General Contractor License Florida | Requirements

Want to be a contractor in Florida? If so, you need a Florida contractor license to work legally in the state. The Florida Construction Licensing Board and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) are the people who approve or deny a potential licensee’s contractor license application. These agencies determine what requirements (skills, education, experience, etc.) are needed to get a contractor license in Florida. Requirements vary per license and specialty.

The contractor license application can be a complex and frustrating process, which is why hiring a contractor licensing company may be in your best interest. Our team at Licenses, Etc. not only fills out paperwork for you, we give advice and guidance on your application. We know what the Board is looking for to get your approved and we will let you know what it takes to get you licensed fast. We make sure nothing is missing or incomplete in the application. We assist both people who have never applied for a contractor’s license before, as well as those who are stuck mid-process or who have been denied. We have processed thousands of applications for people in Florida, Georgia, and other states, so we’re experienced in getting contractors licensed fast, so they do not lose out on jobs.

Florida Contractor License Requirements

Each contractor specialty has different requirements (some more than others) for the license application; however, the Board requires most contractor applicants to have at least the following:

• 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.

In Florida, there are two broad classifications of contractor licenses: a certified license and a registered license.

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A certified license is valid throughout the entire state of Florida, which means a contractor can legally work anywhere in the state. A registered license allows a contractor to work within specific local jurisdictions.

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

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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. The Florida contractor exam will be administered through Professional Testing, Inc.

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

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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.

Hire a Florida Contractor Licensing Company to Help You Get Your License

At Licenses, Etc., we’ve helped thousands of applicants get their contractor’s license.

• We provide unlimited time to assist and answer any questions you have related to the contractor license and application process
• We work with 95% of our clients entirely through email and/or fax.
• We run DBPR approved credit reports
• We do an in-depth review of the entire contractor license application package to ensure everything is exactly right and all necessary supporting documents are included.
• We do overnight shipping to the DBPR.

We monitor the DBPR’s approval process and give immediate response to any issues that arise. So lets get started!