Loading...
Loading...
General Contractor
Total cost: $349-$399
Governing Authority
Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), under Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
Official website →Yes
License Required?
4 years
Experience Required
Yes
Bonding Required?
$349-$399
Total Initial Fees
2 years
Renewal Period
14 hrs
CE Hours
Get the Florida General Contractor Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Description
Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) — covers construction of residential buildings up to 4 units.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $500
Additional Requirements
Description
Certified Building Contractor (CBC) — covers construction of commercial buildings up to 3 stories.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $500
Additional Requirements
Description
General contractor services are unlimited as to the type of work which he or she may do. Certified = statewide; Registered = local jurisdiction only.
Project Limit
License required for projects over $500
Additional Requirements
Description
Specialty contractor license for Florida. Covers specialized trades and construction activities. Categories: Certified General Contractor, Certified Building Contractor, Certified Residential Contractor.
Additional Requirements
Experience & Documentation
Verified4
Years Required
Required
Documented Project History
Journeyman/Trade Experience
Minimum 4 years of documented experience in the construction trade
Alternative Pathways (Education Substitutions)
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Trade Exam
Required
Business & Law Exam
Exam Provider
Pearson VUE (Business & Finance) / Professional Testing Inc. (Project Management & Contract Administration)
Passing Score
70%
Open Book
Yes
Trade Exam Details
Division I (GC/Building/Residential) has 3 exam parts: (1) Business & Finance via Pearson VUE (computer-based, $80), (2) Project Management via Professional Testing Inc. (paper-and-pencil), (3) Contract Administration via PTI (paper-and-pencil). P&P exams held in Tallahassee, Orlando, Miami — Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec.
Business & Law Exam Details
Business and law examination covering contract law, lien law, and business management
Retake Policy
Retake fee: $78.75/part. 30-day wait between attempts. Unlimited attempts within 4 years of application approval.
Overall licensing difficulty: 14/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Contractor Licensing Exam
Browse study guides
Contractor Exam Prep Books
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Prepare with realistic Contractor Licensing Exam practice tests from Exam Edge →(affiliate link)See our discount
Launching soon at $20. Be the first to know — and get an early-access link the moment it's ready.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
General Contractor Licensing Exam
Passing Score
70%
Administered By
Pearson VUE (Business & Finance) / Professional Testing Inc. (Project Management & Contract Administration)
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the General Contractor Licensing Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Contractor's License Exam
Prepare for your Contractor's License Exam with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, and practice tests.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Bonding Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
Conditional — ~$20,000 (full) or ~$10,000 (reduced after 14-hr financial responsibility course). Required only if FICO score < 660.
Surety Bond Amount
Surety bonds protect consumers by providing financial recourse if a contractor fails to complete a project or violates licensing regulations. Bond costs are typically 1-3% of the bond amount annually.
Insurance & Workers' Comp
VerifiedRequired
General Liability
Required
Workers' Compensation
Minimum Coverage
General liability insurance required per state regulations
Additional Insurance Requirements
Workers' Comp Threshold
Required for employers with 1 or more employees
Workers' Comp Details
Workers' compensation insurance required within 30 days of licensure. Required for all employers.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee $249 (May of even year through August of odd year) or $149 (September of odd year through April of even year). Prorated by cycle timing. | $249 |
Exam Fee $80 for Business & Finance (Pearson VUE). Project Management and Contract Administration exam fees per Professional Testing Inc. Retake: $78.75/part. | $80 |
Renewal Fee Biennial renewal, expires August 31 of even years | $267 |
Total Initial Fees Approximate total of application, exam, and license fees | $349-$399 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
14 hrs
CE Hours Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$267
Biennial, expires August 31 of even years
Regulatory Board
Contractor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Many states require continuing education covering building codes, safety practices, business law, and energy efficiency standards.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
ICC Certification Accepted
Reciprocity Type
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 using CILB Form 32.
Transfer Details
Florida has reciprocity agreements with several states (since June 2021, CILB Form 32). Commonly cited states include LA, MS, NC, AL, AR, GA, SC, TN, but the exact current list varies by source. Additionally, 10-year endorsement available since July 2020 for contractors with 10+ year out-of-state license from any state.
General contractor license reciprocity varies significantly by state. Some states recognize ICC certifications, while others require passing the state exam regardless of prior credentials. Always verify current policies with the state licensing board.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Florida with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Florida centralized its licensing system on July 1, 2025 (SB 1142). Requires FICO score ≥ 660 (unique among states). Uses two exam providers: Pearson VUE for Business & Finance and Professional Testing Inc. for Project Management and Contract Administration (paper-and-pencil only). Accepts NASCLA since 2019 and offers 10-year endorsement since 2020.
CRITICAL 2025 CHANGE: As of July 1, 2025 (SB 1142 / s. 489.117 F.S.), Florida centralized its licensing. Local governments may still issue licenses but only under standards that substantially correspond to CILB license types.
License types: CGC (Certified General Contractor, statewide), CBC (Certified Building Contractor), CRC (Certified Residential Contractor). Registered licenses valid in specific local jurisdictions only.
NASCLA exam accepted for trade knowledge portions since March 2019. Applicants must still pass Florida Business & Finance exam + Florida Building Code exam.
10-year endorsement: Available since July 2020 for contractors with 10+ year out-of-state license from any state.
FICO score ≥ 660 required. Below 660: must complete 14-hour financial responsibility course and/or post surety bond (~$20,000 full, ~$10,000 after course reduces by 50%).
Recovery Fund: $100,000 max Division I / $30,000 max Division II (contracts on/after July 1, 2024).
CE: 14 hours per biennial renewal. Renewal fee: $267. Expires August 31 of even years.
Licensing threshold: $500 (unchanged).
Lien Law Basics
Preliminary Notice: Required
Lien Deadline: 90 days after completion
Florida construction lien law: Preliminary notice is required to preserve lien rights. Lien filing deadline: 90 days after completion.
Not sure this is the right career? Take a 2-minute quiz →
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the best-fit licensed profession.
General Contractor requirements in Florida verified against Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), under Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), March 2026.
Official DBPR/CILB website — verified during GC audit
Accessed 2026-03-22
General Contractor Schools in Florida
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.