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Last updated: General Florida contractor license bond information — confirm current requirements with the licensing authority.

Florida Contractor License Bond— What the CILB Actually Requires

FICO 660 or Higher

No license bond required. Your score meets the CILB financial stability requirement (your credit report must also show no unsatisfied judgments or liens). But if you are a certified contractor bidding commercial or public projects, the bond you actually need is a performance and payment bond — not this license bond. Understanding what a surety bond is helps you tell the two apart.

FICO Below 660

Still no license bond. Under Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C., you meet the financial stability requirement by completing a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course. Bonds still apply if your business designates a Financially Responsible Officer ($100,000), for some local licenses and permits, and on bonded projects.

$0
CILB License Bond
660
FICO Threshold
14 hr
Course Alternative
$100K
FRO Bond (If Designated)
FRO, local, and project bonds -- every application shopped to market
Same-day submission on complete applications
Quick answer
Most Florida state-certified contractors do not have to buy a license bond. Where a bond is required, you pay a premium that is a small percentage of the bond amount, not the full amount; the surety sets the final price.
  • Who requires it: Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C.
  • Amount: No license bond for most state-certified contractors: a FICO score of 660 or higher, or the board-approved 14-hour course, meets the financial responsibility rule. Bonds still come from FRO, local and project requirements.
  • Timing: Same-day submission; most quotes within one business day.
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Official Florida Requirements

"Grounds for denial include failure to provide proof of a credit score, FICO derived, of 660 or higher. Applicants who are unable to provide a credit score, FICO derived, of 660 or higher, shall meet the financial stability requirement by completion of a 14-hour financial responsibility course approved by the Board."
Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C. • Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C.; Fla. Stat. §489.115

Below 660 FICO? The 14-Hour Course, Not a Bond

If your FICO-derived credit score is under 660, the CILB does not ask for a license bond. Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C. lets you meet the financial stability requirement by completing a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course. Bond options for sub-660 applicants are not part of the current rule (amended April 2022; current version effective May 5, 2024). The surety bond cost guide explains how premiums work for the bonds you may still need.

FICO 660 or Higher
Financial stability met
FICO Below 660
Complete the 14-hour course

Find board-approved course providers through the CILB. The course does not cure unsatisfied judgments or liens, which must still be resolved.

What Division I and Division II Actually Cover

Licensing requirements by division

Division II covers the specialty trades most active in Florida's storm-recovery and residential growth markets. For trade-specific bond detail, see the Florida pages for electrical contractors, plumbers, HVAC contractors, and roofing contractors — each covers the CILB division and any county-level overlay for that trade.

Division I
No State License Bond
No license bond
660+ FICO or 14-hour course
General, Building, and Residential Contractors

Requirements:

Experience or education qualification under Fla. Stat. §489.111
Pass business and finance exam
Pass trade knowledge exam
Credit report with no unsatisfied judgments or liens
660+ FICO score, or complete the board-approved 14-hour course

Project Types:

General, building, and residential construction within each category’s scope

Division II
No State License Bond
No license bond
660+ FICO or 14-hour course
Sheet Metal, Roofing, Class A/B/C A/C, Mechanical, and other categories

Requirements:

Experience or education qualification under Fla. Stat. §489.111
Pass business and finance exam
Pass trade-specific exam
Credit report with no unsatisfied judgments or liens
660+ FICO score, or complete the board-approved 14-hour course

Project Types:

Roofing, HVAC, sheet metal, mechanical, swimming pool, and other specialty trades

No State License Bond? The Bond You Need Is a Project Bond

Florida's CILB does not require a license bond for most certified contractors, so the bond question usually starts when you bid work. A commercial build-out, a school district job, an FDOT contract, or a public project above the statutory thresholds can require a performance and payment bond sized to the contract value — not a flat license figure.

CILB License Bond
Not required

The CILB checks financial responsibility through your credit report plus a 660 FICO score or the 14-hour course. A license bond is not part of that rule.

Performance & Payment Bond
Sized to the contract

Tied to the job, not your credit. Guarantees you finish the work and pay your subs. This is what a GC, developer, or public owner means when they say “you need to be bonded for this project.”

For certified General, Building, and Residential contractors bidding real work, surety underwriting shifts from a quick credit pull to a review of your financial statements, working capital, and bonding capacity. Florida's two public-works statutes — §255.05 for state and local projects and FDOT §337.18 for transportation work — spell out exactly when a project bond is mandatory. Our Florida performance bond breakdown walks through both thresholds and what carriers ask for. If you want to see how premium scales with contract size before you bid, the surety bond cost guide lays out the typical 1%–3% range, and the performance bond calculator estimates a number for a specific project value.

Bidding commercial or public projects in Florida? Start a project bond application instead of a license bond — we place both.

Explore Performance & Payment Bonds

What Trips Up Florida Applicants

The most common surprise is outdated advice. Many guides still describe a $10,000 or $20,000 “sub-660 bond.” The current CILB rule has no such bond: an applicant below a 660 FICO score completes the 14-hour financial responsibility course instead. What the course cannot fix is an unsatisfied judgment or lien on your credit report, so clear those before you apply.

