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State files updated Oct 27, 2026
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Florida contractor license (CILB)Requirements, cost, exam

Florida licenses general contractors through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB). Work under $2,500 total (labor, materials and all items) is exempt as casual/minor, unless it is part of a larger job, split to avoid the rule, or the person advertises as a contractor (489.103(9)).1

Florida · general contractor

State license required

Experience
General contractor: 4 years of experience (or a combination with college credit; a 4-year construction degree counts as 3 years), experience in at least 4 of the listed areas and 1 year on structures of 4 stories or more (Rule 61G4-15.001, per the CILB 5-A form).2
Exam
Computer-based, open-book multiple choice.3
Bond
No surety bond is required to be certified.4
Insurance
General and Building contractors: at least $300,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, attested on the application.2
Fees
Initial application $245 if filed May 1 of an even year through Aug 31 of an odd year, $145 otherwise (CILB 5-A).2
Renewal
Certified licenses renew every 2 years (489.115(4)).4

Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB)

How do you get a Florida contractor license?

  1. Check that you need a license

    Work under $2,500 total (labor, materials and all items) is exempt as casual/minor, unless it is part of a larger job, split to avoid the rule, or the person advertises as a contractor (489.103(9)).1

  2. Meet the experience rule

    General contractor: 4 years of experience (or a combination with college credit; a 4-year construction degree counts as 3 years), experience in at least 4 of the listed areas and 1 year on structures of 4 stories or more (Rule 61G4-15.001, per the CILB 5-A form).2

  3. Apply to the CILB$145–$245

    Initial application $245 if filed May 1 of an even year through Aug 31 of an odd year, $145 otherwise (CILB 5-A).2

    CILB site
  4. Pass the exam

    Computer-based, open-book multiple choice.3

    What's on the exam
  5. File the bond and insurance

    No surety bond is required to be certified. General and Building contractors: at least $300,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage, attested on the application.4

    Florida bond and insurance rules
  6. Get the license, then renew

    Certified licenses renew every 2 years (489.115(4)).4

    Renewal and CE

Electrical, plumbing and HVAC licenses in Florida

Which license class do you need in Florida?

Certified (statewide): General, Building, Residential, and specialty categories such as Plumbing, Roofing, Air-Conditioning (Class A/B/C), Pool/Spa.5

Classes with the most active holders in the state file, 2026-10-276.

All 20 classes

RC Registered Roofing Contractor · RP Registered Pool/Spa Contractor · RB Registered Building Contractor · RG Registered General Contractor · CVC Certified Solar Contractor · RA Registered Air Conditioning Contractor · Class PCC · RX Registered Solar Contractor

Does Florida have license reciprocity?

CILB has reciprocal agreements with Louisiana, North Carolina and Mississippi for General, Building and Residential licenses.7

Do you need workers' comp?

Workers' compensation under ch. 440 is required, or an exemption from the Division of Workers' Compensation.4

Florida insurance and bonds

Sources

  1. Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB): who needs a license (leg.state.fl.us, 2026-10-27)
  2. Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB): experience (www2.myfloridalicense.com, 2026-10-27)
  3. Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB): exam (www2.myfloridalicense.com, 2026-10-27)
  4. Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB): bond (leg.state.fl.us, 2026-10-27)
  5. Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB): license classes (www2.myfloridalicense.com, 2026-10-27)
  6. FL DBPR construction license extract (CONSTRUCTIONLICENSE_1) (www2.myfloridalicense.com, 2026-10-27)
  7. Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB): reciprocity (www2.myfloridalicense.com, 2026-10-27)
  8. Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB): Index.cfm (leg.state.fl.us, 2026-10-27)
  9. Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB): Index.cfm (leg.state.fl.us, 2026-10-27)
  10. Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB): CC Insert Current (www2.myfloridalicense.com, 2026-10-27)
  11. Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR CILB) (www2.myfloridalicense.com, 2026-10-27)
  12. Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (DBPR ECLB) (www2.myfloridalicense.com, 2026-10-27)