# Route 489 > Route 489 (Florida's Contractor Licensing Highway) is a publication on Florida contractor licensing law: how to get a Florida contractor license, using an out-of-state license in Florida (endorsement, reciprocity, and the 10-year rule), qualifying additional businesses, financially responsible officers, license transfers, local licensing, and Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) decisions. Content is written by Jason Lambert, Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar, of Hill Ward Henderson (Tampa, Florida). Published by Hammer & Gavel, LLC. General information only, not legal advice; no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this site. Laws change, so check each post's date. Past results are not indicative of future success. Statutes, regulations, and governing bodies can change, which can alter the outcome of future applications. Application approvals or denials are heavily fact dependent and individualized, and nothing on this site is a guarantee of results for any application for licensing in Florida. Contact: jason.lambert@hwhlaw.com, 813-227-8495. ## Licensing guides - [What Type of Work Can a Florida Certified General Contractor Do?](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/what-type-of-work-can-a-florida-certified-general-contractor-do): In Florida, there are three Division I licenses: Residential Contractor, Building Contractor, and General Contractor. Each has a different scope of work… - [What Type of Work Can a Florida Certified Building Contractor Do?](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/what-type-of-work-can-a-florida-certified-building-contractor-do): In Florida, there are three Division I licenses: Residential Contractor, Building Contractor, and General Contractor. Each has a different scope of work… - [Three Things to Consider When Qualifying an Additional Business](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/three-things-to-consider-when-qualifying-an-additional-business): It is becoming more common for contractors to consider using their license with more than one business and becoming a qualifying agent for multiple… - [Using Your Contractor’s License With More Than One Business](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/using-your-contractors-license-with-more-than-one-business): In Florida, most people who have a contractor’s license operate through a business, usually a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC). And it is… - [Three Ways to Get a General Contractor's License in Florida Using Your Georgia General Contractor's License](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/three-ways-to-get-a-general-contractors-license-in-florida-using-your-georgia-general-contractors-license): There are three different ways you can use an existing Georgia general contractor’s license to obtain a license in Florida, depending on the type of… - [The State of Local Licensing in Florida](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/the-state-of-local-licensing-in-florida): Until relatively recently, there were two levels of licensure applicable to contractors in Florida. The State of Florida, through the Department of… - [Florida’s Ten-Year Licensing Option for Out-of-State Contractors](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/floridas-ten-year-licensing-option-for-out-of-state-contractors): Since July 2020, contractors who have been licensed in another state for at least 10 years can apply to obtain the same or similar license in Florida,… - [Florida’s Ten-Year Licensing Option for Out-of-State Electrical Contractors](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/floridas-ten-year-licensing-option-for-out-of-state-electrical-contractors): Since July 2020, electrical contractors who have been licensed in another state for at least 10 years can apply to obtain the same or similar license in… - [Florida’s Licensing Reciprocity Agreements with Mississippi](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/floridas-licensing-reciprocity-agreements-with-mississippi): In August 2022, Florida entered into two reciprocity agreements with Mississippi with regard to contractor licensing to make it easier for contractors… - [Florida’s Licensing Reciprocity Agreements with North Carolina](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/floridas-licensing-reciprocity-agreements-with-north-carolina): In March 2022, Florida entered into two reciprocity agreements with North Carolina with regard to contractor licensing to make it easier for contractors… - [Florida’s Licensing Reciprocity Agreements with Louisiana](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/floridas-licensing-reciprocity-agreements-with-louisiana): In June 2021, Florida entered into two reciprocity agreements with Louisiana with regard to contractor licensing to make it easier for