Florida General Contractor License Requirements: The CILB Certified License, the Three Exams & the 2025 HB 735 Change (2026)

If you are planning to run a general contractor business in Florida, be ready for one of the most rigorous licensing processes in the Southeast – and a system that changed significantly in 2025. Florida requires a state license for essentially all meaningful construction work, backs it with four years of experience, three exams, a financial-responsibility check, and insurance, and enforces it hard. The big recent shift is that Florida eliminated most local “registered” licenses in 2025, pushing nearly everyone toward a statewide certified license. This guide walks through exactly what a Florida certified general contractor license takes under current 2026 rules.

Some states use light registration; Florida uses a demanding, exam-based certified license. Florida is a strict license state. Nationally, the construction field is large and growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025), there are roughly 380,360 construction managers, 812,210 first-line supervisors of construction trades, 146,720 construction and building inspectors, and about 1,096,780 construction laborers across the country. Employment of construction managers is projected to grow 9% from 2024 to 2034 – much faster than the average for all occupations. 

In Florida specifically – one of the largest construction markets in the nation – the BLS reports about 34,010 construction managers (median pay $113,130), 69,830 first-line construction supervisors ($75,790), 13,860 construction and building inspectors ($68,170), and roughly 87,040 construction laborers ($44,030), reflecting Florida’s enormous, fast-growing building sector. This guide draws every requirement directly from the official sources: the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and Chapter 489 of the Florida Statutes.

Quick Answer: Do You Need a General Contractor License in Florida?

Yes – Florida requires a state contractor license for construction work valued over $2,500, and work below that must be “casual, minor, and inconsequential.” The license is issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) under the DBPR, per Chapter 489 of the Florida Statutes. Note that the exemption is narrow: under Fla. Stat. 489.103(9) it doesn’t apply if the work is part of a larger or major operation (so you can’t split a bigger job into sub-$2,500 pieces), and in practice work that requires a building permit calls for a licensed contractor.

Florida’s system centers on the Certified license, which is valid statewide. General contractors earn a Certified General Contractor (CGC) license – the highest tier, with no scope limit on the type or size of structure – by documenting four years of experience, passing three state exams, demonstrating financial responsibility, and carrying the required insurance. The other Division I classifications are Certified Building Contractor (CBC) and Certified Residential Contractor (CRC), each with narrower scope. A major change took effect in 2025: House Bill 735 eliminated most local “registered” contractor licenses, so the statewide certified license is now the path for nearly all contractors.

Who Regulates General Contractors in Florida?

General contracting in Florida is regulated by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), which operates under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The CILB licenses contractors across Division I (general building trades) and Division II (specialty trades), administers the exams and experience review, and enforces the law against unlicensed contracting.

Key contacts:

• DBPR / Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB): myfloridalicense.com; 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399
• Exams: Professional Testing, Inc. (under contract to DBPR/CILB)
• Electrical licensing: Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB), a separate board
• Business registration: Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)

The governing law is Chapter 489 of the Florida Statutes, with detailed rules in Florida Administrative Code Chapter 61G4. Because Florida is one of the most heavily regulated states for contractors, understanding the certified-license framework – and the 2025 changes – is essential before you perform any work.

The 2025 Change: HB 735 and the End of Local Licenses

The single most important recent development in Florida contractor licensing is House Bill 735. Effective July 1, 2025, HB 735 eliminated most local “registered” contractor licenses – the county and municipal certificates of competency that previously let contractors work only within a specific jurisdiction. Florida had long maintained two parallel systems: state certified licenses (valid statewide) and local registered licenses (limited to one jurisdiction). HB 735 phased out most of the local pathway.

What this means for contractors in 2026:

• Local competency cards are being retired. Working under an old county competency card for a trade that now requires a state license is effectively working unlicensed.
• The CILB created new certified specialty categories. To fill the gap left by eliminated local specialty licenses, the board established new state-certified categories so those trades can license at the state level.
• The certified license is now the path. For nearly all contractors, the statewide certified license is the way forward. If you held a local-only credential, confirm your conversion or grandfathering status with the DBPR.

