Construction Industry Licensing Board

The Construction Industry Licensing Board is responsible for licensing and regulating the construction industry. The board meets regularly to consider applications for licensure, to review disciplinary cases, and to conduct informal hearings relating to licensure and discipline. The board engages in rulemaking to implement the provisions set forth in its statutes and conducts other general business, as necessary.

Important Information (Hot Topics)

Irrigation Specialty Contractors
The Construction Industry Licensing Board has developed a new specialty license for the installation, repair, maintenance, and design of irrigation systems. The scope of work permitted to be performed by a certified irrigation specialty contractor can be found in Rule 61G4-15.035, Florida Administrative Code.

Previously, most contractors providing such services were required to obtain an appropriate local competency card in irrigation contracting or obtain a full state certified plumbing contractor’s license.  Most contractors who specialized in the construction of irrigation systems lacked the substantive experience required for a full plumbing contractor’s license. In addition, locally licensed contractors working in multiple jurisdictions were required to maintain certificates of competency in each separate jurisdiction. 

Certified irrigation specialty applicants may use their experience in irrigation system construction to qualify for licensure, but are required to pass the state certified irrigation specialty contractors’ examination.  The first state irrigation specialty examination will be administered April 16th and 17th, 2013. For more information on scheduling to take the state examination please visit the Department’s Bureau of Education and Testing website or call 850.488.5952.

Please see our Irrigation Contractor FAQs for more information.

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ADVERTISING: Signs to Social Media, License Numbers Required!
Advertising is important to Florida contractors and can make the difference between a great business year and just making ends meet. Florida contractors have many new ways of promoting their businesses with the increased use of internet websites and the advent of social media technologies. As advertising evolves, it is important for Florida contractors to remember that their license number must be included in all offers of service, bids, business proposals, contracts or advertisements, regardless of the medium. Pursuant to Rule 61G4-12.011, F.A.C., advertisements include any electronic media including Internet sites. So please remember to include your license number on your websites, social media pages and other advertisements.

If you have any questions regarding advertising requirements please review the Construction Industry Licensing Board’s FAQs or you may contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at (850)487-1395.

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Demolition Contracting Services
Senate Bill 704 was passed during the 2012 Legislative Session and was approved on April 6, 2012 amending the definition of “Contractor” set forth in section 489.105(3), Florida Statutes. Section 489.105(3), Florida Statutes, defines “Contractor” in pertinent part as:

A person who is qualified for, and is only responsible for, the project contracted for and means, except as exempted in this part, the person who, for compensation, undertakes to, submits a bid to, or does himself or herself or by others construct, repair, alter, remodel, add to, demolish, subtract from, or improve any building or structure, including related improvements to real estate, for others or for resale to others.

The bill amended the statutory language revising the term “demolish” to now include the demolition of all buildings or residence, regardless of height or number of stories. Previously, the term “demolish” only included demolition of buildings or residences that were over three stories tall. The bill became effective on July 1, 2012.

After July 1, 2012, any person or entity who wishes to contract for building or residence demolition must have an appropriate Division I contractors license or a local certificate of competency for demolition contracting issued by your local licensing authority. Demolition companies may continue to subcontract demolition work from a certified or registered contractor when the contractor is supervising all work, the work is within the scope of the supervisor’s license and provided that the person being supervised is not engaged in construction work which would require a license as a contractor under any of the categories listed in s. 489.105(3)(d)-(o).

Please see our Demolition FAQs for more information.

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Certification of Registered Contractor’s Licenses (Grandfathering)
House Bill 897, which passed during the 2012 legislative session, was approved by Governor Rick Scott on May 4, 2012. This bill will re-open and extend the time period for contractors to request that their registered contractor’s license be grandfathered to a state wide certified contractor’s license. The time period requesting grandfathering of registered licenses has been extended until November 1, 2015. The re-opening of the grandfathering time period will take effect on October 1, 2012. Registered contractors may submit their application for grandfathering of their licenses beginning October 1, 2012.

Please see our Grandfathering FAQs for more information.

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Re-activation of Inactive Licenses
House Bill 517 passed during the 2012 Legislative Session and was approved by Governor Rick Scott on April 6, 2012. This bill reduces the number of continuing education credits an inactive or delinquent contractor licensee must complete prior to reactivating his or her license. Effective July 1, 2012, an inactive or delinquent licensee will only need to complete the continuing education requirements for the renewal cycle immediately preceding license reactivation.

