Florida Contractor License Bond

A Florida contractor license bond is a surety bond a contractor files with the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) or with a local building department, depending on how the business is licensed and where it works. Florida does not require one statewide bond from every contractor. Instead, the CILB screens each applicant's credit, requires a $100,000 bond or letter of credit from any Financially Responsible Officer (FRO) and lets counties and cities require a local bond of up to $5,000. The bond protects the public, not the contractor: any claim the surety pays must be paid back by the contractor under an indemnity agreement.

Key Takeaways

• No statewide bond: the CILB does not require a license bond from every certified or registered contractor.
• Credit standard: applicants need a FICO credit score of 660 or higher or proof of a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course.
• FRO bond: a business that appoints a Financially Responsible Officer must file a $100,000 bond or irrevocable letter of credit payable to the CILB for fines and costs.
• Local bonds:  counties and cities may require one bond of up to $5,000 per contractor under F.S. §489.131.

To see how premiums are calculated, read our surety bond cost guide, or try the surety bond cost calculator. Our surety bond rates guide explains what moves your price. 

1. Identify the Bond and the Obligee

Florida bonds are required by different authorities, so first confirm which one applies to you:

• the CILB, if your business is appointing a Financially Responsible Officer
• your county or city building department, if it requires a local contractor bond
• the public owner, if you're bidding on a public construction project

2. Apply Online

Start with our online application. Have these details ready:

• the license holder's full legal name and the company name exactly as registered with the Florida Division of Corporations,
• your DBPR license number or local certificate of competency number, if one has been issued
• the bond form supplied by your county or city, if it uses its own.

3. Get Your Quote

Most quotes arrive within minutes. Files that need extra review, such as low credit scores or past claims, can take a little longer. We work to secure the lowest rate available for your profile.

4. Sign and File the Bond

After you pay the premium, the bond is issued for signatures. Sign it as the form directs and file it as follows:

• An FRO bond goes to DBPR with the Financially Responsible Officer application (Form DBPR CILB 8) and the required fee
• A local bond is filed with the building department that requires it

Names on the bond must match your license records.

New to surety bonds? Our guide on how to get bonded covers the basics. Need help with a Florida filing? Contact us or call (877) 514-5146.

Financial Responsibility Without a State Bond

Until April 13, 2022, applicants with lower credit could meet the CILB's financial stability standard by posting a bond. That option no longer exists. Under Rule 61G4-15.006, every applicant submits a credit report with a FICO-derived score. A score of 660 or higher satisfies the standard, and applicants below 660 must complete a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course instead.

The credit report also can't show unsatisfied judgments or liens against you, a business you previously qualified or the business you're applying to qualify. If any appear, include proof that they were satisfied or discharged.

Financially Responsible Officer Bond

Under F.S. §489.1195, a construction business may ask the CILB to approve a Financially Responsible Officer. The FRO is responsible for all financial aspects of the business, while the primary qualifying agent stays responsible for construction activities. The same person can't fill both roles.

Under Rule 61G4-15.0021, the FRO must meet the financial responsibility standard in Rule 61G4-15.006(1) and provide a $100,000 bond or irrevocable letter of credit payable to the Board for fines and costs. Someone acting as FRO for more than one company needs a separate application and bond for each.

Local Contractor Bonds

Under F.S. §489.131, a county or city may require one bond per contractor, capped at $5,000, conditioned on compliance with the Florida Building Code and payable to the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund. The bond must be equally available to all contractors no matter how long they've been licensed, and bond reciprocity applies statewide. A contractor who provides a third-party insured warranty on a new building is exempt from the local bond for that building.

Requirements differ by jurisdiction. Hillsborough County has required a $5,000 Code Compliance Bond from state-registered contractors but not from state-certified contractors, and it now says the bond is no longer required for trades that no longer need a local license (Hillsborough FAQ). Local specialty licensing has also been limited since July 1, 2025 (DBPR update). Always confirm the amount on your building department's bond form.

