Quick answer: Florida licenses its construction trades at the state level through the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes. General, electrical, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical and roofing contractors must hold a state license – issued as either a statewide "Certified" license or a local-jurisdiction "Registered" license. Painters, carpenters, landscapers, handymen and cleaners are not state-licensed, and Florida law even bars local governments from requiring a license for scopes like painting and handyman services.
The table below shows which of the common trades need a Florida state license and which do not.
Which trades need a license in Florida?
| Trade | State license required? | Licensing body |
|---|---|---|
| General Contractor | Yes | State license required – Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Ch. 489, Part I. Certified (statewide) or Registered (local). |
| Electrician | Yes | State license required – Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB), Ch. 489, Part II. Certified (statewide) or Registered (local). |
| Plumber | Yes | State license required – Plumbing Contractor category under the CILB (Division II), Ch. 489, Part I. |
| HVAC | Yes | State license required – Air-Conditioning / Mechanical Contractor category under the CILB (Division II), Ch. 489, Part I. |
| Roofer | Yes | State license required – Roofing Contractor category under the CILB (Division II), Ch. 489, Part I. |
| Painter | No | No state license. Painting is a scope Florida law bars local governments from licensing (§ 489.117). |
| Carpenter | No | No state license for general carpentry, cabinetry or interior remodeling – unless the job includes work in a state-licensed category (e.g., structural, electrical, plumbing). |
| Landscaper | No | No state contractor license for general landscaping or lawn care. Separate rules apply to pesticide application (FDACS) and licensed trades like irrigation plumbing. |
| Handyman | No | No state license. Minor/casual work under $2,500 is exempt (§ 489.103), and handyman services cannot be locally licensed (§ 489.117). |
| Cleaner | No | No state occupational or contractor license required for residential or commercial cleaning. |
"Yes" means a DBPR-issued state license is required; unlicensed trades may still need a local business tax receipt (occupational license) and, if hired, must not perform work reserved for a licensed trade.
How Florida licenses construction trades
Florida regulates construction trades primarily at the state level through the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). Two boards do most of the work: the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), which handles general, building, residential, roofing, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, pool/spa and specialty contractors under Chapter 489, Part I, Florida Statutes; and the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB), which handles electrical and alarm-system contractors under Chapter 489, Part II.
A key Florida wrinkle is the split between two license types. A Certified contractor passes a state competency exam and can contract anywhere in Florida without meeting each local jurisdiction's competency rules – their license number begins with "C." A Registered contractor has instead met a local jurisdiction's competency requirements and registered that credential with the state; they may contract only in the jurisdictions where they are registered – their license number begins with "R." Both are tracked by DBPR, and licenses generally renew on a two-year cycle expiring August 31 of even years.
The state-licensed trades in detail
General / building / residential contractors (Division I) and the trade categories in Division II – roofing, plumbing, air-conditioning (Class A, B, C), mechanical, sheet metal, solar, pool/spa and underground utility – all require a CILB license. Electricians require a separate ECLB license. These are the trades where hiring an unlicensed person for reserved work is illegal and can void permits, insurance and warranties.
Florida also offers voluntary statewide "specialty" contractor registrations for narrower scopes, which a contractor may obtain in place of a local specialty license.
Trades with no Florida state license
Several common home-service trades are not licensed by the state at all: general painting, carpentry/cabinetry, landscaping and lawn care, handyman work, and cleaning. In fact, a 2021 change to the law (§ 489.117, F.S.) bars local governments from requiring a license for a list of scopes that includes painting, flooring, cabinetry, interior remodeling (where no state-licensed task is involved), handyman services, pressure washing, plastering, stuccoing, caulking, tile/stone/marble installation and similar work.
Being unlicensed does not mean unregulated: these businesses still typically need a local business tax receipt, must carry appropriate insurance, and cannot cross into a licensed scope. For example, a handyman or carpenter cannot legally perform electrical, plumbing, HVAC or structural work reserved for a licensed contractor.
The handyman and minor-work rule
Florida's licensing exemption for minor work is defined in § 489.103, Florida Statutes: work of a casual, minor or inconsequential nature where the aggregate contract price for labor, materials and all other items is less than $2,500 does not require a contractor license – provided the work is not part of a larger or divided project and the person does not hold themselves out as a licensed contractor. There is also an owner-builder exemption for property owners who build or improve their own property under specific conditions. These exemptions never extend to work that requires a licensed trade, such as electrical or plumbing.
Local and county requirements
Even for unlicensed trades, cities and counties commonly require a local business tax receipt to operate, and building permits are still required for many projects regardless of who does the work. For registered ("R") contractors, the local jurisdiction sets the competency requirements and issues local credentials, while DBPR maintains the central record. Because local rules and permit thresholds vary from county to county, always confirm requirements with your city or county building department before starting a job.
How to get licensed in Florida
- Determine your contractor category under Chapter 489 (e.g., general, roofing, plumbing, HVAC/mechanical, or electrical) and decide whether you want a statewide Certified license or a local Registered license.
- Meet the eligibility requirements for that category – typically a combination of experience and/or education, plus proof of financial stability and required insurance (general liability, and workers' compensation or an exemption).
- Apply to sit for the state examination (administered for DBPR) covering business/finance and the trade, and pass the required exam(s).
- Submit your license application to DBPR (through the CILB or ECLB) with fingerprints/background check, exam results, insurance certificates and fees via the online licensing portal at myfloridalicense.com.
- Once licensed, keep the license active by renewing on Florida's two-year cycle (licenses expire August 31 of even years) and completing required continuing education.
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Frequently asked questions
Does a handyman need a license in Florida?
No. Florida does not license handymen at the state level, and § 489.117 bars local governments from requiring a license for handyman services. Casual or minor work under $2,500 is also exempt under § 489.103. However, a handyman may still need a local business tax receipt and cannot perform work reserved for a licensed trade such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC or structural work.
What is the difference between a certified and a registered contractor in Florida?
A Certified contractor passed a state competency exam and can work anywhere in Florida (license number begins with "C"). A Registered contractor met a specific local jurisdiction's competency requirements and registered with DBPR, so they may only work in those jurisdictions (license number begins with "R"). Both are recorded by the state.
Do painters and carpenters need a state license in Florida?
No. Painting and general carpentry, cabinetry and interior remodeling are not state-licensed trades, and § 489.117 specifically lists painting, cabinetry and flooring among scopes local governments may not license. The exception is when the job crosses into a state-licensed category – for example structural, electrical or plumbing work – which requires a licensed contractor.
Which board licenses electricians and plumbers in Florida?
Electricians are licensed by the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB) under Chapter 489, Part II. Plumbers, along with roofers and HVAC/mechanical contractors, are licensed by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) under Chapter 489, Part I. Both boards operate under the Florida DBPR.
Sources: Florida DBPR – MyFloridaLicense.com, DBPR – Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), DBPR – Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB), Fla. Stat. § 489.103 – Exemptions (minor work, owner-builder), Fla. Stat. § 489.117 – Registration; local licensing limits, 2025. Licensing rules change — always confirm current requirements with the relevant state board and your local city before you work.