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Florida uses a dual-level licensing system. State-certified licenses, issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board or Electrical Contractors Licensing Board under DBPR, are portable statewide. Locally registered licenses, issued by city or county governments, are limited to that jurisdiction unless the locality participates in the CLOAF reciprocal network. Highway and bridge work over $250,000 requires separate FDOT prequalification.
Always verify statutes, fees, and application details with the live regulator before making bidding, licensing, or legal decisions.

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At a glance

The fastest way to orient yourself in Florida is to know the dual-level licensing model and the key compliance gates.
SignalValue
Licensing modelDual-level: state-certified (statewide) and locally registered
Highway prequalification triggerProjects exceeding $250,000
Audited financials requiredBids of $1,000,000 or more
Construction exam passing score70%
Electrical exam passing score75%
Minimum construction experience4 years
Credit score requirementFICO 660 or higher (or bond $5,000–$20,000)
Public works bond triggerContracts exceeding $100,000
Reciprocity modelConstruction: 5 states + NASCLA; Electrical: exam endorsement only

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Frequently asked questions

Pick the tab that matches your situation. Each FAQ gives a direct answer and points you to the full detail below.
A state-certified license is issued by a DBPR board and is portable across all Florida counties and cities. A locally registered license is issued by a city or county and is limited to that jurisdiction — unless the locality is a CLOAF member, which allows portability among participating jurisdictions. If your license category falls under state jurisdiction, a local license must also be registered with the state. See Construction work regulated.
Construction contractors need 4 years of documented experience, a 70% passing score on a written exam covering business, finance, and construction, a FICO score of $660 or higher (or a bond of $5,000 to $20,000), and a financial statement less than 12 months old. Electrical contractors need 3 to 6 years of experience and a 75% exam score. See Requirements.
Florida has 3 main regulatory bodies. The Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR) handles all non-electrical construction licenses. The Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (DBPR) handles electrical licensing separately. FDOT handles highway prequalification. Both DBPR boards share the same address in Tallahassee. See Who regulates construction.
Construction exam fee is $215, certified license is $409, registered license is $309, and biennial renewal is $234 to $284. Electrical certified exam application is $316.50 plus $67.50 for the computer-based exam, initial certified license is $300, and biennial renewal is $300. See Requirements.
Public works contracts exceeding $100,000 require a payment/performance bond (governing authorities may exempt contracts up to $200,000). If your FICO is below 660, you need a bond of $5,000 to $20,000 depending on classification. Electrical contractors must carry liability, property damage, and workers’ compensation insurance. See Requirements.
For construction, Florida has reciprocity with California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina. You can also qualify via the NASCLA Accredited Exam (2009 or later). Electrical has no reciprocity, but Florida endorses certain exams from 9 states and NASCLA. See Reciprocal agreements.
Subcontractors performing work in a regulated trade category need the appropriate license for that trade. If working within a CLOAF member locality, a locally registered license may provide portability to other member jurisdictions. For statewide work, a state-certified license is needed.
Yes. Roofing is a Division II specialty classification under the Construction Industry Licensing Board. You can obtain either a state-certified or locally registered roofing contractor license. State-certified provides statewide portability. See Types of licenses.
FDOT prequalification is required for projects exceeding $250,000. Submit experience information and CPA-prepared financial statements (audited for bids of $1,000,000 or more, reviewed for less). Prequalification lasts 18 months from fiscal year end. Maintenance projects are normally exempt. See Highway Prequalification.
Both construction and electrical contractors need 14 hours of board-approved continuing education per biennial renewal cycle. See Requirements.
Florida maintains a consumer recovery fund that pays up to $50,000 per claim and $500,000 lifetime cap per contractor. The fund is financed by permit surcharges and fines. This provides consumer protection when a licensed contractor fails to perform. See Construction Contractors.

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Start with your goal

Pick the card that matches what you need right now. Each one links to the relevant section on this page.

Is licensure triggered?

Start with project type and scope to determine whether you need a state-certified or local license.

Find the right regulator

Use the regulator directory to route your question to FDOT, CILB, or the Electrical Board.

Application and renewal details

Exams, fees, bonds, continuing education, and renewal cycles for each trade.

Reciprocity direction

Find out which states have reciprocity or exam endorsement arrangements with Florida.

