Florida General Contractor License Requirements (2026)

To qualify for a Florida certified general contractor license you must meet four core requirements: documented construction experience, financial responsibility (a FICO-derived credit score of 660 or higher, or a 14-hour Board-approved course), a passing score on the state examination, and proof of the required insurance. These requirements are set by Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, and the CILB rules in Chapter 61G4.

1. Experience requirement

Florida requires verifiable construction experience to sit for the general contractor exam. The DBPR CILB 5-A certified-contractor application lists several qualifying methods. The baseline method is “Four years experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.” A construction-related four-year degree from an accredited college counts as the equivalent of three years’ experience, combined with one year of proven applicable experience.

General-contractor applicants face an added requirement: per Rule 61G4-15.001(2)(a), they must show experience in four or more of the listed experience areas and at least one year of experience in the construction of structures at least four stories in height. Confirm the exact combinations on the official DBPR CILB 5-A form before you file.

2. Financial responsibility (no surety bond)

Florida’s financial-responsibility rule (Fla. Admin. Code 61G4-15.006) gives two paths:

• A credit score, FICO derived, of 660 or higher; or
• Completion of a 14-hour financial responsibility course approved by the Board, for applicants unable to provide that score.

The current rule (effective 5/5/2024) makes no mention of a required state surety bond. Third-party vendors market a “sub-660 bond,” but that is a private product, not a state requirement.

3. The state examination

You must pass the Florida general contractor examination administered by the state’s exam vendor. See the Florida general contractor exam page for the exam structure and preparation options.

4. Insurance

Florida requires general liability / property-damage coverage, and workers’ compensation if you have employees. Specific dollar minimums are set by Board rule, not a single statutory figure — review Florida contractor insurance requirements for detail and verify amounts with the DBPR.

Certified or registered?

These requirements describe the certified path, which lets you work statewide. If you only intend to work in one local jurisdiction, the registered path may apply instead — compare them on certified vs registered contractor in Florida.

Where this fits in the process

Requirements are step one. When you are ready to move, follow the step-by-step path to a Florida GC license and budget the total using the Florida GC license cost breakdown. For the big picture, return to the Florida general contractor license guide.

This page summarizes Florida law and is general information, not legal advice. Verify every detail with the Florida DBPR before acting.

Last verified: 2026-06-18