Florida · Plumber

How to get a Plumber license in Florida

Yes — Florida requires a Plumber 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 Plumber license requirements at a glance

License required	Yes (state)
Issuing board	FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)
Exam	Yes — State certification exam: plumbing trade part paper-and-pencil via Professional Testing, Inc.; business & finance part CBT via Pearson VUE
Experience	One of 5 methods: 4 yrs worker/foreman (>=1 yr foreman), or 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) + 10-yr out-of-state endorsement; NASCLA route not applicable to plumbing

License required

Yes (state)

Issuing board

FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)

Exam

Yes — State certification exam: plumbing trade part paper-and-pencil via Professional Testing, Inc.; business & finance part CBT via Pearson VUE

Experience

One of 5 methods: 4 yrs worker/foreman (>=1 yr foreman), or 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) + 10-yr out-of-state endorsement; NASCLA route not applicable to plumbing

Step by step

Meet the experience requirement. One of 5 methods: 4 yrs worker/foreman (>=1 yr foreman), or degree + 1 yr, or college-credit combos; 1 yr = 2,000 hrs
Pass the required exam. State certification exam: plumbing trade part paper-and-pencil via Professional Testing, Inc.; business & finance part CBT via Pearson VUE
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 or $145 by application half-cycle, per CILB 5-M. FICO 660+ credit report or 14-hr course; insurance $100k/$25k. Certified expires Aug 31 even years; renewal $205.

Already licensed in another state?

Reciprocity agreements (since 6/2021) + 10-yr out-of-state endorsement; NASCLA route not applicable to plumbing

Florida Plumber reciprocity in detail →

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

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Florida?: Yes. Florida requires a Plumber license issued by FL DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB).
How much does a Plumber license cost in Florida?: The license fee is $245. Fee $245 or $145 by application half-cycle, per CILB 5-M. FICO 660+ credit report or 14-hr course; insurance $100k/$25k. Certified expires Aug 31 even years; renewal $205. 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 degree + 1 yr, or college-credit combos; 1 yr = 2,000 hrs
What exam do you have to pass?: State certification exam: plumbing trade part paper-and-pencil via Professional Testing, Inc.; business & finance part CBT via Pearson VUE
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 or $145 by application half-cycle, per CILB 5-M. FICO 660+ credit report or 14-hr course; insurance $100k/$25k. Certified expires Aug 31 even years; renewal $205.
Does Florida have reciprocity with other states?: Reciprocity agreements (since 6/2021) + 10-yr out-of-state endorsement; NASCLA route not applicable to plumbing
How often do you renew?: Every 2 years.