FAQs

We recommend you use an Exam Prep course to prepare for the contractor license exam. Bonus tip: take multiple practice exams to familiarize yourself with the exam structure!

No. At this time Florida does not have reciprocity with other states.

Yes! You can use out of state or out of country experience for your contractor license application. We recommend your experience be verified by the business owner, architect, or license holder that you worked with.

Florida Certified contractors renew their licenses August 31^st of even numbered years. All Registered Contractors and Certified Contractors are required to complete fourteen (14) hours of continuing education each renewal cycle.

A “certified contractor” is a state-wide contractor licensed at the state level who can conduct business anywhere in the state of Florida.

A “registered contractor” is a contractor who has a county license. Registered contractors can only work in the county in which they are registered.

Yes, fingerprints are required! All Florida contractor license applications require fingerprints to be submitted with the application. We recommend scheduling your fingerprinting appointment with Identigo.

Every contractor must carry worker’s compensation insurance or file an exemption with the state. Many states exempt independent contractors and self-employed workers from workers’ comp requirements.

The state gives you 30 days from your date of licensure to obtain worker’s compensation insurance or to file an exemption with the state. The failure to maintain workers’ compensation coverage as required by Chapter 489 and 440 can be grounds for the Construction Industry Licensing Board to revoke, suspend, or deny the issuance or renewal of a construction license.

Yes. Prior to submitting your licensing application, you must obtain general liability insurance for the company you are qualifying.

The state considers many variables when deciding on your background information. They look at number of offenses, dates of those offenses, and the severity of each offense. We have seen every possible scenario over the last 15 years, so please give us a call to discuss your specific situation.

You must have a credit score of 660 or higher to submit the application without a bond. If your score is less than 660 you can post a surety bond to satisfy the requirement. You can complete 14 hours of an approved course to cut the bond amount in half.

Normal processing time for a Florida contractor license application is 4-6 weeks. The applications that fall into this category include applications with good credit, clean background and single entity applications. In other words, applications that would not trigger a board review.

Bonds are only required if the applicant is not taking financial responsibility for the qualified business or if the applicant has a credit score of less than 660.

A financially responsible officer is responsible for all financial aspects of the business organization. They must submit evidence of the financial responsibility, credit, and business reputation of either himself or herself, or the business organization he or she desires to qualify, as determined appropriate by the board.

The Financial Responsible Officer application requires a $100,000 bond to be submitted with each application.

Good question! Contractor Licensing services are specialized companies who understand the application process and all of the details that go into each application. We have processed thousands of applications, so we have seen every possible scenario. Whether you have attempted to submit your application already or you are wanting help from the start we are here for you.