Who needs a contractor license in Florida?
Threshold: Any contractor performing work with a total contract price of $2,500 or more, or any work requiring a building permit, must hold a valid Florida contractor license.
Florida requires licensure for nearly all compensated construction work above $2,500. Owner-builders may self-perform work on their own residence under a personal-appearance exemption, but cannot build for immediate resale. Unlicensed contractors cannot enforce contracts or recover payment in court. Penalties for unlicensed activity include fines, stop-work orders, and criminal charges.
| Code | License Type | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| CGC | Certified General Contractor | Unlimited authority to perform any construction work statewide — residential, commercial, and industrial of any size or complexity. Broadest Division I license. |
| CBC | Certified Building Contractor | Commercial buildings and residential buildings up to 3 stories, plus non-structural remodeling or repair of any size building. |
| CRC | Certified Residential Contractor | One-, two-, and three-family residences up to 2 habitable stories, plus accessory structures (garages, guest houses). Narrowest Division I scope. |
| EC | Certified Electrical Contractor | Installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems in any structure. Statewide practice authority. |
| CFC | Certified Plumbing Contractor | Plumbing systems, water supply, drainage, septic, pool piping, and irrigation. All structures. |
| CAC | Certified Air-Conditioning Contractor (Class A / Class B) | Class A: unlimited HVAC system sizes. Class B: systems up to 25 tons cooling / 500,000 BTU heating. |
| CC | Certified Roofing Contractor | Roof installation, repair, and replacement on any structure. Wind-mitigation CE required at renewal. |
| CPC | Certified Pool/Spa Contractor (Commercial or Residential) | Swimming pool and spa construction, repair, and servicing. Commercial and Residential sub-categories have different scope limits. |
Requirements for a Florida contractor license
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Experience | 4 years of verifiable field experience in the license category sought, with at least 1 year as a foreman or supervisor. Military service counts toward up to 3 years. A baccalaureate degree in a construction-related field can substitute for field experience (combined with 1 year supervisory minimum). Any accredited college credits may offset experience. |
| Exam | All applicants must pass the Business & Finance exam (open-book, ~120 questions, 6.5 hours, 70% passing score, Pearson VUE). Division I (CGC/CBC/CRC) applicants must also pass Contract Administration and Project Management exams. Division II specialty applicants pass a Trade Knowledge exam specific to their trade. All exams are open-book, computer-based, and available daily at Pearson VUE sites except Plumbing (paper/pencil in Kissimmee). |
| Bond | No surety bond required if FICO credit score is 660 or higher. Applicants with FICO below 660 must complete a DBPR-approved 14-hour Financial Responsibility course and post a surety bond: $20,000 for Division I (reducible to $10,000 with course) or $10,000 for Division II (reducible to $5,000 with course). Financially Responsible Officers (FROs) must carry a $100,000 bond payable to CILB. |
| Insurance | General and Building Contractors: $300,000 bodily injury / $50,000 property damage general liability minimum. All other categories: $100,000 bodily injury / $25,000 property damage. Workers' compensation required for all employees; sole proprietors with no employees may file an exemption. Subcontractor WC coverage must be verified before work begins. |
How to apply for a Florida contractor license
- Verify Eligibility and Gather Experience Documentation
Confirm you have 4 years of experience (1 year supervisory) in your license category. Download the category-specific experience forms from DBPR, complete them with employer sign-off, and collect supporting records (pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s). Military discharge papers count toward up to 3 years of field experience.
- Register for Required Examinations
Register with Professional Testing, Inc. at least 30 days before your desired exam date. Pay the $135 registration fee to Professional Testing. After approval (7–10 business days), schedule your computer-based exams directly through Pearson VUE (pearsonvue.com/fl/construction or 888-204-6230). Division I applicants need 3 exams; Division II specialty applicants need 2 exams.
- Pass All Required Exams
All exams are open-book and multiple-choice. Passing score is 70% for each portion. You have 4 years from your first attempt to pass all required portions; only failed portions need to be retaken. Bring approved reference materials — Florida Building Code, Chapter 489, and trade-specific references are commonly allowed. Division I: Business & Finance (6.5 hrs) + Contract Administration (4.5 hrs) + Project Management (4.5 hrs). Division II: Business & Finance + Trade Knowledge exam.
