Plumber license requirements in Florida.
Florida licenses plumbing contractors through the Construction Industry Licensing Board at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. There are two tracks: a certified plumbing contractor license, which is good statewide, and a registered plumbing contractor license, which only lets you work in the specific local jurisdiction that licensed you.
What Florida requires.
Certified Plumbing Contractor
Issued by the state. Lets you contract plumbing work anywhere in Florida with no geographic restriction.
Registered Plumbing Contractor
Based on a local competency card. Lets you work only in the county or municipality that licensed you — it does not transfer statewide.
Getting the Certified Plumbing Contractor
- Generally four years of plumbing experience, with at least one year in a supervisory or foreman role
- Pass the state examination: a two-part General Trade Knowledge exam plus business and finance content
- Submit electronic fingerprints through an approved Livescan provider
- Meet DBPR’s financial responsibility and insurance requirements for the license type
- · The certified/registered split is the thing to get right: registered contractors are limited to the jurisdiction that issued the local competency card.
- · DBPR review commonly runs 30–60 days after a complete application.
The official board
Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) — Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Visit the boardVerified 2026-08 against the sources below. Licensing rules change — confirm with the board before relying on this page.
Time and money, start to finish.
The path
- Qualifying experience4 yearsStep 1.
Including at least one year supervisory, documented through employer affidavits (college credit can offset part).
- Fingerprints + applicationStep 2.
Electronic fingerprints through an approved Livescan provider, then the DBPR application. Review commonly runs 30–60 days when complete.
- ExamsStep 3.
The two-session trade exam plus the computer-based Business & Finance exam.
- IssuanceStep 4.
Meet the financial responsibility and insurance requirements — certified statewide.
What it costs
Application fee
varies by where you apply in the biennial license cycle
Exam fees
$135 Professional Testing registration + $80 DBPR administration + $80 Pearson VUE Business & Finance
Livescan fingerprints
set by the Livescan provider
Application + exam fees
$444–$544Plus fingerprinting and any initial licensure fee DBPR assesses at issuance — confirm the current schedule with DBPR before applying.
Step by step
Document four years of experience
At least one year in a supervisory role, verified through employer affidavits; accredited college credit can substitute for part.
Fingerprint via Livescan
Use an approved provider and keep the receipt for your application.
Apply to the CILB at DBPR
Submit the certified plumbing contractor application with the fee for the current cycle window.
DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board ↗Register for both exams
The trade exam runs through Professional Testing; the Business & Finance exam is computer-based through Pearson VUE.
Professional Testing — Florida CILB examinations ↗Pass and complete licensure
Clear both exams and DBPR’s financial responsibility and insurance requirements — licensed statewide as a certified plumbing contractor.
The exams
The trade exam is administered by Professional Testing for the CILB; Business & Finance is taken at Pearson VUE centers.
Florida plumbing licensing FAQ.
Do you need a license to do plumbing work in Florida?
Yes. Florida requires a plumbing contractor license issued through the Construction Industry Licensing Board at DBPR. You can hold a certified license, which is valid statewide, or a registered license, which is limited to the local jurisdiction that issued your competency card.
What is the difference between a certified and registered plumbing contractor in Florida?
A certified plumbing contractor is licensed by the state and can work anywhere in Florida. A registered plumbing contractor is licensed based on a local competency card and can only work in the county or municipality that issued it — the registration does not transfer statewide.
How much experience do you need for a Florida plumbing license?
Generally four years of plumbing experience, with at least one of those years in a supervisory or foreman capacity. Education can count toward part of the requirement — confirm the current breakdown with DBPR.
Who issues plumbing licenses in Florida?
The Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), part of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). CILB sets the requirements, and DBPR processes applications, exams, and fingerprinting.
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