How to Get a Contractor License in Florida

Category: Contractor License Guides, Licensing Guides

Published: May 08, 2024

The Florida contractor license is a legal requirement set by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) for contractors who wish to work within the state. This license serves as a guarantee that the holder is sufficiently qualified and insured to operate legally within Florida. Below you can find the steps to follow to get yours.

1. Find The Florida Contractor License You Need

There are many different types of Florida Contractor Licenses, which fall under two main categories: certified and registered. The certified license is statewide, allowing contractors to work anywhere in Florida. In contrast, the registered license is restricted to specific local jurisdictions, allowing contractors to work only in the cities or counties where they hold a certificate of competency.

List of certified licenses:

List of registered licenses:

2. Meet All The Application Requirements

Application Requirements for Both Certified and Registered contractor:

Financial/Credit: Applicants are required to demonstrate financial stability and responsibility by providing credit reports for both themselves and their business entities. These reports must encompass a FICO derived credit score and confirm that searches have been conducted in local, state, and federal records.
For more information regarding the Board’s financial requirements, visit the Financial Responsibility and Stability website.
Insurance: Applicants must declare that they have secured public liability and property damage insurance as specified by Board regulations. Additionally, they are obliged to acquire workers' compensation insurance or secure an exemption from it within 30 days of receiving their license.
Fingerprints: An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.
For more information visit the Fingerprinting webpage.
Fee: Pay the required fee as provided in the application.
Age: Must be older than 18.

Application Requirements Exclusive to the Certified Contractor:

Examination: Individuals seeking licensure as a certified contractor, must first take and pass a state certification examination.
Experience/Education: Applicants are required to have four years of experience or a combination of college and experience.
Military Veterans: Military experience may count towards licensure requirements. Veterans, their spouses, and Florida National Guard members should complete the Veteran Fee Waiver and Military Service Verification Form and include it with their licensure application. Eligibility for fee waivers, reimbursements, or discounts may apply.
Fee: Pay the required fee.

After passing a state certification examination, individuals seeking licensure as a Certified contractor must complete an initial licensure application form. Ensure that you have successfully passed the state certification exam before submitting this application. According to Board rules, you are required to obtain your license within 4 years of obtaining your exam results. For applying to the state certification examination, please refer to the Initial and Retake Examination application.

Application Requirements Exclusive to the Registered Contractor:

Individuals who have taken and passed a local licensing examination and have received a Certificate of Competency from a local jurisdiction, may apply for a REGISTERED license.

Local License: Applicants seeking registration need to provide proof of a certificate of competency from a local licensing office. This certificate should be in the applicant's name and correspond to the category of licensure they are applying for.
Fee: Pay the required fee.

3. Submit the Florida Contractor License Application

Having filled out an application, applicants should mail it together with the paperwork specified above to:

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

4. Obtain Your Contractor License Bond

Applicants with a FICO score below 660 must obtain a surety bond. This is a security mechanism that guarantees legal compliance and safeguards the interests of customers.

The value of the Florida Contractor License bond that contractors have to post will depend on the type of license that they wish to obtain.

Building, residential, and general contractor licenses require a bond worth $20,000
All other license types require a bond worth $10,000

The price that contractors have to pay to get bonded is called a surety bond premium and is a small percentage of the bond amount. The exact cost is determined based on the applicant’s personal and business finances. A financial background check will be conducted; for applicants with stronger finances, bond prices are lower, and for those with weaker finances, bond prices are higher. These prices can fluctuate between 0.75% and 5% of the overall bond value but are generally between 0.75% and 5% for bond applicants with stable finances.

We once assisted a client whose FICO credit score was below the required threshold. Recognizing their need, we offered them a contractor license bond as a viable alternative, guiding them through the process to ensure they could proceed with their business plans without any hindrances.

Robin Kix

Robin Kix is our Renewal Department Manager. During her 10 years in the surety industry, she helped thousands of businesses throughout the nation remain compliant at the federal, state and local level. She has significant experience supporting commercial bond lines, particularly in the automobile, transportation and construction industries. Robin and her team work together to create a positive customer service experience at the time of every policy renewal, whether that be finding the best pricing or offering additional assistance.