If you’re relying on older online guidance that tells you to “check with your county,” be aware that much of that advice is now outdated – the state certified license is what most contractors need.

Certified vs. Registered: Florida’s Two Pathways

Historically, Florida offered two ways to license:

• Certified (statewide): Earned by passing the state examinations and meeting the DBPR’s experience, financial, and insurance requirements. A certified license is valid anywhere in Florida. This is the primary path.
• Registered (local): Historically obtained by holding a local certificate of competency from a county or municipal building department and registering it with the DBPR. A registered license was limited to the issuing jurisdiction only.

With HB 735 phasing out most local registered licenses as of July 1, 2025, the certified pathway is now the route for nearly all general contractors. The remainder of this guide focuses on the certified license, since that’s what a statewide general contracting business requires.

Florida Contractor License Classifications

Florida’s Division I “general” licenses come in three classifications, distinguished by the scope of work they authorize.

Certified General Contractor (CGC)

The top tier. A Certified General Contractor can construct, repair, alter, remodel, add to, or demolish any building or structure – with no limit on height, size, or type. That means commercial high-rises, hospitals, condominium towers, schools, government buildings, and single-family homes alike, including structural work, excavation, and structural pools. The unlimited scope is the biggest distinction between the CGC and the narrower Building or Residential classifications. It requires four years of experience.

Certified Building Contractor (CBC)

A Certified Building Contractor can build commercial and residential structures up to three stories, along with the related work. It’s a step below the CGC in scope – suitable for contractors focused on mid-size commercial and residential buildings rather than high-rises. It uses the same three-part Division I exam.

Certified Residential Contractor (CRC)

A Certified Residential Contractor is limited to one-, two-, and three-family residences not more than two stories in height, plus accessory structures. It’s the residential-focused Division I license. Insurance minimums for residential fall under the “all other categories” tier ($100,000 liability / $25,000 property damage), lower than the General and Building requirement.

Florida General Contractor License Requirements

Florida’s requirements are rigorous. Here’s what a Certified General Contractor applicant must meet.

Experience

You must document at least four years of construction experience in the category, or equivalent, generally within the past 10 years. At least one year must be in a supervisory role (as a foreman or similar) overseeing construction. Experience is documented on DBPR verification forms signed by supervising licensed contractors. You can substitute up to three years of accredited college credit for a portion of the experience, and military service can count toward field experience. You must be at least 18 years old and of good moral character.

The Three Exams

Division I applicants (General, Building, Residential) pass a three-part examination, administered by Professional Testing, Inc. under contract to the DBPR/CILB:

• Business & Finance – the longest part, covering business management, finance, lien law, and Florida contracting rules
• Contract Administration – covering project contracts, administration, and documentation
• Project Management – covering scheduling, safety, and managing construction

The exams are open-book and multiple-choice, with a 70% passing score on each part. You have four years from your first passed part to pass the rest, or you risk losing credit for earlier passes. Florida also recognizes the NASCLA Accredited Examination for commercial general building contractors in lieu of the Project Management and Contract Administration parts – but the Business & Finance part is still required.

Financial Responsibility and FICO Score

Florida requires proof of financial responsibility. You satisfy this with a credit report showing a FICO score of 660 or higher. If your score is below 660, you meet the requirement by completing a 14-hour CILB-approved financial responsibility course – under the current rule (61G4-15.006, F.A.C., as amended in 2022), the course is the standard path, and the old mandatory sub-660 surety bond was eliminated. (Florida statute still authorizes a financial-responsibility bond capped at $20,000 for Division I contractors, reducible by half with the course, but in current CILB practice the 14-hour course is what applicants complete.) A separate $100,000 Financially Responsible Officer (FRO) bond applies only to business entities that qualify through a designated FRO.

