Do you need a general contractor license in Florida?
Yes, a license. In Florida, anyone who for compensation builds, repairs, remodels or improves a building for others must be a certified or registered contractor, in the general, building or residential class, under the Construction Industry Licensing Board’s law. A general contractor’s work is unlimited; a building contractor is limited to commercial and residential buildings of up to three stories (and non-structural remodeling of any building); a residential contractor is limited to one-, two- and three-family homes of up to two habitable stories. Owners acting as their own contractor may build or improve a one- or two-family residence for their own use that is not offered for sale or lease. Casual, minor work with an aggregate contract price under $2,500 is exempt, but not if it is part of a larger operation or the person advertises as a contractor. Cities and counties can add their own licensing on top of the state’s. This is Fla. Stat. §§ 489.103, 489.105, 489.113.
| What | Florida |
|---|---|
| General contractors | State certified or registered contractor (CILB) |
Source
Fla. Stat. §§ 489.103, 489.105, 489.113
Read the statute in the Florida Statutes (The Florida Senate): flsenate.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps each license with its issuing state, its expiry date and the last four digits of its number, and the business is warned before one lapses — on the website and both phone apps. A customer finding a pro on Seayora sees whether a license is on file.
Guides on this rule
- Contractor License Requirements by State: Every Trade — Which states require a state license for electricians, plumbers, HVAC, general and home improvement contractors, with the statute for each.
Compare this rule in every state
More Florida rules
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Florida?
- How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in Florida?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in Florida?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in Florida?
- How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in Florida?
- Can a landlord change the locks to force a tenant out in Florida?
- How long does a tenant have to respond to an eviction case in Florida?
- What are squatters’ rights in Florida?
- What are the steps to evict a tenant for unpaid rent in Florida?
- Is there rent control in Florida?
- Can a landlord refuse a Section 8 voucher in Florida?
- Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Florida?
- What happens if a tenant breaks a lease in Florida?
- Do HVAC contractors need a license in Florida?
- Do you need a license to do electrical work in Florida?
- Do you need a license to work as a plumber in Florida?
- How does joint tenancy with right of survivorship work in Florida?
- What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in Florida?
- Do contractors charge sales tax in Florida?
- Is appliance repair taxable in Florida?
- Every Florida rule on one page