Can I use my license from another State in Florida?

Endorsement is a method of licensure for applicants who, in lieu of taking the State of Florida's licensing examination, comply with one of the options below:
Have taken an examination of substantially equivalency to the corresponding Florida licensing examination, meet the experience requirements for Florida certification, and meet all other requirements for licensure; OR
Holds a valid license to practice contracting issued by another state or United State territory, if the criteria for issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to Florida's current certification criteria.

Endorsement as a Certified Contractor

In the state of Florida to become a contractor by Endorsement you must meet ONE of the following qualifications:

• (Option A)
  Meets the requirements for certification as set forth in this section; has passed a national, regional, state, or United States territorial licensing examination that is substantially equivalent to the examination required by this part; and has satisfied the requirements set forth in s. 489.111
• (Option B) Holds a valid license to practice contracting issued by another state or territory of the United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to Florida’s current certification criteria
• (Option C) Has held a valid, current license to practice contracting issued by another state or territory of the United States for at least 10 years before the date of the application provided that the license is currently active or was active within the last 2 years; OR
  • Holds a valid, current license to practice contracting issued by another state or territory of the United States, if the state or territory has entered into a reciprocal agreement with the board for the recognition of contractor licenses issued in that state, based on criteria for the issuance of such licenses that are substantially equivalent to the criteria for certification in this state

Please note that there are currently no reciprocal agreements in place to recognize valid licenses in other states or territories.

Endorsement Qualifications

• Applicants choosing Option A will need to:
  • Submit an official score report showing your score on the examination given by your state
  • Submit Examination Evaluation Questionnaire that has been completed by the provider of the licensing examination given by your state (Pages 18 – 26 of this application)
  • Complete Sections I through IV and IX through XIII of Application for Endorsement as Certified Contractor Form # DBPR CILB 10
• Applicants choosing Option B will need to:
  • Submit a copy of your out-of-state license from the state in which you currently operate
  • Submit a copy of statutes and rules regarding licensing and contractor certification requirements that were in effect at the time of your licensure
  • Submit Examination Evaluation Questionnaire that has been completed by the provider of the licensing examination given by your state (Pages 18 – 26 of this application)
  • Complete Sections I through III and IX through XIII of Application for Endorsement as Certified Contractor Form # DBPR CILB 10
• Applicants choosing Option C will need to:
  • Submit verification of licensure from the state in which you are licensed which shows your current license status and that you have been licensed for at least 10 years and indicating if any disciplinary action has been taken against the license
  • If applying to become a Certified General Contractor, a Certified Building Contractor, Certified Residential Contractor, or Certified Roofing Contractor, you must also provide proof of completion of a board approved 2-hour course on the Florida Building Code which includes information on wind mitigation techniques.

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