How much does a General Contractor license cost in Florida?
The Florida General Contractor license fee is $245, paid to FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Exam fees, the bond premium and insurance are charged separately.
What the state charges
| License fee | $245 |
|---|---|
| Paid to | FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) |
| Exam | State certification exam via Professional Testing, Inc.; CBT by Pearson VUE (trade, contract admin, project management, business & finance; open book) |
| Bond | Not required |
| Renewal | Every 2 year(s) |
Fee breakdown 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.
Official fee source: FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) →
What else you pay before the first job
The licence fee is the smallest line item for most people starting out. These are charged by private providers, not by FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), and prices vary — so we link the options rather than quote a number we cannot source.
General liability insurance
Required by most licensing boards and by nearly every general contractor who hires you.
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Financing options →Frequently asked questions
- How much does a General Contractor license cost in Florida?
- The state license fee is $245, paid to 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.
- What other costs are there beyond the license fee?
- Beyond the state fee you should budget for the exam, general liability insurance, forming your business entity, and the truck and tools you need to take the first job. Those are billed by separate providers, not the licensing board.
Related
Full Florida General Contractor license requirements →
Florida General Contractor license reciprocity →
Every figure is sourced to the official state board and may change — confirm before acting. Information to help you launch, not legal advice.