1 Exam Prep adds two veteran instructors to contractor education team

1 Exam Prep has expanded its contractor licensing education team with Jeff Shanley and Darien Hudson in Sunrise, Florida. The move is meant to strengthen exam prep across more than 2,000 annual classes covering 550-plus licenses in 33 states.

Why it matters: - 1 Exam Prep is trying to improve student pass rates by putting more field-tested instructors in front of contractor licensing candidates. - The company already serves a wide national market, with more than 2,000 exam prep classes a year across 550-plus contractor licenses in 33 states. - Stronger instructor depth matters because contractor exams require knowledge of codes, reference books, and open-book test strategy, not just memorization.

What happened: - 1 Exam Prep added Jeff Shanley as Program Director of Contractor Education and Darien Hudson as Electrical Instructor. - The company announced the hires in Sunrise, Florida, on Aug. 5, 2026. - Andrew Gertz, Operations Manager at 1 Exam Prep, said students need instructors who understand the exam, the reference books, the codes, the exam environment and construction realities.

The details: - Shanley brings more than 45 years in construction, with experience in the trades, mechanical contracting, business ownership, project management, commercial construction, inspections, code compliance and organizational leadership. - Shanley also worked with the United States Department of State on U.S. embassies and international facilities, where precision, safety and regulatory compliance were essential. - In his new role, Shanley will teach classes, tutor students one on one, support exam preparation and provide real-world application training in Florida and across multiple states. - Shanley also mentors tradespeople moving into leadership, business ownership and management roles. - Hudson has more than a decade of experience in commercial and industrial construction, electrical systems, estimating, project management, field supervision and workforce education. - Hudson has taught electrical technology, apprenticeship, continuing education and licensing prep for students, apprentices, licensed contractors, master electricians and journeymen. - Hudson has held leadership roles in electrical preconstruction, estimating and field supervision, including work on major commercial and industrial pursuits and large-scale project estimates. - Hudson holds contractor, master electrician or qualifying-agent credentials in more than 20 states. - Hudson was named an EC&M 30 Under 30 All-Star and has spoken at national conferences. - At 1 Exam Prep, Hudson will help students use electrical reference books, interpret code requirements, prepare for licensing exams and connect technical knowledge to field work. - The company says its prep system can include live virtual and classroom training, online courses with simulated exams, highlighted and tabbed reference books, book navigation training, one-on-one tutoring, license application help, business formation services and book purchase or rental options. - 1 Exam Prep says it has helped more than 100,000 clients over more than 15 years prepare for more than 2,000 contractor and trade licenses across all 50 states. - The company’s services also include business setup support and personalized guidance throughout the licensing process.

Between the lines: - The hires suggest 1 Exam Prep is leaning harder into instructor-led, experience-based training as competition for test prep students grows. - The company is positioning practical construction experience as a differentiator versus generic videos or self-study materials. - That approach also reflects a broader market truth: open-book licensing exams still reward speed, familiarity and code navigation skills, not just subject knowledge.

What's next: - Shanley will support contractor education programming in Florida and other states. - Hudson will continue building the company’s electrical exam prep offering for students across multiple licensing paths. - 1 Exam Prep is directing prospective students to more information on its contractor licensing courses, live classes, instructors and exam-preparation programs.

The bottom line: - 1 Exam Prep is betting that seasoned instructors with real construction credentials can help more candidates pass licensing exams and move into licensed work faster.