The Construction Industry Licensing Board regulates construction contractors and their businesses.
Chapter 489, Part I, of the Florida Statutes and Chapter 61G4 of the Florida Administrative Code.
The laws and rules can be obtained from the Board’s website, Statutes and Rules. If you need further assistance, you may call the Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.
The dates and locations are available on the main page, Board Meeting Information.
Agendas and minutes are available on the main page, Board Meeting Information.
If you obtain a local, county or city contracting license, you must apply for initial state registration. You may only practice contracting in that county or city, along with any adjoining locales that will accept your registration. If you complete the Florida contractor’s examination and apply for initial certification, your licensure will allow you to work throughout the state. You may access both licensure applications and the Florida contractor’s examination application online at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/.
The following categories require registration or certification: general; building; residential; sheet metal; roofing; air-conditioning; mechanical; swimming pool/spa; plumbing; underground utility and excavation; solar and pollutant storage.
You can obtain a description of each licensure category online at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/.
The additional licensure categories are “specialty” licenses. They are voluntary, statewide licenses that you may obtain instead of acquiring a local specialty license. They include: specialty structure (e.g., aluminum enclosures, door and window installation); gypsum drywall; swimming pool specialties; marine; glass and glazing; tower; building demolition; irrigation and industrial facilities.
Yes, they include: swimming pool layout, structural, excavation, trim, decking, piping, and finishes categories. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and of good moral character. The applicant must successfully complete a written or practical examination. A swimming pool contractor who wishes to serve as a practical examiner must register with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and must complete a board-approved examiner course.
Cabinets, countertops, paint, wallpaper, carpet, tile and window treatments are examples of work that do not require state licensure.
You must provide a copy of your local contractor’s license. You may access the application for an initial registered contractor’s license online at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/.
You must complete the Florida contractor’s examination, meet financial stability and responsibility requirements and provide proof of experience for the category in which you wish to become licensed. You may access the application for an initial certified contractor’s license and the Florida contractor’s examination application online at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/.
You need four years of field experience in the category of licensure you wish to obtain. One of those four years must be supervisory experience. You can also substitute up to three years of military service or up to three years of college credit hours in place of the required field experience.
No, any type of military service will count toward the three years of field experience. Military service time is established by submitting a copy of your military form DD214. Likewise, any accredited college credit hours may be applied. In addition to military or education, a minimum of one year of supervisory construction experience within the licensed category is required.
No, any accredited college credit hours may be applied.
Yes. You have to demonstrate experience in four of the following six categories:
General Contractors; at least one year of such experience was in new construction of structures not less than four (4) stories in height.
In certain cases, you can upgrade your license. They include the following:
To upgrade your license, you must pass the appropriate state certification examination and submit an application for initial licensure in the new category.
All parts of all certifications exams are computer-based and are available at any time, except for the Plumbing Trade Knowledge.
You can access additional information regarding scheduling both the computer-based exams and the plumbing trade knowledge exam on the Construction Examinations Information page.
Yes, licensees with a Current/Active status license issued by the CILB are exempt from the Business/Finance portion of the examination required for licensure in the new category.
Paper-and-pencil General (or “Trade”) Knowledge, Project Management and Contract Administration examinations are administered by the Department in Tallahassee, Orlando, and Miami. The dates and locations are available online on the Examination Information page. The Business/Finance and all computer-based examinations are administered by the Department’s vendor, Pearson VUE, at various examination sites throughout the state. To assist you in selecting a convenient location, Pearson VUE publishes a list of locations online, at http://www.pearsonvue.com.
The General (or “trade”) Knowledge, Project Management and Contract Administration exams are administered in the same day. The Business/Finance examination is six and one-half hours.
The examination is open-book. You can access examination information and a detailed list of references, what books are needed and which day of the exam for each category or specialty, as well as schools and bookstores, on the Construction Examinations Information page.
No. Rule 61G4-16.009, Florida Administrative Code, states, “A candidate shall be required to retake only the tests on which he or she failed to achieve a passing score or failed to appear to take when scheduled.”
