Planning to contract in Florida? The first thing most people learn is that the official information is scattered across several board pages, and forum answers often contradict each other. This guide gives you a calm starting point.
We cover general, electrical, plumbing and HVAC contractors. Every requirement shown is quoted from a fact our editor verified on an official page, with the link alongside. Some details haven't been verified yet, and for those we say so plainly and point you to the board instead of filling the gap with a guess.
As you read, keep in mind that these sections describe what the official pages state, which is the minimum you need to know rather than a complete application checklist. When you're ready to apply, the linked board pages are the final word.
Hiring rather than applying? We don't have a bulk Florida license file in our lookup, so use the official Florida license search to check a contractor before you sign anything.
Verified facts at a glance
General contractor
Here is what the official Florida pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Florida general contractor license requirements page.
Licensing authority
- Florida DBPR (Construction Industry Licensing Board) questions: 850.487.1395. (Contractor license) — source: Licensing Portal - Checklist Details, verified 2026-10-17
Experience / hours
- Four years of experience or a combination of college and experience. (Contractor license) — source: Licensing Portal - Checklist Details, verified 2026-10-17
Exam
- Certified contractors must first pass a state certification examination. (Contractor license) — source: Licensing Portal - Checklist Details, verified 2026-10-17
- Passing the certification exam alone does not qualify you for licensure. (Contractor license (FL CILB, certified)) — source: fl_cilb_gc_exam_checklist.pdf, verified 2026-10-17
Reciprocity & endorsement
- DBPR offers a reciprocity application for Certified General Contractor (form CILB 32). (Contractor license) — source: Licensing Portal - DBPR Online Applications, verified 2026-10-17
Other notes
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old. (Contractor license) — source: Licensing Portal - Checklist Details, verified 2026-10-17
- Must be at least 18. (Contractor license (FL CILB, certified)) — source: fl_cilb_gc_license_checklist.pdf, verified 2026-10-17
We have not yet verified fees for Florida from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Florida licensing board website or our Florida general contractor page.
Electrical contractor
Here is what the official Florida pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Florida electrician license requirements page.
Experience / hours
- Experience is verified after the exam; applicants not meeting it are denied even if they passed. (Contractor license (FL Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board)) — source: fl_eclb_certified_ec_exam_checklist.pdf, verified 2026-10-17
Exam
- Certified Electrical Contractor: must pass the two-part state exam before applying for a license. (Contractor license (FL Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board)) — source: fl_eclb_certified_ec_exam_checklist.pdf, verified 2026-10-17
Other notes
- Must be at least 18. (Contractor license (FL Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board)) — source: fl_eclb_certified_ec_exam_checklist.pdf, verified 2026-10-17
We have not yet verified fees for Florida from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Florida licensing board website or our Florida electrician page.
Plumbing contractor
Here is what the official Florida pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Florida plumber license requirements page.
License levels
- State-certified license type: Certified Plumbing Contractor (CILB). (Contractor license) — source: Licensing Portal - DBPR Online Applications, verified 2026-10-17
We have not yet verified fees for Florida from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Florida licensing board website or our Florida plumber page.
We have not yet verified exam for Florida from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Florida licensing board website or our Florida plumber page.
We have not yet verified experience / hours for Florida from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Florida licensing board website or our Florida plumber page.
HVAC / mechanical contractor
Here is what the official Florida pages we checked actually say. Each point is quoted from our reviewed record with its source; for the full picture, including anything still pending review, see our Florida hvac license requirements page.
License levels
- State-certified license type: Certified Air Conditioning Contractor (CILB). (Contractor license) — source: Licensing Portal - DBPR Online Applications, verified 2026-10-17
We have not yet verified fees for Florida from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Florida licensing board website or our Florida hvac page.
We have not yet verified exam for Florida from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Florida licensing board website or our Florida hvac page.
We have not yet verified experience / hours for Florida from an official page; the board may not publish it online. Check Florida licensing board website or our Florida hvac page.
How to use this guide
- Every fact above links to the official page it came from, with the date we checked it. Rules change — confirm with the board before you apply or pay.
- To check whether a specific person or company holds a license, use our license lookup (TX, CA, WA, OR, NY and Québec RBQ data) or the board's own search.
- Moving between states or provinces? See the electrician reciprocity matrix and our Red Seal guide.
FAQ
What exam is required? (General contractor)
Certified contractors must first pass a state certification examination. (Contractor license) — source: Licensing Portal - Checklist Details, verified 2026-10-17
How much experience do I need? (General contractor)
Four years of experience or a combination of college and experience. (Contractor license) — source: Licensing Portal - Checklist Details, verified 2026-10-17
What exam is required? (Electrical contractor)
Certified Electrical Contractor: must pass the two-part state exam before applying for a license. (Contractor license (FL Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board)) — source: fl_eclb_certified_ec_exam_checklist.pdf, verified 2026-10-17
How much experience do I need? (Electrical contractor)
Experience is verified after the exam; applicants not meeting it are denied even if they passed. (Contractor license (FL Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board)) — source: fl_eclb_certified_ec_exam_checklist.pdf, verified 2026-10-17