Florida general contractor license and insurance requirements

Becoming a general contractor in Florida starts with getting the right license. Whether you plan to work statewide or in a specific city or county, you’ll need to meet Florida’s contractor licensing requirements, pass the state construction exam and apply through the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) or your local jurisdiction.

This guide explains the steps, requirements and the business insurance you need to become a licensed general contractor in Florida.

In this article, we will cover:

• What do you need to become a general contractor in Florida?
• Florida general contractor license requirements
• What’s the difference between certified and registered contractor licenses?
• How to get a general contractor license in Florida (Step-by-step)
• How long does it take to get a Florida general contractor license?
• What insurance do you need for a Florida general contractor license?
• Florida general contractor license reciprocity
• How do you renew your general contractor license?
• Local Florida general contractor business license requirements

What do you need to become a general contractor in Florida?

To become a general contractor in Florida and start a contracting business, you need to meet the state’s experience or education requirements, pass the Florida construction licensing exam, apply through the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), and secure the required insurance coverage. These steps show the state you’re qualified to manage construction work safely and legally.

Before you apply, make sure you have:

• Four years of construction experience — or a mix of education and experience that meets state standards.
• A passing score on the Florida contractor exam, which tests project management, business and finance, and trade knowledge.
• A completed DBPR application, including fingerprints, a background check, and a credit report.
• Proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance, which the state requires before your license can be issued.

Once these pieces are in place, you’re ready to move into the formal licensing process with the DBPR.

Florida general contractor license requirements

To qualify for a general contractor license in Florida, you must meet age, experience or education requirements, pass the state construction exam, and provide the Florida licensing board with financial, background and insurance documentation.

Do you need experience to become a contractor in Florida?

Yes. Florida requires four years of construction-related work experience, or a combination of education and experience. 

Up to three years of accredited education can count toward that requirement, which means many applicants qualify with a blend of classroom training and hands-on work.

Who issues contractor licenses in Florida?

Florida contractor licenses are issued through the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). Within the DBPR, the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) oversees the review process, sets licensing standards and approves applications.

What supporting documents do you need for your application?

When you apply for your Florida general contractor license, you must be at least 18 years old and submit required documents to the state licensing board. These typically include:

• Proof of financial responsibility through a credit report with a minimum 660 FICO score
• Electronic fingerprints and background check
• Proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance (you’ll need a certificate of insurance for this)
• A passing score on the Florida state construction examination
• Application fee, which varies depending on the type of license you’re applying for.

Having these documents ready helps your application move through DBPR review more smoothly.

What’s the difference between certified and registered contractor licenses?

There are two different types of general contractor licenses available in Florida: A certified license and a registered license. 

• Certified general contractor licenses are valid for general contracting work throughout the state and allow you to work anywhere in Florida. This license can be applied for as an individual contractor or as a qualified business.
• Registered general contractor licenses limit your contract work to specific communities in Florida. It also requires you to have a certificate of competency from the jurisdictions you work in.

The differences at a glance:

How to get a general contractor license in Florida (Step-by-step)

Getting your general contractor license in Florida involves a few key steps: meeting eligibility requirements, passing the state construction exam, submitting your application to the DBPR and providing proof of required insurance. 

Here’s how to get your Florida general contractor license, step by step.

1. Confirm you meet the experience or education requirements. You’ll need four years of relevant experience or a mix of experience and accredited education.
2. Prepare for and schedule the Florida contractor exam. Exams are offered by Professional Testing, Inc. several times a year.
3. Pass the required exam parts for your license category. You must earn at least 70% on each required section.
4. Complete fingerprinting and a background check. This is handled electronically through approved vendors.
5. Gather all supporting documentation. This includes your credit report, proof of insurance and exam results.
6. Submit your application to the Florida DBPR. Complete the contractor application packet and pay the appropriate fees.
7. Receive approval from the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Once approved, your license can be issued and you’re cleared to begin contracting work.

How to register for the Florida contractor exam

Florida contractor exams are administered by Professional Testing, Inc., and you must register before submitting your license application. They offer exams in February, April, June, August, October and December.

When you register, you’ll select the exam type (Division 1 or Division 2), pay the registration fee, and receive instructions for exam day. Applicants with a four-year degree in building construction and a 3.0 GPA or higher may qualify to skip the trade knowledge portion of the exam.

There are two types of construction examination categories: 

• Division 1 Categories: This exam is for applicants in the general, building and residential fields and includes three parts: project management, contract administration and business and finance. You will need to answer at least 70% of the questions correctly to earn a passing grade.
• Division 2 Categories: This exam is for specialty contractors in Class A/B air conditioning, pool/spa servicing, roofing and other trades. It is a two-part exam that covers business and finance and trade knowledge. 

