Not a government site. Always confirm with the licensing board before you apply. About us

State License Requirements
Menu

How to get a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license in Florida

Florida licenses electricians statewide through the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board.1 For the Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license you need at least 3 years2 of experience, a passing score on the Florida Certified Electrical Contractor examination (Technical/Safety + Business and Finance)3 and a criminal background check2. Florida does not issue a state license for journeyman electricians4; see what applies instead. The board lists $196 for the application5, $67.25 for the exam5 and $291 for the initial license5, each a separate charge. You renew every 2 years6 and complete at least 11 classroom hours of continuing education6.

Last checked · 29 official sources

Who issues it

Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board

Training and experience

Experience: at least 3 years2

Exam

Florida Certified Electrical Contractor examination (Technical/Safety + Business and Finance)3

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $1965
Exam fee: $67.255
Initial license fee: $2915

Renewal

Every 2 years6, at least 11 classroom hours of continuing education6

From another state

License by endorsement72 Details

On this page
  1. Florida electrician licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license
  4. Requirements for a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license
  5. How to apply
  6. Renewal and continuing education
  7. Certified Specialty Electrical Contractor (ES)
  8. Registered Electrical Contractor (ER)
  9. Registered Specialty Electrical Contractor (ET)
  10. No state license for journeyman electricians
  11. City and county rules
  12. Check a license or report a problem
  13. Laws and rules
  14. Common questions
  15. Electrician licenses in other states

Florida electrician licenses

Florida issues 4 electrician credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Certified Electrical Contractor (EC)Statewide unlimited electrical contracting: install, repair, alter, add to or design electrical wiring, fixtures, apparatus, raceways and conduit.1Experience 3 years2Yes3$1965
Certified Specialty Electrical Contractor (ES)––Yes8$1965
Registered Electrical Contractor (ER)Contracting only in the local jurisdictions where the registrant holds a local competency card.9–Yes10$1465
Registered Specialty Electrical Contractor (ET)Contracting only in the local jurisdictions where the registrant holds a local competency card.9–Yes11$1465

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Florida electrician licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 4)

Requirements

Minimum age
18 years old212
Insurance
Workers' compensation coverage or an exemption.13

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
For the purpose of combatting unlicensed activity$55Electrical Contractors’ Licensing BoardInitial licensure and each renewal. Effective August 28, 2022
Fee for placement of a license in an inactive status$505Electrical Contractors’ Licensing BoardEffective August 28, 2022

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years6
When it expires
Certified and registered licenses expire August 31 of every even year (next: August 31, 2028).14
Approved courses
Courses must be Board-approved; up to 4 hours by home study (75% pass).15
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $255
Reinstatement fee: $4965
If it expires
A delinquent licensee must elect active or inactive status and pay a $25 delinquent fee; a license left null and void costs $496 to reinstate.5

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Military veterans, spouses and Florida National Guard members may qualify for fee waivers/discounts; military supervisory experience counts toward eligibility.16

2. Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) and Certified Specialty Electrical Contractor (ES)

Requirements

Background check
Background check required2
Good moral character review; DBPR publishes lists of crimes that do and do not relate to electrical contracting.2

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1965Electrical Contractors’ Licensing BoardNot refundable. Effective August 28, 2022
Exam fee$67.255Electrical Contractors’ Licensing BoardEffective August 28, 2022
Exam retake fee$67.255Electrical Contractors’ Licensing BoardEffective August 28, 2022
Initial license fee$2915Electrical Contractors’ Licensing BoardEffective August 28, 2022
Fee to transfer a certificate: for a certified contractor$1465Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board–
Initial application fee for licensure by second entity$2465Electrical Contractors’ Licensing BoardQualifying an additional business entity

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal

Renewal fee
$2915

From another state

Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
Certification by endorsement for those meeting Florida experience criteria who passed a substantially equivalent exam, or hold an out-of-state license issued under substantially equivalent criteria.7
Fee
$1965
Route
License by endorsement
What the board says
10-year endorsement: held a similar state (not municipal) license for at least 10 years, active within the last 2 years, plus a 2-hour Florida Building Code course.2
Conditions
Municipal/county/city licenses from New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois or Kansas do not qualify.17

3. Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) and Registered Electrical Contractor (ER)

