Florida Contractor Licensing FAQs

In general, you must satisfy the following:

• Be 18 years or older
• Have a minimum of 4 years’ experience in the category for which you are applying.
• Experience may be offset with college or military service for up to 3 years.
• FICO credit score of over 660
• Get fingerprinted
• Pass your Florida State
• Construction Exam
• Fill out the application

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation states that the following requirements must be met if you do not have a credit score of 660 or higher:

If an applicant does not have a 660 credit score at the time of application, the applicant may still establish financial responsibility by completing a CILB approved 14-hour financial responsibility course.

Division 1

• General contractor – there is no limit on the new construction or improvement of any structure or building type. A general contractor can carry out construction, repairs, alterations, remodeling, and improvements for both commercial & residential projects.
• Building contractor – for commercial or residential buildings that do not exceed three stories high. A building contractor may also construct accessory use structures in connection with these buildings. An accessory use structure would be a garage, guest house, garden shed, or other outbuilding.
• Residential contractor – for dwellings of between one and three families that are no more than two stories high, you can work on construction, repair, remodeling or improvements. A residential contractor may also construct accessory use structures in connection with these buildings. An accessory use structure would be a garage, guest house, garden shed, or other outbuilding.

Division 2

• Air Conditioning
• Building
• General
• Glass & Glazing
• Mechanical
• Plumbing
• Pollutant Storage System
• Pool/Spa
• Residential
• Roofing
• Sheet Metal
• Specialty
• Building Demolition
• Drywall
• Gas Line
• Glass & Glazing
• Garage Door Installation
• Industrial Facilities
• Irrigation
• Marine
• Marine Bulkhead Work
• Marine Dock Work
• Marine Pile Driving
• Marine Seawall Work
• Plaster & Lath
• Rooftop Solar Heating
• Installation
• Structure
• Structural Aluminum or
• Screen Enclosures
• Structural Carpentry
• Structural Masonry
• Structural Pre-stressed,
• Precast Concrete Work
• Structural Steel Work
• Swimming Pool Decking
• Swimming Pool Excavation
• Swimming Pool Finishes
• Swimming Pool Layout
• Swimming Pool Piping
• Swimming Pool Structural
• Swimming Pool Trim
• Tower
• Window & Door Installation
• Solar
• Underground Utility and Excavation

The difference between the two licenses primarily has to do with the location for which the license is valid; one is statewide, the other local (county or city) only.

A Certified License is valid throughout the state, so you are permitted to work anywhere in Florida.

A Registered License limits you to working within a local jurisdiction (usually a county or city) and you will also need to have been issued a certificate of competency by the jurisdiction.Registered contractors can be considered as good as certified contractors, the only difference is the they don't take the state exam; they are registered by their local county or municipality and receive a competency certificate by those authorities.

To activate your contractor license in Florida, you need to submit the required application, provide supporting documentation, and meet the state’s compliance requirements. Contractors Reporting Services can assist with the entire process to ensure fast and accurate filing.

If you miss the deadline to file your annual report with Sunbiz, your business may become inactive or administratively dissolved. Our team helps ensure timely filing and reinstatement if needed.

Yes, we assist with updating contractor licenses for address changes, officer modifications, and other required updates to keep your business compliant with Florida regulations.

To obtain a Florida Electrical Contractor's License, you must meet specific education, experience, and examination requirements. Here’s a step-by-step process:

1. Meet Eligibility Requirements:

You must have at least 4 years of experience as a journeyman or equivalent experience in the electrical field.

2. Complete the Application:

Submit an application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) with details of your experience and qualifications.

3. Pass the Exam:

You’ll need to pass the required exam, which tests your knowledge of electrical codes, safety regulations, and other relevant laws.

4. Submit Documents:

Provide supporting documents such as proof of experience, financial stability, and any background checks.

5. Obtain Your License:

Once approved, you’ll receive your Florida Electrical Contractor’s License, allowing you to work legally in the state.

Typically, the application process takes around 30 days if the application is submitted correctly. If a deficiency occurs and the State requests additional information, the process will run another 30 days.

Applications for construction can be reviewed by the CILB for many reasons. Some of these include the following:

• Experience Reviews
• Recent criminal history
• Unlicensed activity / complaints
• Unresolved credit issues
• Additional license qualifications (3 or more)