Florida Contractor Licensing FAQs

In general, you must satisfy the following:

• Be 18 years or older 
• FICO credit score of over 660
• Get fingerprinted
• Pass your Florida State Construction Exam
• Fill out the application
• Pay all the fees
• Provide proof you have general liability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance

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 obtaining a licensing bond or letter of credit. The amount of the bond or letter of credit depends on the type of license sought: $20,000 for Division I contractors or $10,000 for Division II contractors.

There are three: 

1. Building contractor – for commercial or residential buildings over three stories high, this license allows you to work on construction, repair, remodeling or improvements.
2. 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.
3. General contractor – there is no limit on the improvement of any structure or building type and you can carry out construction, repairs, alterations, remodeling, and improvements.

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)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. 

A certified contractor can operate statewide doing the following jobs:

Air Conditioning

Building

General

Glass & Glazing

Mechanical

Plumbing

Pollutant Storage System

Pool/Spa

Residential

Roofing

Sheet Metal

Solar

Underground Utility and Excavation

A registered contractor can perform most of the jobs as a certified contractor in one location.

Air Conditioning

Building

General

Glass & Glazing

Mechanical

Plumbing

Pool/Spa

Precision Tank Tester

Residential

Roofing

Sheet Metal

Specialty

Tank Lining Applicator

Underground Utility and Excavation