Renewal

Continuing education
At least 11 classroom hours each renewal period6
Required topics
1 h business practices, 1 h workers' compensation, 1 h workplace safety, 1 h Florida laws and rules, 7 h technical (including 1 h Florida Building Code advanced module); +2 h false alarm prevention if doing alarm work.15
Exemptions
First renewal after 12+ months: 5 hours (business, workers' comp, safety, laws and rules + 1).15
First renewal: 5 hours (electrical) or 4 hours (specialty) if licensed 12+ months before the end of the first biennium; none if licensed less than 12 months.15
Military spouses absent from Florida because of the spouse's duties are exempt from renewal provisions during the absence.18

4. Certified Specialty Electrical Contractor (ES) and Registered Specialty Electrical Contractor (ET)

Renewal

Continuing education
At least 7 classroom hours each renewal period6
Exemptions
First renewal after 12+ months: 4 hours (business, workers' comp, safety, laws and rules).15
First renewal: 5 hours (electrical) or 4 hours (specialty) if licensed 12+ months before the end of the first biennium; none if licensed less than 12 months.15
Military spouses absent from Florida because of the spouse's duties are exempt from renewal provisions during the absence.18

5. Registered Electrical Contractor (ER) and Registered Specialty Electrical Contractor (ET)

What it covers

Contracting only in the local jurisdictions where the registrant holds a local competency card.9

Requirements

Experience
Hold a current local certificate of competency for the work type (based on a local exam); where the locality has no exam, a 75% score on a substantially equivalent exam plus 3 years' technical experience.12
License you must hold first: Local (county/municipal) competency card.1011
Exam
Local licensing examination1011
Background check
Background check required12

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$1465Electrical Contractors’ Licensing BoardAlso serves as the application fee; no separate registration application fee in 61G6-8.001. Effective August 28, 2022
Fee to transfer a: registration: for a registered contractor$465Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board–

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee.

How to apply

  1. Obtain a local certificate of competency (local exam) from the county or city where you will work.1011
  2. To work in another area, get that area's local license and ask DBPR to endorse your registration.12
  3. Registered contractors with 5+ years can later convert to certified status (grandfathering, 489.514).19

Renewal

Renewal fee
$1165

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
Registration rests on a Florida local competency card; out-of-state licensees use the certified (endorsement) route instead.12

Who needs a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license

Statewide unlimited electrical contracting: install, repair, alter, add to or design electrical wiring, fixtures, apparatus, raceways and conduit.1

Requirements for a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Experience
At least 3 years2
One of: 3 years management experience within 6 years (up to half may be education); 4 years as foreman/supervisor/contractor within 8 years; 6 years training/technical education/experience within 12 years; 3 years as a licensed electrical engineer within 12 years; or a 6-year combination. At least 40% of the work must be 3-phase service.2
Supervision: Experience shown by a project list or verification by a Florida certified employer, third-party statements and W-2s.20
Substitute: An accredited 4-year engineering degree can substitute for 1 year.20
Exam
Florida Certified Electrical Contractor examination (Technical/Safety + Business and Finance)3
Given by: Pearson VUE14
Passing score: 75% on each of the two parts.21
When you can take it: Apply to DBPR for exam approval (age 18+); experience is proven later with the license application.3
Technical knowledge 60%, general business knowledge 33%, safety 7%; open book.21
Retakes: Retake the Technical/Safety part at the next exam on payment of the re-exam fee; the Business test may be taken up to 3 times after approval. After 3 failures the Board may require extra coursework.22
Time limit: Passing scores are valid for 3 years.23
Exam waived: Holders of another active certified ECLB license, or certified CILB contractors, can skip or reuse the business and finance part.23
Business requirements
Personal credit report, and for a business: credit report and financial statement showing net worth of at least $10,000.16
Business requirements
After passing the exam you must qualify a business or place the license inactive.24

How to apply

  1. Apply to DBPR for the certification exam (ECLB 8) and pay the $196 application and $67.25 exam fees.3 myfloridalicense.com14
  2. Once approved, schedule and pass both computer-based parts with Pearson VUE.14
  3. Within 3 years of passing, file the initial license application (ECLB 1) with proof of experience, credit reports, business financial statement and insurance.16 myfloridalicense.com14
  4. Incomplete applications close after one year.25

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Florida Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Certified Specialty Electrical Contractor (ES)

Requirements

Experience
6 years of comprehensive training, technical education or broad experience in the specialty (Rule 61G6-7.001); statute says specialty qualifications are the same as for certification under 489.511(1)(b).26
Exam
Florida Certified Specialty Electrical Contractor examination (Technical/Safety + Business and Finance)8
Given by: Pearson VUE14
Passing score: 75% on each of the two parts.21
When you can take it: Apply to DBPR for exam approval (age 18+); experience is proven later with the license application.8
Technical knowledge 60%, general business knowledge 33%, safety 7%; open book.21
Specialty exams test the specific specialty in the technical portion.27
Retakes: Retake the Technical/Safety part at the next exam on payment of the re-exam fee; the Business test may be taken up to 3 times after approval. After 3 failures the Board may require extra coursework.22
Time limit: Passing scores are valid for 3 years.23
Exam waived: Holders of another active certified ECLB license, or certified CILB contractors, can skip or reuse the business and finance part.23
Business requirements
Business financial statement showing net worth of at least $5,000.28

