To provide services as a Certified General Contractor in the State of Florida, an individual must apply for and obtain the proper license from the Construction Industry Licensing Board, an agency within the state Department of Business & Professional Regulation. The Board handles all aspects of General Contractor licensing, including applications, establishing requirements for renewal, and regulating matters involving licensee conduct. To receive a license as a Certified General Contractor from the Board, applicants must prove a minimum amount of experience and then pass state issued examinations. The Board has established certain licensing and renewal discounts for qualifying members of the military and their spouses.

Obtaining a license

General

The Board has established certain requirements to earn their license as a Certified General Contractor in the State of Florida. They include the following:

• Applicants for a General Contractor license must have at least four years of experience in area related to construction and contracting or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• After completing the education and/or experience requirements, candidates for a General Contractor license must then apply for and pass a state certification examination. The exam includes:
  • The Business and Financial Management Examination, which consists of 120 questions and is limited to 6.5 hours.
  • Other sections which apply based on the specialty area within the area of Certified General Contractor.

Once a passing exam result has been obtained, candidates for a Certified General Contractor credentials must submit the proper paperwork via the initial licensure application form. Applicants for the Certified General Contractor license must apply for an obtain their credentials within four years of receiving a passing the exam.

Other requirements

Applicants for a Certified General Contractor license must also provide to the Board proof of financial responsibility via submission of personal credit reports. Such reports shall include a FICO credit score and indication that all local, state and federal records are clean.

Licensure by Endorsement

Candidates from out of state who are seeking their credentials as a Certified General Contractor may be eligible through the Licensure by Endorsement process. The application must include proof that the candidate has passed the State of Florida certification exam.

Maintaining a license

Renewal

In order to maintain a Certified General Contractor license, candidates must submit the proper application and processing fees every other year. The renewal fee is $209 and the application process can be handled either online or by printing the proper paperwork and sending it via U.S. Mail to the Board.

Continuing education requirements

The Board has established requirements for continuing education, which are required to be completed during every renewal cycle. Contractor license holders must complete 14 hours worth of approved continuing education in order to renew their license, which shall include:

• 1 hour covering safety on the job site;
• 1 hour on the topic of worker’s compensation;
• 1 hour dealing with business practices;
• 1 hour on general contractor laws and regulations; and,
• 1 hour of instruction on the Florida Building Code.

Disciplinary actions

All disciplinary matters involving Certified General Contractor licensees are handled by the Board, which has enacted regulations regarding grounds for discipline. Violations of professional rules of conduct may result in fines, license probation, suspension or revocation. The majority of violations involve individuals who provide Certified General Contractor services without having obtained a license or properly renewed an existing license.

Military discounts and reimbursements

The Board has enacted regulations allowing for processing fee reimbursements, reductions and other discounts for certain members of the military and their spouses. The program is intended to cover individuals who are transferred to the state through their military spouse’s deployment requirements, those active duty members who want to keep their license current while deployed and veterans who are trying to obtain their license. Discounts are based on a variety of factors, depending on an applicant’s status and circumstances.