How to Renew a Contractor License in Florida (Step-by-Step Guide)

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Renewing your contractor license in Florida is a required part of staying compliant, protecting your livelihood, and continuing to work legally in the state. Yet every renewal cycle, thousands of contractors miss deadlines or fail to meet continuing education requirements—often due to confusion about the process.

This guide explains how to renew a contractor license in Florida, including:

  • Renewal deadlines
  • Continuing education (CE) requirements
  • Fees
  • Common mistakes to avoid

Created by the continuing education and licensing experts at Construction Estimating Institute (CEI), this step-by-step breakdown provides clear, accurate guidance for general, building, residential, and specialty contractors navigating the Florida renewal process.

 

Understanding Florida Contractor License Renewal Cycles

Florida contractor licenses issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) renew on a biannual (every two years) cycle. Renewal deadlines are determined by license type, not by the individual contractor.

Here’s how renewal timing works:

  • Certified contractor licenses renew on August 31 of even-numbered years
  • Registered contractor licenses renew on August 31 of odd-numbered years

All contractor licensing and renewal requirements are regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Because renewal years depend on license category, contractors should never assume their deadline without verifying it.

 

How to Check Your Florida Contractor License Status

Before beginning the renewal process, contractors should confirm their license status, renewal deadline, and continuing education record through the MyFloridaLicense portal, which is Florida’s official licensing system.

Checking your license early allows you to confirm:

  • Your license type (certified or registered)
  • Your renewal deadline
  • Whether your continuing education credits have been reported
  • Any outstanding fees or compliance issues

The DBPR typically opens renewal windows several months before the deadline, making early verification the easiest way to avoid last-minute renewal problems.

 

Florida Contractor License Continuing Education Requirements

To renew a CILB-issued contractor license in Florida, most contractors must complete 14 hours of DBPR-approved continuing education during each renewal cycle.

Required CE topics include:

  • 1 hour of Advanced Code
  • 1 hour of workplace safety
  • 1 hour of business practices
  • 1 hour of workers’ compensation
  • 1 hour of laws and rules
  • 1 hour of wind mitigation
  • 8 hours of board-approved construction-related topics

All continuing education must be completed through a DBPR-approved provider, and course completions must be properly reported to the state before your renewal deadline.

Contractors can meet these requirements through Construction Estimating Institute’s Florida contractor continuing education courses, which offer approved CE in multiple learning formats to fit different schedules and preferences.

 

Step-by-Step: How to Renew a Contractor License in Florida

Step 1: Confirm Your Renewal Deadline

Log into the MyFloridaLicense portal and verify your license type and renewal year. This ensures you are renewing during the correct cycle.

Step 2: Complete Required Continuing Education

Finish all required CE hours through a DBPR-approved provider and confirm that your credits are reported correctly. Waiting until the last minute is one of the most common causes of delayed renewals.

Step 3: Submit Your Renewal Application

Renewals are completed online through MyFloridaLicense. Most contractors can renew electronically without submitting additional documentation.

Step 4: Pay the Renewal Fee

Renewal fees vary by license type and must be paid before the deadline to avoid late penalties or delinquent status.

Step 5: Save Your Records

Keep confirmation emails, payment receipts, and CE completion certificates for your files in case questions arise later.

 

What Happens If You Miss the Renewal Deadline?

If a contractor fails to renew a license by the deadline, the license may become delinquent or inactive, which can prevent the contractor from legally performing work in Florida.

Consequences may include:

  • Late fees and additional penalties
  • Inability to pull permits
  • Project delays or cancellations
  • Possible disciplinary action

Under Florida Administrative Code Rule 5J-17.039, a licensee who fails to renew on time is considered delinquent and subject to additional requirements.

According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, thousands of contractor licenses enter delinquent status each renewal cycle—most often due to missed deadlines that could have been avoided with earlier planning.

 

Common Mistakes Contractors Make When Renewing

Many renewal issues are preventable. Common mistakes include:

  • Assuming the wrong renewal year
  • Waiting too long to complete CE
  • Taking non-approved courses
  • Failing to verify CE reporting
  • Accidentally letting a license lapse

Understanding your renewal cycle and completing continuing education early can prevent nearly all of these problems.

 

The Easiest Way to Complete Florida Contractor CE

For contractors who want a simple, compliant renewal experience, Construction Estimating Institute’s Florida contractor CE class offers flexible options to meet Florida’s continuing education requirements.

DBPR-approved Florida contractor CE is available through:

  • Online courses for self-paced learning
  • Live-stream classes for real-time instruction
  • In-person classes for classroom-based learning
  • Correspondence courses for maximum flexibility

These options allow contractors to choose the learning format that best fits their schedule while ensuring all education requirements are met and properly reported to the state.

 

Final Thoughts: Renew Early, Renew Confidently

Renewing a contractor license in Florida doesn’t have to be stressful or confusing. By understanding your renewal cycle, completing continuing education early, and using trusted resources, you can avoid delays and stay compliant.

If your renewal deadline is approaching, now is the time to act. Early preparation helps prevent delinquency, protects your license, and keeps your business running smoothly.