Florida contractor license lookup

1. Who needs a license

Anyone who builds, repairs, remodels or demolishes buildings for pay must be certified or registered, unless exempt. The main exemption is casual, minor or inconsequential jobs under $2,500 total (labor and materials). (source: Florida Statutes 489.113 (opens in a new tab), source: Florida Statutes 489.105 (opens in a new tab), source: Florida Statutes 489.103 (opens in a new tab))

• The $2,500 exemption does not apply if the job is part of a bigger project, if a job is split up to get under the limit, or if the person advertises as a contractor. (source: Florida Statutes 489.103 (opens in a new tab))
• A local business tax receipt is not a contractor license. (source: Florida Statutes 489.127 (opens in a new tab))
• "Certified" contractors can work statewide. "Registered" contractors can work only in that city or county, plus nearby areas that accept it. (source: DBPR Construction Industry FAQs (opens in a new tab))

Penalties for unlicensed work

• Unlicensed contracting is a first-degree misdemeanor. It becomes a third-degree felony for a repeat offense, during a declared state of emergency, or for pollutant-storage work. (source: Florida Statutes 489.127 (opens in a new tab))
• DBPR can issue stop-work orders. (source: Florida Statutes 489.127 (opens in a new tab))
• An unlicensed contractor's contract cannot be enforced, and they lose lien and bond claims. (source: Florida Statutes 489.128 (opens in a new tab))

2. License classes

See all 22 Florida license classes

3. Fees, exam, bond and insurance

Fees

Fees are set by the board and can change. Check the official fee page before you pay.

Experience and steps

Experience: 4 years. 4 years of experience in the category, with at least 1 year as a supervisor. Up to 3 years can be replaced by military service or college credit. (source: DBPR Construction Industry FAQs (opens in a new tab))

• General and building applicants need experience in 4 of 6 structural areas. General contractors also need 1 year on buildings of 4 or more stories. (source: DBPR Construction Industry FAQs (opens in a new tab))

1. Check your experience You need 4 years in the category, including 1 year as a supervisor. (source: DBPR Construction Industry FAQs (opens in a new tab))
2. Pass the exams Pass the exam parts for your category. (source: DBPR answer: construction exams (opens in a new tab))
3. Get fingerprinted Submit fingerprints with your application. (source: CILB 5-A application (certified, individual) (opens in a new tab))
4. Show financial responsibility For an active license, send a credit report. A FICO score under 660 means a 14-hour financial responsibility course. (source: CILB 5-A application (certified, individual) (opens in a new tab))
5. Apply and pay Send the application and the initial certification fee to DBPR. (source: CILB 5-A application (certified, individual) (opens in a new tab))

Exam

An exam is required. (source: DBPR answer: construction exams (opens in a new tab))

• General, building and residential: Project Management, Contract Administration, and Business and Finance (source: DBPR answer: construction exams (opens in a new tab))
• Other trades: Trade Knowledge, and Business and Finance (source: DBPR answer: construction exams (opens in a new tab))

• A building-construction degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher means you only take the Business and Finance exam. (source: Florida Statutes 489.113 (opens in a new tab))

Bond

We're still verifying this, check the official board: CILB website (opens in a new tab).

Insurance

We're still verifying this, check the official board: CILB website (opens in a new tab).

Renewal

• Renew every 2 years. (source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board (opens in a new tab), source: Florida Statutes 489.115 (opens in a new tab))
• Continuing education: 14 hours. (source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board (opens in a new tab), source: Florida Statutes 489.115 (opens in a new tab))

Certified licenses expire 31 August of every even year. Registered licenses expire 31 August of every odd year. (source: DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board (opens in a new tab), source: Florida Statutes 489.115 (opens in a new tab))

• 14 hours of continuing education every 2 years, including workers' comp, business practices and safety. (source: Florida Statutes 489.115 (opens in a new tab))

4. How to look up a contractor

Check a license on the CILB website ↗ (official site, opens in a new tab)

How: Search by name, license number, city or county, or license type. "Certified" means statewide; "registered" means local only. (source: DBPR license search (opens in a new tab), source: DBPR Construction Industry FAQs (opens in a new tab))

You can search by: Name, License number, City or county, License type. (source: DBPR license search (opens in a new tab), source: DBPR Construction Industry FAQs (opens in a new tab))

Full checklist: how to check a contractor

5. Reciprocity (license transfer)

• Florida can certify someone licensed in another state if that state's criteria are substantially equivalent, or if there is a reciprocal agreement with the board. (source: Florida Statutes 489.115 (opens in a new tab))
• Apply while your other license is active, or within 2 years of it lapsing. (source: Florida Statutes 489.115 (opens in a new tab))
• Division I and roofing applicants also need a 2-hour Florida Building Code course. (source: Florida Statutes 489.115 (opens in a new tab))

Use the reciprocity checker

6. Red flags when hiring

• They show a local business tax receipt instead of a contractor license. (source: Florida Statutes 489.127 (opens in a new tab))
• They split one job into small jobs to stay under $2,500. (source: Florida Statutes 489.103 (opens in a new tab))
• A "registered" contractor working outside the area where they are registered. (source: DBPR Construction Industry FAQs (opens in a new tab))

7. How to complain

How to file a complaint

• File online with DBPR at www2.myfloridalicense.com/file-a-complaint. (source: DBPR: Take action (unlicensed activity) (opens in a new tab))
• Report unlicensed activity on the hotline 1-866-532-1440, online, or in the DBPR app. (source: DBPR: Take action (unlicensed activity) (opens in a new tab))
• The Construction Industries Recovery Fund pays up to $100,000 per Division I claim and $30,000 per Division II claim, for contracts signed on or after 1 July 2024. (source: Florida Statutes 489.143 (opens in a new tab))