Florida Electrician License: How to Get Certified as an Electrician in FL

Do electricians need a license in Florida?

Yes, licenses are required in Florida to do any type of electrical work, although the state does have more specific electrical licenses for people who want to provide specialty work. 

There are multiple types of electrical contractor licenses issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (ECLB).

Depending on the type of electrical contractor license you have, you can perform installation, maintenance, and repair work on some or all of the following electrical systems and components:

• Wiring and conduit
• Fixtures
• Appliances
• Electrical installations
• Elevators
• Utility lines 
• Low voltage systems
• Advertising signs
• Two-way radio communications systems

Types of electrician licenses in Florida

The Florida DBPR’s Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board offers multiple electrical contractor licenses split between two main classifications: 

• Certified Licenses: Electrical contractor licenses that apply statewide, allowing the license holder to work in any city or county in Florida.
• Registered Licenses: Electrical contractor licenses that apply in specific cities, counties, and other local jurisdictions in Florida.

The license you need will depend on the scope of work you want to perform and where you want to perform it:

Electrical Contractor

License Type	Description
Certified Electrical Contractor (Unlimited)	License holders are able to perform all installation, maintenance, repair, and design work on any electrical system
Registered Electrical Contractor	License holders are able to perform electrical work in the specific jurisdictions, cities or counties where they are registered.  License holders cannot perform work on any type of alarm system.

Alarm System Contractor

License Type	Description
Alarm System Contractor I	License holders can perform installation, repair, or maintenance work on fire alarm systems.
Alarm System Contractor II	License holders can perform installation, repair, or maintenance work on alarm systems other than those used for fires.
Registered Residential Alarm System Contractor	License holders are limited to the installation, maintenance, and repair of burglar alarm systems for residential buildings in the cities/counties where they are registered.

Specialty Contractor

License Type	Description
Certified Specialty Contractor	License holders can perform installation, repair, and maintenance work on a specific type of electrical or alarm system. These categories may include: • Elevators  • Utility lines • Low voltage systems • Residential electrical • Electrical fixture maintenance • Electrical advertising signs • Two-way radio communications systems

For more information on the scope of all the different electrician licenses available in Florida, check out the Know Your Scope resource page from the DBPR website.

Florida electrician license requirements

The ECLB initial application form outlines additional requirements for applicants who want to work as certified electrical, alarm system, or specialty contractors:

License Type	Requirements
Certified Electrical Contractor	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school education and valid social security number. They must also prove they meet one of the following qualifications:  • Have 3 years of management experience in electrical, alarm system, or specialty contracting within the last 6 years OR • Have 4 years of experience as a foreman, supervisor, or journeyman in electrical, alarm system, or specialty contracting within the last 8 years  OR  • Have 6 years of training, technical education, or supervisory experience associated with electrical, alarm system, or specialty contracting in the last 12 years. Experience with these electrical systems in the Armed Forces or a government entity can be included  OR • Have been licensed as a professional electrical engineer for 3 out of the last 12 years  OR • Have a combination of experience from bullets 1-3 that totals 6 years experience out of the past 12 years Prove that at least 40% of their work experience involves 3-phase electrical power.  Complete 32 hours of approved classroom instruction in electrical theory and the National Electrical Code.
Certified Alarm System Contractor I/II	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school education and valid social security number. They must also prove they meet one of the following qualifications: • Have 3 years of management experience in electrical, alarm system, or specialty contracting within the last 6 years OR • Have 4 years of experience as a foreman, supervisor, or journeyman in electrical, alarm system, or specialty contracting within the last 8 years  OR  • Have 6 years of training, technical education, or supervisory experience associated with electrical, alarm system, or specialty contracting in the last 12 years. Experience with these electrical systems in the Armed Forces or a government entity can be included  OR • Have been licensed as a professional electrical engineer for 3 out of the last 12 years  OR • Have a combination of experience from bullets 1-3 that totals 6 years experience out of the past 12 years Prove that at least 40% of their experience comes from working on fire alarm systems.  Complete 32 hours of approved classroom instruction in electrical theory and the National Electrical Code.
Specialty Contractor	Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school education and valid social security number. Prove you have built up your experience in one of the following ways: • Have 3 years of management experience in electrical, alarm system, or specialty contracting within the last 6 years OR • Have 4 years of experience as a foreman, supervisor, or journeyman in electrical, alarm system, or specialty contracting within the last 8 years  OR  • Have 6 years of training, technical education, or supervisory experience associated with electrical, alarm system, or specialty contracting in the last 12 years. Experience with these electrical systems in the Armed Forces or a government entity can be included.  OR • Have been licensed as a professional electrical engineer for 3 out of the last 12 years.  OR • Have a combination of experience from bullets 1-3 that totals 6 years experience out of the past 12 years Prove that at least 40% of their experience comes from working on non-fire-related alarm systems.  Complete 32 hours of approved classroom instruction in electrical theory and the National Electrical Code.

