Florida Contractor License Application Fees: A Complete Breakdown
Before you submit your Florida contractor license application to the DBPR, it helps to know exactly what the state is going to charge you — and what those fees cover.
The numbers below are the state-imposed application fees only, pulled directly from the official DBPR CILB application forms (updated July 2024). They do not include credit report fees, our processing fee, Livescan fingerprint fees, or any other third-party costs associated with completing your application package.
Why Fees Vary by Date: The Two-Tier Schedule
Florida structures its application fees on a two-year cycle tied to the license renewal calendar. All Florida certified contractor licenses expire on August 31 of even-numbered years (2026, 2028, 2030, etc.). The DBPR charges a higher fee when you apply in the first half of the renewal cycle — when you’ll get more time on your initial license — and a lower fee when you apply closer to the renewal date.
High-fee window: May 1 of an even year through August 31 of an odd year Low-fee window: September 1 of an odd year through April 30 of an even year
Since we are currently in 2026, the applicable windows right now are:
- High fee period: May 1, 2026 — August 31, 2027 → $245
- Low fee period: September 1, 2025 — April 30, 2026 → $145 (just passed)
If you are applying now in 2026, you are in the $245 window.
State Application Fees by License Type
Division I — General, Building, and Residential Contractors
These are the three primary certified contractor classifications. All three carry the same fee structure regardless of whether you are applying as an individual or qualifying a business entity.
| Application Type | High-Fee Period | Low-Fee Period |
|---|---|---|
| Certified General Contractor (CGC) — Individual (CILB 5-A) | $245 | $145 |
| Certified General Contractor (CGC) — Qualifying a Business (CILB 6-A) | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Building Contractor (CBC) — Individual (CILB 5-B) | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Building Contractor (CBC) — Qualifying a Business (CILB 6-B) | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) — Individual (CILB 5-C) | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) — Qualifying a Business (CILB 6-C) | $245 | $145 |
Division II — Specialty Contractors
Specialty contractor applications (roofing, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, pool/spa, underground utility, solar, and others) follow the same two-tier schedule.
| Application Type | High-Fee Period | Low-Fee Period |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Roofing Contractor — Individual (CILB 5-I) | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Plumbing Contractor — Individual (CILB 5-M) | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Air Conditioning/HVAC Contractor — Individual | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Pool/Spa Contractor — Individual | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Underground Utility & Excavation Contractor — Individual | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Solar Contractor — Individual | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Specialty Structure Contractor — Individual (CILB 5-E) | $245 | $145 |
| Certified Building Demolition Specialty Contractor — Individual (CILB 5-AD) | $245 | $145 |
| All other Division II specialty certifications — Individual | $245 | $145 |
Note: Division II business-qualifying applications (CILB 6-series) carry the same fee as individual applications for the same license type.
Qualifying an Additional Business Entity
If you already hold a Florida contractor license and want to use that license to qualify a second (or additional) business entity, a separate application is required.
| Application Type | High-Fee Period | Low-Fee Period |
|---|---|---|
| Qualify Additional Business — General Contractor (CILB 7-A) | $245 | $145 |
| Qualify Additional Business — Building Contractor (CILB 7-B) | $245 | $145 |
| Qualify Additional Business — Residential Contractor (CILB 7-C) | $245 | $145 |
| Qualify Additional Business — Specialty Contractor | $245 | $145 |
Financially Responsible Officer (FRO)
When a qualifying agent is not an owner or officer of the company they are qualifying, the business is typically required to designate a Financially Responsible Officer (FRO). The FRO assumes personal responsibility for the financial aspects of the business and is subject to the board’s review of financial standing and background.
| Application Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Financially Responsible Officer Application (CILB 8) | $200 (flat fee, not date-dependent) |
The FRO application also requires a $100,000 surety bond (or a $50,000 bond for contractors who held a registered license prior to February 1, 2006) in addition to the application fee. The bond is obtained separately through a surety company; costs vary by applicant but typically start below 1% of the bond amount annually for qualified applicants.
Certification by Endorsement
Contractors from reciprocity states or those seeking to convert an out-of-state license to a Florida certified license may be eligible to apply through endorsement rather than examination.
| Application Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certification by Endorsement (CILB 10) | $350 (flat fee) |
What These Fees Do NOT Include
The state application fee is only one part of what you’ll spend to get licensed. The following costs are separate and are not reflected in the figures above:
Credit Reports The DBPR requires a personal credit report containing a FICO-derived score, with a public records statement confirming records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels. The report must come from a DBPR-approved credit reporting agency. For applications qualifying a business entity, a business credit report is also required in addition to the personal credit report.
Credit report fees vary by provider but typically run $50–$100 per report. If you are qualifying an additional business entity (your second or more), a third credit report is required — adding another report fee to the package.
Livescan Electronic Fingerprinting All applicants must submit electronic fingerprints through an FDLE-approved Livescan service provider. The Livescan fee is approximately $50–$75 depending on the provider location.
Our Processing Fee Contractor Licensing Inc. charges a separate service fee for preparing, reviewing, and submitting your application. This covers document organization, experience narrative writing, application review, deficiency response handling, and timeline management through the DBPR process. Our fee is quoted separately based on your specific application type and situation.
Paying the Right Fee — A Common Mistake
One of the most frequent errors on Florida contractor license applications is submitting the wrong fee amount. The two-tier structure means the correct fee depends on the exact date your application is submitted — not the date you start preparing it.
If you submit the wrong amount, the DBPR will not simply adjust it. The application will be flagged as deficient for incorrect fee payment, which stops processing and adds 30 to 45 days to your timeline.
Always verify which fee period applies on the date you submit — not the date you begin the application — and make your check or payment out to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation exactly as written.
Quick Reference Summary
| Application | High-Fee Period (May 1 Even Year — Aug 31 Odd Year) | Low-Fee Period (Sep 1 Odd Year — Apr 30 Even Year) |
|---|---|---|
| All Division I & II Certified Contractor Applications | $245 | $145 |
| Qualify Additional Business Entity | $245 | $145 |
| Financially Responsible Officer (FRO) | $200 | $200 |
| Certification by Endorsement | $350 | $350 |
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re not sure which application form applies to your situation, which fee period you’re currently in, or what additional documents you’ll need alongside the fee payment, we can walk you through it before you submit a single page.
Contractor Licensing Inc. handles the entire application process — including making sure the correct fee is submitted on the right form on the right date. One avoidable error on fee submission is enough to set your timeline back by weeks.
Visit contractorlicensinginc.com or call our Florida office during business hours.
Fee information sourced from official DBPR CILB application forms effective July 2024. Fees are subject to change. Always confirm current fee amounts directly with the DBPR at myfloridalicense.com or by calling 850-487-1395 before submitting your application.
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