Professional Exam Prep Reviews
Pick your state, industry or license type. We’ll take you straight to the guide: requirements, exams, fees and renewal, from official sources.
Or browse Construction · Real Estate · Cosmetology
Licensing guides
Browse guides by industry
Every guide answers the same questions in the same place: whether you need a license, which exam to take, what it costs and how to keep it.
Construction & trades
Contractor, trade and code official licenses
General contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, roofing, code officials and the specialty trades.
Real estate
Home inspector licenses
Training hours, the national exam, insurance and renewal, state by state.
Cosmetology
Cosmetology and barber licenses
School hours, written and practical exams, reciprocity and renewal.
Not listed yet?
Tell us what you’re studying for
We use reader requests to decide which exams and states to cover next.
What we cover
Exams and licenses across nine fields
From contractor licenses to the bar exam, every field gets the same treatment: what the exam covers, what it costs and how to keep the credential current.
Construction & trades
General contractor, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and code inspector licenses
Real estate
Salesperson, broker, appraiser, home inspector and mortgage licenses
Finance & insurance
SIE, Series 7, 63 and 65, plus life, health and property insurance licenses
Engineering
FE and PE exams, land surveying and architecture
Accounting & tax
CPA, Enrolled Agent, CMA and bookkeeping certifications
Nursing & health
NCLEX, CNA, pharmacy technician and allied health exams
Legal
Bar exam, MPRE and paralegal certifications
Project management & IT
PMP, CAPM, CompTIA and other professional certifications
Admissions tests
SAT, ACT, TEAS, MCAT, LSAT and GRE
How we review
Five things we check in every exam prep course
We judge every course on the same five criteria, so comparisons are fair from one exam to the next.
Content
Does the course cover everything on the exam, accurately and up to date, in a way that’s easy to follow?
Delivery
Is it well structured and easy to navigate, at a sensible pace, with quizzes, practice exams and other interactive tools?
Value
Is the price fair for what you get? We look for hidden fees, retake costs and what’s included at each tier.
Support
Can you reach an instructor, tutor or support team when you’re stuck, and how quickly do they answer?
Reputation
What do past students say, and how does the provider handle refunds, guarantees and complaints?
Why trust us
Built on official sources, not guesswork
Official sources
Every licensing fact traces back to the state board, statute or exam bulletin it came from, listed at the bottom of each guide.
Dated and rechecked
Each guide shows when it was last verified, and we recheck every page at least once a year, sooner when rules change.
Neutral comparisons
Providers are listed alphabetically until we’ve completed a review, and we tell you when we haven’t ranked them yet.
Latest
New from Exam Insiders
- New Hampshire Bloodborne Pathogens CE for Body Art LicensesNew Hampshire tattoo artists, piercers, and microbladers must complete a 3-hour disease transmission prevention and bloodborne pathogens CE course every two years. Here’s how renewal works and what happens if you miss the deadline.
- Illinois Cosmetology and Nail Tech Teacher CE RequirementsIllinois cosmetology teachers need 24 CE hours and nail tech teachers need 20 to renew. Here’s a clear breakdown of deadlines, approved subjects, and first-time renewal rules.
- Alabama Auctioneer CE: Hours, Topics and Renewal RulesAlabama auctioneers renew every year by September 30 and need six hours of board-approved CE every two years. Here’s what counts, who needs it and how to plan ahead.
- Washington Body Art BBP Training: Renewal GuideWashington body art licenses must be renewed every year, and annual bloodborne pathogens training is required to qualify. Here’s what to know about deadlines, penalties, and choosing a course.
- California Electrician Renewal: 32 Hours of CE ExplainedCalifornia electricians must complete 32 hours of continuing education and 2,000 work hours every three years to renew. Here’s how the timeline, fees and proof requirements work.
- How to Begin the 1C Building Inspector Plan Review License PathLearn how to start your path to a building inspector plan review license, from checking local requirements to understanding the 1C exam format, references and retake rules.
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Exam Insiders is an independent guide. We are not affiliated with any state licensing board or exam vendor.