What You Need to Know Before You Start

Florida's contractor's license is issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), not by your local county or city. The state requires different license types depending on what kind of work you do — roofing, plumbing, electrical, general contracting, or specialty trades. You cannot legally bid on or perform construction work in Florida without the license that matches your trade, and the penalties for working unlicensed are steep: fines up to $500 per day and potential criminal charges.

The process takes roughly four to eight weeks from process to license in hand, though this varies based on how quickly you gather documents and how busy the DBPR is. You will need to pass a trade exam, show proof of experience or education, and meet financial requirements. The state does not issue temporary licenses, so you cannot start work while your process is pending.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida issues contractor licenses by trade type through the DBPR, and you must hold the correct license for the work you perform.
  • You need a passing score on the DBPR trade exam, proof of four years of experience in your trade (or an equivalent combination of education and experience), and a current Florida business tax receipt.
  • The process fee is $163 for most license types, plus exam fees that vary by trade but typically run $100 to $150.
  • You must register with the DBPR's licensing system, pass your exam, and submit all documents within 180 days of starting your process or you will have to restart.
  • Your license is valid for two years and requires continuing education hours before renewal, with the number of hours depending on your license type.

Determine Your License Type and Trade Classification

Florida groups contractor licenses into five main categories: General Contractor, Roofing Contractor, Building Contractor, Mechanical Contractor, and Electrical Contractor. Within those are dozens of specialty licenses — plumbing, HVAC, pool service, solar installation, and others. The license you need depends on the primary work you will be doing, not every type of work you might touch.

If you do general construction work — framing, drywall, concrete, site prep — you need a General Contractor license. If you specialize in one trade like plumbing or electrical, you need that specific license. The DBPR website lists all active license types under "Contractor License Types" in their licensing section. read the list and match your primary trade to the correct category. If you are unsure, contact the DBPR's licensing bureau at 850-487-1395 before you pay the process fee — they can confirm which license covers your work.

Verify You Meet the Experience Requirements

Florida requires four years of documented work experience in your trade before you can sit for the licensing exam. This experience must be in the specific trade you are licensing for — general construction experience does not count toward an electrical license, for example. The four years can be full-time or part-time, but you must be able to document it with pay stubs, tax returns, letters from employers, or other proof that shows the dates you worked and the type of work you performed.

If you do not have four years of experience, you may be able to substitute education. An associate degree or higher in a construction-related field counts as one year of experience. A high school diploma or GED in a construction trade counts as six months. A trade school certificate counts as six months to one year depending on the program length. Add up your experience and education: if the total is less than four years, you are not yet ready to explore.

Gather your documentation now. You will need to upload it with your process, and the DBPR will verify it before they let you sit for the exam. Acceptable documents include W-2 forms, 1099s, pay stubs with dates, letters from former employers on company letterhead stating your job title and dates of employment, and transcripts from any trade school or college program you completed.

Register with the DBPR and Schedule Your Exam

Go to the DBPR's online licensing portal at myfloridalicense.com. Create an account if you do not already have one. Search for your license type and click "explore." You will enter your personal information, Social Security number, and the trade you are licensing for. The system will ask you to upload your experience documentation at this stage — have your files ready in PDF or image format.

Pay the process fee of $163 using a credit or debit card. The DBPR will review your documents within five to ten business days. Once they confirm you meet the experience requirement, they will send you an email with instructions to schedule your exam. You will take the exam through a third-party testing company called PSI. Go to psi-exams.com, create an account, and select your Florida contractor exam. Choose a test center near you and a date that works. Exam fees range from $100 to $150 depending on your trade.

You have 180 days from the date you submit your process to complete the exam. If you do not sit for the exam within that window, your process expires and you must start over with a new fee.

Prepare for and Pass the Trade Exam

The exam is a multiple-choice test that covers the Florida Building Code, safety regulations, business practices, and technical knowledge specific to your trade. The number of questions and time limit varies by license type — most exams are 100 to 150 questions and take two to three hours. You cannot use notes, calculators, or reference materials during the exam, though some trades allow a code book.

Study materials are available through several vendors. The DBPR does not publish official study guides, but PSI (the testing company) sells exam prep courses and practice tests on their website. Many trade schools and online learning platforms also offer Florida contractor exam prep specific to each license type. Budget two to four weeks of study time if you are familiar with your trade, or longer if you have been out of the field for a while.

You must score at least 70 percent to pass. If you fail, you can retake the exam, but you will pay the exam fee again. Most people pass on the first or second attempt if they study the code sections and practice questions.

Submit Your Final Documents and Receive Your License

After you pass the exam, PSI will notify the DBPR electronically. The DBPR will then send you an email asking for your final documents: proof of a current Florida business tax receipt (also called a sales tax permit), proof of workers' compensation insurance, and proof of general liability insurance. You can obtain a business tax receipt from the Florida Department of Revenue's website — it takes about 15 minutes and costs nothing. Insurance requirements vary by trade; contact an insurance agent who works with contractors in your field to get quotes.

Upload these documents through myfloridalicense.com. The DBPR will review them within five to ten business days. Once everything is approved, they will issue your license and mail you a physical license card. You can also read a temporary digital copy from your account when ready after approval — this is sufficient to show customers and start bidding on work while you wait for the card to arrive.

Your license is valid for two years from the date of issuance. You will receive a renewal notice by email 60 days before expiration.

Understand Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements

Before your license expires, you must renew it through myfloridalicense.com. The renewal fee is $163, the same as the initial process. You must also complete continuing education hours — the number depends on your license type and ranges from four to 14 hours per two-year cycle. Some trades require courses in specific topics like safety or code updates; others allow you to choose from any approved contractor education provider.

You can take continuing education courses online, in person, or through correspondence. The DBPR maintains a list of approved providers on their website. Courses typically cost $20 to $50 per hour. You must complete your hours and submit proof to the DBPR before your renewal important date, or your license will expire and you will have to reapply from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a contractor in Florida while my process is being reviewed?

No. You cannot legally perform or bid on construction work until your license is issued. Working without a license is a criminal offense in Florida and can result in fines and jail time. Wait until you receive your license before you take on any jobs.

What if I have experience from another state — does that count toward the four-year requirement?

Yes, out-of-state experience counts as long as you can document it the same way you would document Florida experience: with pay stubs, tax returns, or letters from employers. The work must be in the same trade you are licensing for in Florida.

Do I need a separate license for each type of work I do?

If you do multiple trades, you may need multiple licenses. A General Contractor license covers general construction, but if you also do electrical work, you need an Electrical Contractor license for that. Check the DBPR's license type list to see if your work falls under one license or requires more than one.

What happens if my license expires and I do not renew it in time?

Your license becomes inactive and you cannot legally work as a contractor. You can reactivate it within two years of expiration by paying a late renewal fee and submitting your continuing education hours. After two years, you must reapply as a new applicant and pass the exam again.

How much does the entire process cost from start to finish?

The process fee is $163, the exam fee ranges from $100 to $150, and you will need workers' compensation and liability insurance (costs vary widely by trade and location, typically $500 to $2,000 per year). Continuing education for renewal costs $20 to $50 per hour depending on the provider and course. Budget $800 to $2,500 for your initial license, plus annual insurance costs.