How to apply

  1. Apply for the specialty exam (ECLB 8) in your category.8 myfloridalicense.com14
  2. Pass both parts, then apply for the license (ECLB 1) within 3 years with experience proof and financial documents.28 myfloridalicense.com14

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.

Registered Electrical Contractor (ER)

How to apply

  1. File the Registered Electrical Contractor registration (ECLB 3) with the local card, exam proof, insurance affidavit and fee.10 myfloridalicense.com14

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

Registered Specialty Electrical Contractor (ET)

How to apply

  1. File the Registered Specialty Electrical Contractor registration (ECLB 3) with the local card, exam proof, insurance affidavit and fee.11 myfloridalicense.com14

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 4 and group 5 under Applies to every license level.

No state license for journeyman electricians

Florida does not issue a state license for journeyman electricians.4

The official wording

“There is no State of Florida requirement for anyone to hold a Journeyman Certificate of Competency.”4

Hillsborough County, Florida (Development Services, Contractor Licensing)

City and county rules

Local journeyman license: 75% on a proctored Board-approved exam, a state-approved apprenticeship or 12,000 hours OJT, and Florida Building Code module coursework; every county/city must recognize another Florida jurisdiction's journeyman license.29

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire an electrician in Florida, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Florida is on the Florida license lookup page.

Look up a license
myfloridalicense.com9
File a complaint
myfloridalicense.com9

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license in Florida?

The rules set at least 3 years2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my electrician license to Florida?

The Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board publishes these routes for the Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license: license by endorsement2. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license in Florida?

Every 2 years6. Continuing education: at least 11 classroom hours6. The renewal fee is $2915.

Electrician licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Fla. Stat. 489.516The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine, The 2026 Florida Statutes)Checked November 7, 2026
  2. Fla. Stat. 489.511The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine, The 2026 Florida Statutes)Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Certified Electrical Contractor - Examination (ECLB 8)Florida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  4. Journeyman, Electrician, or Plumber Certificate of CompetencyHillsborough County, Florida (Development Services, Contractor Licensing)Dated August 6, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-8.001Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated August 28, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  6. Fla. Stat. 489.517The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine, The 2026 Florida Statutes)Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Certified Electrical Contractor - Endorsement (ECLB 2)Florida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Certified Specialty Electrical Contractor - Examination (ECLB 8)Florida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  9. DBPR Application Center - Electrical ContractorsFlorida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  10. Registered Electrical Contractor - Initial License (ECLB 3)Florida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  11. Registered Specialty Electrical Contractor - Initial License (ECLB 3)Florida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  12. Fla. Stat. 489.513The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine, The 2026 Florida Statutes)Checked November 7, 2026
  13. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-5.008Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated August 3, 2008Checked November 7, 2026
  14. Electrical Contractors (ECLB) - MyFloridaLicense.comFlorida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  15. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-9.004Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated September 22, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
  16. Certified Electrical Contractor - Initial (ECLB 1)Florida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  17. Certified Electrical Contractor - 10 Year Endorsement (ECLB 14)Florida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  18. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-9.015Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated April 3, 2001Checked November 7, 2026
  19. Fla. Stat. 489.514The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine, The 2026 Florida Statutes)Checked November 7, 2026
  20. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-5.003Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated September 11, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  21. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-6.001Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated February 2, 2020Checked November 7, 2026
  22. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-6.005Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated August 1, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
  23. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-6.017Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated April 28, 2020Checked November 7, 2026
  24. Fla. Stat. 489.519The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine, The 2026 Florida Statutes)Checked November 7, 2026
  25. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-5.002Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated November 6, 2023Checked November 7, 2026
  26. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-7.001Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated September 25, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  27. Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G6-6.002Florida Department of State, Florida Administrative Code (flrules.org)Dated March 24, 1999Checked November 7, 2026
  28. Certified Specialty Electrical Contractor - Initial (ECLB 1)Florida Department of Business and Professional RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
  29. Fla. Stat. 489.5335The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine, The 2026 Florida Statutes)Checked November 7, 2026