Insurance and Workers’ Compensation

Certified General and Building contractors must carry a minimum of $300,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage insurance, with the CILB named as certificate holder (Residential and other categories carry $100,000/$25,000). Workers’ compensation coverage is required under Florida law unless you file a Notice of Election to be Exempt (available to a construction-industry corporate officer or LLC member who owns at least 10% of the entity) with the Division of Workers’ Compensation. The exemption isn’t permanent – construction-industry exemptions must be renewed every two years – and a new licensee who doesn’t file within 30 days is presumed to need full coverage.

Florida General Contractor Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Detail
License threshold	Work over $2,500 requires a license (Fla. Stat. 489.103)
Licensing body	Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), under DBPR
Minimum age	18
Experience	4 years (1 year supervisory); up to 3 years college creditable
Exams	Business & Finance + Contract Admin + Project Management (70%)
Financial responsibility	FICO 660+, or 14-hour course (+ bond for entities)
Insurance (General/Building)	$300,000 public liability / $50,000 property damage
Workers’ compensation	Required unless exemption filed within 30 days
2025 change	HB 735 eliminated most local registered licenses (July 1, 2025)
Renewal	Every 2 years, August 31 of even years
Governing law	Chapter 489, Florida Statutes; F.A.C. 61G4

How to Get a General Contractor License in Florida: Step by Step

Here is the practical path to a Florida Certified General Contractor license.

Step 1 – Confirm Your Experience

Verify you have four years of qualifying experience (one year supervisory) in the category, generally within the past 10 years. Have supervising licensed contractors complete the DBPR verification forms, and gather supporting records (pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s). Apply college credit or military service if relevant.

Step 2 – Pass the Three Exams

Register with Professional Testing, Inc. and pass the Business & Finance, Contract Administration, and Project Management exams (70% each). Remember the four-year window to pass all parts. Consider the NASCLA route if you work in multiple states and qualify.

Step 3 – Meet Financial and Insurance Requirements

Obtain a credit report showing a FICO score of 660 or higher (or complete the 14-hour financial responsibility course). Secure general liability insurance ($300,000/$50,000 for General/Building) with CILB as certificate holder, and set up workers’ compensation or plan your exemption filing.

Step 4 – Submit Your DBPR Application

Submit your application through the MyFloridaLicense portal with the required fee, your experience verification, exam results, financial documentation, and insurance certificate. Applications flagged for board review can add several weeks.

Step 5 – Complete the Background Check

Complete fingerprinting and the criminal background check through the DBPR’s vendor (Florida Department of Law Enforcement and FBI). Once your experience, exams, financials, insurance, and background check are approved, the DBPR issues your certified license and you can work statewide.

How Much Does a Florida General Contractor License Cost?

Cost Item	Amount
Application fee	Reported ~$249 (varies by application type and cycle)
Exam fees (three parts)	Reported ~$135+ per part (Professional Testing)
Exam prep course (optional)	Reported ~$300-$800
General liability insurance	Reported ~$1,000-$3,000/year (varies)
Fingerprinting/background check	Reported ~$50-$90
Renewal (every 2 years)	Reported ~$209

The core DBPR fees – application (reported around $249) plus the three exam fees – put the state cost in the several-hundred-dollar range, but the all-in cost to get licensed (including exam prep, insurance, and fingerprinting) commonly runs $1,000-$2,500. Because published fee figures vary by application type and change over time, confirm the current amounts on the MyFloridaLicense portal before applying. Serious exam prep is a worthwhile investment – Florida’s three-part exam has a meaningful failure rate.

License Renewal and Continuing Education

Florida certified contractor licenses renew every two years, on August 31 of even-numbered years – a fixed cycle rather than your issuance anniversary. New licensees often find their first renewal period is shorter than two full years, so mark the date. To renew, you complete the required continuing education, keep your insurance active, and pay the renewal fee (reported around $209).

