Under Florida law, a "Solar contractor" means a contractor whose services consist of the installation, alteration, repair, maintenance, relocation, or replacement of solar panels for potable solar water heating systems, swimming pool solar heating systems, and photovoltaic (PV) systems, and any appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection with them, whether public, private, or otherwise, regardless of use.

It's a Certified license issued by the DBPR's Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), meaning it's valid across the entire state, not just one city or county. Some other Chapter 489 contractor categories may already perform certain solar-related work within their existing licensed scope, but the Certified Solar Contractor license is the dedicated classification built specifically around solar installation work.

You must be able to prove one of the following options in order to submit your Florida Solar Contractor License application to the DBPR — this is the same qualification structure listed on the DBPR's own Certified Solar Contractor (Individual) application form:

• A 4-year construction-related degree from an accredited college, plus 1 year of on-the-job experience.
• 1 year of experience as a foreman, plus not less than 3 years of credit from accredited college-level courses.
• 1 year as a worker, 1 year of experience as a foreman, plus 2 years of credit from accredited college-level courses.
• 2 years as a worker, 1 year as a foreman, plus 1 year of credit from accredited college-level courses.
• 4 years as a worker or foreman, of which at least 1 year must have been as a foreman.

Florida veterans with qualifying military service may be eligible for adjusted combinations of service time plus foreman or worker experience — ask us about your specific situation.

The Certified Solar Contractor classification covers three statutory categories of solar work:

Review Every Application Type & Purchase Initial Issuance

See every Florida contractor license application type side by side, and purchase the Initial Issuance application service directly, on our Florida Contractor License Information page.

Every Certified Solar Contractor must carry general liability insurance before the DBPR will issue a license. Workers' compensation coverage is also required, unless you qualify for a state exemption.

We work closely with our sister company, Artisan Insurance Inc., to provide these coverages. Both businesses are family owned and operated, so your license paperwork and your insurance move together instead of stalling on each other.

Certified licenses renew every two years, due by August 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal requires 14 hours of continuing education, covering topics like specialized trade instruction, workplace safety, workers' compensation, business practices, and laws & rules.

Whether you are applying for a new Solar Contractor license, changing from one business to another, or wanting to qualify an additional business, we are here to help.