How do I become an electrician in Florida?

The process for becoming an electrician in Florida will depend on whether you want to become a registered electrician in a local jurisdiction or a certified electrician who can work statewide. 

To become either a registered electrical contractor or a certified electrical contractor in Florida, you must follow the specific process outlined by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Here are the general steps:

1. Meet the eligibility requirements: To be eligible for an electrical, alarm system, or specialty contractor license in Florida, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and meet the experience requirements for the electrical trade (or a combination of education and experience). You also need to have a valid social security number.

2. Complete the required education and training: You need to complete 32 hours of approved classroom instruction in electrical theory and the National Electrical Code. You can find a list of approved providers on the Florida DBPR website.

3. Apply for the license: You can apply for an electrical contractor license online or by mail. You’ll need to provide documentation of your education and experience, as well as your social security number, and pay the required application fee.

4. Obtain insurance and a bond: You’ll need to provide proof of liability insurance and a surety bond in the amount of $300,000.

5. Pass the state exams: Once your application is approved, you’ll need to pass a two-part examination. The first part covers business and finance, and the second part covers the technical knowledge you need to become an electrical, alarm system, or specialty contractor. You’ll need to pass both parts with a score of at least 75%.

6. Obtain local permits and licenses (Registered Electricians only): If you are going to be working as a registered contractor in a specific city, county, or municipality, you may need to obtain additional permits or licenses from local authorities.

7. Renew your license: Your electrical contractor license will expire on August 31 of even-numbered years. You’ll need to renew it before then by completing continuing education requirements and paying the renewal fee.

You can apply online through the DBPR Online Services portal or by mailing in physical forms. All physical forms can be sent to the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board office at the following address: 

2601 Blair Stone Road

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0791

Florida electrician license exam

To become either a certified or registered electrical, alarm system, or specialty contractor in Florida, you need to pass a two-part exam administered by the state’s testing vendor Pearson VUE. The first part is a business exam and the second covers the technical skills and safety for your specific electrical certification. 

The first part of the test is a 2.5-hour, 50-question business examination that contains the following questions:

Certified Electrical Contractor (Unlimited)

Subject	Number of Questions
Maintaining Cash Flow	3-5
Estimates and Job Bidding	5-7
Contracts and Legal Agreements	4-6
Purchasing Control	0-2
Contract Scheduling	3-5
Insurance and Bonds	4-6
Contracting Laws and Rules	5-7
Managing Personnel	3-5
Payroll and Sales Tax Law	6-8
Financial Statements and Reports	4-6
Management Accounting	2-4

You will then need to write the technical/safety examination for the electrical contractor license you wish to hold. These licensing exams are each 5 hours long and consist of 100 multiple choice questions:

Certified Electrical Contractor (Unlimited)

Subject	Number of Questions
General Theory and Electrical Principles	19-21
Plan and Specification Reading and Interpretation	7 -9
Wiring and Protection	13-15
Wiring Methods and Materials	11-13
Special Occupancies and Situations	13-15
OSHA, Safety, Procedures for Testing and Use of Tools and Equipment	8-10
Life Safety and Americans with Disabilities Act	4-6
Electrical Signs, Outline Lighting, and Structural Considerations	2-4
Alarms/Limited Energy	14-16

Residential Electrical Contractor

Subject	Number of Questions
General Theory and Electrical Principles	13-15
Plan and Specification Reading and Interpretation	12-14
Wiring and Protection	6-8
OSHA, Safety, Procedures for Testing and Use of Tools and Equipment	8-10
Residential Life Safety and ADA	4-6
Motors	4-6
Box Fill	4-6
Demand Loads	5-7
Conduit Fill	2-4
Grounding Conductors	7-9
Neutral Loads	3-5
Grounding Conductors Appliance Loads	6-8
Service	8-10
Voltage Drop	4-6