contractors… ## Law updates (court decisions, Board decisions, statute changes) - [Court Affirms $11,911.00 Restitution Award Against Contractor](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/court-affirms-1191100-restitution-award-against-contractor): 2026-10-16. Dacosta v. State arises from a conviction for unlawful contracting where a contractor failed to complete work under a home renovation contract, in violation of… - [Court Returns License Revocation Case to CILB Over Procedural Issues](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/court-returns-license-revocation-case-to-cilb-over-procedural-issues): 2026-09-30. This case arises from a Construction Industry Licensing Board order revoking a contractor’s licenses and imposing a $10,000.00 fine on the contractor. - [New Statute Adds Definitions to Contractor Licensing Statute and Require Contractors to Pay Subcontractors within Certain Timelines.](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/new-statute-would-add-definitions-to-contractor-licensing-statute-and-require-contractors-to-pay-subcontractors-within-certain-timelines): 2026-07-03. SB 290 (2026) was signed into law, and took effect on July 1, 2026. The bill makes two additions to 489.105, Florida Statutes, which contains the… - [New Statute Removes Violations for Certain Unpermitted Work](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/new-statute-would-remove-violations-for-certain-unpermitted-work): 2026-07-03. HB 803 (2026) took effect on July 1, 2026, and makes changes to a lot of statutes related to building permits and inspections. But from a licensing… - [Court Reverses $86,000.00 Restitution Award Against Unlicensed Contractor](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/court-reverses-86000-restitution-award-against-unlicensed-contractor): 2025-12-03. Pope v. State arises from an appeal of an award of restitution against an unlicensed contractor. A homeowner hired the unlicensed contractor to build two… - [Newly Created 489.1132, Florida Statutes, Creates New Regulations for Cranes and similar Equipment During Hurricanes](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/newly-created-4891132-florida-statutes-creates-new-regulations-for-cranes-and-similar-equipment-during-hurricanes): 2025-07-01. In response to recent natural disasters impacting Florida, on June 30, 2025, Governor DeSantis signed SB 180 into law. While the bill alters multiple… - [Court Determines Contractor’s Company is Unlicensed Despite Owner being Licensed](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/court-determines-contractors-company-is-unlicensed-despite-owner-being-licensed): 2025-06-20. Cam Bradford Homes, LLC v. Arrants arises from a dispute over a contract to build a new single family home. In December 2020, the homeowner entered into a… - [Newly Enacted HB 683 (2025) Expands Scope of Work That Can Be Performed by Certified Alarm System Contractors Under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/newly-enacted-hb-683-2025-expands-scope-of-work-that-can-be-performed-by-certified-alarm-system-contractors-under-chapter-489-florida-statutes): 2025-06-18. While HB 683 (2025) modifies several statutes that apply to the construction industry, from a licensing perspective, it updates the definition of a… - [Newly Enacted HB 715 / SB 1076 (2025) Imposes New Requirements on Roofing Contractors Under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/newly-enacted-hb-715-sb-1076-2025-imposes-new-requirements-on-roofing-contractors-under-chapter-489-florida-statutes): 2025-05-21. Since 2019, roofing contractors have seen new requirements and changes to their scopes of work imposed under Florida’s contractor licensing statutes. Many… - [Court Reverses Judgment in Favor of Contractor After Determining Contractor Was Unlicensed.](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/court-reverses-judgment-in-favor-of-contractor-after-determining-contractor-was-unlicensed): 2025-04-17. Southpoint Shore Management LLC v. Homexpo Miami Corp arises from a dispute between a property owner and a contractor hired to soundproof and level floors… - [Court Reinstates Contractor's Lien After Holding that Claimed Local Licensing Violations Do Not Necessarily Fall Under 489.128, Florida Statutes](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/court-reverses-judgment-in-favor-of-contractor-after-determining-contractor-was-unlicensed-rr3ld): 2025-01-15. Palm Beach Resurfacing Inc v. Floyd arises from a disputed between a pool-area resurfacing contractor and a homeowner. After the contractor completed the… - [Court Confirms that Electrical Contractors can Perform Excavation As Part of Their License Without Also Being Licensed Underground Utility Contractors](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/court-confirms-that-electrical-contractors-can-perform-excavation-as-part-of-their-license-without-also-being-licensed-underground-utility-contractors): 