Quick Reference Table
Label | Value |
|---|---|
License Type | Certified Plumbing Contractor (CFC 0604), Registered Plumbing Contractor (RF 0617) |
Regulatory Agency | Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) |
Experience Required | Certified: 4 years or college + experience. Registered: per local requirements. |
Exam | Certified: Yes (Trade & Business/Finance exams). Registered: No state exam. |
Renewal Cycle | Biennial (every two years): Certified even years, Registered odd years. |
Continuing Education | 14 hours per renewal: includes core required topics (see below for detail). |
Fees | Certified application: $245/$145 (see below), Exam: ~$295 (as of July 2024, verify at DBPR certified fee schedule), Other: see Fees section. |
Official Licensing Portal |
Who Needs a License in Florida?
In Florida, nearly all plumbing work requires a state-issued license. Plumbing license requirements in Florida apply to any person or business that bids, contracts for, supervises, or actually performs plumbing installation, repair, or alteration.
The law does not set a dollar threshold, every job, regardless of value, requires a licensed contractor, unless an exemption in the law specifically applies (and none are detailed in statute for plumbing). Both residential and commercial work are covered. State law defines plumbing as any work on sanitary drainage, storm drainage, vent systems, water supply, septic tanks, wells, pool piping, irrigation, solar heating, boilers, pressure piping, medical gas, fire sprinkler lines, fuel piping, and associated tasks like trenching or excavation.
Employees working directly under a licensed plumbing contractor do not need their own certification if they do not work as subcontractors. However, a subcontractor must either hold their own license or work under direct supervision and control of a certified or registered contractor. If you do not hold a valid state or local license, you cannot legally perform, advertise, or bid plumbing work in Florida as a contractor. Unlicensed contracting is subject to civil and criminal penalties under state law.
Plumbing License Requirements in Florida: License Types
Florida recognizes two main types of state plumbing contractor licenses: Certified and Registered. Understanding the difference is crucial when considering plumbing license requirements in Florida, as each has specific practice limits and obligations.
Certified Plumbing Contractor (CFC – 0604)
A Certified Plumbing Contractor (CFC) has full statewide licensing authority. This license allows you to contract for, supervise, and perform plumbing work anywhere in Florida. The certified license also enables you to design plumbing systems (within scope), and to install, maintain, repair, and alter sanitation, drainage, water supply, septic, pool piping, boiler, fuel, fire sprinkler, and medical gas lines, plus related excavations. Certified status requires passing both state trade and business/finance exams and meeting experience, background, and financial standards.
Registered Plumbing Contractor (RF – 0617)
A Registered Plumbing Contractor (RF) is limited to practicing in the local jurisdiction(s) where they hold municipal or county licensure. Registration with the state allows you to use the "Registered Plumbing Contractor" title and operate legally at the local but not statewide level. No state exam is required to become a Registered Plumbing Contractor, but you must first meet the relevant local licensing rules. The scope of permitted work is defined by that local jurisdiction in line with Florida law.
Florida does not offer additional tiers or specialties under the plumbing license umbrella at the state level beyond these Certified and Registered designations.
How to Get Licensed in Florida
To meet plumbing license requirements in Florida for the Certified category, follow every step below. Registered license procedures depend on local agency rules, and then state registration.
Confirm Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old. For Certified applicants, you need 4 years of verifiable plumbing experience, or a combination of college and practical experience as described by CILB.
Pass Required Exams: You must pass the state General Trade Knowledge exam (administered by PTI) and the Business & Finance exam (Pearson VUE) with scores of 70% or higher. Register for the exams according to the procedures outlined by DBPR and the administrator.
Prepare and Submit Application: Complete the relevant application form (e.g., DBPR CILB 6-M if qualifying a business). Gather all required supporting documents, including verified experience, credit reports (personal and business), and financial documents.
Complete Fingerprinting: Schedule and submit electronic fingerprints for background screening through an official FDLE-channel provider after submitting your application.
Pay Fees and Submit All Documentation: Submit your application packet with required fees to the DBPR by mail or online where available. Ensure all sections are complete and all documents attached to avoid delays.
Application Processing: The DBPR and CILB review your application, exam results, and background. Processing timelines may vary; check the DBPR site for updates.
License Issuance: Once approved, you receive a license number and wall certificate. You must activate the license within four years of your exam pass date or repeat the exam.
For Registered Plumbing Contractors, the path depends on local jurisdiction standards. After meeting those, you register with the state under DBPR and pay the required fee. No state exam is required for Registered applicants.
Application Requirements
Plumbing license requirements in Florida include strict documentation and eligibility standards. Each applicant must provide age, experience, financial, and legal background evidence.
Experience and Age
You must be 18 years or older. Certified Plumbing Contractor applicants must provide proof of at least four years professional experience or an education/experience combination that matches state criteria. The application form may require job history, employer verification, and references.
Credit Reports and Financial Documentation
Applications require both personal and business credit reports. If your personal credit score is below 660 (FICO model), you must complete a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course before license issuance. Applicants should be prepared to explain any negative items on their credit reports as part of financial responsibility review.
Workers' Compensation and Insurance
Proof of workers' compensation insurance is required if you have employees, or an exemption if you are a sole proprietor, must be submitted within 30 days of licensure. Insurance documentation is critical to compliance; failure to provide valid insurance can result in license suspension or administrative penalties. The required amounts and details should be checked on the DBPR site before applying.