The second decision is corporate structure. With board approval, a business may designate a Financially Responsible Officer to handle its financial matters while the qualifying agent handles construction. Doing so brings a $100,000 bond or irrevocable letter of credit under Rule 61G4-15.0021, F.A.C. If the qualifying agent keeps final approval authority over the business's finances (Fla. Stat. §489.119), no FRO is needed — so weigh that cost before you finalize the structure.

Need help deciding which bond your situation actually calls for? Compare the full menu of state contractor bond requirements, or run the numbers with the Florida contractor bond calculator. Contractors working the South Florida market — particularly the Miami metro — face the same CILB credit rules but should also check Miami-Dade's local requirements on top of the state license.

The DBPR Licensing Sequence From Exam to Approval

Six steps to your Florida contractor license

1

Complete DBPR Application

Submit your application and fee for Division I or Division II through the DBPR online portal. Confirm current fees with DBPR.

2

Pass Required Exams

Business and finance exam plus the trade-specific exam for your license category.

3

Check Your Credit Report

The CILB reviews your credit report. A 660+ FICO score with no unsatisfied judgments or liens meets financial responsibility and stability.

4

Complete the 14-Hour Course (If Needed)

Below 660 FICO: complete a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course. No license bond is required.

5

Submit Documentation

Provide experience verification, your credit report, the insurance affidavit, and workers' comp documentation. If your business designates an FRO, include the $100,000 bond or letter of credit.

6

Receive License

Pay the license fee and receive your Florida contractor license. Confirm your renewal cycle with DBPR.

For a general walkthrough of the bonding process, see our surety bond application guide.

Start Your Florida Bond Application

The $100,000 FRO Bond: When Your Business Designates a Financially Responsible Officer

A separate requirement that applies regardless of credit score

With board approval, a Florida construction business may designate a Financially Responsible Officer (FRO) under Fla. Stat. §489.1195. The FRO is responsible for the business's financial matters, and the primary qualifying agent is responsible for construction. The FRO must provide a $100,000 bond or irrevocable letter of credit payable to the Board for fines and costs (Rule 61G4-15.0021, F.A.C.). This requirement applies regardless of credit score. The bond vs insurance comparison explains why this is a bond rather than an insurance product. Florida notaries who witness contractor agreements or lien releases will need a separate Florida notary bond through the Department of State.

FRO Bond Amount
$100,000
Required when a business designates an FRO
Alternative: Letter of Credit
$100,000
Irrevocable letter of credit payable to the Board
Video Guide

Watch: Florida Contractor License Bond — $10,000–$20,000 (FICO Under 660)

Florida's contractor bond is unique — you only need one if your FICO score is below 660. Above that, you meet financial responsibility automatically. Here's how the DBPR/CILB credit-triggered system works and how a 14-hour course can cut your bond amount in half.

Key moments in this video
  • 0:00Does Florida require a contractor license bond?
  • 0:45Bond amount & how it's determined
  • 1:30What you actually pay (cost by credit tier)
  • 3:00Bond vs. insurance — why you need both
  • 4:30Step-by-step: how to get your Florida contractor bond
  • 6:00Filing requirements & renewal rules
Watch on YouTube

Licensed? The bonds you'll need to win jobs in Florida

Your license bond gets you licensed. Bigger jobs, public work and most commercial contracts add contract bonds. We place license and contract bonds, so you can keep one agency as your work grows.

Bid bonds →

Most public bids, and many private ones, require a bid bond (often 5% to 10% of the bid) with your proposal.

Florida performance bonds →

Once you win, the owner usually requires a performance bond guaranteeing the job gets finished in Florida.

Payment bonds →

Guarantees your subcontractors and suppliers get paid. Usually required alongside the performance bond on public work.

Performance & payment bonds →

Most public contracts ask for both bonds together, each commonly at 100% of the contract price.

