BEST stands for Board of Examiners for Standardized Testing. It is a program used by the City of Aspen/Pitkin County and many other jurisdictions in the Roaring Fork Valley and along the I-70 corridor to verify contractors’ and job supervisors’ level of Code knowledge. A BEST card is not the same as a contractor license.

•  All licensed general contractors must have a BEST card or ICC Certification. 
• Specialty contractors must have a BEST card specific to their trade. 
• In the City of Aspen and Pitkin County Job supervisors also are required to have a BEST card.
• The BEST card is attached to the test taker and not to the company. When a cardholder leaves a company, the card goes with him/her. 

Please note: A Business License is separate from a contractor license. 

ONLINE TESTING AVAILABLE

• The City of Aspen is offering BEST tests online, but first you must be registered in Salesforce
  
  • If you already have access to Salesforce, you do not need to register.
• All tests will be given on the 2015 ICC Codes.
• Passing grade is 70% or higher. 
• We will honor BEST cards from other jurisdictions with approval from the City Chief Building Official.

SCHEDULING THE TEST

• Login to your Salesforce account, and start an Application for a Certification on the portal
  • Find instructions HERE
• Once your application has been submitted, please allow 1 to 2 business days for Building staff to review it. Someone will contact you via email to pay the testing fees. 
• After fees have been paid, you will receive a link to the BEST test.
• Building staff will receive a notification when you complete the test and will score it.
• If you pass, a new BEST card will be mail to you within 2 to 3 business days. 
  • In the interim, you will receive a digital copy of your card.

Other jurisdictions provide testing and issue BEST cards. However, be aware that due to the current situation with COVID-19 testing may not be offered.

• Snowmass Village Building Department 970-923-5524 
• Carbondale Building Department 970-510-1210 
• Glenwood Springs Building Department 970-384-6411 
• Basalt Building Department 970-927-4702 
• Town of Silt Building Department 970-876-2353

Each jurisdiction offers testing at various times, so please call your preferred location to schedule a test. 

PREPARING FOR A TEST

The tests are open book and you are responsible for acquiring one for the test. The tests are a random selection of questions. The questions are either true/false or multiple choice.

Historic Preservation Testing: Study materials for an historic preservation certification can be found online. The test is based on this information and is open book. 

BEST Testing Fee Schedule

IMPORTANT:

• Permits will not be issued to unlicensed contractors!
• Your certification renewal is your responsibility! 
• After receiving a BEST card or state licenses, contractors are required to obtain a contractor license through the City of Aspen in order to work in the City or Pitkin County.