How to get a Plumbing license in Florida
The full Florida plumbing licensing path — experience hours, required exam, fees, and where to apply. Verified 5/26/2026.
Career prep, not a license.
Prep for the Florida Plumbing exam
Plumbing 101 — Start Here (Free) — self-paced lessons, practice exam, certificate of completion.
Certified Plumbing Contractor (statewide CFC) or Registered (RF)
Florida licenses plumbing contractors through DBPR under the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Two license classes: Certified Plumbing Contractor (statewide, unlimited scope) and Certified Specialty Plumbing (limited to specific work like drain cleaning, service, or gas-only). Same 3-exam structure as other Florida trades: Business & Finance, Plumbing Trade, and Florida Law.
Step-by-step: how to get your Florida plumbing contractor license
DBPR processing is 4–6 months. Credit and background checks are the slowest steps.
- Choose Certified (statewide) or Registered (local competency only). Certified is standard for anyone growing a business.
- Meet experience: 4 years of proven plumbing experience, with at least 1 year as a foreman. Up to 3 years can come from an accredited plumbing/construction degree.
- Satisfy financial responsibility: FICO 660+ OR $10,000 bond (Division II tradesr get the lower bond).
- Pass all 3 exams through Professional Testing, Inc.: Business & Finance, Plumbing Trade, Florida Law.
- Get general liability insurance ($300k per occurrence) and workers' comp (or officer exemption).
- Submit application: $249 fee, LiveScan fingerprints, all experience affidavits, financial documents.
Florida plumbing license classes
Certified is the go-to. Specialty classes are for niche operators who only touch a narrow slice of plumbing.
- Certified Plumbing Contractor — full residential and commercial plumbing statewide.
- Certified Underground Utility Contractor — separate license for water/sewer main installation, storm drains, etc.
- Certified Specialty Plumbing Contractor — drain cleaning only, service-only, gas-only, or other narrow scope.
- Registered Plumbing Contractor — local competency card only, tied to one jurisdiction.
Florida plumbing exam: what's on it
All 3 exams computer-based at Professional Testing centers or remote-proctored. Approved reference materials for each — bring your tabbed set.
Business & Finance: 120 questions, 6.5 hours. Lien law (Chapter 713 F.S.), payroll, taxes, contracts, project management.
Plumbing Trade: 100 questions, 6.5 hours. 2020 Florida Plumbing Code, 2020 Florida Fuel Gas Code, pipe sizing (DFU / fixture units), venting, backflow prevention, water heaters, medical gas basics, and hurricane-code amendments for coastal jurisdictions.
Florida Law: 40 questions, 2 hours. Chapter 489 F.S. and Chapter 61G4 F.A.C.
Florida plumbing license fees & ongoing costs (2026)
Year-one budget: $1,800–$3,000 including reference books. Renewal every 2 years.
- Application fee: $249.
- Exam fees: $135 × 3 = $405.
- Reference books: $700–$1,000 for the full approved set.
- Fingerprint / background: $80.
- GL insurance $300k: $900–$2,200/year.
- Bond (if credit under 660): $10,000 face value; premium $100–$400/year.
- Renewal: $209 every 2 years, plus 14 hours CE (1 law, 1 workers' comp, 1 workplace safety, 1 advanced code, 1 business, 9 general).
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a plumbing license in Florida?
You need 4 years experience, 1 year as foreman; or equivalent education credit. Then pass the Florida Plumbing Contractor Exam (Business & Finance + Trade Knowledge) administered by Professional Testing, Inc.. Applications go through the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR).
What exam do I need to pass?
Florida Plumbing Contractor Exam (Business & Finance + Trade Knowledge) — administered by Professional Testing, Inc..
How much experience do I need?
4 years experience, 1 year as foreman; OR equivalent education credit
What about fees, insurance, and continuing education?
Two-day open-book exam. Liability insurance $100K/$25K min. Credit report required (660+ or bond). Renewal Aug 31 even years, $209 + 14 hrs CE.
Do individual plumbers in Florida need licenses, or only the company?
Florida licenses only at the contractor (qualifying agent) level. Individual field plumbers do not need state licenses. However, several counties (Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach) issue journeyman competency cards required to work on job sites in that jurisdiction, and medical gas installers need separate NITC or ASSE certification.
Does Florida have plumbing contractor reciprocity?
Florida has reciprocity with Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee for the trade portion of the exam only if you've held an equivalent unlimited license for 5+ years. Business & Finance and Florida Law are always required.
Can a general contractor perform plumbing work in Florida?
No. Florida CILB requires a separate Certified Plumbing Contractor license for any plumbing work. General contractors must subcontract to licensed plumbers. Even a Certified General Contractor cannot pull a plumbing permit under their own license.
What's the difference between Certified Plumbing and Certified Specialty Plumbing in Florida?
Certified Plumbing is full-scope: new installation, repair, replacement, gas piping, medical gas, everything. Certified Specialty is limited by classification — you might be licensed only for drain cleaning, only for service/repair, or only for gas piping. Specialty licenses have narrower exams and cheaper insurance requirements but you can only legally perform the work listed on your specific classification.
Other plumbing licensing guides
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