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
- How Drones Are Changing the Modern Construction SiteFrom faster surveys to safer inspections, drones are reshaping how construction sites are planned, managed and documented. Here’s how they’re being used and why a contractor’s license still matters.
- Oregon Electrologist Continuing Education: A Renewal GuideOregon electrologists must renew their license every year and complete eight hours of self-study. Here’s how the process works, what records to keep and how to choose a good course.
- West Virginia HVAC Contractor License: How to Get LicensedWest Virginia requires a technician license for all HVAC work and a contractor license for larger jobs. Here’s how the two differ and what each one takes to earn.
- Georgia Cosmetology and Barber CE: Renewal Requirements ExplainedGeorgia cosmetologists and barbers need five CE hours every two years to renew. Here’s who must comply, which topics count, and who qualifies for a waiver.
- Google Commits $50M to Expand Skilled Trades TrainingGoogle is investing $50 million through its AI Opportunity Fund to help 300,000 workers in more than 20 states access skilled trades training. Here’s where the money is going and what it means for aspiring tradespeople.
- How to Renew a Minnesota Cosmetology Instructor LicenseMinnesota cosmetology instructors renew every three years. Here’s what you need to know about the 45-hour CE requirement, renewal fees and what to do if your license has lapsed.
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Exam Insiders is an independent guide. We are not affiliated with any state licensing board or exam vendor.