Yes, you can sit for the exam prior to your application being reviewed by the Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board. However, if you lack the proper credtials, experience, credit, net worth, good moral character, your will not be approved and you will not get a license, just because you passed the exams.
I sat in on a Board Meeting where applicants who had passed the exam, where denied a license, because they didn't have enough 3-phase experience, didn't have the 6-years experience, or had a felony conviction.
My advice is, you better make sure you are qualified, before sitting for the examination, or your wasting your time.....
The State of Maryland does the same thing, exam first and then stand before the board.....