How to get a Florida contractor license: certified vs. registered, eligibility, exams and renewal

In Florida you can't contract for construction work, or even offer or bid to, without the right state license. Section 489.115 of the Florida Statutes says no person may engage in the business of contracting without first being certified or registered in the proper classification. The Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), issues those licenses. This guide walks through the process for the most common classifications. Always check details against DBPR's current applications and the statute.

Step 1: Choose certified or registered

Florida has two kinds of contractor license, defined in section 489.105:

• Certified contractor. Holds a state certificate of competency and can contract in any jurisdiction in Florida without meeting that jurisdiction's own competency requirements. Certified license numbers start with "C," for example CGC (general), CBC (building) or CRC (residential).
• Registered contractor. Registers with the state based on a local competency license. A registered contractor can contract only in the jurisdictions where that local competency applies.

If you plan to work in more than one county, or to bid public work statewide, the certified route is usually worth the extra effort.

Step 2: Pick your classification

Chapter 489 covers general, building and residential contractors plus specialty trades, including:

• Roofing.
• Sheet metal.
• Air conditioning (Classes A, B and C).
• Mechanical.
• Plumbing.
• Commercial and residential pool/spa, and pool/spa servicing.
• Underground utility and excavation.
• Solar.
• Specialty structure contractors.

The general, building and residential licenses differ mainly in the size and type of building you may build. Pick the narrowest license that covers the work you actually do, since experience requirements go up with scope. (Electrical contractors are licensed under a separate board and part of the statutes, not the CILB.)

Step 3: Meet the eligibility requirements

Under section 489.111, an applicant for licensure by examination must be at least 18 and of good moral character. The applicant must also qualify through one of these paths:

• Degree path: A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college in engineering, architecture or building construction, plus one year of proven experience in the category.
• Experience path: At least four years of active experience as a skilled worker who can command a mechanic's rate in the trade, or as a foreman. At least one of those years must be as a foreman.
• Combination paths: College credits can substitute for part of the experience. Examples are one year as a foreman plus three years of college credit, or two years as a skilled worker, one as a foreman and one year of credit. Junior and community college courses count as accredited college-level courses.

The statute treats 2,000 person-hours as one year of full-time experience. Keep pay stubs, W-2s, project lists and signed experience verifications. Experience you can't document is hard to count.

There are also upgrade paths for current license holders. An active certified residential contractor can move up to certified building contractor after three years of proven experience, or to certified general contractor after four, once the applicant passes the matching exam. A certified building contractor can move up to certified general after four years.

The board can deny an application for lack of good moral character only if there is a substantial connection to the responsibilities of a contractor, and only on clear and convincing evidence.

Step 4: Pass the examination

DBPR's examination page says Professional Testing, Inc. registers candidates and develops and scores the CILB construction exams. Candidates for the trade knowledge, contract administration, project management, and business and finance exams apply directly with Professional Testing (407-264-0562). DBPR also lists construction exams among those offered in computer-based format through Pearson VUE, with scheduling available once an application is approved.

Study the reference list for your exam closely. Most construction exams are open book, and knowing where things are in the approved references is often the difference between passing and failing.

Step 5: Show financial responsibility and insurance

Section 489.115 adds two requirements before DBPR issues a certificate:

• Insurance affidavit. An affidavit showing public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts the board sets by rule. Separately, employers need workers' compensation coverage or an exemption under Chapter 440.
• Credit report and financial evidence. For the first certificate, a credit report from a nationally recognized credit agency and evidence of financial responsibility, credit and business reputation, for you or for the business organization you intend to qualify. The board defines "financial responsibility" by rule.

Step 6: Qualify your business

If you will contract through a company, the license holder acts as the company's qualifier, and the company has to be qualified with DBPR. Corporations and LLCs must also be registered with the Florida Department of State (Sunbiz). Government owners and FDOT both require an active Sunbiz registration before they will contract with you.

Step 7: Keep the license active

Licenses renew every two years. Section 489.115 requires at least 14 classroom hours of approved continuing education each biennium. Part of that must cover workers' compensation, business practices and workplace safety, plus wind mitigation for the license categories that need it. One hour must cover laws and rules. Check DBPR's construction "hot topics" page before each renewal for rule and requirement updates.

Recent laws change what licensees are expected to do. Since July 1, 2026, a licensed contractor who knowingly or willfully fails to pay subs and suppliers within 45 days of being paid can face discipline (see our SB 290 explainer). A building permit exemption for small single-family jobs does not remove licensing requirements (HB 803).

Checking a license

Owners and general contractors can verify any license on DBPR's license search. On this site, every company in Sub Finder and GC Finder shows its license class, number and status from DBPR's public licensee file.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For a specific application issue, talk with a construction lawyer.