Plumber licensing in Florida

SCOPE

Florida issues plumbing contractor credentials through DBPR's Construction Industry Licensing Board under F.S. 489 Part I. A Certified Plumbing Contractor (CFC) license authorizes contracting in any jurisdiction statewide without additional local competency testing. A Registered Plumbing Contractor (RF) license is limited to the specific county or municipal jurisdictions where the holder has passed a local competency exam; a registrant cannot contract outside those jurisdictions. Scope covers sanitary drainage, water supply, septic, swimming pool piping, medical gas, fire sprinklers, and fuel piping. Source: F.S. 489.105 (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/0489.html) and DBPR Construction Industry (https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/).

Experience

Applicants must be at least 18 and satisfy one of the statutory experience paths under F.S. 489.111: four years of active experience as a worker in the trade with at least one year as a foreman; a bachelor's degree in a relevant field (building construction, engineering, architecture) plus one year of proven experience; or a combination of accredited college credits and skilled/supervisory work totaling four years. Experience must be documented on affidavits from licensed contractors or employers. Source: F.S. 489.111 (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/0489.html).

EXAMS

Two exam parts are required: the Business and Finance exam and the Plumbing trade knowledge exam (Contract Administration and Project Management). Exams are developed and scored by Professional Testing, Inc. (PTI) under contract with DBPR's Bureau of Education and Testing; the Business and Finance portion is delivered by Pearson VUE at computer-based test centers, and the Plumbing trade portion is a paper-and-pencil exam offered on scheduled dates in Kissimmee. A 70% score is required to pass each part. Applicants with a 3.0+ GPA in a building-construction baccalaureate may sit for Business and Finance only. Source: Florida Exam (https://www.floridaexam.com/) and DBPR Construction Examinations (https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/examination-information/construction-examinations/).

FEES

The Business and Finance exam fee is $135.00 payable to PTI plus $80.00 to Pearson VUE at scheduling. DBPR charges separate application and initial licensing fees under Rule 61G4; verify the current fee schedule on the application packet (https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/exam_applic_pack.pdf).

Financial Responsibility and Credit

CILB requires a personal credit report with a minimum FICO score of 660 and no unsatisfied judgments or construction-related liens. Applicants below 660 must post a surety bond ($20,000 for Division I, $10,000 for Division II plumbing contractors) or a letter of credit; the bond can be reduced after completing a 14-hour financial responsibility course approved by the Board.

INSURANCE AND WORKERS' COMP. Plumbing contractors must carry at least $100,000 general liability and $25,000 property damage coverage, and provide evidence of workers' compensation coverage or a valid exemption under F.S. 440 when employing workers. Source: F.S. 489.115 and NEXT Insurance Florida plumber guide (https://www.nextinsurance.com/blog/florida-plumber-license-and-insurance-requirements/).

Renewal and CE

Two-year renewal cycle. Certified contractors renew by August 31 of even-numbered years; registered contractors renew by August 31 of odd-numbered years. 14 hours of CILB-approved continuing education per cycle, with at least one hour each in Workers' Compensation, Business Practices, Workplace Safety, Laws and Rules, and Advanced Module Building Code; remaining hours are general. Source: DBPR CE (https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/continuing-education/).

Journeyman and Apprentice

Florida does not issue a state-level journeyman plumber license; journeyman licensure is administered at the county or municipal level where required. Apprentices register through USDOL Office of Apprenticeship or Florida Department of Education apprenticeship programs. A background check applies at application.