Certified vs. Registered: Why You Need a Certified Qualifier
In the state of Florida, contractor licenses issued under Florida Statutes Chapter 489 are split into two categories:
Statewide Authority: Allows your company to pull permits and perform work in all 67 counties and 412 municipalities across Florida without taking local competency exams.
County/City Only: Tied to a local certificate of competency. Only permits work within the issuing county or reciprocal jurisdictions. IQS provides Certified qualifiers for statewide reach.
Florida DBPR License Classifications Directory
Select a code below to review scope, height limits, exam prerequisites, and qualifier requirements.
CGC — Certified General Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.105(3)(a)
Statutory Scope of Work
Unlimited construction, remodeling, repair, and improvement of any commercial, industrial, or residential structure with zero height, story, or square footage restrictions. CGC license holders can act as prime general contractor on skyscrapers, hospitals, public infrastructure, multi-family high-rises, and custom residential estates.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years of verifiable commercial/industrial field experience or equivalent accredited college degree + 1 year experience as a foreman.
- At least 1 year of experience on habitable structures of 4+ stories (including foundations/slabs, structural framing, concrete columns/beams, masonry, and steel erection).
- W-2 or comprehensive qualifying agent project documentation signed by a licensed CGC.
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Computer-Based Exam (Pearson VUE)
- Exam: Contract Administration Paper or CBT Exam
- Exam: Project Management Paper or CBT Exam
Key Classification Comparisons
- CGC has zero height or story limits; CBC is restricted to commercial buildings up to 3 stories.
- CGC qualifiers can pull permits on major civil, high-rise, industrial, and infrastructure builds.
- CGC exam requires testing on 4+ story steel and concrete structural frameworks.
- CGC permits unlimited commercial & residential projects; CRC is strictly limited to 1, 2, or 3-family residences not exceeding 3 stories.
- CRC cannot perform or pull permits on commercial offices, retail plazas, or industrial facilities.
CBC — Certified Building Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.105(3)(b)
Statutory Scope of Work
Construction, remodeling, repair, and improvement of commercial and residential buildings not exceeding three (3) stories in height, and the accessory use structures in connection therewith, or any work on residential single-family/multi-family not exceeding 3 stories.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years of verifiable commercial or residential building experience (or 3 years accredited degree + 1 year field experience).
- Experience must demonstrate work on habitable structures up to 3 stories, including foundation, columns, shear walls, and structural roofing assemblies.
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam
- Exam: Building Contract Administration Exam
- Exam: Building Project Management Exam
Key Classification Comparisons
- CBC is strictly capped at 3 stories; CGC has unlimited height capabilities.
- CBC application requires experience only on structures up to 3 stories.
- CBC qualifier rates are often more flexible for regional builders doing strip malls and residential subdivisions.
- CBC allows commercial buildings (retail, offices, restaurants, warehouses up to 3 stories); CRC forbids commercial entirely.
CRC — Certified Residential Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.105(3)(c)
Statutory Scope of Work
Construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of one-family, two-family, or three-family residences not exceeding two or three stories in height and accessory structures in connection with such residences.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years of active residential construction experience (or combination of accredited education and field experience).
- Documented experience in foundations/slabs, framing, trusses, exterior walls, and finish assemblies on residential homes.
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam
- Exam: Residential Contract Administration Exam
- Exam: Residential Project Management Exam
Key Classification Comparisons
- CRC is prohibited from any commercial work; CBC can build up to 3-story commercial plazas and offices.
- CRC scope is restricted to 1-3 family residential dwellings.
CCC — Certified Roofing Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.105(3)(e)
Statutory Scope of Work
Installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, and extension of roofing systems, including shingle, tile, metal, built-up, single-ply membrane, modified bitumen, waterproofing, and roof deck structural attachment across all commercial, industrial, and residential buildings in Florida.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years of hands-on roofing trade experience under a licensed roofing contractor.
- Experience must cover built-up roofing, single-ply systems, shingles/shakes, tile, and sheet metal roofing.
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam
- Exam: Florida Roofing Trade Knowledge Exam
Key Classification Comparisons
- A CGC can oversee roofing as part of an overall new build contract, but a dedicated roofing contractor (CCC) is required when performing stand-alone re-roofing and replacements without general construction scope.
- CCC focuses 100% on wind-mitigation, Florida Building Code 7th/8th Edition High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) compliance, and manufacturer warranties.
CAC — Certified Air Conditioning Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.105(3)(f), (g)
Statutory Scope of Work
Installation, maintenance, repair, and servicing of central air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, and ventilation systems. Class A allows unlimited tonnage and heating capacity; Class B is limited to 25 tons cooling and 500,000 BTU heating capacity per system.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years of verifiable HVAC trade experience under a licensed mechanical or air conditioning contractor.
