Florida Contractor License BondRequired Only When Your FICO Is Below 660

Florida contractor bond costs depend on which division you fall under and whether you complete the 14-hour course. Division I contractors (FICO below 660) need a $20,000 bond -- or $10,000 with the course. Annual premiums range from $200-$600 with fair-to-good credit. Division II contractors need a $10,000 bond ($5,000 with course), with premiums of $100-$300. The 14-hour financial responsibility course ($150-$300) typically pays for itself in the first year through lower bond premiums. For a personalized estimate, use our contractor bond calculator at /tools/calculator/contractor-license-bond/. For broader pricing context, visit our surety bond cost guide at /surety-bond-cost/.

Getting a Florida contractor license bond follows this process: (1) Apply to DBPR and pay the $189 fee. (2) Pass the business and finance exam ($50) and trade exam ($50). (3) The CILB pulls your FICO score -- if 660 or above with no unsatisfied judgments or liens, no bond is needed. (4) If your FICO is below 660, consider completing the 14-hour financial responsibility course first to cut the bond requirement in half. (5) Purchase the required bond -- $20,000 for Division I or $10,000 for Division II (reduced amounts with course). (6) Submit the bond with your application and pay the $119 license fee. We issue Florida contractor bonds instantly. For a general walkthrough of the bonding process, see /how-to-get-a-surety-bond/.

No. Florida contractor license bonds are required ONLY for applicants whose FICO credit score is below 660. The Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) evaluates financial responsibility as part of every license application. If your FICO score is 660 or higher, you have no unsatisfied judgments, and you have no unsatisfied liens, you satisfy the financial responsibility requirement without a bond. If your FICO falls below 660 -- or if you have outstanding judgments or liens -- you must post a bond to satisfy the requirement. Learn more about how surety bonds work at /what-is-a-surety-bond/.

Florida allows a 50% bond reduction when you complete a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course. This reduces Division I bonds from $20,000 to $10,000, and Division II bonds from $10,000 to $5,000. The course covers financial management, bookkeeping, business practices, and Florida construction law. Multiple CILB-approved providers offer the course online and in person ($150-$300). The investment typically pays for itself in the first year through reduced bond premiums.

If the qualifying agent for a Florida construction company does not have an ownership interest in the company, the company must appoint a Financially Responsible Officer (FRO). The FRO must either make a $100,000 cash deposit or purchase a $100,000 FRO surety bond to provide financial security for enforcement of the license law. This is separate from the sub-660 contractor license bond and applies regardless of credit score.

To get licensed and bonded in Florida: (1) Complete DBPR application and pay $189 fee, (2) Pass business and finance exam ($50), (3) Pass trade exam ($50), (4) If your FICO is below 660, purchase your contractor license bond -- $20,000 for Division I or $10,000 for Division II (or reduced amounts with the 14-hour course), (5) Submit bond (if required) with license application to DBPR, (6) Pay $119 license fee upon approval. If your FICO is 660+, no bond is needed for the financial responsibility requirement.

Florida has two types of contractor licenses: certified and registered. A certified contractor holds a state-issued license from the CILB and can work anywhere in Florida without additional local licensing. A registered contractor holds a local (county) license and can only work within that county or counties where they have registered. Both types are subject to the same bond requirements based on credit score. Certified licenses offer statewide mobility but require passing the state exam, while registered licenses require passing a local competency exam.

Florida may activate emergency licensing provisions during and after hurricanes, allowing expedited licensing for out-of-state contractors engaged in disaster response. However, the standard bond requirements still apply for permanent licensing. Hurricane recovery work may require additional performance bonds for insurance claim projects and large restoration contracts beyond the basic license bond.