Builders License Training Institute

What Builders License Training Institute does

Builders License Training Institute (BLTI), founded in 1999 and headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan, is an online education provider that delivers state-approved prelicensing courses, exam preparation, and continuing education (CE) for construction professionals across 20+ U.S. states. Its core offerings include state-specific prelicense exam prep, the NASCLA Accredited Commercial Contractor Exam Prep (a single exam valid in 15 jurisdictions), continuing education for license renewal, OSHA-authorized 10- and 30-hour construction safety training (available in English and Spanish), and a curated bookstore of NASCLA-approved reference materials. Content is delivered through the proprietary FUSION Learning Management System (LMS), which supports video, audio, and printable text formats accessible 24/7 on any device, and provides automated course-hours reporting to state licensing agencies in Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, and Wisconsin.

BLTI operates a hybrid go-to-market combining self-serve e-commerce (individual course purchases through licensetobuild.com), an inside sales team that helps customers select state-appropriate courses, and an enterprise field-sales motion via its Business Solutions program, which serves contracting companies with bulk training vouchers, volume discounts (3-15% based on quantity), dedicated account representatives, and a corporate training dashboard. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time course and book sales, with a smaller recurring stream from business-account subscriptions. Pricing is not publicly listed for individual courses; business accounts purchase bundled course access through training vouchers fulfilled via unique, single-redemption links.

Since 2021, BLTI has operated as a subsidiary of Certus, the overarching parent that also owns Certified Training Institute (the legal entity), Architects Training Institute, Plumbers Training Institute, and Real Estate Training Institute, enabling shared infrastructure and cross-portfolio distribution. Customer segments span individual licensed contractors and tradespeople (primary), contracting companies managing teams of licensed workers, and Spanish-speaking construction workers seeking bilingual coursework. Select-customer references and testimonials are predominantly from individual SMB contractors across multiple states, indicating a long-tail customer base with low concentration risk.

Name

Builders License Training Institute

Legal name

Certified Training Institute

Website

https://licensetobuild.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Builders License Training Institute (founded 1999) is an online education provider offering state-approved prelicensing, exam prep, and continuing education courses for construction professionals across 20+ U.S. states, including OSHA-authorized training in English and Spanish and a Business Solutions program for contracting companies. It operates as a subsidiary of Certus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Trade Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL), Working at Heights, Fall Protection & Scaffolding (EDABAEAH)

Keywords

• Construction licensing courses
• Contractor exam preparation
• Continuing education training
• OSHA safety training
• Prelicensing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Traverse City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Online Course Sales: Individual and bulk sales of prelicense exam prep and continuing education courses for construction professionals across multiple states.
2. Book Sales: Sales of NASCLA-approved exam prep books, reference materials, and code books for contractors. Books are shipped via Media Mail with 2-3 business day order processing.
3. Business Account Subscriptions: Bulk training packages for contracting companies with tiered discounts (3-15% based on quantity), dedicated support, and training management dashboard access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Builders License Training Institute provides state-approved online prelicense exam preparation, continuing education, and OSHA-authorized safety training for construction professionals across 20+ U.S. states. Courses are delivered via video, audio, and printable text formats on a proprietary learning management system accessible 24/7, with bulk business training solutions, bilingual English/Spanish offerings, and automated reporting to state licensing boards.

