How to get a plumbing license in Florida
Edited by John Voll. Last verified .
Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses plumbing contractors in Florida. Work under $2,500 total (labor, materials and all other items) of a casual, minor or inconsequential nature is exempt, unless it is part of a larger job split up to evade the law or the person advertises as a contractor. The Construction Industry Licensing Board and Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board licensee files lists 8,565 active plumbing records as of October 6, 2026.
Who licenses plumbing work in Florida
| Credential | State license |
|---|---|
| Board | Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation official statement |
| Official lookup | Search plumbing licenses |
| When a license is needed | Work under $2,500 total (labor, materials and all other items) of a casual, minor or inconsequential nature is exempt, unless it is part of a larger job split up to evade the law or the person advertises as a contractor. source |
| License types | Certified Plumbing Contractor, Registered Plumbing Contractor |
How to get licensed
- Apply to CILB as a Certified Plumbing Contractor or Registered Plumbing Contractor.
- State certification exam in two parts: Business and Finance, and Trade Knowledge. source
- Experience: at least 4 years of active experience in the trade as a skilled worker or foreman, including time as a foreman; a related degree or college credit can replace part of it. source
- Carry general liability insurance of at least $100,000 and property damage insurance of at least $25,000 (plumbing contractor), plus workers compensation. source
- Pay the application and examination fee for certification (covers application processing and exam administration), nonrefundable: $335. source
- License renews every 2 years. source
Plumbing requirements in Florida
| Exam | State certification exam in two parts: Business and Finance, and Trade Knowledge. source |
|---|---|
| Experience | At least 4 years of active experience in the trade as a skilled worker or foreman, including time as a foreman; a related degree or college credit can replace part of it. source |
| Bond | Not found on an official source. |
| Insurance | General liability insurance of at least $100,000 and property damage insurance of at least $25,000 (plumbing contractor), plus workers compensation. source |
| Renewal | License renews every 2 year. source |
| Reciprocity | No reciprocal agreement listed for this trade; the board certifies by endorsement applicants who passed a substantially equivalent exam elsewhere. source |
| Fees |
|
Hiring a plumbing contractor?
See every official lookup in Florida, which board covers which trade, and what to check before you hire.
Questions
- Do you need a plumbing license in Florida?
- Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses plumbing contractors in Florida. Work under $2,500 total (labor, materials and all other items) of a casual, minor or inconsequential nature is exempt, unless it is part of a larger job split up to evade the law or the person advertises as a contractor.
- How do I check a plumbing license in Florida?
- The Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation keeps the record for plumbing contractors in Florida. Use the official lookup on this page, and treat the board's own record as final.
- How much does a plumbing license cost in Florida?
- $335 (Application and examination fee for certification (covers application processing and exam administration), nonrefundable). $135 (Exam registration fee paid to the exam vendor, included in the application and examination fee). $80 (Exam administration fee for each test, included in the application and examination fee). $40 (Application processing fee after passing the exam, included in the application and examination fee). $200 (Initial certification or registration fee). $200 (Biennial renewal fee for an active certification or registration). $100 (Application fee for a registered (local competency) contractor).
- How much experience do you need for a plumbing license in Florida?
- At least 4 years of active experience in the trade as a skilled worker or foreman, including time as a foreman; a related degree or college credit can replace part of it.
- How often does a plumbing license renew in Florida?
- License renews every 2 years.
Other trades in Florida
- General contractor license in Florida
- Electrical license in Florida
- HVAC license in Florida
- Roofing license in Florida
- All Florida trades
Plumbing license in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/
- https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp
- https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.115.html
- https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.103.html
- https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/exam_applic_pack.pdf
- https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.111.html
- https://www.flrules.org/gateway/readFile.asp?sid=0&tid=4819074&type=1&file=61G4-15.003.doc
- https://www.flrules.org/gateway/readFile.asp?sid=0&tid=19533392&type=1&file=61G4-12.009.doc
- https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/public-records/
This is not a government site. The licensing board's own record governs; always confirm on the official lookup. Information as of October 6, 2026.