2024-11-27. D Electrician Technical Services Inc v. Tony arises out of a contractual dispute between an electrical contractor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office… - [Newly Enacted HB 481 (2024) Expands Scope of Electrical Work That Can Be Performed by HVAC Contractors](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/newly-enacted-hb-481-2024-expands-scope-of-electrical-work-that-can-be-performed-by-hvac-contractors): 2024-05-24. On May 19, 2024, Governor DeSantis signed HB 481 (2024) into law, which makes changes to various statutes regulating HVAC contractors. From a licensing… - [New Law is Just the Latest Set of New Requirements for Roofing Contractors in Florida](https://route489.com/highway-489-main-blog/new-law-is-just-the-latest-set-of-new-requirements-for-roofing-contracts-in-florida): 2024-05-03. Since 2019, roofing contractors in Florida have been subject to a litany of new regulations, including restrictions on advertising methods and certain… ## Topic pages - [First-Time Contractor Licenses in Florida](https://route489.com/first-time-licenses): How to get your first Florida contractor license: certified vs. registered licenses, exams, financial requirements, and qualifying a business. - [Using an Out-of-State Contractor License in Florida](https://route489.com/using-an-out-of-state-license): Licensed in another state? Florida offers reciprocity, endorsement, and a 10-year rule that can let you get a Florida contractor license without an exam. - [Florida's 10 Year Rule for Out of State Contractors](https://route489.com/10-year-rule): Since 2020, contractors licensed in another state for at least 10 years can apply for a similar Florida license. Here's how the 10-year rule works. - [Florida Contractor Licensing Reciprocity](https://route489.com/reciprocity): Florida's contractor licensing reciprocity agreements with Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina, and how to use them. - [Getting a Florida Contractor License Without an Exam](https://route489.com/no-exam): The ways out-of-state contractors can get a Florida contractor license without taking the exam: reciprocity, endorsement, and the 10-year rule. - [Florida Contractor Licensure by Endorsement](https://route489.com/endorsement): How licensure by endorsement lets contractors who passed a substantially equivalent exam in another state obtain a Florida contractor license. - [Hurricane and Emergency Contractor Licensing in Florida](https://route489.com/hurricane-emergency-licensing): Florida licensing rules that apply during hurricanes and declared emergencies, including new crane and equipment requirements. - [Florida Court and Board Decisions on Contractor Licensing](https://route489.com/courtboard-decisions): Summaries of Florida court and Construction Industry Licensing Board decisions on unlicensed contracting, license scope, and enforcement. - [Qualifying More Than One Business with Your Florida License](https://route489.com/additional-businesses): How a Florida licensed contractor can qualify an additional business, what the Board looks at, and recent approvals. - [General Florida Contractor Licensing Information](https://route489.com/local-licensing-1): General information on Florida contractor licenses: what each license allows, scope of work, and how licensing works. - [Local Contractor Licensing in Florida](https://route489.com/local-licensing): How local (county and city) contractor licensing works in Florida after recent changes to state law, and when a local license is still required. - [2026 Legislative Session: Florida Contractor Licensing Changes](https://route489.com/2026-legislative-session-2): Summaries of the changes to Florida's contractor licensing laws enacted during the 2026 legislative session. - [2025 Legislative Session: Florida Contractor Licensing Changes](https://route489.com/2025-legislative-session): Summaries of the changes to Florida's contractor licensing laws enacted during the 2025 legislative session. - [2024 Legislative Session: Florida Contractor Licensing Changes](https://route489.com/2025-legislative-session-1): Summaries of the changes to Florida's contractor licensing laws enacted during the 2024 legislative session. ## Licensing results 231 approved applications are posted, one page per approval (date issued, home-state license, Florida license obtained). Index: https://route489.com/results. Approvals by home state: https://route489.com/licensing-by-state. Feed: https://route489.com/feeds/results.xml. ## Other pages - [About Jason Lambert](https://route489.com/about) - [Which Florida license path fits me?](https://route489.com/which-license-path) - [Topic / trade index](https://route489.com/topic-trade-index) - [Contact](https://route489.com/contact) - [Terms of Service/Use](https://route489.com/terms)