Fingerprint Background Check
You must submit electronic fingerprints for state (FDLE) and possibly federal background checking. The fingerprints are reviewed for disqualifying offenses. Only applicants who clear this screening receive their state license. The fingerprinting must be done via a DBPR-approved provider.
Bonds
No surety bond amount is specified in official sources for plumbing contractors in Florida. However, local bonding requirements may apply for Registered license applicants in certain jurisdictions. Always verify with your local city or county authority.
Federal Certifications
No EPA, lead, or other federal certifications are referenced in Florida's state-level requirements for plumbing contractor licenses. However, such credentials may be needed if you perform certain types of specialty or hazardous work under other rules.
Exams
One of the main plumbing license requirements in Florida for Certified applicants is passing two exams, each with strict content and administration rules.
General Trade Knowledge (Plumbing) Exam
This paper-based exam is administered statewide through Professional Testing Inc. (PTI) at designated sites. The exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions on general trade knowledge, plus five isometric drawing exercises. The format is in-person and strictly proctored. The passing score is 70%. You must register in advance and pay the current site and admin fees. Official details and scheduling instructions are available in the current DBPR examination applicant package.
Business & Finance Exam
This is a computer-based test administered by Pearson VUE. The exam includes 120 questions (60 for Service Pool classification). Topics cover bookkeeping, contract management, and general business competence required for all contractors. Proctored at Pearson VUE centers, the minimum passing score is also 70%. Registration and payment is done through Pearson VUE, per the official exam application materials.
Exam Retakes and Policy
Official rules allow for exam retakes, but specific waiting periods, maximum number of attempts, or additional fees are not given in cited state resources. Generally, reexamination requires another fee, and your application remains open for a limited time between tests. Always consult the DBPR exam packet for current regulations before booking an exam.
Registered Applicants
No state exam is required to register as a Registered Plumbing Contractor. You must, however, meet your city/county’s local plumber licensing requirements, which may include examinations or technical testing at the local level.
Fees
Certified Plumbing Contractor title holders can expect to pay application, exam, and other fees as outlined below. Plumbing license requirements in Florida are strict about proper fee payment before processing any license application.
Certified Application Fee: $245 if applying between May 1 of an even-numbered year and August 31 of an odd-numbered year, or $145 if applying between September 1 of an odd-numbered year and April 30 of an even-numbered year (as of July 2024, verify at DBPR application form).
Combined Application & Exam Processing Fee: $335 (per administrative code as of July 2024).
Exam Fees: $80 site administration fee (to DBPR), $135 to PTI (trade exam) or Pearson VUE (business & finance exam), totaling $295 as of July 2024 (see exam packet).
Bond Fee: No state bond required per current official sources; verify possible local bond rules for Registered applicants with your local authority.
Late/Renewal/Lookup Fees: Not specified; check most current DBPR fee schedule.
For the latest fee updates and board payment methods, always confirm directly on the official licensing portal or application instructions before sending payment.
Renewal and Continuing Education
To maintain compliance with plumbing license requirements in Florida, all holders must renew licenses and complete required continuing education every two years. The state mandates specific deadlines and content areas for continuing education (CE).
Renewal Cycle
Certified Plumbing Contractors must renew their license every two years on August 31 of even-numbered years. Registered Plumbing Contractors renew on August 31 of odd-numbered years. Renewal opens several months in advance; timely submission is crucial to avoid lapse or late penalties (details on late fees were not specified in sources, so verify before the deadline).
Continuing Education (CE)
Florida requires 14 hours of approved CE courses per renewal cycle. The hours must break down as follows:
One hour of specialized or advanced module in your trade.
One hour on workplace safety topics.
One hour on business practices.
One hour on workers’ compensation.
One hour on current Florida construction laws and rules.
Remaining 9 hours in board-approved general construction instruction or plumbing topics.
All CE courses must be taken through a Florida-approved provider. To be eligible for renewal, submit your CE hours to the state before your expiration date. Failure to complete the required CE in time could result in your license becoming inactive and prevent you from legally bidding or working until you resolve the lapse. The statute does not provide exact lapse or reinstatement steps, so always check directly with the CILB for guidance if you miss a renewal window.
Reciprocity
Florida recognizes the concept of endorsement and limited reciprocity for plumbing contractor licenses. This may allow some experienced out-of-state contractors to obtain Florida licensure more quickly, but strict criteria apply under section 489.115 of the state statutes.
Contractors licensed in another state are eligible for Florida certification by endorsement if they meet one of two criteria: (1) Their out-of-state license was awarded under requirements substantially equivalent to or greater than Florida’s and is current and in good standing; or (2) They have held a contractor license in good standing for at least 10 years in another jurisdiction. Florida does not name many states with which it has formal mutual reciprocity, but the endorsement path allows recognition of substantial equivalent experience and testing.
To apply by endorsement, you must still submit a complete application, provide personal and business background, experience verification, and undergo the fingerprint background check. Therefore, always confirm all equivalency documentation meets CILB evaluation standards.
Official Links
Contractors should rely on direct official state sources for the most accurate information. Use the links below to access application forms, instructions, exam packets, and Florida statutes applicable to plumbing license requirements in Florida.