- Documented experience on chillers, boilers, direct expansion systems, and ventilation controls.
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam
- Exam: Florida Air Conditioning Trade Knowledge Exam (Class A or Class B)
Key Classification Comparisons
- CAC covers HVAC, heating, cooling, and ventilation; CMC includes all CAC scope PLUS unfired pressure vessels, medical gas piping, process piping, vacuum systems, and commercial refrigeration machinery.
CMC — Certified Mechanical Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.105(3)(d)
Statutory Scope of Work
Unlimited mechanical systems including HVAC, commercial refrigeration, boilers, unfired pressure vessels, medical gas systems, process piping, compressed air, hydronic systems, and fuel oil distribution across industrial, commercial, and institutional projects.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years of comprehensive mechanical construction experience with heavy piping, chillers, boilers, and commercial systems.
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam
- Exam: Florida Mechanical Contractor Trade Knowledge Exam
Key Classification Comparisons
- CMC permits medical gas piping, boilers, and high-pressure steam; CAC does not cover medical gas or pressure vessel systems.
CFC — Certified Plumbing Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.105(3)(m)
Statutory Scope of Work
Sanitary drainage, water supply, storm drainage, venting, LP gas, natural gas piping, sewer connections, septic tank connections, backflow prevention, and fire sprinkler systems (as permitted by Florida law) statewide.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years of active plumbing trade experience under a master/licensed plumbing contractor.
- Documented experience in drainage systems, water supply piping, gas piping, backflow assemblies, and commercial fixture rough-ins.
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam
- Exam: Florida Plumbing Contractor Trade Knowledge Exam
Key Classification Comparisons
- CFC installs plumbing up to the building water meter and sewer lateral connection point (and entire interior plumbing); CUC installs mainline utilities from main lines in the street up to 5 feet from the building foundation.
EC — Certified Electrical Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.505(12)
Statutory Scope of Work
Unlimited electrical contracting across Florida: high voltage, medium voltage, commercial power distribution, industrial switchgear, motor controls, solar PV wiring, fire alarm systems, and residential service panels with zero voltage or amperage ceilings.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- Requires verifiable experience as an electrical superintendent, project manager, or journeyman electrician (minimum 3 years comprehensive electrical trade work + 1 year management).
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam (ECLB)
- Exam: Florida Unlimited Electrical Contractor Trade Exam
Key Classification Comparisons
- EC has unlimited voltage and power authority (switchgear, substations, 480V, high-line); ES is restricted to limited-energy, security alarms, fire alarms, or telecommunications.
CUC — Certified Underground Utility & Excavation Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.105(3)(n)
Statutory Scope of Work
Construction, installation, maintenance, and repair of main sanitary sewer collection systems, main water distribution lines, storm sewer systems, and site utility excavation up to 5 feet from the building foundation.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years verifiable civil underground utility experience on sanitary, water main, and storm infrastructure.
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam
- Exam: Florida Underground Utility Trade Knowledge Exam
Key Classification Comparisons
- CUC handles the municipal trunk lines and exterior underground piping up to 5 feet from the structure; CFC handles inside the building and connections within 5 feet.
CPC — Certified Commercial Pool/Spa Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.105(3)(j)
Statutory Scope of Work
Construction, repair, and servicing of any swimming pool, spa, or public interactive water feature, regardless of whether commercial, resort, municipal, or residential, including excavation, rebar, shotcrete, plumbing, filtration, heating, and chemical feed systems.
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years of verifiable pool construction experience on commercial aquatic systems.
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam
- Exam: Florida Commercial Pool/Spa Trade Knowledge Exam
Key Classification Comparisons
- Commercial pool qualifiers can build Olympic centers, hotel resort water parks, and community pools; residential-only pool qualifiers are restricted to single-family pools.
CVC — Certified Solar Contractor
Statutory Reference: Florida Statutes § 489.105(3)(o)
Statutory Scope of Work
Installation, alteration, repair, and maintenance of active and passive solar energy systems, including solar water heating, solar pool heating, and photovoltaic (PV) electric systems, including energy storage systems (ESS).
Experience & Exam Prerequisites
- 4 years of verifiable solar system installation experience.
- Exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam
- Exam: Florida Solar Trade Knowledge Exam
Key Classification Comparisons
- EC can perform all solar PV plus full electrical service upgrades (main breaker panels, utility interconnections); CVC is dedicated exclusively to solar systems and integrated battery storage.
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