You must complete all portions of the examination within 4 years of the first attempt. After four years, all previous test scores become invalid and you will be required to take all parts of the examination again.
You must apply within four years. After four years you must apply to take the examination again.
Effective July 1, 2020, applicants for construction licenses will be exempt from having to pass the trade knowledge portion of the examination by attesting that they have obtained a baccalaureate degree from an accredited 4-year college in building construction AND that they have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. These individuals will attest to this when applying for the examination and will then only be required to take the Business and Finance exam. This is applicable for all construction license types.
A Certificate of Authority is also known as a “Qualified Business License.” These licenses are not required as of October 1, 2009. However, if you intend to do business as a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, any business entity other than a sole proprietorship or when you operate as an individual, you must apply to be the “qualifying agent” of the business. The business name will appear on your license.
Yes, contractors are required to qualify a construction business with their individual license.
Yes, contractors are required to provide the criminal history information to qualify a construction company.
Yes, the name of the qualified business will be listed on the contractor’s license.
Active licensees must maintain minimum amounts of insurance at all times. General and building contractors must maintain $300,000 liability insurance and $50,000 property damage insurance. All other categories must maintain $100,000 liability and $25,000 property damage insurance, or in amounts as defined by board rule.
Active licensees must maintain workers’ compensation coverage or an exemption. If you are going to obtain an exemption, you can still apply for licensure, as long as you indicate that you will obtain the exemption within 30 days of becoming licensed.
No, but you must submit a credit report showing a FICO credit score of 660 or higher.
If an applicant has a FICO credit score lower than 660, he or she will be required to provide proof of completion of a board approved 14-hour financial responsibility and stability course as part of their application. Please review the Department’s Financial Responsibility and Stability website for additional information.
If your company designates a financially responsible officer to take financial responsibility for the company, that individual must complete the FRO application. You may access the FRO application online at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/.
Yes, all Financially Responsible Officers must have a bond in place to insure financial obligations that may result from construction work. The bond must be payable to the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Bonds must be in the amount of $100,000.
No, a letter of bondability is not acceptable in lieu of a surety or licensing bond.
Yes, an irrevocable letter of credit in the same amount as the required bond is acceptable in lieu of a surety or licensing bond.
Yes, a person can be a Financially Responsible Officer for more than one construction business. They will be required to complete the FRO application and obtain a bond for each business.
The current FRO must submit a letter explaining that they are resigning from the position. The new FRO will need to complete and submit a new FRO application. In some cases, you may need to amend the bond or letter of credit that your FRO holds. Contact your bonding or banking agent for additional information.
There is no limit.
No, however, the contractor must have supervisory authority and must have final approval authority for all of the construction affairs of the business. If the contractor lacks financial responsibility for the company, the company must obtain a Financially Responsible Officer.
Yes. As of June 1, 2021, contractors licensed in a state that has entered into a reciprocity agreement with the Florida Construction Licensing Board can apply via reciprocity. A list of the states in which Florida has entered into an agreement with can be found here. Applicants should use CILB form 32 and should request a licensing certification from their state to show their license is in good standing. Additional requirements to qualify for reciprocity can be found on the application.
Yes. You must demonstrate successful completion of a licensing examination that is substantially equivalent to the Florida examination or you must demonstrate that you have an out-of-state license, and that the licensure requirements were substantially equivalent to Florida’s current requirements. Please note that endorsement application requirements are very stringent and rarely get approved by the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Beginning March 10th, 2019, applicants for general, building, or residential contractor licenses who have passed the examination administered by the National Association of State Contractor Licensing Agencies (“NASCLA”) and Florida Business and Finance exam, and an exam covering the Florida Building Code can make application for endorsement using the CILB 10 form. The NASCLA exam can be used in lieu of providing proof of passing another state’s licensing examination. However, all other provisions of §489.115 (3) must still be satisfied. If you have not previously taken an exam covering the Florida Building Code, you may wish to take an exam offered by an approved CE provider in lieu of taking the Florida trade exams.
