Florida Plumbing
Florida plumbing license guide
Florida plumbing contractors use DBPR/CILB construction licensing paths. This guide focuses on the Certified Plumbing Contractor individual application and the statewide certified contractor model.
The short answer
Florida's DBPR checklist for Certified Plumbing Contractor as an Individual says certified contractor applicants must pass a state certification exam before initial licensure, and applicants must document experience, financial responsibility, fingerprints, and insurance.
Who this applies to
- Plumbing contractors seeking statewide Florida authority should review the Certified Plumbing Contractor path.
- Contractors working through local competency requirements should understand the registered contractor model separately.
- Applicants qualifying a business entity should review the DBPR business-qualification path before advertising under a company name.
Requirement snapshot
Authority Florida DBPR and Construction Industry Licensing Board
Certified model DBPR says certified contractors may contract in any Florida jurisdiction without fulfilling that jurisdiction's competency requirements.
Initial checklist DBPR's CILB 5-M checklist covers Certified Plumbing Contractor as an Individual.
Exam The DBPR checklist says certified contractor applicants, except swimming pool specialty contractors, must first take and pass a state certification examination.
Experience/education The DBPR checklist says applicants are required to have four years of experience or a combination of college and experience.
Financial/fingerprints/insurance The DBPR checklist includes financial/credit proof, fingerprinting, public liability and property damage insurance, and workers' compensation insurance or exemption requirements.
Practical application path
- Start with DBPR's construction industry page and choose the certified plumbing contractor path.
- Review the CILB 5-M Certified Plumbing Contractor checklist.
- Pass the required state certification examination before submitting the initial licensure application.
- Gather experience documentation, financial/credit materials, fingerprints, and insurance attestations.
- If qualifying a business, confirm the correct DBPR qualifying-business form before advertising under that entity.
Watchouts before you sell the work
- Certified and registered contractor licenses are different in Florida.
- Passing the exam alone does not complete licensure; the DBPR checklist controls the application requirements.
- Business-entity qualification can be separate from the individual's license.
Official source links
Florida DBPR construction industry https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/ Florida DBPR construction experience https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/experience/ DBPR Certified Plumbing Contractor checklist https://www.myfloridalicense.com/CheckListDetail.asp?SID=&XACT_DEFN_ID=3049&clientCode=0604&xactCode=1030
FAQ
Who licenses plumbing contractors in Florida?
Florida plumbing contractor licensing is handled through DBPR and the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Does Florida require experience for certified plumbing contractors?
DBPR's Certified Plumbing Contractor checklist says applicants are required to have four years of experience or a combination of college and experience.