There is a $135 registration fee required with your exam application form, plus fees ranging from $40 to $80 for specific tests.

How long does it take to get a Florida general contractor license?

The Florida general contractor licensing process can go quickly if your application is complete and you pass your exams. 

It can help to have a Florida construction lawyer review your application before submitting it to the DBPR to ensure everything is accurate and complete.

What insurance do you need for a Florida general contractor license?

General contractor applicants in the state of Florida are required to show they have general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance if they have employees. However, other types of Florida business insurance can also help protect your business.

General liability insurance for Florida contractors

Florida general liability insurance can help protect your general contracting business if someone other than an employee is injured as a result of your work. It can also help cover expenses if you or an employee are held responsible for damaging someone’s property.

To obtain and maintain a certified license, general contractors must meet minimum liability insurance amounts: 

• General and building contractors: $300,000 liability, $50,000 property damage 
• All other contractors: $100,000 liability, $25,000 property damage.

Learn more about general liability for contractors.

Workers’ compensation for Florida contractors

Construction businesses with employees must have workers’ compensation insurance in Florida to get and stay licensed. This coverage can help cover medical expenses, lost wages and employer liability if there is an on-the-job injury, illness or death.

Learn more about Workers’ Comp for construction workers.

Tools and Equipment insurance

As a contractor, your tools and equipment are your lifeblood. Tools and equipment insurance can help protect your gear by paying for repairs and replacement if damaged or stolen. At NEXT, this is an add-on to a general liability policy.

Commercial Property insurance

If your contracting business owns or rents property, commercial property insurance helps protect the physical assets of a business, such as inventory, fixtures, furniture, building structures and other business property.

Commercial Auto insurance

You log a lot of mileage as a contractor, traveling to various jobsites. However, business use of a vehicle is not typically covered by personal auto insurance. Any vehicles owned by your company should be covered by a commercial auto insurance policy.

Depending on the specifics of your policy, commercial auto insurance may include bodily injury and property damage to someone else, personal injury to you or your employees, collision damage to the vehicle, and coverage for non-collision damage to the vehicle.

Florida general contractor license reciprocity

Currently, Florida has reciprocity agreements with Louisiana, North Carolina and Mississippi, depending on the license type. Reciprocity does not mean automatic licensure — instead, it allows qualified contractors to skip the trade knowledge portion of the exam if they hold an equivalent license in a participating state.

Applicants must still meet Florida’s experience requirements, complete a background check, show financial responsibility and obtain required insurance before a license can be issued.

How do you renew your general contractor license in Florida?

Florida general contractor licenses must be renewed every two years through the DBPR. To renew, you’ll need to complete the required 14 hours of continuing education, which must include training in workplace safety, laws and rules and advanced building code. 

Once your CE hours are reported, you can submit your renewal application and pay the required fee online. Keeping your insurance active is also essential to maintain your license in good standing.

Local Florida general contractor business license requirements

In addition to statewide licensing through the DBPR, many Florida cities require general contractors to obtain a local business tax receipt or meet jurisdiction-specific competency requirements before performing work. 

If you plan to operate as a registered general contractor, you must hold a certificate of competency from each city or county where you work. Here’s how the process looks in major Florida cities.

Miami

Registered contractors must obtain a Certificate of Competency from Miami-Dade County, along with a Miami Business Tax Receipt if their business is located in the city. 

Jacksonville

General contractors working within Jacksonville must obtain a Duval County Certificate of Competency from the Construction Trades Qualifying Board if applying as a registered contractor. A Jacksonville Local Business Tax Receipt is also required for businesses operating in the city.

Orlando

In Orlando, contractors must obtain a Business Tax Receipt and register with Orange County if they are operating as a contractor. They must show current proof of workers’ comp insurance. Registered and limited specialty contractors will also need a surety bond.

Tampa

General contractors in Tampa must hold a Hillsborough County Certificate of Competency if they are operating under a registered license, as well as a Tampa Business Tax Receipt for businesses operating inside city limits. Contractors must submit proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage when completing license registration.

How NEXT helps support Florida general contractors

NEXT helps Florida general contractors get the insurance they need to get licensed and protect their business.

Our online services allow you to quickly apply for fast, affordable and tailored insurance in about 10 minutes.

You’ll have immediate access to your certificate of insurance after you purchase, and you can share it 24/7 from a computer or the NEXT mobile app. 

Get a free instant quote online today.

Do you have projects in another U.S. state? Visit our summary of general contractor license requirements in every state.

This information has been provided as a service. It is correct and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge; however, it is in no way intended to offer legal advice and you must always consult with local authorities before you make any business decisions. Regulations and requirements may change at any time.