What is the difference between a certified and registered roofing contractor in Florida?

A certified roofing contractor may contract statewide within the roofing scope. A registered roofing contractor is generally limited to the local jurisdictions where the contractor holds and registers an accepted local competency credential.

Can a Florida general contractor perform roofing work without a roofing license?

Florida law generally requires contractors to subcontract roofing work unless the contractor holds the appropriate roofing certification or registration or a specific statutory exception applies.

Florida Roofing Contractor License Requirements | Precision Business Education Foundation

Q: Which examinations are required for a Florida certified roofing contractor?

Roofing is a Division II construction category. Applicants generally must pass the Business and Finance examination and the Roofing Trade Knowledge examination unless a current statutory or board-approved exemption applies.

Q: Which application qualifies a Florida roofing business?

CILB 5-I is used for certified roofing contractor licensure as an individual. CILB 6-I is used when the certified roofing contractor will qualify a business. Applicants should use the current DBPR application and checklist.

Florida Roofing Licensing at a Glance

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation administers construction licensing through the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Applicants should use the current application, checklist, examination information, and official instructions for their selected pathway.

Statewide

Certified Roofing Contractor

May contract statewide within the lawful roofing scope after meeting experience, examination, financial, insurance, background, and application requirements.

Local

Registered Roofing Contractor

Generally relies on an accepted local competency credential and is limited to jurisdictions where the registration is recognized.

Individual

CILB 5-I

The certified roofing contractor application used when the applicant seeks individual licensure without qualifying a business through that filing.

Business

CILB 6-I

The certified roofing contractor application used when the applicant will qualify a business entity that contracts with customers.

Choose the Correct Florida Roofing License Path

The correct path depends on whether statewide authority is needed, whether the applicant already holds an acceptable local competency credential, and whether the applicant will qualify a roofing company.

Path	Core requirement	Business use	Important limitation
Certified Roofing Contractor — Individual	Qualifying experience, required state examinations, financial responsibility, fingerprints, insurance, disclosures, and CILB 5-I.	Creates the individual statewide credential.	Does not automatically qualify a separate company to contract.
Certified Roofing Contractor — Qualifying a Business	Individual eligibility plus business ownership, credit, financial, insurance, qualifier, and CILB 6-I documentation.	Connects the qualifying contractor to the approved roofing business.	The qualifier assumes legal responsibility for the company’s contracting activities.
Registered Roofing Contractor	Accepted local competency license or certificate plus state registration and required supporting documents.	Allows contracting where the local credential and registration are recognized.	Does not provide automatic statewide authority.

Do not choose by convenience alone: match the license path to the intended service territory, company structure, ownership role, qualifying-agent responsibility, and long-term business plan.

What the Florida Roofing Contractor License Covers

Florida law defines roofing contracting broadly, but the license does not erase building-code, permit, engineering, electrical, structural, manufacturer, or other trade boundaries.

Roof Systems

Installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, extension, and design when not prohibited by law
Materials and systems used to prevent water from entering through the roof
Waterproofing and protective coatings applied to roof surfaces

Related Statutory Work

Skylights and required roof-deck attachments
Wood roof sheathing or fascia repair and replacement when needed during roof work
Certain roof-to-wall connection evaluation and enhancement performed with roof covering repair or replacement

Scope Boundaries

Separate electrical, mechanical, plumbing, engineering, or other licenses may apply
Local permits, inspections, product approvals, and code requirements still govern
Project-specific structural or design work may require another qualified professional

Separate trade warning: Florida law generally requires general, building, and residential contractors to subcontract roofing work unless they hold the proper roofing credential or a specific statutory exception applies.

The Six-Stage Florida Roofing Contractor Licensing Process

Choose the pathCertified or registered

Document experienceField and supervisory

Pass examinationsBusiness and roofing

Complete screeningCredit and fingerprints

Submit applicationCILB 5-I or 6-I

Finish business setupInsurance and local permits

Select certified or registered authority

Decide whether the business needs statewide certified authority or will operate only within jurisdictions recognizing a registered credential.

Assemble qualifying roofing experience

Document employers, supervisors, dates, payroll or tax support, project types, roofing systems, duties, and the required supervisory or foreman-level experience.

Apply for and pass the required examinations

Use the current CILB examination application, candidate information, content outline, reference list, registration process, and testing-vendor instructions.

