- Casual or minor work with an aggregate contract price under $2,500 is exempt, as long as it is not part of a bigger job or split up to avoid licensing.
- Four years in the trade with at least one year as a foreman, or a mix of college credit and experience. A four year construction degree plus one year of experience also works.
- Plan for a trade exam and a business and law exam.
- Every two years, with 14 hours of continuing education, including wind mitigation for some categories and at least one hour of laws and rules.
Do you need a state license in Florida?
Florida licenses general contractor work at the state level through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Casual or minor work with an aggregate contract price under $2,500 is exempt, as long as it is not part of a bigger job or split up to avoid licensing.
Registered (local) licenses are limited to the cities or counties where you passed local competency. Certified licenses work statewide.
Florida license types for general contractor work
Florida splits the work into 3 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| General Contractor (CG) | Any type of building work, no limits |
| Building Contractor (CB) | Commercial buildings and homes up to three stories, plus nonstructural remodeling of any building |
| Residential Contractor (CR) | One, two and three family homes up to two habitable stories |
Steps to get licensed in Florida
- Build four years of experience with one year as a foreman, or a degree plus one year.
- Register with Professional Testing Inc and pass the Business and Finance, Contract Administration and Project Management exams.
- Get a credit report, fingerprints, liability insurance and workers compensation coverage or exemption.
- Apply to DBPR for certification, pay the application fee, and submit fingerprints right after you apply.
- Renew every two years with 14 hours of continuing education and the $205 renewal fee.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. Four years in the trade with at least one year as a foreman, or a mix of college credit and experience. A four year construction degree plus one year of experience also works.
The license to apply for. Certified General Contractor (CG), Building Contractor (CB) or Residential Contractor (CR).
Florida general contractor exams
Trade exam. Yes. Contract Administration and Project Management exams (Division I), registered through Professional Testing Inc. Passing score is 70 percent.
Business and law exam. Yes. A Business and Finance exam, scheduled at Pearson VUE after registering with Professional Testing Inc. Passing score is 70 percent.
What it costs in Florida
The board lists 3 fees along the way. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam registration with Professional Testing Inc, all parts (card) | $215 |
| Business and Finance exam seat fee to Pearson VUE | $80 |
| Renewal fee, every two years | $205, plus $50 per qualified business |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. General and building contractors: at least $300,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage. Other categories: $100,000 and $25,000. Workers compensation or an exemption is also required.
Bond. The board's pages do not list one.
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every two years, with 14 hours of continuing education, including wind mitigation for some categories and at least one hour of laws and rules.
Reciprocity. Florida has reciprocal agreements for general, building and residential licenses with Louisiana, North Carolina and Mississippi. A NASCLA exam may also help if the transcript is released to the board.
Good to know in Florida
- Applicants submit a credit report. A FICO score below 660 means a 14 hour financial responsibility course.
- You qualify a business on your license if you contract under a company name.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for a contractor near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board and the official pages below, checked October 8, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
- DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board
- Florida Statutes 489.103, exemptions
- Florida Statutes 489.105, definitions
- Florida Statutes 489.111, examination eligibility
- Florida Statutes 489.113, certification required
- Florida Statutes 489.115, renewal and CE
- CILB 6-A checklist, certified general contractor
- CILB reciprocity agreements
- CILB exam scheduling and fees FAQ
- CILB 6-H application (insurance table)