Beginning July 1, 2020, applicants who hold a valid, current license to practice contracting issued by another state or territory, and have held that license for at least ten years before the date of application are eligible to endorse into Florida. Please see the below FAQs.
No. Endorsement is subject to approval by the Construction Industry Licensing Board and/or the Department. If the Board denies your application, your fee is nonrefundable. Please note that endorsement application requirements relying on a comparison of a state specific test are very stringent and rarely get approved by the Construction Industry Licensing Board. The Board has granted the Department limited authority to approve NASCLA endorsement applications, however, your application may still be referred to the Board for further review.
As of July 1, 2020, applicants with an active or recently active out-of-state license held for 10 years may apply for the same license in Florida. Division I and roofing endorsement/reciprocity applicants must complete a 2 hour course on the Florida Building Code which includes information on wind mitigation techniques. If you hold the license in the business name, you will need to submit documentation from your home state agency indicating you were the test taker and qualifier. Also, make sure to apply for a license at the same level as you currently hold and try to include documentation showing what scope of work is allowed with your current license.
You will need to contact the state in which you wish to obtain a license to determine their requirements. However, often times they will require a Certificate of Licensure from the state which you are coming from. To obtain a Certificate of Licensure from us, please do so by using DBPR’s Online Services. Create an online account or logon to your existing account at www.myfloridalicense.com. Select “Request License Certification” from the License Menu. Complete the online application and pay the $25 fee by credit card or electronic check. A copy of your license record will be created and mailed by U.S. mail directly to the address you provide during the transaction. Please allow 10 business days for the other state to receive the document. You will also receive an email copy of the certification for your records.
If you need to send certification of your license to multiple states you will repeat the instructions above and pay the required $25 application fee for each request.
As of July 1, 2020, handyman jobs where the total construction costs are below $2,500 are exempt from State licensure requirements when the jobs are of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature. Check with your building department to see whether the jobs so qualify and whether there are any local licensing requirements. Typically, work requiring a permit is not of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature.
As of July 1, 2020, if you have passed the Florida trade knowledge portion at any time in the past for the license you are seeking, you will not have to retake the same test to upgrade your license. For instance, if you passed the General Contractor exam and received a downgraded Residential or Building Contractor license, you may upgrade without retesting. The same goes for upgrading A/C and Pool licenses, so long as you passed the higher test previously. If you are a new applicant and think you may desire an upgrade in the future, you should consider taking the highest level test.
You do not need to bring anything, however you may bring whatever written materials will help you answer questions at the Board meeting.
Attending the board meetings is mandatory for additional business applicants. Attendance is highly recommended for other applicants.
The requirements for a CGC license include: 4 years of experience working under a licensed contractor, at least one year as a foreman and new construction, also would need to be a salaried employee. Education /military service can substitute for up to 3 years of experience. Other requirements include liability insurance, workers comp coverage, and a credit score of 660 or a bond.
Roofing work cannot be subcontracted to unlicensed roofers. Roofers must be an employee of the licensed contractor or leased through a licensed employee leasing company.
MBA will satisfy 3 years of experience, but you would still need a 4th year of experience.
Each situation is handled individually. The number of convictions, severity, time, and efforts at rehabilitation are all considered.
Yes. You may qualify two or more businesses. You may access the application to qualify an additional business entity online at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/.
In order to qualify an additional business entity, you must attest to your supervisory ability for each business. If you do not own 20% or more of the proposed business, or if the approval of this application will result in you qualifying three or more businesses (regardless of whether or not you already qualify three or more), you will be required to appear in front of the Board.
However, the mandatory board appearance may be waived if the applicant can demonstrate that they are a W2 employee of the proposed business. The mandatory board appearance will not be waived if, upon approval of the application, the applicant will qualify 3 or more businesses.
Credit reports are required for the qualifying agent and for both businesses. Credit reports must include a FICO credit score and indicate that public records were checked on local, state and federal levels. Please visit the Department’s Financial Responsibility and Stability website for additional information on the Board’s financial requirements.
