permitted work. An approved designate worker may assist the owner-occupier or legally authorized agent with homeowner exams.

The owner-occupier or legally authorized agent may act as a general contractor and is responsible for hiring licensed contractors to complete the permitted work when approved by the building official.

A photo ID is required for all exams. The name must match the property owner listed in the Denver Assessor database, the deed showing ownership or documentation verifying a legally authorized agent at the time of testing.

Copies of your deed may be obtained from the Search for Records webpage with Denver Clerk and Recorder for a small fee. No other forms of ownership will be accepted.

Test Rules

• Contact with individuals outside the testing area is not allowed during the exam, except for an approved designated worker. This includes any communication or electronic devices such as cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, radios, pagers, Bluetooth devices, earbuds, or any other device capable of sending, receiving or recording information.
• Taking or using notes is prohibited.
• If you need to leave the testing area for any reason, all test materials must be returned immediately.
• You may bring your own code books or instructional materials; however, they may be rejected if they contain notes or other prohibited content. Code books are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Anyone who does not pass an exam may retake it after a 30-minute waiting period.