How to Get a General Contractor License in Florida: Step-by-Step Guide

Florida General Contractor License Overview

Florida has one of the most structured general contractor licensing systems in the country. Unlike Ohio (where most licensing is local), Florida issues statewide contractor licenses through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Get licensed in Florida, and you can work anywhere in the state.

There are two types of general contracting licenses in Florida:

• Certified General Contractor (CGC): Unlimited scope — can bid and build any commercial or residential project of any size, including high-rise commercial buildings
• Certified Building Contractor (CBC): One- to three-story construction, with some limitations on commercial high-rise work

Both require the same application process and exam through the Florida Contractors Licensing Board, a division of DBPR. The CGC license is the more valuable credential because of its broader scope — most contractors pursuing a statewide license target the CGC.

Requirements to Get a General Contractor License in Florida

Here's what you'll need to qualify:

• Experience: At least 4 years of experience in the construction field, with at least 1 year in a supervisory capacity. Experience must be documented and verifiable.
• Financial responsibility: Credit score of 660+ (or ability to demonstrate financial stability through alternative means); no recent bankruptcies or unsatisfied judgments
• Exam: Pass the Florida CGC or CBC licensing examination
• Insurance: General liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage
• Age: Must be at least 18 years old
• Good character: Background check — certain criminal convictions can disqualify you

The Florida Contractor Licensing Exam

This is where a lot of applicants spend the most time — and the exam is genuinely challenging. Florida's contractor exam consists of two open-book tests:

Project Management Exam

Covers construction planning, scheduling, cost estimating, materials and methods, safety (OSHA standards), blueprints and specifications, and construction law specific to Florida. You're allowed to bring approved reference books — the exam tests your ability to use those references effectively under time pressure, not just memorize facts.

Business and Finance Exam

Covers Florida-specific contractor law (Florida Statutes Chapter 489), lien law, contracts, insurance and bonding requirements, business accounting basics, workers' compensation, and tax requirements. This section catches a lot of contractors off guard — construction experience doesn't automatically translate to business and legal knowledge.

The exams are computer-based and administered at Prometric testing centers. You have a set time limit, and you can bring approved references (typically the Florida Building Code, OSHA standards, and specific reference books — check the current candidate information booklet for the current approved list).

Passing score is 70% on each section. You can retake sections individually if you fail one. Most candidates who prepare thoroughly pass within 1–2 attempts.

How to Study for the Florida General Contractor License Exam

The open-book format doesn't mean easy. You still need to understand the material well enough to navigate your references quickly under time constraints. Here's what works:

Tab your reference books. You can't efficiently look things up during the exam without organized tabs on key sections. Florida Building Code, OSHA 1926, and business law references all need to be pre-tabbed with common topic areas.

Use a prep course. Florida contractor license exam prep courses exist specifically for the CGC/CBC exam. They teach exam strategy — how to use references efficiently — alongside content. This is one test where a course-based approach pays off.

Study Florida lien law. Chapter 713 of the Florida Statutes covers construction lien law — and it's tested heavily on the Business and Finance exam. Know the notice requirements, lien timelines, and owner/contractor relationships.

Practice with timed questions. Even with references available, you need to work quickly. Practice answering questions under timed conditions to calibrate your pace.

The general contractor license study guide approach — systematic content review plus practice testing — is the foundation of successful preparation.

The DBPR Application Process

Once you've passed the exams, you'll apply for licensure through myfloridalicense.com. The application requires:

• Completed application form
• Application fee (~$325, verify current amount)
• Exam score reports
• Experience verification — typically reference letters from employers or affidavits from colleagues who can verify your supervisory experience
• Financial responsibility documentation — credit report or alternative financial stability evidence
• Certificate of insurance (general liability)
• Workers' compensation certificate (or exemption if you have no employees)

Processing time varies — plan for 30–90 days after submitting a complete application. Applications with missing documentation take longer. Submit a complete package the first time.

Florida Contractor License Costs

Getting your general contractor license in Florida costs more than just the application fee:

• Exam registration: ~$155–$180 per section (two exams)
• Reference books: $200–$400 for the required references
• Prep course (optional but recommended): $200–$800
• Application fee: ~$325
• Insurance: $1,500–$5,000+ annually for general liability (varies by coverage level)

Total startup costs for licensing typically run $2,000–$5,000 before you're licensed and insured. Budget accordingly — this is a real business investment.

Renewing Your Florida Contractor License

Florida contractor licenses are renewed every two years. Renewal requires 14 hours of continuing education, including mandatory hours on wind mitigation, workers' compensation, and business practices. The renewal fee is approximately $209.

Don't let your license lapse. Working as an unlicensed contractor in Florida is a serious violation — it can result in stop-work orders, fines, and even criminal charges for repeated violations. And as a licensed contractor, reporting unlicensed contracting activity to DBPR is actually a legal obligation.