Complete credit, fingerprints, and disclosures

Obtain board-approved credit reports, submit electronic fingerprints, explain criminal or disciplinary history when applicable, and resolve supporting documentation early.

Submit CILB 5-I or CILB 6-I

Use the individual application when not qualifying a business through the filing, or the qualifying-business application when the company will contract under the applicant’s authority.

Complete insurance, business, and local setup

Align the license, Sunbiz entity, qualifier relationship, insurance, workers’ compensation status, local contractor records, permitting accounts, and renewal calendar.

Florida Roofing Contractor Experience Requirements

Florida generally requires four years of qualifying experience or an approved combination of college and field experience. At least one year must meet the current application’s foreman or supervisory requirement. DBPR determines whether the submitted record satisfies the category.

Qualifying Field Time

Roofing work within the license category
Projects and systems described in usable detail
Dates, employers, and employment status documented
College substitution used only where officially allowed

Supervisory Experience

At least one qualifying year at the required foreman or supervisory level
Responsibility for crews, schedules, safety, quality, and project delivery
Authority and duties explained—not merely a job title

Verification Records

Verifier names, licenses, titles, and contact information
Payroll, W-2, tax, military, or self-employment records as applicable
Permit, contract, invoice, supplier, or project records when requested
Consistent dates across every supporting document

Common delay: submitting general construction experience without clearly identifying roofing systems, project duties, time periods, supervisory responsibility, and a qualified person who can verify the work.

Florida Roofing Contractor Examination Requirements

Roofing is a Division II construction category. The normal certified-contractor pathway requires the Business and Finance examination and the Roofing Trade Knowledge examination unless the applicant qualifies for a current exemption.

Business and Finance

Business organization and financial management
Contracts, accounting, payroll, taxes, insurance, and liens
Employment, safety, and contractor responsibilities
Current official references and content outline

Roofing Trade Knowledge

Roof systems, materials, installation, repair, and estimating
Florida Building Code and product requirements
Safety, waterproofing, flashing, drainage, and wind considerations
Current official roofing reference list

Examination Process

Apply through the current CILB examination process
Wait for eligibility before scheduling with the testing vendor
Use the current candidate booklet and reference list
Retain registration, payment, and score records

Passing the examinations is not the license. DBPR states that a passing score allows the applicant to apply for licensure; the applicant must still satisfy experience, financial, background, insurance, and application requirements.

Application, Credit, Fingerprint, and Insurance Requirements

Use the current DBPR checklist and application. Filing periods, fees, forms, addresses, credit-report standards, fingerprint procedures, and insurance documentation can change.

Application Selection

CILB 1 for the examination process
CILB 5-I for certified roofing licensure as an individual
CILB 6-I when qualifying a roofing business
Separate current pathway for registered contractor applicants

Financial Responsibility

Board-approved personal credit report
Business credit report when applicable
FICO-derived score and required public-record searches
Financial-responsibility course or other remediation when required

Background and Insurance

Electronic fingerprints
Complete criminal and disciplinary disclosures
General liability and property-damage coverage
Workers’ compensation coverage or valid exemption when legally available

Fee warning: confirm the current amount on the live DBPR checklist and current form. Initial-license fees can depend on the date within the licensing cycle.

Individual License vs. Qualifying a Roofing Business

The licensed person and the business entity that signs roofing contracts must be aligned correctly. Forming an LLC or corporation does not create contractor authority.

Situation	Typical application direction	Control to verify
Applicant seeks the individual certified roofing credential and is not qualifying a company through the filing	CILB 5-I	Confirm how contracting will occur before advertising or signing agreements through any entity.
Applicant will qualify an LLC, corporation, partnership, or other roofing business	CILB 6-I	Align ownership, qualifier authority, credit reports, insurance, Sunbiz records, and business name.
Licensed contractor will qualify an additional business	Current additional-business application	Review supervision, financial responsibility, ownership, and board-approval requirements.

Business formation is not licensure. A Sunbiz registration, EIN, fictitious name, occupational license, website, or insurance policy does not replace the required Florida contractor credential and approved business qualification.

Local Registration, Permitting, and Inspection Setup

A state-certified roofing contractor has statewide competency authority, but each project remains subject to applicable local permitting, account-registration, inspection, code, notice, and business requirements.

Contractor Registration

Confirm each jurisdiction’s contractor-record setup, license verification, insurance certificates, workers’ compensation documentation, contact records, and portal access.

Permit and Inspection Accounts

Identify permit applications, notices, product approvals, plans, fees, inspection stages, corrections, closeout records, and electronic submission procedures.

