Do you need an electrician license in Florida?
To work legally as an electrical contractor in Florida, you need a Certified Electrical Contractor license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). If you’re an employee doing electrical work, you typically don’t need your own license — but you do need to work under a licensed contractor who can pull permits and oversee the job.
Florida offers two types of electrical contractor licenses: Certified and Registered.
- A Certified Electrical Contractor license allows you to work anywhere in the state. This is the license most electricians pursue because it isn’t limited by local jurisdictions.
- A Registered Electrical Contractor license lets you work only in the city or county where you meet local competency requirements. Registered contractors can’t legally pull permits outside those approved areas.
Most electricians choose the Certified license because it provides statewide flexibility and is required by many commercial contractors.
How to get an electrician license in Florida
To get your license, submit a Florida electrician license application to the DBPR and pass the two-part exam.
1. Submit your application
You may apply online or print an application and submit it by mail. Include payment for the non-refundable fee with your completed application.
2. Take the licensing exam
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive instructions from Pearson Vue, the state’s exam provider, to schedule your exam. Availability varies, and many candidates are able to secure a testing date within a few weeks. You must pay the exam fee directly to PTI when you schedule.
The electrician licensing exam consists of two parts:
- Business section: 50 questions, 2.5 hours
- Technical/safety section: 100 questions, 5 hours
The exam is administered through a computer-based testing format. Study guides are available online, and the exam is open-book, but you may only bring approved reference materials to the testing site. You’ll receive your results immediately following the completion of your exam.
You must score at least 75% on both parts of the test to pass.
Florida electrician license requirements
To earn an electrician license, applicants must provide proof of their work experience, demonstrate financial responsibility and submit a criminal history disclosure.
Various factors may affect the time it takes to process individual applications, including the time it takes to review your financial documentation and criminal history. Applicants may check the status of their application at any time by visiting MyFloridaLicense.
1. Work experience
Applicants must meet one of the following work experience requirements:
- Three years as a licensed electrical professional engineer
- Three years of management experience in the trade
- Three years of experience as a foreman, supervisor or contractor in the trade
- Four years of experience as a supervisor in electrical work in the U.S. Armed Forces
- Six years of comprehensive training, technical education or broad experience associated with an electrical contracting business
- Six years of technical experience in electrical work with the Armed Forces or a governmental entity
- A combination of the above qualifications totaling six years of experience
You must submit W-2s or other acceptable documentation (such as 1099s or tax records) and employment verification forms signed by your employers. To qualify for licensure, at least 40% of the required work experience must be in three-phase services to show competency in commercial and industrial electrical work.
2. Financial documentation
You must demonstrate financial responsibility by submitting a personal financial statement or credit report. Issues like delinquent accounts, collection accounts, unpaid liens or judgments must be reviewed before your application is approved.
3. Criminal history
You must disclose any criminal history on your application, which will be reviewed before your application is approved or denied.
