Your Guide to Becoming a Licensed Contractor in Florida

Published on July 2, 2026 by Anna Coucke

A male construction worker stands next to a new home under construction.

There’s no better way to advance your construction career or grow your construction business than by getting a contractor license. Doing so opens the door to larger and permitted work projects that would otherwise be out of reach.

The state’s licensing process is handled in tandem by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Applicants must meet all requirements from both regulatory bodies before receiving a license.

This guide will teach you how to become a contractor in Florida. We’ll walk you through the various requirements and steps so you’ll know what to expect before you apply.

Choosing the Right License

In Florida, contractors are generally licensed as either certified or registered contractors. The right license for your situation depends on where you plan to work and the type of construction or trade work you want to perform.

Certified vs. Registered Contractors

A registered contractor is so named because applicants must register with DBPR after earning a local certificate of competency. Registered contractors can work only in the counties or municipal jurisdictions in which they register.

A certified contractor is also licensed through DBPR but may work statewide within the scope of their license.

Common Certified Contractor Licenses

Statewide certified licenses include:

A Certified General Contractor (CGC) may perform general contracting work statewide with an unlimited construction scope, subject to statutory limits and trade-specific rules.
A Certified Building Contractor (CBC) may construct commercial and residential buildings up to three stories in height and may perform certain non-structural remodeling, repair, or improvement work on buildings of any size.
A Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) may construct, remodel, repair, or improve one-, two-, or three-family residences of up to two habitable stories above no more than one uninhabitable story, plus related accessory structures.

The state also licenses other trade and specialty contractors, including plumbing, roofing, air conditioning, solar, underground utility, and other categories. Each classification comes with its own scope of work and licensing requirements.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet baseline eligibility requirements before any license can be issued.

Age: Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Identification: Applicants must provide DBPR-accepted documents to confirm their identity, including their Social Security number. U.S. citizenship is not required.
Background check: Applicants must submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. Fingerprints are typically submitted electronically through a service approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). This step is completed after the license application is filed.

Having a criminal record isn’t an automatic disqualification. The CILB reviews criminal history under the state good moral character standards and applicable criminal history review rules.

Applicants should fully disclose required criminal history information and provide supporting court documents when requested. Failure to disclose this information can delay the application or lead to denial.

Experience and Education Criteria

Becoming licensed requires practical experience, not just time spent around a jobsite. Most licenses call for approximately four years of qualifying experience, although the exact requirement depends on the desired license classification.

To qualify, that experience usually includes hands-on trade work, foreman duties, or supervisory responsibility. In other words, the state wants to see evidence that you’ve mastered the skills and responsibilities of your trade.

Certain educational programs can reduce the required field experience hours. A qualifying degree from an accredited school in engineering, architecture, building construction, or another approved construction-related field may count toward part of the requirement. However, no education is complete enough to satisfy every hands-on or supervisory requirement.

Applicants should be ready to prove their background with supporting documents such as:

Employment records
Employer verification forms
Project details
Transcripts

Military experience in construction, engineering, and related trades may also count when properly documented.

Financial Stability

All applicants must be able to demonstrate financial responsibility and stability Because of the costs associated with construction work, financial responsibility is part of the contractor licensing process for individuals, not just for starting a business.

The main benchmark is a FICO-derived credit score of 660 or higher. The credit report must also show no unsatisfied liens or judgments against any applicant business under consideration.

Applicants with a credit score below 660 are not automatically disqualified. The financial stability requirement can instead be met by completing a board-approved, 14-hour financial responsibility course.

Contractor Examinations

Division I contractor applicants must pass three exam sections: Business & Finance, Contract Administration, and Project Management. Division II contractors need to pass Business & Finance and a trade knowledge exam.

The exams are open-book and multiple-choice, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy. Candidates must know how to apply and cite approved reference materials, codes, forms, and statutes. Only approved references are allowed, and the books you bring must meet DBPR’s exam-day rules.

Each section is scored individually. If you fail one portion of the test, you only need to retake that section. However, all sections must be passed within four years. Scores expire after 48 months.

The National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) Alternative

Florida accepts the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors for certain certified general contractor applicants, especially those applying by endorsement — a licensing pathway that allows contractors already licensed in another state to obtain certification without retaking all state-specific trade exams.

This path helps contractors work in multiple states because many participating licensing boards accept NASCLA exam scores. However, NASCLA does not replace the full state licensing process.

Applicants using NASCLA must still pass the Business & Finance exam, meet experience requirements, complete fingerprinting and background checks, show financial responsibility, carry required insurance, and submit a complete DBPR application.

Applicants must also state on the application that they have passed an exam that covers the Florida Building Code. If they have not previously done so, they may satisfy this requirement by taking an exam offered by a DBPR-approved continuing education provider

If you are looking to prepare for the NASCLA exam, Builders License Training Institute offers an online exam prep package that is self-paced and that you can access at any time. You can learn more here.

After passing, applicants should send their transcripts to the CILB through NASCLA’s National Examination Database.

Reciprocity with Other States

Florida offers reciprocity for out-of-state contractors, but it isn’t automatic. Contractors who hold a valid license in a state participating in a reciprocity agreement with the CILB may be able to apply for certification by reciprocity.

This can help qualified contractors avoid retaking specific portions of the trade exam, depending on the individual agreement and the license classification in question. However, applicants must still meet all other state licensing requirements.

Required Insurance

Applicants must provide proof of sufficient public liability and property damage insurance. For general and building contractors, minimum insurance coverage requirements include:

$300,000 in public liability coverage
$50,000 in property damage coverage
Workers' compensation insurance, if applicable

The minimum coverage requirements are lower for many specialty licensees, though individual companies and project owners may require higher limits. Failure to maintain required insurance can result in disciplinary action or suspension.

Application Checklist

Your application must be submitted to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation as a complete packet. Here is everything you should include:

A completed DBPR application form
Experience verification forms with employer signatures and supporting documentation
Passing exam scores (Business & Finance, any trade-specific sections or NASCLA transcript)
Credit report for financial responsibility evaluation
Proof of general liability insurance
Entity registration documentation and qualifier designation (if electing to apply through a business entity)
Surety bond documentation (if applicable)
Proof of workers’ compensation insurance or exemption
Application fee payment
Electronic fingerprints, submitted to an FDLE-approved Livescan provider immediately after submitting your application

After submission, DBPR processes the application before forwarding it to CILB for review. Processing typically takes 30 to 60 days, though the full licensing process often takes three to six months. The application status can be tracked through the online portal.

Submit your application only when every document is complete and verified, as a single letter of deficiency can add weeks to your timeline.

Maintaining Your License

Once you are licensed, you need to maintain your credentials. You are required to renew your contractor license every two years. Certified contractors must renew by August 31 of each even-numbered year, while registered contractors have to renew by August 31 of each odd-numbered year.

To remain in good standing, contractors should:

Complete all required continuing education (CE) before renewal deadlines.
Maintain required insurance and bond coverage.
Keep DBPR records current.
Monitor license status through the online portal.

For a convenient way to satisfy the CE requirements, consider our 14-Hour Continuing Education Package. Designed specifically for registered and certified contractors, it simplifies the renewal process by providing all your required training in a single online program that can be completed at your own pace.