Florida requires 14 hours of continuing education each two-year cycle for certified contractors, covering topics such as Florida building code, workplace safety, workers’ compensation, business practices, laws and rules, and (for some) wind mitigation. Keeping your CE, insurance, and financial responsibility current is essential – a lapse can affect your ability to renew and work.

Does Florida Have General Contractor License Reciprocity?

Yes – Florida has reciprocity (endorsement) agreements with several states for the general, building, and residential classifications. Reported reciprocal states include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Under reciprocity, a contractor licensed in good standing in a corresponding classification in one of those states may be able to obtain a Florida license without retaking the full trade exam – but generally must still pass the Florida Business & Finance (law) exam and meet the experience, financial, and insurance requirements.

Reciprocity terms and the list of eligible states can change, and specific classification matches matter. If you’re licensed elsewhere and expanding into Florida, contact the DBPR to confirm your eligibility and which exam parts you can waive. Contractors from states without an agreement (or in non-matching classifications) generally complete the full Florida process.

Specialty Trade Licenses in Florida

A Certified General Contractor license covers general building work, but the specialty trades have their own licensing, and a GC coordinates licensed specialty contractors for regulated work.

Electricians

Electrical work is licensed by the separate Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB), not the CILB, with its own experience and exam requirements. A general contractor engages a licensed electrical contractor for electrical scope rather than self-performing it.

Plumbers

Plumbing is a CILB-licensed specialty (Division II) with its own experience and exam requirements. A general contractor uses a licensed plumbing contractor for plumbing work. (For a deeper look, see our overview of Florida plumbing licensing.)

HVAC

HVAC and air-conditioning contracting is a CILB Division II specialty (Class A and Class B air-conditioning), with its own requirements, and any technician handling refrigerant also needs federal EPA Section 608 certification. A general contractor subcontracts HVAC scope to a licensed pro.

If your project involves electrical, plumbing, or HVAC and you don’t hold the specialty license, engage a Florida-licensed specialty contractor and verify their license through the DBPR before contracting.

Penalties for Unlicensed Contracting in Florida

Florida enforces its licensing law aggressively, and unlicensed contracting carries serious penalties:

• Criminal charges – Unlicensed contracting is a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense, escalating to a felony for repeat offenses or when it occurs during a declared state of emergency (common after hurricanes)
• Fines and stop-work orders – The DBPR can issue citations, substantial fines (commonly cited around $5,000), and stop-work orders against unlicensed contractors
• No right to enforce contracts – Under Florida law, an unlicensed contractor generally cannot enforce a construction contract or collect payment for work requiring a license
• Aggressive stings – The DBPR and local authorities conduct undercover sting operations, particularly targeting post-storm repair fraud

You can verify any contractor’s license instantly through the DBPR’s online license search at myfloridalicense.com, which Florida heavily promotes to consumers – especially after storms. Because the penalties escalate to felony level and unlicensed work can’t be enforced, getting licensed before you contract is essential.

How Much Does a General Contractor Make in Florida?

Florida is one of the largest and fastest-growing construction markets in the country, with sustained demand across metros like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale, plus heavy post-hurricane rebuilding work. As a general reference point for the broader construction workforce, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks construction managers and related occupations, and self-employed general contractors’ income depends heavily on their classification, project mix, and how many projects they run. For a closer look at how pay scales with role, experience, and region, this contractor and construction manager salary guide breaks the numbers down.

Florida General Contractor Salary by Role

Because “general contractor” isn’t a single wage category, the closest picture comes from the related construction roles the BLS tracks in Florida. Construction managers – the role most like a general contractor – earn a median well into six figures:

Role	Median Hourly Wage	Median Annual Wage
Construction Managers (GC-equivalent)	$54.39/hr	$113,130
First-Line Construction Supervisors	$36.44/hr	$75,790
Construction & Building Inspectors	$32.77/hr	$68,170
Construction Laborers	$21.17/hr	$44,030

Florida’s construction manager median of about $113,130 sits alongside one of the largest construction workforces in the nation – roughly 34,010 construction managers and 87,040 laborers statewide. Because the certified general contractor license carries unlimited scope and unlocks the ability to bid the biggest projects across a booming market, earning the CGC – the highest tier – is the clearest path to maximizing earning potential in Florida.