FICO Scores, the 14-Hour Course, and Licensing: Your Questions Answered

What Florida contractors ask most about CILB bonding

How much is a contractor bond in Florida?
For most state-certified contractors, there is no license bond to buy. Florida's Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) financial responsibility rule, Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C., has no bond: applicants need a credit report with no unsatisfied judgments or liens, plus either a FICO-derived credit score of 660 or higher or completion of a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course. Bonds still come up in three places: the $100,000 bond or irrevocable letter of credit required when a business designates a Financially Responsible Officer, local county or city requirements, and performance and payment bonds on projects. For project bond pricing, see our surety bond cost guide at /surety-bond-cost/.
How to get a contractor license bond in Florida?
Most Florida certified contractors do not need one. The CILB licensing sequence is: (1) apply to DBPR and pay the application fee, (2) pass the business and finance exam and your trade exam, (3) submit a credit report showing no unsatisfied judgments or liens, (4) show a 660+ FICO score or complete the 14-hour financial responsibility course, and (5) provide the required insurance affidavit. You need a bond only if your business designates a Financially Responsible Officer ($100,000 bond or irrevocable letter of credit), a local jurisdiction or permit requires one, or a project owner requires performance and payment bonds. Confirm current fees and forms with DBPR. For a general walkthrough of the bonding process, see /how-to-get-a-surety-bond/.
Do all Florida contractors need a surety bond?
No. The CILB financial responsibility rule (Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C., amended April 2022; current version effective May 5, 2024) does not include a license bond. An applicant with a FICO-derived credit score of 660 or higher meets the financial stability requirement with that score; an applicant below 660 meets it by completing a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course. Either way, the credit report must show no unsatisfied judgments or liens. Separate from licensing, a commercial or public job that requires bonding still calls for a performance and payment bond sized to the contract -- that is a different product. Learn more about how surety bonds work at /what-is-a-surety-bond/.
I am a certified GC bidding commercial and public work -- which bond do I need?
Not a license bond -- the CILB does not require one for most certified contractors. The bond a project owner, developer, or public agency requires is a performance and payment bond sized to the contract value. For public projects, Fla. Stat. §255.05 governs state and local building work and §337.18 governs FDOT transportation work; both spell out when a project bond is mandatory. Underwriting for project bonds reviews your financial statements, working capital, and bonding capacity rather than a quick credit pull. See our performance and payment bonds overview at /performance-and-payment-bonds/ and the Florida-specific breakdown at /performance-bonds/florida/.
What does the 14-hour financial responsibility course do?
Under Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C., an applicant who cannot show a FICO-derived credit score of 660 or higher meets the CILB financial stability requirement by completing a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course -- no bond is required. Fla. Stat. §489.115(7) also allows the course to satisfy 50% of any financial requirements the board sets by rule. The course does not cure unsatisfied judgments or liens on your credit report; those must still be resolved. Confirm approved course providers with the CILB.
What is the Florida Financially Responsible Officer (FRO) bond?
With board approval, a Florida construction business may designate a Financially Responsible Officer (FRO) under Fla. Stat. §489.1195. The FRO is responsible for the business's financial matters, and the primary qualifying agent is responsible for construction activities. Under CILB Rule 61G4-15.0021, F.A.C., an FRO must provide a bond or irrevocable letter of credit of $100,000 payable to the Board for fines and costs. An FRO is typically needed when the qualifying agent cannot attest to final approval authority over the business's contracts, checks, drafts, and payments (Fla. Stat. §489.119(2)(b)), and the $100,000 requirement applies regardless of credit score.
How do I get a Florida contractor license and bond?
To get licensed in Florida as a certified contractor: (1) complete the DBPR application and pay the application fee, (2) pass the business and finance exam, (3) pass your trade exam, (4) submit a credit report with no unsatisfied judgments or liens, plus a 660+ FICO score or proof you completed the 14-hour financial responsibility course, (5) provide the required insurance affidavit, and (6) pay the license fee on approval. No state license bond is required unless your business designates a Financially Responsible Officer ($100,000 bond or irrevocable letter of credit). Confirm current fees with DBPR.
What is the difference between a certified and registered contractor in Florida?
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. Certified licenses offer statewide mobility but require passing the state exam, while registered licenses require passing a local competency exam. Registered contractors must also meet any local requirements, which can include local bonds -- confirm with the county or city licensing office.
Are there different requirements for hurricane recovery work in Florida?
After a declared emergency, the state and local governments may issue emergency orders that affect contractor licensing and permitting, so check current DBPR and local notices before taking storm work. Otherwise the standard licensing rules apply. Large restoration contracts may require performance and payment bonds even though Florida has no state license bond for most certified contractors. Note that a DBPR contractor license bond is NOT the same as a project performance bond — see our Florida performance bond guide (buysuretybonds.com/performance-bonds/florida/) for the distinction and the full §255.05 and FDOT §337.18 requirements.

Official Florida Resources

DBPR / CILB Contact

Phone: (850) 487-1395

DBPR Portal: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/

CILB: Construction Industry Licensing Board

Legal Authority

Statute: Florida Statutes Chapter 489

Financial Responsibility: CILB Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C.

Financially Responsible Officer: Fla. Stat. §489.1195; Rule 61G4-15.0021, F.A.C.

View Statute
Florida CILB Bond Family

Pick the page that matches your situation

Deep-dive guides for Florida contractors, from the $100K FRO requirement to the 14-hour financial responsibility course.

Designating an FRO?
FRO Bond ($100K)
When the $100K FRO bond applies and how sureties underwrite it
Below 660 FICO?
14-Hour Course
The course that meets CILB financial stability without a bond

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Tools & Guides

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Want to understand contractor bonding requirements nationwide? See our contractor industry overview for a complete guide.

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Eric Drummond, Licensed Surety Producer
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Eric Drummond, Licensed Surety Producer
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