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Electrician license · Florida

How to get an electrical license in Florida: the official requirements

The Certified Electrical Contractor license, the experience and training it takes, the exam and how to apply, from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board.

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Updated Nov 9, 2026 · Requirements: each state's electrical licensing authority or its rules
Quick answer

In Florida, the statewide electrical license is a contractor license, issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board. Florida's statewide electrical license is the contractor certification: anyone who wants to do electrical contracting statewide must establish competency and be certified, and no one may engage in the business of contracting without certification or registration. Counties and municipalities are authorized to issue journeyman licenses. Experience and training: Meet one of the experience routes in the statute, for example at least 4 years as a supervisor or contractor in the trade within the 8 years before applying, at least 3 years of proven management experience within the 6 years before applying (no more than half may be an education equivalent), or a combination of the qualifying routes totaling 6 years. Licensing exam: Pass the certification examination administered by the department, with the passing grade set by board rule. Anyone at least 18 years old may take it. How to apply: Apply to the department in writing. Applicants must also be of good moral character.

Requirements

Florida electrical license requirements

Data
Florida electrician license requirements (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board)
RequirementFlorida
License you apply forFlorida's statewide electrical license is the contractor certification: anyone who wants to do electrical contracting statewide must establish competency and be certified, and no one may engage in the business of contracting without certification or registration. Counties and municipalities are authorized to issue journeyman licenses.
Apprentice or trainee registrationNot stated in the official source we read. Check with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board.
Experience and trainingMeet one of the experience routes in the statute, for example at least 4 years as a supervisor or contractor in the trade within the 8 years before applying, at least 3 years of proven management experience within the 6 years before applying (no more than half may be an education equivalent), or a combination of the qualifying routes totaling 6 years.
Classroom hoursNot stated in the official source we read. Check with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board.
Licensing examPass the certification examination administered by the department, with the passing grade set by board rule. Anyone at least 18 years old may take it.
How to applyApply to the department in writing. Applicants must also be of good moral character.
Background checkNot stated in the official source we read. Check with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board.
State feesNot stated in the official source we read. Check with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board.
License termCertificates are renewed every two years (biennial renewal), on a renewal application with the fee and proof of continuing education.
Continuing educationAt least 11 classroom hours of continuing education each two-year cycle for an electrical contractor, including at least 7 hours on technical subjects and 1 hour each on workers' compensation, workplace safety and business practices.

Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.

This page covers the electrical license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.

Steps

How to get licensed in Florida

Data
  1. Build qualifying experience, for example at least 4 years as a supervisor or contractor in the trade within the 8 years before you apply.
  2. Apply to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in writing.
  3. Pass the certification examination administered by the department.
  4. Complete at least 11 classroom hours of continuing education every two years.
  5. Renew the certificate every two years.
Next

Go further

All statesElectrician license by state

Requirements state by state.

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FAQ

Questions people ask

How do I get an electrical license in Florida?
In Florida, the statewide electrical license is a contractor license, issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board. Florida's statewide electrical license is the contractor certification: anyone who wants to do electrical contracting statewide must establish competency and be certified, and no one may engage in the business of contracting without certification or registration. Counties and municipalities are authorized to issue journeyman licenses. Experience and training: Meet one of the experience routes in the statute, for example at least 4 years as a supervisor or contractor in the trade within the 8 years before applying, at least 3 years of proven management experience within the 6 years before applying (no more than half may be an education equivalent), or a combination of the qualifying routes totaling 6 years. Licensing exam: Pass the certification examination administered by the department, with the passing grade set by board rule. Anyone at least 18 years old may take it. How to apply: Apply to the department in writing. Applicants must also be of good moral character.
What experience do I need for a Florida electrical license?
Meet one of the experience routes in the statute, for example at least 4 years as a supervisor or contractor in the trade within the 8 years before applying, at least 3 years of proven management experience within the 6 years before applying (no more than half may be an education equivalent), or a combination of the qualifying routes totaling 6 years.
Is there an apprentice or trainee license in Florida?
Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board.
Do I need to pass an exam for a Florida electrical license?
Pass the certification examination administered by the department, with the passing grade set by board rule. Anyone at least 18 years old may take it.
How long is a Florida electrical license good for?
Certificates are renewed every two years (biennial renewal), on a renewal application with the fee and proof of continuing education.
How much does a Florida electrical license cost?
Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board.
Method

How this page is built

Each fact on this page comes from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board and the rules it publishes (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 10, 2027).

What this page can't tell you
  • Not legal advice.
  • Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
  • Fees shown are the licensing authority's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, schools, apprenticeship programs, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
  • This page covers the electrical license issued by the state. Cities and counties can have their own registration, permit or license rules; ask the local building department where you will work.
  • This page covers the contractor license named above. Specialty, limited and out-of-state (reciprocity) licenses have their own rules.
Sources
  1. Florida Statutes (2026), s. 489.511 Certification; application; examinations; endorsement (Online Sunshine, Florida Senate), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
  2. Florida Statutes (2026), s. 489.516 Qualifications to practice; restrictions; prerequisites (Florida Senate), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
  3. Florida Statutes (2026), s. 489.517 Renewal of certificate or registration; continuing education (Florida Senate), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
  4. Florida Statutes (2026), s. 489.507 Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (Florida Senate), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.
  5. Florida Statutes (2026), s. 489.5335 Journeyman; reciprocity; standards (Florida Senate), official source, read Nov 9, 2026.