Alarms System Contractor I

Subject	Number of Questions
General Theory and Electrical Principles	17-19
Plan and Specification Reading and Interpretation	18-20
Wiring and Protection	2-4
Wiring Methods and Materials	2-4
Special Occupancies and Situations	0-2
OSHA, Safety, Procedures for Testing and Use of Tools and Equipment	8-10
Life Safety and Americans with Disabilities Act	4-6
Limited Energy/Low Voltage	6-8
Central Station Facilities and Signaling	6-8
Premises Protective Signaling Systems	6-8
Initiating Devices	12-14
Burglar Alarms	7-9

Alarms System Contractor II

Subject	Number of Questions
General Theory and Electrical Principles	14-16
Plan and Specification Reading and Interpretation	18-20
Wiring and Protection	2-4
Wiring Methods and Materials	2-4
Special Occupancies and Situations	2-4
OSHA, Safety, Procedures for Testing and Use of Tools and Equipment	8-10
Life Safety and Americans with Disabilities Act	4-6
Limited Energy/Low Voltage	6-8
Central Station Facilities and Signaling	6-8
Premises Protective Signaling Systems	7-9
Initiating Devices	7-9
Burglar Alarms	12-14

Limited Energy Specialty Contractor

Subject	Number of Questions
General Theory and Electrical Principles	26-28
Plan, Schematics, and Diagram Reading and Interpretation	21-23
Wiring and Protection	10-12
Wiring Methods and Materials	10-12
OSHA, Safety, Procedures for Testing and Use of Tools and Equipment	9-11
Americans with Disabilities Act	1-3
Limited Energy/Low Voltage	16-18

Sign Specialty Electrical Contractor

Subject	Number of Questions
General Theory and Electrical Principles	23-25
Plan and Specification Reading and Interpretation	5-7
Wiring and Protection	13-15
Wiring Methods and Materials	13-15
OSHA, Safety, Procedures for Testing and Use of Tools and Equipment	9-11
Electrical Signs, Outline Lighting and Structural Considerations	26-28
Signs – Neon	4-6

Lighting Maintenance Specialty Electrical Contractor

Subject	Number of Questions
General Theory and Electrical Principles	25-27
Wiring and Protection	18-20
Wiring Methods and Materials	18-20
OSHA, Safety, Procedures for Testing and Use of Tools and Equipment	9-11
Electrical Signs and Outline Lighting	18-20
Signs – Neon	6-8

Utility Line Electrical Contractor

Subject	Number of Questions
General Theory and Electrical Principles	15-17
Plan Specification Reading and Interpretation	9-11
Wiring and Protection	4-6
Wiring Methods and Materials	34-36
UtilityTechnical/Safety	19-21
OSHA, Safety, Procedures for Testing, and Use of Tools/Equipment	13-15

For more information on this two-part test, check out the candidate information booklet on the DBPR website.

Florida electrician license reciprocity

Reciprocal licenses allow licensed electricians from other states to apply directly for an equivalent license in Florida without going through the entire licensing process again.

Florida currently does not have any explicit reciprocity agreements with other states. However, they do provide a list of out-of-state examinations that are recognized as substantially equivalent to the ECLB’s. So, out-of-state applicants from California, Georgia, and North Carolina can apply for certification by endorsement if they have the following licenses:

State	Substantially Equivalent Exams
California	CA C-10= FL Unlimited EC CA C-7= FL Limited Energy Specialty CA C-45 = FL ELECTRICAL SIGN SPECIALTY
Georgia	Georgia Class II Unrestricted with Georgia Low Voltage Unlimited = FL Unlimited EC Georgia Class I = FL Residential Specialty
North Carolina	NC Unlimited = FL Unlimited EC NC Low Voltage L/V = FL Limited Energy Specialty NC Limited License = FL Residential Specialty

How much does it cost to become an electrician in Florida?

The cost of obtaining your electrician license in Florida depends on whether you want to be certified state-wide or work regionally as a registered contractor.

For a certified electrical contractor license, expect to pay around $638 for the initial process. Registered electrical contractor licensing costs around $230, plus any additional local fees.

