A gypsum drywall contractor installs, tapes, textures, and finishes gypsum drywall board on wood or metal framing, including related metal stud framing work that supports the drywall system. Gypsum drywall is not one of the statutory Certified contractor categories listed in Florida Statute 489.105(3) — unlike General, Building, Residential, Roofing, Sheet Metal, or Pool/Spa Servicing Contractor. DBPR has historically treated it as a voluntary specialty category, and the Construction Industry Licensing Board's specialty certification rule for this trade (Fla. Admin. Code 61G4-15.017) was repealed effective May 5, 2024.

In practice, this means gypsum drywall contracting is primarily handled as a local, Registered license — issued by the county or city building department where the work is performed — rather than a single statewide Certified license.

Because this trade is licensed locally rather than through a single statewide exam, the specific experience documentation, local trade exam, and business/law exam requirements are set by each county or city building department and can differ from one jurisdiction to the next. In general, local building departments look for:

• Documented, hands-on drywall installation, taping, texturing, and finishing experience (commonly several years, with at least some time in a lead or supervisory role).
• Passing a local trade knowledge exam and a business/law exam, often administered through a third-party testing vendor used by that jurisdiction.
• Meeting that jurisdiction's financial responsibility, background check, and insurance requirements.

We help you confirm the exact requirements for the specific county or city where you plan to hold your license before you apply.

Work typically performed under a local gypsum drywall license includes:

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.

Local building departments generally require gypsum drywall contractors to carry general liability insurance before issuing or renewing a license, with workers' compensation required if your business has employees. Exact minimum coverage amounts are set by the issuing jurisdiction (or by DBPR if you register a local license at the state level) and should be confirmed before you apply.

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.

Because this is a local, Registered license rather than a single statewide Certified license, renewal cycles, fees, and continuing education requirements are set by each local building department and can differ from the standard two-year, August 31 (even years), 14-hour continuing education cycle used for statewide Certified licenses. Always confirm your specific renewal date and requirements with the county or city that issued your license.

Whether you need help identifying which jurisdiction licenses gypsum drywall contractors, applying for a new local license, registering an existing local license with the state, or qualifying an additional business, we are here to help.