How to Become a General Contractor in Florida
In Florida, a General Contractor license typically requires a state exam, a 70% passing score, and a $199 exam fee.
Bids and manages construction projects. Most states license contractors through a state board; requirements range from registration to a written exam (e.g. California CSLB). Requirements change — always confirm with Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — Construction Industry Licensing Board, Certified General Contractor (CGC) before paying.
Licensing steps in Florida
- 1Meet the basic requirements
Minimum age 18; a criminal background check is required.
- 2Complete pre-license education
Required training hours are not published here — check with the state board for the current figure.
- 3Register and pass the exam
The exam is administered by Professional Testing (Pearson VUE); you need 70% to pass.
- 4Pay fees and get licensed
Exam fee $199 · application $249 · license $209
- 5Stay current
License renews every 2 years with 14 hours of continuing education.
General Contractor requirements — Florida at a glance
| Education hours | — |
| Exam vendor | Professional Testing (Pearson VUE) |
| Questions (national/state) | — / — |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Exam fee | $199 |
| Application fee | $249 |
| License fee | $209 |
| First-attempt pass rate | not published |
| Retake rule | — |
| Renewal | every 2 years · 14 CE |
| Reciprocity | NASCLA-accredited exam accepted for trade parts; trade-exam waivers with some states (e.g. NC, LA, MS) |
Official source: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — Construction Industry Licensing Board, Certified General Contractor (CGC) ↗
Transferring a General Contractor license between states
NASCLA accredited examination. General contractors have no compact. What exists instead is the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors: passing it once satisfies the trade exam requirement in every participating state.
Confirm your destination is still on NASCLA's participating agency list and check what else its board requires. Mechanism data retrieved 2026-09-13.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a General Contractor license in Florida?
After completing the required education, most candidates need 4-12 weeks of study before the exam. Total timeline depends on scheduling.
How hard is the General Contractor exam in Florida?
Official first-attempt pass rates are not published by Florida; check the state board.
What does the General Contractor license cost in Florida?
The exam fee is $199, the application fee is $249, and the license fee is $209
Can I transfer my General Contractor license to Florida?
NASCLA accredited examination: General contractors have no compact. What exists instead is the NASCLA Accredited Examination for Commercial General Building Contractors: passing it once satisfies the trade exam requirement in every participating state. For Florida specifically, our dataset notes: NASCLA-accredited exam accepted for trade parts; trade-exam waivers with some states (e.g. NC, LA, MS).
Plan your General Contractor licensing in Florida
Work the road in order — check what Florida requires, price the prep, lock a study schedule, then keep the license current.
- 1. Confirm requirements — education hours, fees and the board that issues it.
- 2. Budget the prep — exam + application + license + course costs before you pay.
- 3. Study to the exam — the General Contractor exam blueprint and a dated study plan.
- 4. Sit the exam — what to bring, where to test, and the retake rule if you miss.
- 5. Stay licensed — renewal cycle, CE hours, and Florida reciprocity.
General Contractor tools for Florida
Every step of the Florida General Contractor road has a free tool — from the first requirements check to renewal and reciprocity.
This guide is informational and not legal advice. Requirements change frequently — verify all figures with Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — Construction Industry Licensing Board, Certified General Contractor (CGC) (retrieved 2026-08-20).