Contractor Licensing in Florida: Which Trades Need a License
Yes, Florida requires a statewide license for 5 of 5 contractor trades, issued by 2 separate agencies. Initial costs run $399 to $535.
Florida requires statewide contractor licensing through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). General contractors, plumbers, HVAC, and roofing are licensed through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), while electricians are licensed through the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (ECLB). Florida offers both Certified (statewide) and Registered (county-level) licenses.
General Contractor
RequiredOversees and manages construction projects, coordinating subcontractors, materials, and timelines for residential and commercial builds.
View full requirements →Electrician
RequiredInstalls, maintains, and repairs electrical wiring, systems, and fixtures in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
View full requirements →Plumber
RequiredInstalls and repairs water supply lines, drainage systems, fixtures, and appliances in buildings and other structures.
View full requirements →HVAC Technician
RequiredInstalls, services, and repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
View full requirements →Roofing Contractor
RequiredInstalls, repairs, and replaces roofing systems on residential and commercial structures.
View full requirements →Reciprocity Agreements
Florida has reciprocity agreements with 3 states. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams. Full Florida reciprocity guide: which states, what is waived, what it costs →
Florida Licensing Overview
Florida requires statewide licensing for 5 of 5 contractor trades. The licensed trades — general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician, roofing contractor — are regulated by 2 separate agencies: Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (ECLB). Across all licensed trades, initial costs range from $399 to $535, including application fees, exams, license issuance, fingerprinting, and any other fees the state requires to obtain the license. Florida also participates in reciprocity agreements with 3 other states, which can streamline the process for out-of-state contractors.
Florida Contractor License Cost Summary
| Trade | Application | Exam | License | Bond | Est. Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractor | $335 | — | $200 | — | $535 |
| Electrician | $249 | $150 | — | — | $399 |
| Plumber | $249 | $150 | — | — | $399 |
| HVAC Technician | $249 | $150 | — | — | $399 |
| Roofing Contractor | $249 | $150 | — | — | $399 |
Estimated totals include application, exam, license, and fingerprinting fees, plus any other fees the state requires to obtain the license. Bond amounts are separate and typically paid as an annual premium.
Set up the business before you apply in Florida
Most states license the company as well as the person, so the application usually asks for an LLC or corporation and a registered agent in Florida. Northwest forms the entity and acts as your registered agent — a flat fee, no upsell funnel.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form an LLC with Northwest→Recommended exam prep
Formal prep pays for itself against a $100+ retake. Many states examine contractors on two separate papers — the trade exam and a business and law exam — so we list the course covering both first, with trade-specific depth after.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor License Online Study CourseFull online prep course covering the trade and business-and-law exams — video lessons, practice questions, and a study plan built for a first-try pass.See the course →
Mometrix · SponsoredContractor's Exam FlashcardsPortable flashcards for the high-frequency exam topics — a cheaper add-on for drilling terms and code references on the go.See the flashcards →Key Facts About Florida Contractor Licensing
- GL required. Workers comp required if you have employees; exemption available for sole proprietors. Must provide personal credit report.
- Florida has reciprocity agreements with 3 states, which may allow licensed contractors to skip certain exams.
- The $335 application fee is a combined application + examination fee (Fla. Admin. Code 61G4-12.009).
- The $200 initial certification fee applies when remitted in the first year of the biennium; it is $100 if remitted in the second year.
- Licensed through ECLB (separate from CILB for other trades)
You're licensed in Florida — the next 30 days
Most of the steps below are required before your first paid job; the order is the order the state and its counties will ask for them.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Form the business and get an EIN.
The Construction Industry Licensing Board issues the CGC - Certified General Contractor; the business that invoices Florida customers is a separate decision. A sole proprietorship is the default, an LLC keeps business liability off your personal assets, and either needs an EIN before the first payroll. Settle it before the license number goes on an estimate.
Post the bond.
Florida requires a surety bond. Amount varies by license classification and financial statement. How contractor bonds work→
Carry the insurance the license requires.
Florida requires general liability insurance for this license. GL required. Workers comp required if you have employees; exemption available for sole proprietors. Must provide personal credit report. Contractor insurance requirements→
Set up quoting, scheduling and invoicing before the first call.
Your first customers will ask for a written estimate and expect to pay by card on site. Most one-truck home-service businesses run that on field-service software; Housecall Pro is the one we link because it is built for this size of company and this link carries 20% off your first 12 months. Start a free trial of Housecall Pro→
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida require a contractor license?
Yes, Florida requires statewide licensing for 5 of 5 trades: general contractor, electrician, plumber, hvac technician, roofing contractor.
How much does a contractor license cost in Florida?
Initial licensing costs range from $399 to $535 depending on the trade, including application, exam, license and fingerprinting fees, plus any other fees the state requires to obtain the license.
Does Florida have license reciprocity with other states?
Yes, Florida has reciprocity agreements with 3 states. Licensed contractors from these states may be eligible to skip certain exams or have an expedited application process.
Do I need workers compensation insurance in Florida?
GL required. Workers comp required if you have employees; exemption available for sole proprietors. Must provide personal credit report.
Official Florida Licensing Resources
- Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) — for general contractor, plumber, hvac technician, roofing contractor
- Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (ECLB) — for electrician