License Requirements

Exam Requirements

• Contractors are required to take a Business and Law exam as well as a Construction Trade exam
• Journeymen and/or Technicians are required to take only the Trade Exam
• Exams may be taken prior to or after the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) approves your Contractors Certification application.

Please note the following:

• All examinations must be taken in Palm Beach County.
• A passing grade of 75% must be achieved on each exam.
• You must have the testing agency(s) notify our office of your passing test scores.
• You must select your testing agency from the approved list below. Please contact the individual testing agency for exam schedules and arrangements.
• Once you file a Contractors Certification application and it is approved by the CILB:
  • You must take the exam in Palm Beach County within 60 days of approval by the CILB. A maximum of 4 exams in a category may be taken in 12-month period, but, exams may not be re-scheduled until 60 days have elapsed between exams taken.
  • You must achieve a passing grade of 75% must be achieved on each exam.
  • You must have the testing agency(s) notify our office of all your test results, pass or fail.
  • You will have thirteen (13) months from the date of approval to meet the remaining licensing requirements. Thereafter, the application becomes null and void.

There are two testing companies currently approved by the CILB:

• GITS
  Tel. # (800)997-2129
  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website: www.gitsllc.org
• Prov
  Tel. # (866)720-7768
  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  Website: www.provexam.com

Trade Experience Requisites

• General
  5 Year Supervisory Capacity
• Building
  4 Year Supervisory Capacity
• Residential
  3 Year Supervisory Capacity
• Electrical
  7 Years Experience, 4 of which shall be as a Journeyman in a Supervisory Capacity.
• Plumbing
  7 Years Experience, 4 of which shall be as a Journeyman in a Supervisory Capacity.
• HARV (Heating, A/C, Refrigeration & Ventilation)
  7 Years Supervisory Capacity.
• Specialty: All Specialty Trades require 3 Years Experience with 1-1/2 Years in a Supervisory Capacity.
  • Acoustical/Suspended Ceiling Contractor
  • Aluminum Specialties Contractor
  • Carpentry Contractor
  • Carpentry – Finish Contractor
  • Concrete Forming & Placing Contractor
  • Countertop Contractor
  • Decorative Metal Contractor
  • Demolition Contractor
  • Dredging and Land Filling Contractor
  • Drywall Contractor
  • Fabric Awnings Contractor
  • Fence Contractor
  • Garage Doors Contractor
  • Glass and Glazing Contractor
  • Gunite Contractor
  • Hurricane Shutter/Awning Contractor
  • Insulation Contractor
  • Irrigation Sprinkler Contractor
  • Lightning Protection Systems Contractor
  • Low Voltage Contractor
  • Marine Contractor
  • Contractor Masonry Contractor
  • Painting Contractor
  • Paver Brick/Paver Systems Contractor
  • Paving Contractor
  • Plastering Contractor
  • Reinforced Steel Contractor
  • Re-Screener/Screen Repair Contractor
  • Roofing Contractor
  • Seal Coating/Striping Contractor
  • Sign Contractor -Electrical
  • Sign Contractor –Non-Electrical
  • Structural Steel Erection Contractor
  • Swimming Pool Construction Contractor
  • Swimming Pool Maintenance and Repair Contractor
  • Tennis Court Contractor
  • Tile, Terrazzo and Stone Contractor
  • Underground/Overhead Transmission Lines Contractor
  • Underground Utilities Contractor
  • Window and Door Contractor
  • Wood Flooring Contractor
  • Journeyman Electrician (must work under direct supervision of a Contractor)
    Completion Certificate from a registered 4 year Apprenticeship Program which includes 4 years of work experience OR completion of 2 years in registered apprenticeship program, which includes 2 years work experience and additional 3 years practical work experience under the direct supervision of a certified or licensed contractor OR 6 years practical work experience under the direct supervision of a Certified Electrical Contractor.
  • Journeyman Plumber (must work under direct supervision of a Contractor)
    Completion Certificate from a registered 3 year Apprenticeship Program, which includes 3 years work experience OR 4 years of full time practical work experience under the direct supervision of a Certified Plumbing Contractor.

Background Check Requirements/Providers

The CILB performs livescan fingerprints. You must obtain fingerprints to comply with the application requiring a criminal background check on all applicants. Below is the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) website which you may use to locate a livescan fingerprinting provider:

Livescan Fingerprinting Providers

The approved Livescan Providers link is maintained by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

• You may also check with your local law enforcement agencies, such as police departments and sheriff’s offices to see if they provide livescan fingerprinting.
• The Palm Beach County Identifier (ORI Number) is FL750157Z. This number must be given to the fingerprinting provider in order for Contractors Certification to receive the results. Confirm with the Provider, prior to selection, that they can process your fingerprints using our ORI number.
• Contractors Certification must receive the fingerprint results prior to your application being reviewed. Please feel free to provide a copy of this document to the Fingerprint Provider.

Please note the following about the background check:

• Criminal Background Checks: are to demonstrate that the applicant is of good moral character and is fit for licensure, the applicant must submit to a Level 2 criminal background check conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The cost of the criminal background check is to be covered by the applicant.
• If the applicant is found to have a criminal background, the Board may deny issuance of a certificate of competency based upon:
  • The relationship of the crime to contracting;
  • The severity of the crime; or
  • The potential for public harm.
• However, the Board may consider as mitigating factors:
  • The length of time since the commission of the crime; and
  • Evidence of rehabilitation of the applicant.
• The Board may not deny licensure to an applicant based solely upon a conviction or the applicant’s failure to provide proof of restoration of civil rights. In determining the issuance of a re-certification, the Board may require the licensed contractor to submit to a criminal background check.

14 Hour Financial Responsibility Requirements/Providers

14-Hour Course Providers

Please note that applicants with a credit score of 660 or higher meet the minimum credit reputation requirements for licensure. Applicants with a credit score between 580 to 659, must pass a Florida CILB approved 14-hour financial responsibility course and provide certification at time of application to meet credit reputation requirements for licensure; failure to do so will render the application incomplete. Applicants with a credit score below 580 or with no credit history do not meet the minimum credit reputation requirements for licensure and the application will be administratively denied by the Director. Unless otherwise prohibited by these Rules or the Special Act, the applicant may apply for licensure to the CILB again once the credit score is 580 or above.

Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) Meeting Schedule