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Special considerations

Different roles need different things from a Florida page. Use the tab that matches your situation to see what matters most before you read the full detail below.
Decide first whether you need statewide portability (state-certified) or single-jurisdiction coverage (locally registered). That choice determines your application path.
  • State-certified licenses are issued by DBPR boards and are portable across all Florida counties and cities.
  • Locally registered licenses are limited to the issuing jurisdiction, but CLOAF member localities allow portability among themselves. Local licenses in state-regulated categories must still be registered with the state.
  • Highway and bridge projects exceeding $250,000 require separate FDOT prequalification — this is independent of any contractor board license.
  • Construction exam requires a 70% passing score, 4 years of experience, and a FICO score of 660 or higher (or a bond of $5,000–$20,000).
  • Electrical licensing is handled by a separate board with a 75% exam threshold and 3–6 years of experience.
  • Public works contracts exceeding $100,000 require a payment/performance bond.

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Readiness checklist

Four things you need to confirm before you can treat Florida as “ready” for a bid or an application. If any of these are unclear, you are not ready yet.

Classify the project scope

Identify whether the work is highway/bridge (FDOT), electrical (Electrical Board), or general construction (CILB or local).

Apply the right threshold test

Check $250,000 (FDOT prequalification), $1,000,000 (audited financials), $100,000 (public works bond), and $660 FICO score.

Choose state-certified or local

Decide whether you need statewide portability (state-certified from DBPR) or single-jurisdiction coverage (local license).

Confirm the requirement set

Confirm exams, experience, credit, fees, bond / insurance, CE, and reciprocity rules for the exact board before filing.
If you can identify scope, threshold, licensing level, and requirement set, you have the minimum package needed for a Florida readiness check.
Use these links to jump to related cross-state comparisons and workflows.

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Construction work regulated

Florida regulates commercial, residential, and public works construction at both the state and local level. The type of work, scope, and dollar value determine which license and which board applies.
Work laneWhat triggers regulation
Commercial and residential constructionState-certified or locally registered license required
Electrical workSeparate license from the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board
Highway and bridge constructionFDOT prequalification required for projects exceeding $250,000
Public works contractsPayment/performance bond required for contracts exceeding $100,000
Local-only workLocally registered license from city or county (portable within CLOAF member localities)
If a category of license falls under state jurisdiction, a locally registered license must also be registered with the state. CLOAF member localities allow portability of local licenses throughout the state.

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Common determination scenarios

If you are trying to figure out where to start, expand the scenario that is closest to your situation.
FDOT prequalification is required for projects exceeding $250,000. Submit experience information and CPA-prepared financial statements (audited for bids of $1,000,000 or more, reviewed for less). Maximum bidding capacity is formula-based. Prequalification lasts 18 months from fiscal year end. Maintenance projects are normally exempt regardless of dollar amount.
Apply to the Construction Industry Licensing Board under DBPR. Pass a written exam (70%) covering business, finance, and construction. Provide 4 years of experience, a credit report (FICO 660+), and a financial statement less than 12 months old. If your credit score is below 660, post a bond of $5,000–$20,000 depending on classification.
Apply to the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board under DBPR. Pass an exam (75%) on technical, business, and safety subjects. Provide 3–6 years of experience, credit reports, and financial statements. Minimum net worth of $5,000 or $10,000 depending on classification. Liability, property damage, and workers’ compensation insurance required.
If you need statewide portability, get a state-certified license from the appropriate DBPR board. If you only need to work in one locality, a locally registered license may suffice — but check whether the locality is a CLOAF member for portability to other participating jurisdictions.
Construction reciprocity exists with California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Applicants from other states may qualify via the NASCLA Accredited Exam (2009 or later). Electrical has no reciprocity, but Florida endorses certain exams from 9 states and NASCLA.

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Who regulates construction

Florida divides construction regulation across 3 agencies, all under the state umbrella. Use this directory to find the board that owns the lane you need. Each entry includes address, phone, and website.
Contracts Administration Office, 605 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450Phone: (850) 414-4100 | Fax: (850) 414-4947Website: fdot.govPrequalification applications are completed online and submitted electronically.
2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0791Phone: (850) 487-1395 | Fax: (850) 488-8040Website: myfloridalicense.comHandles all contractor licenses except electrical.
2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0791Phone: (850) 487-1395 | Fax: (850) 488-8040Website: myfloridalicense.comHandles all electrical contractor licensing separately from the Construction Industry Licensing Board.