- Pull Credit Report and Meet Financial Requirements
Obtain a FICO-based personal credit report dated within 12 months of application. A score of 660 or higher satisfies the financial responsibility requirement. If below 660, complete the board-approved 14-hour Financial Responsibility and Stability course and arrange the required surety bond ($20,000 Division I / $10,000 Division II, reducible with course completion).
- Obtain Insurance and Fingerprinting
Purchase general liability insurance meeting DBPR minimums (name DBPR as certificate holder). Secure workers' compensation coverage or obtain a WC exemption if you're a sole proprietor with no employees. Submit fingerprints through an FDLE-approved Livescan provider for the required background check (typically $50–$90).
- Submit Application via MyFloridaLicense Portal
After passing all exams, submit the contractor license application through the MyFloridaLicense online portal. Upload experience forms, credit report, insurance certificates, and fingerprint authorization. Application fees vary by timing and category (typically $95–$350). Processing review takes approximately 4–6 weeks; the portal shows real-time status. DBPR customer service: 850-487-1395 (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm ET).
- Qualify Your Business and Maintain License
Once licensed, you must formally qualify any business entity through which you contract — each business pays a qualifying fee. Your license number must appear on all permits, bids, contracts, and advertising. Renew your Certified license every 2 years by August 31 of each even-numbered year, completing 14 hours of continuing education (including mandatory hours in Safety, Workers' Comp, Business Practices, Building Code, and Laws & Rules).
Cost of getting a Florida contractor license
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| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Registration (Professional Testing, Inc.) | $135 | One-time per registration submission; covers all exam portions in that registration |
| Exam Administration Fee (per exam portion, Pearson VUE) | $60–$100 | Paid to Pearson VUE at scheduling; applies per exam section |
| License Application Fee | $95–$350 | Varies by license category and application timing (peak season May–Aug odd years is higher) |
| Fingerprinting / FDLE Background Check | $50–$90 | Paid to FDLE-approved Livescan provider; service fees may apply |
| Credit Report | ~$30–$50 | FICO-based report dated within 12 months; must be obtained from a consumer reporting agency |
| Surety Bond (if FICO < 660) | $10,000–$20,000 bond face value | Annual premium typically 1–15% of bond amount depending on credit. Division I: $20,000 (or $10,000 with 14-hr course). Division II: $10,000 (or $5,000 with course). |
| 14-Hour Financial Responsibility Course (if FICO < 660) | $100–$300 | Approved provider course required for applicants with credit score below 660 |
| License Renewal Fee (biennial) | $150–$210 per license + $50 per business entity | Certified contractors renew by August 31 of each even-numbered year |
| Continuing Education (14 hours, biennial) | $50–$200 | Varies by provider and format (online, classroom, or correspondence) |
How long does it take to get a Florida contractor license?
| Phase | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Registration & Approval | 1–2 weeks | Submit to Professional Testing, Inc.; receive approval in 7–10 business days |
| Study & Pass Required Exams | 4–12 weeks | Computer-based exams available daily after approval. Allow retake time if needed; 4-year window to pass all portions |
| Gather Application Documents | 2–4 weeks | Experience forms from employers can be slow; allow time for employer response |
| Application Submission & DBPR Review | 4–6 weeks | Incomplete applications cause delays; monitor portal for status |
| Background Check (Fingerprinting / FDLE) | 2–5 business days | Typically fast but fingerprint quality issues can require resubmission |
| Final Approval & License Issuance | 1–2 weeks after approval | License becomes effective on issuance date; physical certificate mailed within 1–2 weeks |
| Total Estimated Timeline | 3–6 months | From first exam registration to active license. Faster with first-attempt exam passes and complete applications |
Florida contractor license exam
Florida Contractor Licensing Exams (DBPR/CILB)
Open-book, multiple-choice, computer-based (Pearson VUE) for most trades. Plumbing Trade Knowledge is paper-and-pencil in Kissimmee. Division I requires 3 exams (Business & Finance + Contract Administration + Project Management). Division II requires 2 exams (Business & Finance + Trade Knowledge). Available daily at Pearson VUE sites worldwide.
