How to Get a Florida Roofing License: Steps, Requirements, and Costs

Do you need a roofing license in Florida?

Yes. Florida requires a state-issued license for anyone who contracts to perform roofing work. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) oversees licensing through its Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB).

Working without a license carries real consequences. Civil penalties can reach $2,000 per offense, and administrative fines can hit $2,500 per day. Beyond fines, unlicensed contractors can’t pull permits, which could lead to your clients’ insurance claims being denied after a storm.

Even if you work as a subcontractor, the general contractor you work under must hold a valid roofing license. There is no exemption for “small jobs” or residential-only work.

Benefits of getting a roofing license in Florida

A license isn’t just a legal requirement. It gives you a real business advantage in a competitive market. With a Florida roofing license, you can:

• Work legally and pull permits. Without a license, you can’t pull building permits. That means your clients’ work won’t pass inspection, and their insurance claims after a storm could be denied.
• Build trust with clients. Homeowners and commercial property managers check licenses before hiring. A valid license tells them you’re qualified, insured, and accountable. In a state hit by hurricanes, that trust matters.
• Qualify for better-paying jobs. Licensed roofers earn more than unlicensed workers. Insurance companies, property managers, and government agencies only hire licensed contractors for roof repairs and replacements.
• Get proper insurance. General liability and workers’ comp carriers require a valid license. Without one, you can’t protect your crew or your business from lawsuits.
• Avoid fines and legal trouble. Unlicensed roofing work in Florida can result in civil penalties up to $2,000 per offense and administrative fines up to $2,500 per day.

Types of roofing licenses in Florida

Florida offers three roofing license categories: certified roofing contractor (individual), certified roofing contractor (business), and registered roofing contractor. Your choice depends on whether you want to work statewide or within a single county, and whether you’re licensing as an individual or a business.

License type	Scope	Who it’s for
Certified roofing contractor (individual)	Statewide	Individual roofers who want to pull permits and contract work anywhere in Florida
Certified roofing contractor (business)	Statewide	A business entity (LLC, corp) that employs a qualifying agent who holds a certified individual license
Registered roofing contractor	Single county or municipality	Roofers who only plan to work within one local jurisdiction

Certified licenses are the stronger long-term choice because they let you work anywhere in the state without jurisdictional limits. You earn the license by passing the state exam administered through the CILB.

Registered licenses are issued by a local licensing authority (city or county) and only apply within that jurisdiction. If you want to expand later, you’ll need to upgrade to a certified license.

For most roofers planning to grow, the certified roofing contractor license is the way to go.

Florida roofing license requirements

Requirements vary by license type. Here’s what you need for each.

Certified roofing contractor (individual)

Requirement	Details
Age	At least 18 years old
Experience	Minimum of four years (see combinations below)
Financial stability	Credit report review and financial statement
Insurance	$100,000 public liability, $25,000 property damage, workers’ compensation
Exams	Business and Finance exam + Roofing Trade Knowledge exam
Application	Submit the CILB 5-I application through DBPR

Experience combinations

The DBPR requires at least four years of combined roofing experience through education, supervised work, and military service. Here are the accepted combinations:

• A four-year degree from an accredited college with a construction-related program + one year of roofing experience
• Three years at an accredited college + one year as a roofing foreman
• Two years of college + two years of work experience (one year as a roofer, one year as a foreman)
• One year of college + two years as a roofer + one year as a foreman
• Four years of roofing experience, at least one year as a foreman
• Three years of military service + one year as a roofing foreman
• Two years of military service + one year as a roofer + one year as a foreman
• One year of military service + two years as a roofer + one year as a foreman

A licensed roofing contractor must verify all work experience. For military service, your commanding officer provides the verification.

Certified roofing contractor (business)

To license a business entity, you need a qualifying agent who already holds a certified individual roofing license. The qualifying agent is personally responsible for the company’s roofing work and for supervising it.

