1 Exam Prep survey finds 83% of contractor students are getting licensed for the first time

A 1 Exam Prep survey of 2,016 students across 31 states found most are pursuing contractor licenses to launch or grow their own businesses. The results point to more first-time entrepreneurs entering the trades and a stronger link between exam prep and business formation.

Why it matters: - The survey suggests contractor licensing is becoming a launch point for new small businesses, not just a step toward employment. - 83.1% of respondents were seeking a contractor license for the first time. - 68.2% of all respondents were self-employed, either starting a new contracting business or adding a license to expand an existing one. - 64% enrolled in 1 Exam Prep’s combined Business + Trade licensing track, signaling demand for business-launch support alongside exam prep.

What happened: - 1 Exam Prep released findings from an ongoing survey of students who bought a licensing program and completed a one-on-one career coaching session. - The survey covers 2,016 students in 31 states and territories who were pursuing a new contractor license or an additional license. - The company said the data gives a clear view of who is entering the skilled trades and why among this part of its student base.

The details: - 1,676 respondents were seeking their first contractor license. - 311 respondents, or 15.4%, were already self-employed licensed contractors adding a new license to expand into other trades or business lines. - Among first-time applicants, 1,063 people, or 63.4%, were already doing work on their own without a license yet or below the licensing threshold. - Another 340 first-time applicants, or 20.3%, were working for another contractor while pursuing their own license. - A further 273 first-time applicants, or 16.3%, were getting licensed at their employer’s request. - Of the full group, 613 respondents, or 30.4%, currently worked for another contractor. - 340 employed respondents were pursuing their own license while still working for a contractor. - 273 employed respondents were getting licensed specifically at their employer’s request. - Nearly half of respondents, 45.0% or 908 people, were pursuing a general contractor or building license, including residential contractor credentials. - Trade-specific licenses included HVAC/mechanical at 12.2%, electrical at 11.4%, plumbing at 6.8%, roofing at 4.7%, underground utility or water and sewer at 3.7%, and pool and spa at 2.8%. - The remaining 13.4% were spread across other specialty trades including low-voltage, glass and glazing, irrigation and solar. - The survey was based on students who completed a live career coaching session between Jan. 1, 2026, and Aug. 25, 2026. - The survey is limited to students who purchased a licensing program, opted into career coaching, and were obtaining a new or additional contractor license. - The survey is ongoing, and 1 Exam Prep said it will keep publishing updated findings as the population grows. - The full results are available at the contractor exam prep report, and a downloadable PDF copy is also posted there.

Between the lines: - The mix of first-time license seekers and self-employed respondents points to a trades workforce that is increasingly entrepreneurial. - The strong enrollment in the Business + Trade track suggests many students want help with the legal and operational steps that come after passing an exam. - 1 Exam Prep has expanded its career coaching and onboarding to help students with licensing requirements, business formation, EINs, banking, bonds, insurance and state compliance. - Amanda Williams, director of relationship management at 1 Exam Prep, said many students are using licensing as a stepping stone to running their own business. - Williams also said the company is helping bridge the gap between trade skill and business ownership.

What's next: - 1 Exam Prep plans to keep updating the survey as more students complete coaching sessions. - The company continues to offer exam prep for more than 2,500 license types in all 50 states. - 1 Exam Prep says it will keep pairing licensing support with business-launch guidance for aspiring contractors.

The bottom line: - The survey frames contractor licensing as part of a broader shift toward self-employment in the trades, with business ownership now central to many students’ goals.