Local Business Compliance

Verify local business-tax receipts, zoning and storage rules, vehicle and sign rules, waste handling, solicitation restrictions, and disaster-response requirements.

Florida Roofing License Renewal and Continuing Education

DBPR currently identifies a 14-hour continuing-education cycle for roofing contractors. The required subject mix includes specialized or advanced content, workplace safety, business practices, workers’ compensation, laws and rules, and wind mitigation, with remaining hours from approved construction education.

Certified Contractor Cycle

Track the current even-year August 31 deadline
Complete approved continuing education
Renew every qualified business
Maintain current contact and insurance records

Registered Contractor Cycle

Track the current odd-year August 31 deadline
Maintain the underlying local competency credential
Complete approved continuing education
Confirm every jurisdiction remains authorized

Ongoing Compliance

Keep qualifier and business records aligned
Maintain workers’ compensation status
Update DBPR contact information
Retain CE, insurance, permit, and contract records

Renewal dates and fees can change. Confirm the current cycle, required hours, subject allocation, qualified-business fee, and filing instructions directly with DBPR.

Florida Roofing Contractor License Checklist

License Path

Certified or registered route selected
Individual or qualifying-business filing selected
Roofing scope reviewed
Business structure identified

Experience

Four-year pathway reviewed
Supervisory year documented
Verifiers confirmed
Employment support assembled

Examinations

Current CILB examination process reviewed
Business and Finance identified
Roofing Trade Knowledge identified
Official references obtained

Financial and Background

Approved credit reports ordered
Fingerprints completed
Disclosures prepared
Supporting records included

Insurance and Business

Liability requirements confirmed
Workers’ compensation status documented
Sunbiz entity aligned
Qualifier relationship documented

Final Submission

Current form and fee confirmed
Every section reviewed
Copies retained
Renewal and local setup calendar created

Official Florida Roofing Contractor Resources

Use official Florida sources for current applications, fees, experience rules, examinations, scope, renewal, continuing education, and license status.

DBPR Certified Roofing Contractor ApplicationsCurrent CILB 5-I, CILB 6-I, additional-business, endorsement, and related roofing application pathways.

DBPR Construction Industry Licensing BoardApplications, renewal information, continuing education, board resources, and contractor records.

Florida Construction ExaminationsCurrent application, scheduling, candidate information, testing vendors, examination content, and reference links.

Official Roofing Examination ReferencesCurrent Business and Finance and Roofing examination reference lists.

Florida Statute 489.105Definitions and statutory scope of roofing contracting.

Florida Statute 489.113Certification, registration, trade subcontracting, and contracting requirements.

Continue the Florida Roofing Business Learning Path

Startup Page

Build the legal, operational, financial, safety, and market foundation for the company.

Open the Startup Page →

Startup Costs

Estimate licensing, insurance, vehicles, trailers, equipment, crews, materials, software, and working capital.

Open Startup Costs →

Equipment Guide

Plan vehicles, trailers, ladders, fall protection, production tools, safety equipment, storage, and maintenance.

Open the Equipment Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Who licenses roofing contractors in Florida?

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation administers construction licensing through the Construction Industry Licensing Board.

What is the difference between certified and registered?

A certified roofing contractor may contract statewide within the roofing scope. A registered roofing contractor is generally limited to jurisdictions where the accepted local competency credential and state registration are recognized.

How much experience is required?

Florida generally requires four years of qualifying field experience or an approved combination of college and experience. At least one year must satisfy the foreman or supervisory requirement described in the current application.

Which examinations are required?

Roofing is a Division II category. Applicants generally must pass Business and Finance and Roofing Trade Knowledge unless a current exemption applies.

Which application qualifies the roofing company?

CILB 5-I is the certified roofing contractor application for individual licensure. CILB 6-I is used when the certified roofing contractor will qualify a business. Use the current DBPR checklist and form.

Can a general contractor perform roofing work without the roofing credential?

Florida law generally requires contractors to subcontract roofing work unless they hold the appropriate roofing certification or registration or a specific statutory exception applies.

Next Step: Plan the Roofing Equipment System

After confirming the license and business-qualification path, identify the vehicles, trailers, ladders, fall protection, production tools, safety equipment, storage, inspection, maintenance, and replacement systems required for the roofing services you intend to sell.

Continue to Roofing Equipment

Florida separately licenses roofing contractors