Other Bonds Florida Contractors May Need

License bonds don't guarantee project performance. Under F.S. §255.05, contractors building public buildings must record a payment and performance bond equal to the contract price, subject to the exemptions in the table above. A contractor may file cash or a cashier's check instead. Claimants without a direct contract must serve the contractor with written notice within 45 days of starting work, serve a notice of nonpayment within 90 days of their last work and sue within one year. Private owners and lenders often require bid bonds, performance bonds and payment bonds. For other bonds required in the state, visit our Florida surety bonds page.

State certification or registration is mandatory for general, building, residential, sheet metal, roofing, air-conditioning, mechanical, swimming pool/spa, plumbing, underground utility and excavation, solar and pollutant storage contractors. Electrical and alarm contractors are licensed separately by the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board. Cabinets, countertops, painting, wallpaper, carpet and tile don't require a state license, though local rules may still apply.

The handyman exemption in F.S. §489.103(9) covers casual, minor or inconsequential work priced under $2,500 for labor, materials and everything else combined. The exemption is lost if:

• The job is part of a larger project, or a project was split into smaller contracts to stay under the limit
• The person advertises or holds themselves out as a contractor

The CILB also treats some work as never casual or minor, including anything that requires a building permit or affects structural components, life safety, access and egress or hazardous materials. Rule 61G4-12.011 has the full list.

Unlicensed contracting is a first-degree misdemeanor under F.S. §489.127. A repeat offense, or any offense during a declared state of emergency, is a third-degree felony. DBPR can impose administrative fines of up to $10,000 under § 489.13 and under § 489.128 an unlicensed contractor can't enforce its contracts.

Certified contractors renew by August 31 of every even-numbered year and registered contractors by August 31 of every odd-numbered year. Each renewal requires 14 hours of board-approved continuing education. Active licensees must keep general liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage or an exemption in place at all times.

An FRO bond stays in force until the surety cancels it. The surety must give the CILB 30 days' notice by certified mail and remains liable for obligations incurred before cancellation takes effect. Local bonds follow local rules, so check your bond form for its term and cancellation notice.

Since July 1, 2026, a licensed contractor must also pay subcontractors and suppliers within 45 days after receiving payment for their work, or as the contract requires, unless there is a bona fide dispute over the amount. Knowing or willful violations of F.S. §489.1295 can lead to CILB discipline.

You can check any Florida contractor's license status with DBPR's license search.

Does Florida require a contractor license bond?

Not at the state level for most contractors. The CILB relies on credit reports instead, and applicants scoring below 660 complete a 14-hour financial responsibility course. The state bond that remains is the $100,000 Financially Responsible Officer bond. Some counties and cities also require a local bond of up to $5,000.

How much does a Florida contractor bond cost?

It depends on the bond. Local bonds of $5,000 or less often cost about $100 a year. The $100,000 FRO bond usually costs $1,000 to $3,000 a year for applicants with credit scores of 700 or higher.

What if my credit score is below 660?

You can still get licensed. Since April 13, 2022, the CILB no longer accepts a bond in place of the credit standard. Instead, you submit proof that you completed a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course with your application.

Who needs a Financially Responsible Officer bond?

Any construction business that designates an FRO under F.S. §489.1195. The FRO handles the company's finances while the primary qualifying agent stays responsible for construction. Each FRO must file a $100,000 bond or irrevocable letter of credit payable to the CILB for fines and costs, with a separate bond for every company they serve.

How do Florida homeowners recover money from a contractor?

Start with any bond or insurance that covers the loss. If that falls short, the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund is a last resort for losses caused by a licensed contractor's financial mismanagement or misconduct, job abandonment or certain other violations. You need a court judgment, arbitration award or CILB restitution order and must show you tried to collect it. File within one year after the related civil, criminal or administrative action or arbitration award concludes. For contracts signed on or after July 1, 2024, the fund pays up to $100,000 per Division I claim and $30,000 per Division II claim, and total payments for a Division I licensee are capped at $500,000.

Can I do small jobs in Florida without a license?

Yes, if the job is casual, minor or inconsequential and the total price is under $2,500. The exemption doesn't cover work that needs a building permit, jobs split up to stay under the limit or anyone who advertises as a contractor.

Can I get a Florida contractor bond with bad credit?

Yes. Lower credit means a higher rate, but our bad credit program helps contractors with challenged credit get bonded and licensed.

More questions? Visit our surety bond FAQ or contact our team.