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Requirements

Each Florida board has its own exams, fees, experience gates, and renewal cycles. Expand the category that applies to your situation. Fee tables are included in each section.
RequirementDetail
Financial statementsCPA-prepared; audited for bids of $1,000,000 or more; reviewed for less
Bidding capacityFormula-based maximum set by FDOT
Duration18 months from fiscal year end
Application timingWithin 4 months of financial statement date
Processing timeApproximately 30 days
Maintenance projectsPrequalification not normally required regardless of dollar amount

Construction Contractors

RequirementDetail
ExamWritten exam on business, finance, and construction; passing score of 70%
ExperienceMinimum 4 years documented
CreditFICO score of 660 or higher; score below 660 requires bond of $5,000–$20,000
Financial statementNot more than 12 months old
Continuing education14 hours per two-year renewal cycle
Renewal cycleBiennial
Processing timeMinimum 30 days recommended
Consumer recovery fundUp to $50,000 per claim, $500,000 lifetime cap per contractor (funded by permit surcharges and fines)
FeeAmount
Exam$215
Certified license$409
Registered license$309
Renewal$234–$284
RequirementDetail
ExamTechnical, business, and safety subjects; passing score of 75%
Experience3 to 6 years depending on type of experience
Net worthMinimum $5,000 or $10,000 depending on classification
InsuranceLiability, property damage, and workers’ compensation required
Continuing education14 hours of board-approved CE per renewal cycle
Renewal cycleBiennial
Processing timeApproximately 30 days
FeeAmount
Certified exam application$316.50
Computer-based exam$67.50 (paid to vendor after approval)
Initial certified license (active)$300
Initial registered license (active)$155
Add county to registered license$25
Certified license (inactive)$55
Registered license (inactive)$55
Certified transfer application$150
Registered transfer application$50
Additional business application$550
Endorsement application$500
Two-year renewal$300
RequirementDetail
Bond triggerPayment/performance bond required for public works contracts exceeding $100,000
ExemptionGoverning authority may exempt contracts up to $200,000

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Reciprocal agreements

Florida has construction reciprocity with 5 named states and accepts the NASCLA Accredited Exam. Electrical has no reciprocity, but Florida endorses certain exams from 9 sources. Always confirm the specific board’s requirements before applying.
Construction and electrical reciprocity are handled by different boards with different rules. Do not assume one board’s arrangement applies to the other.
BoardReciprocal states or endorsed examsCoverage
Construction Industry Licensing BoardCalifornia, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina5 states
Construction (NASCLA path)Any state via NASCLA Accredited Exam (2009 or later)NASCLA
Electrical Contractors Licensing BoardNo reciprocity; endorses exams from California, Colorado, Georgia, NASCLA, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, TexasEndorsement only
Construction reciprocity:
  • Florida has direct reciprocal licensing agreements with California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina.
  • Applicants from any other state may apply for reciprocity if their credential was granted by taking the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors (2009 edition or later).
Electrical endorsement:
  • Florida has no electrical reciprocity agreements with any state.
  • Florida does endorse certain examinations from California, Colorado, Georgia, NASCLA, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas for electrical contractors in select categories.
  • Endorsement is not automatic — contact the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board for current eligibility by category.

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Types of licenses

This section lists the credential categories Florida offers across its major boards. Use it when you need to confirm the exact license name for an application or comparison.
  • Building
  • General
  • Residential
  • Specialty Structure
  • Air Conditioning (Class A, B, C)
  • Commercial Pool/Spa
  • Residential Pool/Spa
  • Swimming Pool/Spa Servicing
  • Mechanical
  • Plumbing
  • Pollutant Storage Systems
  • Roofing
  • Sheet Metal
  • Solar Energy
  • Underground Utility and Excavation
  • Specialty Contractor
Certified:
  • Electrical Contractor (EC)
  • Alarm System Contractor I (EF)
  • Alarm Contractor II (EG)
  • Electrical Specialty Contractor (ES)
Registered:
  • Electrical Contractor (ER)
  • Alarm Contractor I (EY)
  • Alarm Contractor II (EZ)
  • Electrical Specialty Contractor (ET)
  • Residential Alarm System Contractor (EJ)
Specialties (available as certified or registered):
  • Residential Electrical
  • Utility Line
  • Lighting Maintenance
  • Sign
  • Limited Energy

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See also

South region guide

Browse all South jurisdictions for comparison.

Contractors guide

Cross-state guidance for contractors evaluating new jurisdictions.

Regulators guide

Cross-state guidance for comparing regulatory models and agency structures.
Neighboring jurisdictions with reciprocity ties:

Georgia

Construction reciprocity and electrical exam endorsement with Florida.

Louisiana

Construction reciprocity with Florida.

Mississippi

Construction reciprocity with Florida.