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Board Information

The Construction Industry Licensing Board consists of 18 members: 4 general contractors, 3 building or residential contractors (with at least 1 building contractor and 1 residential contractor), 1 sheet metal contractor, 1 pool contractor, 1 plumbing contractor, 2 building officials of a municipality or county, 1 roofing contractor, 1 air conditioning contractor, 1 mechanical contractor, 1 underground utility and excavation contractor and 2 consumer members.

Apply to be a board member

Board Meeting Information

Declaratory Statements

License Information

Definition of Occupation and Class Codes

License Categories:
  •   General
  •   Building
  •   Residential
  •   Sheet Metal
  •   Roofing
  •   Class A & B Air Conditioning
  •   Air Conditioning Service
  •   Mechanical
  •   Commercial Pool/Spa
  •   Residential Pool/Spa
  •   Swimming Pool/Spa Service
  •   Plumbing
  •   Underground Utility and Excavation
  •   Residential Solar Water Heating Specialty
  •   Solar
  •   Specialty Structure
  •   Pollutant Storage System Specialty
  •   Gypsum Drywall Specialty
  •   Gas Line Specialty
  •   Internal Pollutant StorageTank Lining Applicator
  •   Precision Tank Tester
  •   Glass and Glazing Specialty
  •   Swimming Pool Specialties
  •   Marine Specialty
  •   Tower Specialty
  •   Irrigation Specialty

Methods of Licensure:
By Endorsement - Yes
By Examination - Yes
By Reciprocity - No

Licenses may be issued by registration or certification:
Registration – The applicant has taken and passed a local competency examination and can practice only within that locale.
Certification – The applicant has taken and passed an examination and can practice throughout Florida.

Construction Business Information

Swimming Pool Licensed Examiners
For the most current list, go to the department's Licensee Download Files page.

Applicant Information

Application/Licensure Fees
A breakdown of application and licensure fees is provided with application packets.

Examination Information
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for examination development, administration, review and grades.

List of CILB Acceptable Credit Reporting Agencies

Information for Licensees

Biennial License Renewal Fee
Certified Contractor = $209 *
Registered Contractor = $209 *

* Includes $5 Unlicensed Activity fee and a fee of $4 which must be transferred to the Department of Community Affairs to fund projects relating to the building construction industry or continuing education programs offered to persons engaged in the building construction industry in Florida.

Continuing Education Requirement
14 hours board-approved continuing education is required each biennium prior to the renewal period for both certified and registered contractors. At least 1 hour must deal with workplace safety, 1 hour on the subject of worker's compensation, 1 hour on the subject of business practices, 1 hour on the subject of laws and rules and 1 hour on Florida Building Code advanced modules.

A person who holds more than one certificate or registration issued by the board is required to complete the continuing education requirements only once during each biennial certification renewal period and only once during each biennial registration period.

Any course approved for the education requirements for persons certified under Chapter 468, Part XII, Florida Statutes, shall be accepted for continuing education for renewal for persons who are certified under Part XII and who are certified or registered contractors under Chapter 489, Part I, Florida Statutes.

Continuing Education Information
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for the management of continuing education providers and courses. Below are shortcuts to their continuing education pages.
Continuing education main page
Continuing education policy
List of continuing education providers and courses, and hours required
Information for providers / instructors

Workers' Compensation
The Construction Policy Tracking Database provides information regarding the coverage status of contractors. This system will send contractors automatic electronic notification of any changes to their contractor's coverage status. Source: Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers' Compensation.

Decal Awareness Program

Reporting requirement for criminal convictions
As of October 1, 2009, Section 455.227(1)(t), Florida Statutes requires all professional licensees to report to the department within 30 days of being convicted or found guilty of, or having plead nolo contendere or guilty to a crime in any jurisdiction.  The statute also requires the reporting of any convictions that occurred prior to October 1, 2009.  A licensee who fails to report that information may be subject to disciplinary action, including fines, suspension or license revocation.  To report this information, complete the criminal self-reporting document and mail it to the department.

Enforcement

The Division of Regulation is responsible for enforcement of professions and related businesses licensed by DBPR under the Division of Professions to ensure that the laws, rules and standards set by the legislature are followed. To file a complaint visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund

Recovery Fund FAQ
Recovery Fund Claim Form
FHCRF Information Sheet
Recovery Fund Required Documents
Instructions for Performing an Asset Search
Recovery Fund Sample Affidavit of Asset Search

Links and Resources

Florida Construction Lien Law

National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies

Construction Licensing Officials Association of Florida

Tips for Florida homeowners who plan to build or remodel a home