Florida · General Contractor

How to get a General Contractor license in Florida

Yes — Florida requires a General Contractor license, issued by FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). You must pass the state exam, document your qualifying experience. The license fee is $245, and it renews every 2 years.

Florida General Contractor license requirements at a glance

License required	Yes (state)
Issuing board	FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)
Exam	Yes — State certification exam via Professional Testing, Inc.; CBT by Pearson VUE (trade, contract admin, project management, business & finance; open book)
Experience	One of 5 methods: 4 yrs worker/foreman (>=1 yr foreman), or construction degree + 1 yr, or college-credit combos; 1 yr = 2,000 hrs
Bond	No
License fee	$245
Renewal	Every 2 year(s)
Reciprocity	Reciprocity agreements (since 6/2021), NASCLA exam endorsement (general/building/residential), 10-yr out-of-state endorsement (since 7/2020)

License required

Yes (state)

Issuing board

FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)

Exam

Yes — State certification exam via Professional Testing, Inc.; CBT by Pearson VUE (trade, contract admin, project management, business & finance; open book)

Experience

One of 5 methods: 4 yrs worker/foreman (>=1 yr foreman), or construction degree + 1 yr, or college-credit combos; 1 yr = 2,000 hrs

Bond

License fee

$245

Renewal

Every 2 year(s)

Reciprocity

Reciprocity agreements (since 6/2021), NASCLA exam endorsement (general/building/residential), 10-yr out-of-state endorsement (since 7/2020)

Step by step

Meet the experience requirement. One of 5 methods: 4 yrs worker/foreman (>=1 yr foreman), or construction degree + 1 yr, or college-credit combos; 1 yr = 2,000 hrs
Pass the required exam. State certification exam via Professional Testing, Inc.; CBT by Pearson VUE (trade, contract admin, project management, business & finance; open book)
Pay the license fee and apply. Submit your application to FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) with the $245 fee.
Keep the license current. Renew every 2 years to stay eligible to pull permits.

Fee detail and fine print

Fee $245 (applying May 1 even yr–Aug 31 odd yr) or $145 (other half-cycle), per CILB 5-A. Financial responsibility = FICO 660+ credit report or 14-hr course (not a bond); $100k bond only for a designated FRO. Insurance $300k liability/$50k property. Certified = statewide; registered = county alternative. Handyman exemption under $2,500.

Already licensed in another state?

Reciprocity agreements (since 6/2021), NASCLA exam endorsement (general/building/residential), 10-yr out-of-state endorsement (since 7/2020)

Florida General Contractor reciprocity in detail →

Official source: FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) →

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license to work as a general contractor in Florida?: Yes. Florida requires a General Contractor license issued by FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB).
How much does a General Contractor license cost in Florida?: The license fee is $245. Fee $245 (applying May 1 even yr–Aug 31 odd yr) or $145 (other half-cycle), per CILB 5-A. Financial responsibility = FICO 660+ credit report or 14-hr course (not a bond); $100k bond only for a designated FRO. Insurance $300k liability/$50k property. Certified = statewide; registered = county alternative. Handyman exemption under $2,500. Exam, fingerprinting, bond premium and insurance are billed separately where they apply.
How much experience do you need?: One of 5 methods: 4 yrs worker/foreman (>=1 yr foreman), or construction degree + 1 yr, or college-credit combos; 1 yr = 2,000 hrs
What exam do you have to pass?: State certification exam via Professional Testing, Inc.; CBT by Pearson VUE (trade, contract admin, project management, business & finance; open book)
Is a surety bond required in Florida?: No surety bond is required for this license by FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Fee $245 (applying May 1 even yr–Aug 31 odd yr) or $145 (other half-cycle), per CILB 5-A. Financial responsibility = FICO 660+ credit report or 14-hr course (not a bond); $100k bond only for a designated FRO. Insurance $300k liability/$50k property. Certified = statewide; registered = county alternative. Handyman exemption under $2,500.
Does Florida have reciprocity with other states?: Reciprocity agreements (since 6/2021), NASCLA exam endorsement (general/building/residential), 10-yr out-of-state endorsement (since 7/2020)
How often do you renew?: Every 2 years.