Additional business requirements:

• Registered business entity with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)
• Workers’ compensation insurance
• $100,000 public liability and $25,000 property damage coverage
• Submit the CILB 6-I application through DBPR

Registered roofing contractor

• Must meet the requirements of your local licensing authority (city or county)
• The scope of work is limited to that jurisdiction
• Contact your local building department for specific requirements

Steps to get your Florida roofing contractor license

Follow these steps to earn your Florida roofing license:

1. Confirm your eligibility

Review the experience requirements above. Gather documentation for your work history, education, and any military service.

2. Complete your application

Submit the CILB 5-I application for an individual license or the CILB 6-I application for a business license. Include your experience verification forms, financial statement, and credit report.

3. Pay your application fee

Application fees depend on when you apply during the licensing cycle (see the cost section below).

4. Register for your exams

Once the CILB approves your application, register for both required exams through Professional Testing, Inc. Pearson VUE administers the exams at testing centers across Florida.

5. Pass both exams

You must pass the Business and Finance exam and the Roofing Trade Knowledge exam. Both are multiple-choice, open-book, and proctored. (More details in the exam section below.)

6. Secure your insurance

Obtain the required insurance coverage: $100,000 public liability, $25,000 property damage, and workers’ compensation.

7. Receive your license

After you pass both exams and the CILB verifies your insurance, you’ll receive your roofing contractor license. Your license number will appear in the DBPR online database.

Florida roofing license exam

You must pass two separate exams to earn your certified roofing contractor license.

Business and finance exam

This exam has 12 questions and a 6.5-hour time limit. You need a score of at least 70% to pass. It’s open-book and covers:

• Establishing and managing a contracting business
• Accounting and financial management
• Managing human resources
• Complying with Florida construction regulations
• Managing trade operations and administrative duties

Roofing trade knowledge exam

This exam has 80 questions and a 5-hour time limit. You need a score of at least 70% to pass. It’s also open-book and covers:

• Built-up roofs, shingles, and shakes
• Architectural metal roofs and single-ply systems
• Modified roofing systems
• Concrete and clay tile roofs
• Drains, gutters, and membrane waterproofing
• Equipment and safety

Pearson VUE administers both exams at testing centers throughout Florida. You register through Professional Testing, Inc.

Pro Tip: Many roofers take a prep course before sitting for the exams. See the training programs section below for options.

Reciprocity with other states

Florida has reciprocity agreements with Louisiana, North Carolina, and Mississippi. If you hold a current roofing contractor license in one of those states, you may qualify for a Florida license without retaking the trade knowledge exam.

You’ll still need to:

• Pass the Florida Business and Finance exam
• Submit a complete application
• Meet insurance requirements

Contact the CILB for current reciprocity details and required documentation.

How much does a Florida roofing license cost?

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll spend to get your Florida roofing contractor license.

Fee type	Amount
Application fee (May 1 of even year through August 31 of odd year)	$245
Application fee (September 1 of odd year through April 30 of even year)	$145
Exam registration (Professional Testing, Inc.)	$135
Exam application fee (per exam)	~$80
Insurance (public liability + property damage + workers’ comp)	Varies by coverage and provider
Exam prep course (optional but recommended)	$300 – $1,500+

Note: The 50% application fee reduction under HB 1091 expired on July 1, 2025. The fees listed above are the current full prices.

Your total out-of-pocket cost for licensing alone (excluding insurance and prep courses) typically runs between $440 and $620, depending on when you apply in the cycle.

To keep costs manageable, apply during the September-through-April window to take advantage of the lower $145 application fee.

Renewing your Florida roofing license

Florida roofing licenses renew every two years on August 31 of odd-numbered years. To renew, you must complete 14 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal cycle.

Your CE hours must include:

• One hour of a specialized or advanced module
• One hour of workplace safety
• One hour of business practices
• One hour of workers’ compensation
• One hour of laws and rules
• One hour of wind mitigation
• Eight hours of additional approved construction-related courses

You can complete CE courses online or in person through DBPR-approved providers.

