Which Florida license path fits me?

Do you already hold a Florida contractor license?

Yes No

Are you licensed as a contractor in another state?

Yes No

Which state?

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Next

Have you held that license, in the same category, for at least 10 consecutive years?

It must be active now or have been active within the last two years.

Yes No Not sure

Did you pass a written trade exam to get your license in that state?

Yes No

Start here: qualifying another business

A Florida licensed contractor can serve as the qualifier for more than one business, with Board approval for each one. You may also be looking at serving as a financially responsible officer.

Licensing multiple businesses →
Three things to consider when qualifying an additional business →

Start here: your first Florida license

You'll generally need to choose the right license type, pass Florida's exams, and meet the experience, financial, and insurance requirements.

First-time licenses →
What each license type allows →

Start here: Florida's 10-year rule

Contractors licensed in another state for at least 10 years may be able to get a similar Florida license without an exam, if they meet the course, credit, background, and insurance requirements.

How the 10-year rule works →
The 10-year rule for electrical contractors →

Start here: reciprocity or endorsement

Your state does not have one of the reciprocity agreements covered on this site, so licensure by endorsement is the main option to look at. It requires an exam Florida considers substantially equivalent to its own, which can be hard to establish.

Licensure by endorsement →
All out-of-state options →

Talk it through first

Without 10 years of licensure or a qualifying exam, the out-of-state options are limited, and you may need to take Florida's exams. It is worth confirming before you apply.

All out-of-state options →
First-time licenses →