Licensing Stage	Certified Electrical Contractors	Registered Electrical Contractor
Registration	$296	$151
Exam (Application)	$263.25	N/A
Exam (Vendor Fee)	$78.75	$78.75
Renewal (Active→Active)	$223.25 (before August 31st) $248.25 (after August 31st)	$92 (before August 31st) $117 (after August 31st)
Renewal (Inactive→Inactive)	$39.50 (before August 31st) $64.50 (after August 31st)	$39.50 (before August 31st) $64.50 (after August 31st)
Renewal (Active→Inactive)	$39.50 (before August 31st) $89.50 (after august 31st)	$39.50 (before August 31st) $89.50 (after August 31st)
Reactivation (Inactive→Active)	$330.50 (before August 31st) $355.50 (after August 31st)	$155,50 (before August 31st) $180.50 (after August 31st)
Continuing Education Courses	$296	$121

Do I need to renew my electrician license? 

Yes. Whether you hold a certified contractor or a registered contractor license, you are required to renew your license every two years.

If you have a registered contractor license, you need to renew it by August 31 of every odd-numbered year (e.g., 2021, 2023). If you have a certified contractor license, you need to renew it by August 31 of every even-numbered year (e.g., 2020, 2022).

License renewal can be performed online through the DBPR’s online portal, or by submitting the appropriate form to the board office in Tallahassee.

What happens if my electrician license expires? 

In Florida, if your electrician license has expired, you are no longer authorized to perform any electrical work until it has been renewed. It’s important that you do this before it expires to avoid any interruption in your ability to work as an electrician.

However, if your license has already expired, here are the steps you should take to renew it:

1. Stop all work immediately: You may face additional fees and legal consequences if you work without an active electrical contractor license, so you need to pause any projects and go to the DBPR’s license search page to identify if yours has expired. 

2. Meet the renewal requirements: To renew your license, you will need to complete the required continuing education courses. The specific continuing education requirements may vary based on the type of license you hold.

3. Renew your license as soon as possible: You can renew your license and pay the renewal fee online or by mail. To renew your license online, visit the Florida DBPR website and follow the instructions. To renew by mail, you can download and complete the renewal form from the Florida DBPR website and mail it along with the required fees.

4. Pay any late fees: If you renew your license after it has expired, you may be required to pay a late fee in addition to the renewal fee.

It’s important to note that if your license has expired for an extended period of time, you may be required to retake the state exam or complete additional education and training before you can renew your license.  

If you perform any electrical work requiring licensure and do not have a valid active certificate or registration authorizing them to do so, you are guilty of unlicensed contracting. Working outside the geographical scope of one’s registration is also considered unlicensed activity. 

The department may issue a notice of noncompliance for a first offense, then may impose a fine of up to $10,000 and assess investigative and legal costs for the prosecution of the violation. The department may waive up to half of the fine if the unlicensed contractor complies with certification or registration within a year.

Requirements for business owners

Once you have what you need to work as an electrician in Florida, it’s time to decide if you’re ready to take the next step to securing your financial future—opening your own business. 

But first, what exactly do you need to do to own and operate a handyman business?

The DBPR outlines some additional requirements you might need to meet before starting your own electrical business, as well as some tips and useful links. Those requirements include:

1. Registering your business: All businesses operating in Florida must register with the Florida Department of State. You can register online through the Florida Division of Corporations website.

2. Obtaining a local business tax receipt: Depending on the location of your business, you may need to obtain a local business tax receipt, also known as an occupational license or business license. You can usually get this license from the county or city where your business is located.

3. Obtaining workers’ compensation insurance: If you plan to hire employees, you will need to obtain workers’ compensation insurance to protect your employees in case of injury or illness on the job. Failure to obtain workers’ compensation insurance can result in fines and legal penalties.

4. Comply with tax requirements: All businesses in Florida are subject to state and federal tax requirements. This includes registering for a sales tax permit, paying business taxes, and filing annual tax returns.

5. Following safety regulations: As an electrician, you must adhere to safety regulations set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Electrical Code (NEC) when performing electrical work. Failure to follow these regulations can result in fines, legal penalties, and, most importantly, potential safety hazards.

For more information on the steps you need to take to start your own electrical contracting business in Florida, including hiring staff, securing financing, and purchasing equipment, check out our guide.

Does an electrical license in Florida increase your earning potential? 

Yes, getting your Florida electrician license is the first step towards drastically increasing your earning potential and controlling your financial future. 

As you continue to build years of experience as a certified or registered electrical contractor, you can expect your salary to jump drastically—from $32,000 to $41,000 over the first 3-6 years. That number can surpass $55,000 for those with 18 years of experience and even more when you start your own business.

Are you interested in learning more about this lucrative industry and what the financial prospects are across the country?

Check out our Essential Electrician Salary Guide to see how your income in Florida compares with the rest of the country—and where you can put this in-demand skill set to use.