Product overview

Builders License Training Institute is an online education provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of construction industry training products. The core offerings include state-approved prelicensing and exam prep courses, NASCLA Accredited Commercial Contractor Exam Prep (valid in 15 states), and continuing education courses for license renewal. The company provides OSHA-authorized safety training (10-hour and 30-hour construction and general industry courses in English and Spanish), professional development courses covering business and technical topics, and a construction industry bookstore with reference materials. Business solutions include bulk training with volume discounts and agency reporting. The FUSION Learning Management System delivers video, audio, and printable text courses accessible on any device 24/7. Courses are available in English and Spanish across 20+ states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Prelicensing & Exam Prep Courses State-approved prelicense courses and comprehensive exam preparation for construction professionals seeking initial licensing across multiple states including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, and others.
• NASCLA Accredited Commercial Contractor Exam Prep One trade examination preparation program valid in 15 states (AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, NV, OR, SC, TN, UT, US Virgin Islands, VA, WV) enabling contractors to obtain a commercial license.
• Continuing Education Courses State-approved continuing education courses for license renewal covering building code updates, state law changes, and new safety regulations for contractors across multiple states.
• OSHA 10-Hour Construction Training for DOL Card OSHA-authorized 10-hour training program for construction workers covering standards in 29 CFR 1926, including fall hazards, electrical hazards, PPE, and tool safety. Leads to official DOL wallet card.
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Training for DOL Card OSHA-authorized 30-hour training program covering 19 lesson modules including OSHA introduction, fall hazards, electrical hazards, cranes, excavations, and scaffolding. Leads to official DOL wallet card.
• Curso OSHA 10-Horas para la Tarjeta DOL de Construcción (OSHA 10-Hour Spanish Construction) Spanish-language OSHA 10-hour construction safety training covering workplace hazards, OSHA regulations, employee rights, and personal protective equipment. Leads to official DOL wallet card.
• Curso OSHA 30-Horas para la Tarjeta DOL de Construcción (OSHA 30-Hour Spanish Construction) Spanish-language OSHA 30-hour construction training covering OSHA construction hazards, crane safety, steel structures, confined spaces, fire hazards, and PPE selection.
• Professional Development Courses Courses covering business topics for contractors including Overview of Building Trades, Construction Safety, Residential Project Management, Building Green, ADA Standards, Contracts and Risk Management, Marketing for Contractors, Advanced Construction Math, and Understanding Sexual Harassment Prevention.
• Business Training Solutions Bulk training solutions for contracting companies providing volume discounts (3-15% based on quantity), training dashboard, course vouchers, and direct reporting to licensing agencies.
• Construction Industry Bookstore Online bookstore offering NASCLA exam preparation books, state-specific code books, study guides, and reference materials for contractors across multiple states. Books are shipped via Media Mail with 2-3 business day order processing.
• Manufactured Housing Training Initial licensing and continuing education courses for manufactured housing professionals.
• In-Person Classroom Courses In-person residential and M&A courses offered in Michigan for prelicense and continuing education requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Course hours reported to state licensing agencies within 5 business days of completion
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Certified Training InstitutecoreOthersBuilders License Training Institute is a subsidiary of Certified Training Institute. CTI is the parent company providing online education for trade certifications, initial education for licensure, and continuing education for license/certification renewals.
• CertuscoreOthersIn 2021, Builders License Training Institute joined the Certus family of online education brands. Certus is the overarching parent organization for multiple training schools.
• State Licensing BoardscoreOthersCourses approved for credit through multiple state licensing and regulatory bodies including Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Georgia Professional Licensing Board, and 20+ other state agencies.
• NASCLAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies partnership providing accredited commercial contractor exam prep allowing work in 15+ states with one license.
• International Code Council (ICC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in ICC which provides code standards and certifications used in course curriculum.
• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership and affiliation with national home building association supporting the residential construction industry.
• Michigan Works!minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership allowing customers to use Michigan Works! approved Individual Training Accounts (ITA) to pay for classes. Customers can contact local Michigan Works! to determine qualification status.
• Michigan Rehabilitation ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliation with Michigan state agency providing rehabilitation services for individuals seeking career training.
• Home Builders Association of AlabamaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliation with state home builders association supporting Alabama contractors.
• USW/USS GLW Career Development CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliation with career development center providing training support.
• University of South FloridaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSHA Outreach Training Program online courses offered through partnership with University of South Florida for OSHA-authorized training.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Certified Training Institute: Parent legal entity of BLTI within the Certus portfolio, providing trade certification and initial licensure education across multiple trades. Operates the same FUSION LMS infrastructure and shares enterprise sales motion.
• Plumbers Training Institute: Sister brand under Certus offering state-approved prelicense and CE courses for plumbing trades professionals. Same operating model, LMS, and state approval footprint, serving a parallel skilled trade.
• ClickSafety: Online safety training provider offering OSHA 10/30, construction safety, and related EHS courses. Directly comparable in OSHA-authorized construction training offering and DOL card issuance.
• CareerSafe: OSHA Outreach Training Program provider focused on youth and entry-level construction workers, offering OSHA 10-hour courses. Direct overlap in OSHA-authorized construction safety training with DOL wallet card output.
• Architects Training Institute: Another Certus sister brand delivering state-approved continuing education for architects and design professionals. Shares platform, accreditation, and business model with BLTI, serving an adjacent design-build professional segment.
• Real Estate Training Institute: Certus sister brand focused on real estate licensing and continuing education. Same operational and accreditation pattern, illustrating the family-of-brands approach BLTI sits within.

Broad incumbents

• Vector Solutions (formerly RedVector): Large continuing education and workforce training platform serving architecture, engineering, construction, and industrial markets with state-approved CE and professional development courses. Broader portfolio but overlapping contractor CE offerings.
• 360training.com: Large online compliance and workforce training provider offering OSHA, construction, and trades-related courses alongside broader regulated-industry training (HR, environmental, real estate). A significantly larger incumbent competing in the same regulatory-driven online training category.
• J. J. Keller & Associates: Established compliance and safety services company offering OSHA training, DOT compliance, and EHS content alongside broader regulatory products. A much larger incumbent with overlapping construction safety and compliance training.

Emerging players

• PDH Star / AtHomePrep: Online provider of professional licensing and continuing education courses across construction, real estate, and adjacent trades. Smaller scale than 360training but directly competes for state-approved CE buyers in overlapping categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/builderslicensetraining
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/builders-license-training-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Builders License Training Institute