What happens if your license expires?

If you miss your renewal deadline, your license becomes delinquent. You can still renew during the delinquent period (typically up to two years), but you’ll pay a late fee on top of your renewal and CE costs.

During the delinquent period, you cannot legally contract for roofing work. If you let more than two years pass, your license becomes null, and you’ll need to reapply from scratch, including retaking the exams.

Don’t let it lapse. Set a reminder 90 days before your renewal date.

How long does it take to get a Florida roofing license?

Most roofers complete the process in three to six months after meeting the experience requirement.

Here’s a realistic timeline:

Step	Typical timeframe
Accumulating work experience	1 – 3 years (depending on education)
Preparing the application and gathering documents	2 – 4 weeks
CILB application review	4 – 8 weeks
Exam prep	4 – 12 weeks (self-study or course)
Scheduling and taking both exams	2 – 4 weeks
Post-exam processing and license issuance	2 – 4 weeks

The biggest variable is the experience requirement. If you already have four years of verifiable roofing experience, you can move through the application and exam process in as little as three months.

If you’re starting from scratch, plan for at least 1 year of work experience (in addition to your education) before you can apply.

Pro Tip: Start gathering your experience verification forms early. Tracking down former employers and getting signatures takes longer than most people expect.

Roofing training programs and schools in Florida

Florida has several accredited programs to help you meet the education requirement or prepare for the licensing exams.

Trade schools and technical colleges

Many Florida technical colleges offer construction and roofing programs that count toward the education component of your experience requirement. Search for programs at:

• Florida Department of Education career and technical education directory
• Local community and state colleges with construction management programs

Exam prep courses

Multiple providers offer prep courses specifically for the Florida roofing contractor exams. These courses cover the Business and Finance exam, the Roofing Trade Knowledge exam, or both.

Popular options include:

• In-person exam prep workshops (typically two to five days)
• Online self-paced courses
• Study guide packages with practice exams

Costs range from $300 to $1,500 or more, depending on the format and provider.

Continuing education providers

For license renewal, you’ll need 14 CE hours per cycle. DBPR lists approved CE providers on its website. Many offer online courses you can complete on your own schedule.

Visit the CILB’s construction industry page for links to approved exam prep and CE providers.

Who issues roofing licenses in Florida?

Two state agencies manage roofing licenses:

1. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

The DBPR is the parent agency that oversees all professional licensing in Florida, including construction.

• Website: myfloridalicense.com
• Phone: (850) 487-1395

2. Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)

The CILB operates under the DBPR and handles day-to-day licensing for construction trades, including roofing. The CILB reviews applications, administers the licensing program, and enforces standards.

• Website: DBPR Construction Industry page
• The DBPR posts meeting agendas on its website

For exam scheduling and registration, work with Professional Testing, Inc., which coordinates with Pearson VUE testing centers.

If you’re applying for a registered (local) license, contact your county or city building department directly.

How to start a roofing business in Florida

Once you have your license, you’re ready to build your business. Here are the key steps.

1. Register your business entity

File with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). Most roofing businesses register as an LLC or corporation. You’ll need your roofing license number during registration.

2. Get your insurance in place

At a minimum, you need $100,000 in public liability, $25,000 in property damage coverage, and workers’ compensation. Shop around and talk to brokers who specialize in construction trades.

3. Open a business bank account

Keep your personal and business finances separate from day one. It makes taxes, job costing, and cash flow tracking far easier.

4. Set up your operations

Invest in field service software like Jobber to create and send professional quotes, schedule and dispatch your crew, invoice clients as soon as a job wraps, and collect payment online. With Jobber, you save 12+ hours a week on admin and get paid 3x faster.

5. Build your reputation

Register on Google Business Profile, ask every happy client for a review, and start building a portfolio of completed projects. 

Originally published August 2023. Last updated June 9th, 2026.