Passing score: 70% on each exam portion
Exam topics
- Business & Finance: Establishing the contracting business, contract administration & bidding (~26%), accounting & cash flow (~32%), HR management, government regulations & licensing law
- Contract Administration (Division I): Plans/specs interpretation, preconstruction & cost estimation (~28%), contract types and authorizations (~39%), permits and approvals (~20%), construction procedures
- Project Management (Division I): Construction means and methods, site safety, Florida Building Code compliance, scheduling and coordination
- Trade Knowledge (Division II, trade-specific): Materials, installation techniques, trade-specific building code, safety practices — topics vary by specialty (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, pool, etc.)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Certified and Registered Florida contractor license?
A Certified license allows you to work anywhere in Florida — no local approval needed. A Registered license was issued by a local jurisdiction and restricted you to that county or adjoining areas. As of July 1, 2025, House Bill 735 eliminated new Registered licenses; all contractors must now obtain a state Certified license through DBPR.
How long does it take to get a Florida contractor license?
Typically 3–6 months from first exam registration to active license. The biggest variables are how quickly you pass all exams and how fast former employers return experience verification forms. A complete, accurate application reviewed without issues usually takes 4–6 weeks.
What exams do I need to pass for a Florida General Contractor license (CGC)?
Three exams: (1) Business & Finance, (2) Contract Administration, and (3) Project Management. All are open-book, multiple-choice, administered at Pearson VUE. Passing score is 70% on each. You have 4 years to complete all three portions.
Do I need a bond to get a Florida contractor license?
Not automatically. A surety bond is only required if your FICO credit score is below 660. With a score of 660 or higher, you satisfy financial responsibility with just your credit report. If below 660, you'll need a bond ($20,000 for Division I, $10,000 for Division II) plus a 14-hour financial responsibility course.
Can I do small contractor jobs in Florida without a license?
Work totaling less than $2,500 that is casual, minor, and inconsequential in nature is exempt from state licensure. However, this exemption does not apply to any work requiring a building permit — if a permit is needed, a license is required regardless of cost.
What insurance does a Florida contractor need?
General and Building Contractors must carry at least $300,000 bodily injury / $50,000 property damage general liability. All other categories need $100,000 / $25,000. Workers' compensation is required for any employees. DBPR must be listed as a certificate holder on your GL policy.
How do I renew my Florida contractor license?
Certified contractor licenses renew every 2 years by August 31 of each even-numbered year. You must complete 14 hours of continuing education (with mandatory 1-hour modules in Workplace Safety, Workers' Compensation, Business Practices, Advanced Building Code, and Laws & Rules) and pay the renewal fee (approximately $150–$210 per license).
Sources
Facts on this page were verified against the following primary sources on May 8, 2026. Licensing laws, fees, and bond amounts change — always confirm with the official board before acting.
- Florida Statutes Chapter 489 — Contractor Licensing — Primary statutory authority. Sections 489.105 (definitions/classifications), 489.113 (exemptions), 489.119 (qualifying agents), 489.126 (prepayment protections), 489.128 (unenforceability for unlicensed work) (retrieved 2026-05-08)
- DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board — Official Portal — CILB main page; links to applications, forms, and category-specific information (retrieved 2026-05-08)
- DBPR CILB — Contractor Licensing FAQs — Official FAQ covering experience, exams, insurance, financial requirements, and renewal. Verified insurance minimums and FICO threshold. (retrieved 2026-05-08)
- DBPR — Construction Examination Information — Lists all 38+ exam categories, confirms open-book format, Pearson VUE administration, and registration process (retrieved 2026-05-08)
- DBPR — Experience Requirements for Construction Licenses — Official experience documentation forms and 4-year requirement confirmation (retrieved 2026-05-08)
- Pearson VUE — Florida Construction Exams — Exam scheduling, Kissimmee plumbing exam dates, 72-hour scheduling window confirmation (retrieved 2026-05-08)
- Florida Division of Workers' Compensation — Employer Coverage Requirements — Official WC requirements for Florida construction employers (retrieved 2026-05-08)