Licensing Guide for Florida Contractors 2023

There are two main types of licensure – registration, and certification. Being a registered contractor allows you to perform work on a local level, in your city or county. If you wish to be able to work throughout the whole state, you will need to be certified.

The Florida contractor license types are the following:

• General
• Building
• Residential
• Gas Line
• Air Conditioning (Classes A and B)
• Glass and Glazing
• Gypsum Drywall
• Sheet Metal
• Roofing
• Mechanical
• Marine
• Irrigation
• Pool / Spa (Commercial, Residential and Servicing)
• Plumbing
• Underground Utility
• Solar
• Pollutant Storage System
• Specialty Structure

Electrical License

• Alarm Systems I
• Alarm Systems II
• Lighting Maintenance
• Limited Energy (Low Voltage)
• Residential (Electrical)
• Sign (Electrical)
• Two Way Radio Communications System
• Unlimited (Electrical)
• Utility Line (Electrical)

Fire Protection

• Fire Protection I
• Fire Protection II
• Fire Protection III
• Fire Protection IV
• Fire Protection V

The Florida Contractor License Requirements

The Construction Industry Licensing Board at the State Department of Business and Professional Regulation oversees the activities of all contractors in the state.

Business Entity Registration

Your first step before you apply for a license is to register your business entity. You can do so through the Florida Division of Corporations if you’re founding a corporation, LLC, or partnership. If you’re a small business register with the State Department of Revenue if.

Financial Statement

Applicants for a State of Florida contractor license have to provide proof of financial stability and responsibility. You have to submit a credit report for yourself and your business entity, and it should contain your FICO score. If it is below 660, you have to additionally obtain a surety bond as financial security.

Proof of Experience and State Examination

To become a certified contractor, you need to show proof of 4 years of experience in the field in which you wish to become certified. It should include a minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience. You can substitute up to 3 years of experience with three years of college credit hours. Depending on the type of license that you want to get, you may need to provide additional proof of experience. This applies specifically for Florida general contractor license and residential contractor license applicants, among others.

Testing

Florida registered contractor license applicants have to either pass the certification exam as well or get a Certificate of Competency from their city or county’s licensing authority.