Florida Plumber License Requirements
Official classification: Certified / Registered Plumbing Contractor (CILB) · Issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), under Florida DBPR.
🔧 PlumberFL ✔ Verified 2026-06-16
License types
- Certified Plumbing Contractor — Work statewide
- Registered Plumbing Contractor — Work only in the local jurisdiction where registered
Requirements at a glance
| Experience required | 4 years experience with at least 1 year as a foreman/supervisor. Alternative paths combine college credits with field experience (e.g. 4-year construction degree + 1 year plumbing). |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $149 (apply by Apr 30 of an even year) / $249 (May 1 of an even year through Apr 30 of the next even year) |
| License fee | Included |
| Renewal fee | $209 biennial (plus $50 per qualifying business entity) |
| Renewal period | Every 2 years (Certified licenses expire Aug 31 of even years) |
| Continuing education | 14 hours per cycle (incl. 1 hr each of safety, business, workers' comp, laws/rules, advanced; 9 hrs construction) |
| Bond required | Bond available as an alternative if the 660+ credit requirement is not met; a 14-hour financial responsibility course can reduce the bond amount |
| Liability insurance | $100,000 minimum public liability |
| Property damage | $25,000 minimum |
| Workers' comp | Required, or file exemption within 30 days of license issuance |
| Background check | Electronic fingerprints required |
| Credit requirement | 660+ FICO with no unsatisfied judgments or liens (or post a bond instead) |
| Reciprocity | Limited; CILB reviews case-by-case |
| Processing time | Typically ~2 weeks after approval |
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Exams
| State Plumbing Trade Exam | Provider: Professional Testing Inc. / DBPR Passing: 70% per section Fee: $80 |
| Business & Finance Exam | Provider: Pearson VUE (CBT) Passing: 70% Fee: $80 |
🛡️ Plumber liability & workers' comp insurance —
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Local / municipal notes
Registered (vs Certified) plumbers are limited to the local jurisdiction that registered them.
Fees and rules change frequently (often annually). This page was last verified on 2026-06-16 — always confirm current requirements directly with the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), under Florida DBPR before applying. This is not legal advice.
Official sources
https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/
https://www.nextinsurance.com/blog/florida-plumber-license-and-insurance-requirements/