No, to contract as an individual, you would have to apply to qualify an additional business entity.
Yes, but you would have to apply to qualify an additional business entity prior to operating in the new business name.
No, you must file an application to inactivate the license, or file the application for a change of status from one business entity to another or a change of status from qualifying business to individual status. You may access these applications online at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/.
No, you would have to apply to qualify the joint venture just like you would any other business.
Yes. You would have to apply to qualify the joint venture just like you would any other business.
Yes, but the joint venture must obtain approval of the Construction Industry Licensing Board’s Executive Director prior to submitting the bid on a construction project. The joint venture must provide the Executive Director a copy of the written joint venture agreement and a statement of authority signed by an officer of each company giving the proposed qualifying agent full authority to conduct the contracting business of the joint venture.
You may obtain a limited, nonrenewable registration for a single project. The registration is good for one year. You must appear before the Construction Industry Licensing Board for approval and must be able to demonstrate that the proposed project requires special skills that cannot be obtained by using a Florida licensee. Please note that limited non-renewable registration application requirements are strictly construed and are rarely approved by the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
If your qualifying agent dies, you must notify the Construction Industry Licensing Board office within 30 days, if not immediately. You can request a temporary, nonrenewable license that will allow you to continue any jobs contracted prior to the qualifying agent’s death, regardless of whether a permit had already been obtained.
When a qualifying agent resigns or is fired, the company must obtain another qualifying agent within 60 days. The company can request a temporary, nonrenewable license that will allow it to continue working for up to 60 days to complete any existing contracts.
You must send a request in writing to the Executive Director of the Construction Industry Licensing Board, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1039.
If the qualifying agent dies, you have to demonstrate that you have personal knowledge of the projects, along with the ability to complete them. If the qualifying agent resigns or is fired, you must indicate that you are an officer or partner of the company, and must state that you will assume all the responsibility of a primary qualifying agent.
If the qualifying agent dies, the temporary, nonrenewable license is good until all projects are finished. If the qualifying agent resigns or is fired, the temporary, nonrenewable license is good for 60 days and cannot be extended.
You must file a change of status application. You may access the application online at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/.
The bond form will need to have the company name on it.
You would be responsible, as a qualifying agent, for jobs that were not completed. You are financially responsible unless there is a licensed financially responsible officer appointed.
Applicants for initial licensure may be placed on a probationary status if the board has concerns about the applicant’s criminal history, good moral character, financial stability, or for any other reason deemed appropriate by the board. Additionally, licensees may be placed on probation status due to a disciplinary case.
Probationary licensees are required to appear before the board at least twice annually until the expiration of the probationary status. In connection with each probation appearance, the licensee shall answer questions under oath and shall provide copies of all construction related monthly bank statements, permit applications, contracts, and operations questionnaires.
No. As long as the licensee is complying with the conditions of probation, there are no restrictions placed on the probationary license.
If you have any questions or need assistance completing your application, please contact the department’s Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Bureau of Central Intake and Licensure
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
No. Most additional business applications and many initial licensure and change of status applications will require review by the board. Notice is mailed approximately 14 days prior to the meeting in which the application will be reviewed.
Maybe! If you are applying to qualify an additional business entity and your application has been forwarded to the board for review, you must be present at the time your application is reviewed pursuant to rule 61G4-15.0021(3), F.A.C. If your application is not for qualification of an additional business entity then your presence is not required.
Please note that while your presence may not be required under all circumstances, it may be to your benefit to attend the scheduled hearing to address any questions or concerns that the board may have regarding your application.
Licenses are typically issued within two weeks after the conclusion of the board meeting in which the application was approved.
Within 60 days after the conclusion of the board meeting, the department will mail a notice of intent to deny which explains the reason(s) for denial. The notice includes the information needed in order to file an appeal or request a hearing, should the applicant choose to do so. The notice fully explains all reasons for denial.