How to Get a Florida Contractor License in Six Steps

To legally perform most construction work in Florida, you must obtain a contractor license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Contractor licensing is regulated by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB).

Whether you’re applying for a Florida general contractor license or another classification, the process involves selecting the proper license type, meeting experience requirements, passing examinations (if required), demonstrating financial responsibility, and completing the application process.

1. Choose Your Business Structure

Florida contractors may operate as:

• Sole proprietors
• Partnerships
• Corporations
• Limited liability companies (LLCs)
• Other legal entities

If you operate as a sole proprietor under your legal name, you do not need to register a business entity. However, if you use a fictitious name, it must be registered with the Florida Division of Corporations.

If operating as a corporation, LLC, partnership, or other entity, you must register the business before applying. The qualifying agent must hold the contractor license, and the business entity is authorized to contract once properly qualified.

2. Select the Correct Florida Contractor License Type

Florida offers two primary license types:

Certified Contractor License

Certified contractors:

• Pass state examinations
• Meet state experience requirements
• May work anywhere in Florida without additional local competency exams

Registered Contractor License

Registered contractors:

• Meet competency requirements at the local level
• Are limited to working within the jurisdictions where they are registered
• Must pass local competency exams rather than state exams

Florida Contractor License Classifications

Major statewide classifications include:

• General Contractor – No limitation on project type
• Building Contractor – Commercial and residential construction
• Residential Contractor – Residential structures up to three units
• Roofing Contractor
• Mechanical Contractor
• Plumbing Contractor
• Air Conditioning Contractor (Class A, B, or C)
• Sheet Metal Contractor
• Underground Utility & Excavation Contractor
• Pool/Spa Contractor

Some classifications are available only as certified licenses, such as:

• Solar Contractor
• Pollutant Storage Systems Contractor

Specialty contractor classifications are typically defined and regulated at the local level rather than through statewide certification. These licenses cover specific trades or phases of construction and vary by jurisdiction.

3. Meet Florida Contractor License Requirements

To qualify for a Florida contractor license, applicants must submit:

• Credit report
• Electronic fingerprints
• Proof of resolved bankruptcies, judgments, and liens
• Proof of general liability insurance
• Proof of workers’ compensation coverage (or exemption)

Experience Requirements (Certified Contractors)

Applicants for certified licenses must document one of the following:

• Four years of trade experience (including one year as foreman)
• A combination of education and experience totaling four years
• Construction-related four-year degree (counts as three years) plus one year of practical experience

Examination Requirements

Applicants seeking a certified contractor license must pass:

• Business & Finance Examination
• Applicable trade examination

Registered contractors must instead meet local competency exam requirements in the jurisdictions where they intend to operate.

Financial Responsibility Requirements

Florida does not require all contractors to post a standard $5,000 bond for licensure.

Instead, applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility.

• If an applicant’s FICO credit score is below 660, the board may require completion of a 14-hour Financial Responsibility and Stability Course or the posting of a surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit.
• In certain cases where financial responsibility standards are not met, the board may require a surety bond or an irrevocable letter of credit.

Additionally, counties and municipalities may require registered contractors to post a local contractor bond before permits can be issued. Bond amounts vary by jurisdiction and are typically payable to the local government entity requiring the bond.

If a bond is required, contractors usually pay only a small percentage of the total bond amount as a premium.

4. Pay License Fees

The total cost of getting a Florida contractor license depends on timing and license type.

Application Fees

Certified License Applicants:

• $145 (Sept 1 odd year – April 30 even year)
• $245 (May 1 even year – Aug 31 odd year)

Registered License Applicants:

• $205 (Sept 1 even year – April 30 odd year)
• $305 (May 1 odd year – Aug 31 even year)

Additional Costs May Include:

• Examination fees
• Fingerprinting fees
• Credit report fees
• Insurance premiums
• Financial responsibility course (if required)
• Local registration fees (for registered contractors)

5. Obtain a Florida Contractor License Bond (If Required)

Florida does not require every contractor to post a bond. However, the Construction Industry Licensing Board may require a contractor license bond if your FICO credit score is below 660 or if you do not otherwise meet financial responsibility standards.

For certified contractors, bond amounts are:

• $20,000 – Division I Contractors (General, Building, Residential)
• $10,000 – Division II Contractors (Mechanical, Plumbing, Roofing, etc.)

If the 14-hour course is completed, the bond amount required by the Board may be reduced by 50%.

Some counties and municipalities may also require registered contractors to post a local bond before permits can be issued.

Contractors do not pay the full bond amount upfront — only a small percentage as a premium.

To get a free quote on your Florida contractor license bond, simply complete our online surety bond application form, and we will shortly provide you with a rate on your bond. 

6. Submit Your Florida Contractor License Application

Applications must be mailed to:

Department of Business and Professional Regulation
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783

Applications may also be submitted through the DBPR online portal.

Applicants should allow processing time for review by the Construction Industry Licensing Board.

Florida County & City Contractor Registration Requirements

Even certified contractors must often register locally before pulling permits.

Hillsborough County

State-certified contractors must complete local registration. Additional documentation may be required, including proof of experience and supporting references, depending on current county regulations.

City of Miami

Contractors must register with the Building Department and provide:

• Driver’s license
• Business tax receipt
• State contractor license

City of Orlando

Contractors pulling permits must register with the Permitting Services Division and provide:

• Workers’ compensation documentation
• State certification
• Business tax receipt

Specialty contractors not licensed at the state level may be required to provide a local surety bond.

FAQs

Are there situations where a contractor license is not required in Florida?

Florida law provides limited exemptions where a contractor license is not required. One applies to property owners acting as their own builders. For example, if you own residential property intended for one or two households or agricultural property where you plan to construct a farm outbuilding, you may build such a structure yourself, or if one already exists, make improvements to it.

What is the penalty for contracting without a license in Florida?

Contracting without a license is a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense and may result in up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000, in addition to possible civil penalties and disciplinary action.

Are there substitutes for a contractor bond?

Florida contractors may submit an irrevocable letter of credit that matches the bond amount instead of a surety bond. However, a bond is often a better option because it requires a small premium rather than tying up the full bond amount in cash or credit as an irrevocable letter of credit does.