Florida General Contractor License: How to become a Certified General Contractor in FL

Do I need a general contractor license in Florida?

Yes, Florida requires general contractors to be licensed. This applies to all individual contractors or the owners of a contracting business. 

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is responsible for handling general contractor licenses in the state. These licenses are managed and issued under the DBPR’s Construction Industry Licensing Board.

What can I do without a general contractor license?

The short answer is “not a whole lot.” 

If you don’t have a general contractor license in Florida, you can still do small projects like putting in cabinets, laying flooring, setting up above-ground pools, painting houses, doing basic yard work, and fixing walls. 

A general contractor’s license is needed for more specialized contracting work, including residential or commercial building repairs and remodeling, or altering the structure of a building.

Without the right license, you are violating Florida law and could face legal consequences such as penalties and fines.

READ MORE: Contractor vs Handyman: What can you legally do?

Types of general contractor licenses in Florida

All contractor licenses in Florida fall under 1 of 2 categories—certified or registered.

A certified license means you can take on a wider variety of projects across the state, while a registered license is more focused on meeting the requirements of a regional area or municipality. 

This means a person with a registered license can only do general contracting work within the specific area they’re licensed. In Florida, for example, this would be counties such as Miami-Dade County, Broward County, or Palm Beach.

The table below lists each type of general contractor license available in Florida, so you can choose which is right for you.

Florida contractor license requirements

Here are the requirements you must complete for your chosen type of license:

How to get a general contractor license in Florida

Let’s break down each license into a step-by-step guide. 

Certified General Contractor License (Individual and Business): 

• Fulfill one of the four combinations of work experience and education.
• Write and pass the state exam— you can find information about the exam here.
• Obtain financial credit using a board-approved credit report agency.
• Complete a background check and submit fingerprints using a Livescan Service Provider. (Learn more about fingerprinting here.)
• Secure both public liability and property damage insurance.
• Submit the required payment for your application.
• Complete and submit the application forms to finalize your application.*

Registered General Contractor License (Individual and Business):

• Complete a background check and submit fingerprints using a Livescan Service Provider. Learn more about fingerprinting here.
• Obtain financial credit from a board-approved credit report agency from the provided list.
• Secure both public liability and property damage insurance.
• Provide evidence of possessing a certificate of competency from a local licensing office.
• Submit the required payment for your application.
• Complete and submit the form to finalize your application.*

* Here are the necessary application forms:

• Certified General Contractor License Application (individual)
• Certified General Contractor Application (business)
• Registered Contractor Application (individual)
• Registered General Contractor Application (business)

All forms and documents can be submitted online or mailed to the following address: 

Department of Business and Professional Regulation
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1027

Florida general contractor exams

To become a licensed general contractor in Florida, you’ll need to pass the required exams. Here’s an overview of the exams and their passing score.

You must pass with a score of at least 70% on all parts of the Florida State Construction examination. 

The Florida State Construction licensure categories are divided into two divisions:

Division 1 categories are for General, Building, and Residential Contractors. Division 1 general contractors must pass 3 exams: 

• Business and Finance
• Contract Administration
• Project Management

Division 2 categories are designed for specialties such as Gas Line, Plumbing, Pool/Spa Servicing, and more. Division 2 contractors must pass two examinations:

• Business and Finance
• General Trade Knowledge

Register for your exam starting on the 9th page of the exam booklet. Find more exam information and registration details here.

How much does a general contractor license in Florida cost?

The cost to become a general contractor depends on the type of license you need. You can expect to pay at least $410 – $1,050, depending on your license type. 

Here’s how the costs break down:

Renewing your Florida general contractor license

To maintain your Florida general contractor license, you have to renew it regularly. Here’s what you need to know about the renewal process.

General contractor licenses must be renewed every two years. You can find your license expiration date on your license or by accessing the online portal.

A copy of your renewed license will be sent to the email address associated with your online account.

Continuing education is a requirement for active renewal. General contractors are required to complete 14 hours of continuing education credits over the course of their licensing period. 

Minimum requirements include:

• 1 hour specialized or advanced module
• 1 hour workplace safety
• 1 hour business practices 
• 1 hour workers’ compensation 
• 1 hour laws and rules
• 1 hour of wind mitigation
• The remaining hours can be any construction-related instruction approved by the board

Visit the Continuing Education Search page to review your requirements and courses completed or to find a provider.

For more information on license renewal, review the Contractor License Renewal Insert.

Does my general contractor license in Florida work in any other states?

Yes, Florida offers licensing by reciprocity if you hold a valid contractor license from another state. 

Florida currently has reciprocity agreements with the following states:

• Louisiana
• North Carolina
• Mississippi 

Reciprocity agreements establish a mutual understanding between states, allowing license holders from one state to get the same license in another state without going through the licensing process.

How to start a general contracting business in Florida

Getting your Florida general contractor license is a great first step that will benefit your financial future. And if you’re looking to take it to the next level, you can start your own general contracting business. 

Here are the basic steps to starting a general contracting business in Florida:

• Obtain your certified or registered general contractor License
• Get public liability and property damage insurance. 
• Register your business with the Department of State, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and your local county
• Register with the Florida Department of Revenue (for tax compliance)
• Form your business as a corporation, LLC, or partnership
• Register your business name (optional)

You’ll need to fill out the application forms to qualify your business. Choose between the Certified General Contractor who is Qualifying a Business Application or the Registered General Contractor who is Qualifying a Business Application, depending on your license type. 

Make sure to review other available business licenses for certified and registered contractors in case of special circumstances.

Learn more at the Florida Department of State website.

Does a general contractor license in Florida increase your earning potential?

Yes, getting your general contractor’s license in Florida can definitely increase your earning potential. A license allows you to take on bigger projects and work as a general contractor, which can lead to higher earnings. Since you’ll be insured, you’ll also attract more serious customers who are looking for a legitimate, trustworthy partner.

Florida has an average annual wage of $47,210 for general contractors. With a general contracting license in Florida and more experience, you can access more opportunities and potentially earn more than $80,000 a year.

The demand for general contractors in Florida is strong, and you’re just steps away from getting your license and maximizing your financial future.