How to get Florida general contractor license?

Do you want to work as a contractor in Florida? If this is the case, you must obtain a Florida contractor license in order to legally work in the state.

The Florida Construction Licensing Board and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) are the entities in charge of approving or rejecting a potential licensee's contractor license application.

These authorities establish what qualifications (skills, education, experience, and so on) are required to obtain a contractor license in Florida.

The requirements differ depending on the license and expertise.

Contractor License Requirements in Florida

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Submit proof of a credit score of a 660 or higher. You can purchase a surety bond if your credit score is lower.
• Scan an electronic fingerprint.
• Provide proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
• Pass the Florida State Construction Examination.
• Fill out your contractor license application.
• Pay application and licensing fees.

Contractor licenses in Florida are divided into two types: certified licenses and registered licenses.

A certified license is good for the whole state of Florida, thus a contractor can lawfully operate anywhere in the state.

A registered license authorizes a contractor to work in particular local areas.

After applying for one of these classifications of licenses, contractors can then apply for a more specific specialty contractor license such as: a residential contractor license, a building contractor license, a general contractor license, an electrical contractor license, an HVAC-A contractor license, an HVAC-B contractor license, a mechanical contractor license, a roofing contractor license, a plumbing contractor license, a commercial pool/spa contractor license, a residential pool/spa contractor license, a swimming pool/spa servicing license, a glass & glazing specialty contractor license, a solar contractor license, a sheet metal contractor license, an underground utility & excavation contractor license, a pollutant storage systems contractor license, a gypsum drywall specialty contractor license, an irrigation specialty contractor license, a marine contractor license, a gas line specialty contractor license and more.

How to Get a Contractor License in Florida

To apply for a certified contractor’s licensed in Florida:

1. Download and complete the application for the Florida State Construction Examination.
2. If you pass the exam, download and fill out the application for either an individual or qualified business.
3. Put together the following documents:
   1. A credit score report as proof of financial stability and responsibility.
   2. Proof of education and experience.
      1. You must have four years of experience of a combination of college and experience.

To apply for a registered contractor’s licensed in Florida:

1. Download and complete the application for the Florida State Construction Examination.
2. If you pass the exam or if you have a Certificate of Competency, you can download and complete the full application packet for an individual general contractor or a qualifying business.
3. Next, you will need the following:
   1. A credit score report as proof of financial stability and responsibility.
   2. A copy of the Certificate of Competency issued by the local jurisdiction, if you decide to present this over taking the written exam.

Once you complete the application (for either the certified or general license), it should be sent to:
State of Florida
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783

For a certified general contractor license:

• If all exam parts were passed prior to January 1, 2009: $409.
  • Applications sent after August 31, 2019: $309.
• If any exam part was passed after January 1, 2009: $249.
  • Applications sent after August 31, 2019: $149.

For a registered general contractor license:

• If applying between May 1 of an odd year through August 31st of an even year: $309.
• If applying between September 1 of an even year through April 30 of an odd year: $209.

To pay these fees, applicants should write a check out to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Florida General Contractor Exam

Applicants for a certified Florida contractor license are required to pass the Florida State Construction Examination.

Before beginning your application for a contractor’s license, you need to have passed this exam. The exam has three parts you must pass:

1. Project Management
2. Contract Administration
3. Business and Finance

Parts 1 and 2 are paper-and-pencil tests may be taken in Tallahassee, Orlando, or Miami. The exams are scheduled in February, April, June, August, October, and December. Part 3 can be done on a computer.

Instead of taking the Florida State Construction Examination, applicants for a registered Florida contractor license can present a Certificate of Competency issued by the local building authority in the jurisdiction(s) in which they wish to work.

The exam will charge you a $135 registration fee and an $80 exam site admin fee.