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Florida General Contractor Licensing Guide
A start-to-finish roadmap for earning a Florida Certified General Contractor license, documenting qualifying experience, passing the state examinations, and legally qualifying a construction business.
This guide covers the statewide Certified General Contractor license
A certified license is issued through the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board and supports statewide contracting within the statutory scope. A registered contractor is generally limited to the local jurisdictions where the registration is recognized.
Florida Contractor Licensing at a Glance
Florida separates Division I contractors into General, Building, and Residential categories. Choosing the right category is important because each license has a different scope.
General Contractor
Florida law defines a general contractor as having authority that is unlimited as to the type of work the contractor may contract for, subject to statutory exceptions and subcontracting rules.
Building Contractor
Generally limited to commercial buildings of specified height and residential structures, along with related remodeling and structural work.
Residential Contractor
Limited to one-family, two-family, and three-family residences within the statutory height and accessory-use limits.
Choose General, Building, or Residential
The Certified General Contractor license is the broadest Division I construction license, but not every applicant needs that scope.
| License | Best Fit | Primary Limitation | Typical Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified General Contractor | Applicants planning broad residential, commercial, industrial, structural, and complex construction work. | Must still subcontract electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, mechanical, sheet-metal, and pool work unless separately licensed, except where Florida law provides otherwise. | CILB 5-A or 6-A |
| Certified Building Contractor | Applicants focused on residential and commercial buildings within the statutory building-contractor scope. | More limited than a general contractor as to project and structure type. | CILB 5-B or 6-B |
| Certified Residential Contractor | Applicants focused on smaller residential construction and remodeling. | Restricted to residential structures and accessory-use work within statutory limits. | CILB 5-C or 6-C |
The Six-Stage CGC Licensing Process
Complete the experience, examination, financial, background, insurance, and business-qualification requirements in the correct order.
Confirm the Certified General Contractor category
Review the statutory scope and compare it with Building and Residential licensing before applying.
Complete the Certified General experience pages
Document qualifying employment, supervisory responsibility, new construction, structural work, and project scope using the current category-specific forms.
Apply for and pass the required state examinations
Use the current CILB 1 process, Candidate Information Booklet, and approved reference lists.
Complete credit, fingerprints, and disclosures
Order the correct credit report, complete electronic fingerprints, and prepare any required court, license, or financial records.
Submit CILB 5-A or CILB 6-A
Use CILB 5-A for individual licensure or CILB 6-A when the applicant will qualify a construction business.
Complete local contractor registration and permitting setup
Register the certified license, business, insurance, and workers’ compensation records with applicable local jurisdictions.
Experience and Eligibility Requirements
Florida generally requires four years of qualifying experience or an approved combination of college and experience. The CGC path also requires documented foreman and new-construction experience.
Four Years of Qualifying Experience
- Four years of experience or an approved education-and-experience combination
- One year equals 2,000 hours for application purposes
- Education or military service may substitute for part of the requirement
- Experience must match the Certified General category
Foreman and New Construction
- At least one year as a foreman
- New-construction experience
- Responsibility for crews, scheduling, supervision, or project control
- Clear dates and duties
Project Scope Documentation
- Structural components
- Foundations and slabs
- Masonry, framing, and roofing coordination
- Commercial or residential new construction
- Permits, project values, and job responsibilities
Florida General Contractor Examination Requirements
Certified General Contractor applicants must pass the state certification examinations required for the Division I category.
Business and Finance
- Accounting and financial management
- Contracts, liens, payroll, insurance, and taxes
- Business organization and contractor responsibilities
- Florida construction law
Contract Administration
- Bidding and estimating
- Contracts and project documents
- Permits, codes, safety, and administration
- Scheduling, purchasing, and project closeout
Project Management
- Construction methods and materials
- Site work, concrete, masonry, framing, and structural systems
- Plans, specifications, codes, and safety
- Division I approved reference materials
Application, Credit, Insurance, and Background Requirements
Passing the examinations does not issue the license automatically. The applicant must still complete the CILB licensing package.
Credit and Financial Responsibility
- Board-compliant credit report
- FICO-derived score
- Required public-record search
- Liens, judgments, or bankruptcy documents when applicable
- Course, bond, or other remedy when required
Insurance and Workers’ Compensation
- Required public-liability insurance
- Required property-damage insurance
- Workers’ compensation coverage or valid exemption
- Correct business and qualifier names
Fingerprints and Disclosures
- Electronic fingerprinting
- Criminal-history disclosure
- Prior license discipline or denial disclosure
- Supporting court or agency records when required
Individual License vs. Qualifying a Construction Business
Forming an LLC or corporation does not authorize construction contracting. The business must be properly qualified by a licensed individual.
| Situation | Typical Form | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Certified General Contractor license as an individual | CILB 5-A | Initial CGC license held in an individual capacity. |
| Initial CGC license while qualifying a business | CILB 6-A | Licenses the individual and qualifies the construction company. |
| Current CGC qualifying another business | CILB 7-A or applicable additional-business form | Adds another qualified business, subject to current Board requirements. |
| Out-of-state license or equivalent examination | Endorsement review | Used when seeking licensure through Florida’s current endorsement criteria. |
What a General Contractor Can and Cannot Self-Perform
The broad CGC scope does not eliminate every specialty-license boundary.
Broad Authority
- Contract for broad construction activity within Chapter 489
- Perform structural construction and alteration
- Coordinate complete projects and subcontractors
- Perform clearing, grading, excavation, and site work as permitted by statute
Specialty Work Usually Must Be Subcontracted
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Mechanical and HVAC
- Roofing
- Sheet metal
- Swimming pool work
Complete CGC Licensing Checklist
License Choice
- General, Building, and Residential compared
- Certified route selected
- Individual or business qualifier path chosen
- Scope matched to planned services
Experience
- Four years or approved equivalent
- One year as a foreman
- New-construction experience
- Certified General experience pages completed
- Supporting records retained
Examinations
- Current CILB 1 process used
- Candidate booklet reviewed
- Current reference list obtained
- All required exam parts passed
- Score notices retained
Financial & Background
- Credit report ordered
- Public-record search included
- Fingerprints completed
- Disclosures prepared
- Liens or judgments addressed
Insurance & Business
- Liability coverage
- Property-damage coverage
- Workers’ compensation policy or exemption
- Sunbiz and FEIN records
- Ownership information complete
Final Submission
- Correct CILB form selected
- All signatures and dates complete
- Current fee verified
- Complete copy retained
- Application status monitored
Official Florida General Contractor Resources
Use official state sources for current applications, experience forms, examinations, reference lists, statutes, and license verification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a General, Building, and Residential Contractor?
How much experience is required for a Florida CGC license?
Can a general contractor perform electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or roofing work?
Does forming an LLC allow the company to contract?
Can college substitute for construction experience?
Does a certified CGC license eliminate local requirements?
Next Step: Launch the General Contracting Business
After confirming the licensing path, continue to the General Contractor Business Launch System for startup costs, estimating, contracts, subcontractor management, insurance, marketing, financial controls, hiring, and growth.
Continue to the General Contractor Business Launch System