Florida Contractor License Information
Florida Contractor License Information & Application Services
This is your central hub for every Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) contractor license application. Contractor Licensing Inc. has 20 years in business helping individuals and companies get licensed in Florida and nationwide — from a first-time Initial Issuance application to qualifying a brand-new business.
Below you'll find every DBPR application type explained in plain language, plus checkout for our most common services — Initial Issuance (priced by license tier) and Start a Business.
Quick Answer
- Initial Issuance (General, Building or Residential — $825; all other trades — $725) and Start a Business ($475) application services can be purchased directly on this page.
- Florida contractor license applications fall into ten DBPR application types — Initial Issuance, Start a Business, Qualify an Additional Business Entity, Change of Status, Certification by Endorsement, Certification by Grandfathering (three variations), Financial Responsible Officer, and Military Servicemember Civil Relief Act licensure.
- Every other application type beyond Initial Issuance and Start a Business is quoted individually based on your license category and situation.
- Contractor Licensing Inc. has 20 years in business helping clients get licensed.
Purchase Your Application Service
These three services cover the most requested filings with the DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board. Checkout is handled through WooCommerce.
Initial Issuance — General, Building & Residential
$825/ application service
+ credit report, DBPR application fee & business filing fees (billed separately)
For a first-time Initial Issuance application in the General Contractor, Building Contractor, or Residential Contractor license categories, filed as an individual.
- For General, Building, or Residential Contractor license categories
- We prepare and review your full DBPR application package
- Guidance on experience documentation, financial responsibility, and fingerprinting
Initial Issuance — All Other Trades
$725/ application service
+ credit report, DBPR application fee & business filing fees (billed separately)
For a first-time Initial Issuance application in any of our other 19 Florida license categories (Electrical, Roofing, Plumbing, HVAC, Mechanical, Solar, and the remaining specialty trades), filed as an individual.
- For all license categories other than General, Building, or Residential
- We prepare and review your full DBPR application package
- Guidance on experience documentation, financial responsibility, and fingerprinting
Start a Business Application Service
$475/ application service
+ credit report, DBPR application fee & business filing fees (billed separately)
You want your individual license issued and a business entity qualified under that license in one application — DBPR's "Certified License and Qualify a Business" application type.
- For any of our 22 Florida license categories
- We prepare your individual and business qualifying paperwork together
- Includes guidance on business entity formation requirements
Every Florida DBPR Contractor Application Type, Explained
The DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board uses the same family of application types across every Certified license category — the descriptions below are drawn directly from DBPR's own CILB application forms.
Initial Issuance (Individual)
Licenses you as an individual, Certified or Registered, for the first time in a given license category. This is the standard starting point if you'll hold the license personally rather than qualifying a business at the same time.
Start a Business (Certified License & Qualify a Business)
Combines your individual Initial Issuance with qualifying one business entity under that license, in a single DBPR application. Use this when you're licensing yourself and standing up your company at the same time.
Qualify an Additional Business Entity
For an already-licensed individual who wants to extend their existing license to cover a second (or additional) business entity, whether within the same license category or a different one.
Change of Status
For moving your existing license between business structures, transferring how your license is held, or otherwise updating your licensure status with the DBPR.
Certification by Endorsement
For contractors already licensed in another state who want to apply that out-of-state licensure toward a Florida Certified license, typically using a NASCLA exam score or an equivalent reciprocal pathway.
Certification by Grandfathering
For individuals who have held an active, local Registered license in good standing for at least five years and want to convert it into a statewide Certified license without sitting for additional trade exams, as an individual only.
Certification by Grandfathering, Qualifying a Business
Combines the Grandfathering conversion above with qualifying one business entity at the same time, in a single application — for a Registered contractor converting to Certified status while also standing up their company.
Certification by Grandfathering, Qualifying an Additional Business
For a contractor already Certified by Grandfathering who wants to extend that license to qualify a second (additional) business entity.
Financial Responsible Officer
For designating the individual responsible for the financial stability review of a licensed business — used when the qualifying business doesn't meet financial responsibility requirements on its own.
Military Servicemember License Portability
For active-duty military members or their spouses who relocate to Florida on military orders and already hold a valid, equivalent contractor license in another state, D.C., a U.S. territory, or a foreign jurisdiction. Most fees are waived, and the license remains valid for the duration of the military orders.
Let Us Handle Your Application
Whether you're applying for your first Florida contractor license, starting a business, qualifying an additional entity, or need something quoted individually, we're here to help every step of the way. With 20 years in business, we've built an efficient system that takes the guesswork out of the process.
Don't have someone to qualify your business yet? Our Contractor Qualifier Connect network can match you with a qualified individual.
Florida Contractor License Application FAQ
What application types does Florida DBPR offer?
Initial Issuance, Start a Business (Certified License and Qualify a Business), Qualify an Additional Business Entity, Change of Status, Certification by Endorsement, Certification by Grandfathering, Certification by Grandfathering While Qualifying a Business, Certification by Grandfathering for an Additional Business, Financial Responsible Officer, and Military Servicemember License Portability. Which ones are available depends on your license category and current status.
What's the difference between Initial Issuance and Start a Business?
Initial Issuance licenses you as an individual only. Start a Business licenses you as an individual and qualifies a business entity under that license at the same time, in one DBPR application.
Can I purchase my application service online?
Yes — Initial Issuance and Start a Business application services can be purchased directly on this page. Every other application type is quoted individually based on your situation.
How long has Contractor Licensing Inc. been in business?
20 years, helping clients get licensed in Florida and nationwide.
Questions? We're Here to Help
Have questions about which application type fits your situation, or want a quote on anything beyond Initial Issuance or Start a Business? Reach out and we'll walk you through it.
Contact Us© 2026 Contractor Licensing Inc. Theme by HB-Themes.