Florida DBPR Certified vs. Registered Contractor: Scope, Fees & Requirements
Understand the vital difference between a Certified (statewide) license and a Registered (county-only) license under Florida DBPR Chapter 489.
1. Statewide Certified Contractors (CGC, CBC, CRC)
A Florida Certified Contractor holds a license issued directly by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Certified licenses (e.g., Certified General Contractor CGC) permit the licensee to pull building permits and construct projects across all 67 Florida counties without local testing.
2. Locally Registered Contractors (RG, RB, RR)
A Registered Contractor holds a certificate of competency issued by a specific municipality or county (such as Miami-Dade, Broward, or Orange County). While application fees are slightly lower, a registered contractor cannot operate outside their designated local jurisdiction without obtaining separate reciprocal certificates.
3. Financial Stability & FICO Credit Score Mandate
Florida enforces strict financial vetting. If an applicant's consumer credit score is below 660, DBPR requires a financial stability surety bond ($20,000 for Division I GCs, $10,000 for Division II specialty trades). Completing a 14-hour board-approved financial responsibility course can cut this bond obligation by 50%.
4. Wind-Code Testing & Continuing Education
Because Florida is subject to severe hurricane activity, exams heavily test High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requirements. Licensees must complete 14 hours of board-approved continuing education every two-year renewal cycle, including specialized courses in wind mitigation, workplace safety, and Florida building code updates.
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