Florida HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical License Requirements
Last updated 2026. Requirements may change — always verify with your state licensing board.
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE hours
- 14 CE hours per 2-year cycle
- Initial cost
- ~$399 initial
- License types
- CMC — Certified Mechanical Contractor (statewide); Registered Mechanical Contractor (local)
- Experience
- 4 years
- Exam
- Trade exam + Business & Finance exam (Pearson VUE)
- Bond
- Not required at state level (some local AHJs may require)
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- No reciprocity
- Board
- Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB / DBPR)
- Website
- www2.myfloridalicense.com
- Notes
- License threshold is $2,500+ per F.S. 489.103. Always choose Certified over Registered for statewide work.
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE hours
- 14 CE hours per 2-year cycle
- Initial cost
- ~$399 initial
- License types
- CFC — Certified Plumbing Contractor
- Experience
- 4 years
- Exam
- Trade + Business & Finance exam (Pearson VUE)
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- No reciprocity
- Board
- Florida CILB / DBPR
- Website
- www2.myfloridalicense.com
- Notes
- Same dual Certified/Registered structure as HVAC.
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE hours
- 14 CE hours per 2-year cycle
- Initial cost
- ~$399 initial
- License types
- EC — Certified Electrical Contractor
- Experience
- 4 years
- Exam
- Trade + Business exam (Pearson VUE)
- Bond
- Not required at state level
- Insurance
- Workers' comp required with employees; general liability recommended
- Reciprocity
- No reciprocity
- Board
- Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board / DBPR
- Website
- www2.myfloridalicense.com
- Notes
- Florida uses Pearson VUE rather than PSI for electrical exams.
Florida licenses HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractors through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) under the Department of Business & Professional Regulation. All three trades operate on a biennial renewal cycle requiring 14 CE hours.
Florida runs two parallel tracks: Certified contractors (statewide authority) and Registered contractors (limited to the local jurisdiction where they applied). Always pursue Certified status if you plan to work in multiple counties. Florida also uses Pearson VUE for exams rather than PSI used by most states, so check the right test provider when scheduling.
TradesIQ tracks Florida license renewals, CE hours, bonds, and insurance certificates in one dashboard — with automated reminders before anything lapses.
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Renewal cycles, CE hours, fees, and licensing board links.
Florida
Full Florida guide →- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE
- 14 CE hours per 2-year cycle
- Cost
- ~$399 initial
- Board
- Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB / DBPR)
- Website
- www2.myfloridalicense.com
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE
- 14 CE hours per 2-year cycle
- Cost
- ~$399 initial
- Board
- Florida CILB / DBPR
- Website
- www2.myfloridalicense.com
- Renewal
- Biennial
- CE
- 14 CE hours per 2-year cycle
- Cost
- ~$399 initial
- Board
- Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board / DBPR
- Website
- www2.myfloridalicense.com
Requirements may change. Always verify with your state licensing board.