Florida general contractor license

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. General contractor license classes

Good to know for general contractor work in Florida

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

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))