Tips for Growing Your General Contracting Business in Florida

A successful general contracting business is built on reputation, reliable delivery, and strong client and subcontractor relationships. Beyond getting licensed and insured, the contractors who thrive treat the business side – bidding, scheduling, and project management – as seriously as the build. Here are strategies to help you grow your general contracting business in Florida’s huge market:

Know the 2025 rules. HB 735 ended most local licenses. If you held a local competency card, confirm your state certified status – working on an old local card can now be treated as unlicensed.

Document your experience thoroughly. The four-year experience requirement, verified by licensed contractors, is a common bottleneck. Gather your verification forms and supporting records early.

Prepare seriously for the three exams. Florida’s Division I exam is demanding, and the four-year window to pass all parts adds pressure. Budget for a prep course – it meaningfully improves pass rates.

Protect your FICO score. Financial responsibility (a 660 FICO or the 14-hour course) is a real requirement. Check your credit early, and take the course if you’re below the line.

Consider NASCLA if you work regionally. The NASCLA exam can replace two of the three Florida parts for commercial general building contractors, streamlining multi-state licensing.

Coordinate licensed specialty subs. Electrical (ECLB), plumbing, and HVAC each need their own license. Build a bench of licensed subcontractors and verify each license to keep projects compliant.

Bid and manage jobs with the right tools. Florida’s large, competitive market rewards fast, accurate estimates and tight project management. General contractor software handles estimating, scheduling, invoicing, and client communication in one place – so you spend more time building and less on paperwork. Make it easy for clients to reach and book you with online booking.

Build your reputation online. Most Florida clients research contractors before hiring, and the DBPR license lookup makes your status public – especially scrutinized after storms. A strong online presence, verifiable license, and clear reviews are among the highest-return investments for winning larger projects.

Florida vs. Neighboring States: How Does Licensing Compare?

State	State GC License?	Threshold	Exam Required
Florida	Yes – CILB certified	Over $2,500	3 exams (Business, Contract, Project)
Georgia	Yes – state license	Most GC work	Exam required
Alabama	Yes – two boards	$100,000 (commercial)	Business & Law + trade / NASCLA
South Carolina	Yes – state license	Over $5,000 (commercial)	Exam + financial statement
Tennessee	Yes – state license	Over $25,000	Business & Law + trade

Florida runs one of the more rigorous licensing systems in the Southeast: a four-year experience requirement, a demanding three-part exam, a financial-responsibility check, and mandatory insurance set a high bar. Its $2,500 threshold is among the lowest in the region, meaning almost all real work needs a license, and its 2025 HB 735 change pushing everyone to statewide certified licenses is a distinctive recent shift. Compared to neighbors, Florida asks a lot of applicants – but the certified license carries real weight and unlimited scope for the CGC, unlocking one of the biggest construction markets in the country.

Ready to Build Your Florida Contracting Business?

Florida asks a lot of its general contractors – four years of experience, a demanding three-part exam, a financial-responsibility check, and insurance – but a Certified General Contractor license carries unlimited scope and unlocks one of the largest construction markets in the country. The big 2026 reality is HB 735: the state certified license is now the path, and old local cards are being retired. Document your experience, prepare seriously for the exams, protect your FICO score, carry the right insurance, and coordinate licensed specialty subs – and you can build a strong contracting business across the Sunshine State.

We have built tools specifically for general contractors – estimating, scheduling, invoicing, project management, and client communication all in one place so you can win more bids and spend less time on paperwork.

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