Florida Plumber Licensing FAQs

Who needs to be licensed for plumbing in Florida?

A “plumbing contractor” means a contractor whose contracting business consists of the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or, when not prohibited by law, design plumbing. A plumbing contractor may install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or design the following without obtaining any additional local regulatory license, certificate, or registration:

• sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities;
• venting systems; public or private water supply systems;
• septic tanks; drainage and supply wells;
• swimming pool piping;
• irrigation systems; or
• solar heating water systems and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection with these, including boilers and pressure process piping and including the installation of water, natural gas, and storm and sanitary sewer lines; and water and sewer plants and substations;
• the design and installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of air-piping, vacuum line piping, oxygen line piping, nitrous oxide piping, and all related medical gas systems;
• fire line standpipes and fire sprinklers to the extent authorized by law; ink and chemical lines;
• fuel oil and gasoline piping and tank and pump installation, except bulk storage plants; and
• pneumatic control piping systems.

What are the types of plumbing licenses available in Florida?

• Certified Plumbing Contractor
• Registered Plumbing Contractor

Certified contractors can contract in any jurisdiction within the state, registered contractors may only contract within the jurisdictions where they are registered.

What are the fees associated with plumbing contractor licensing in Florida?

• Certified Contractor's Exam: $135
• Initial Licensure for Certified Contractor: $249*
• Initial Licensure for Registered Contractor: $309*
• Active Renewal (Certified or Registered Individual): $209
• Active Renewal (Certified or Registered Business): $259

*Amounts are prorated depending on where in the renewal cycle your application date falls.

When do I need to renew my Florida plumbing license?

• Certified Contractors: August 31 every even-numbered year
• Registered Contractors: August 31 every odd-numbered year

How do I renew my plumbing license in Florida?

To renew your license, you will need to create an account with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation website and complete the renewal process.

Do I need continuing education to renew my plumbing license in Florida?

Yes, both certified and registered contractors are required to complete continuing education

14 hours every two years including:

• 1 hour of each of the following:
  • Specialized or Advanced Module
  • Workplace Safety
  • Business Practices
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Laws & Rules
• 9 hours of any other board approved construction related instruction

1. Complete the applicable Florida contractor's examination
2. Meet financial stability and responsibility requirements
3. Provide proof of 4 years' experience

• Certified Contractor's Exam: $135
• Initial Licensure for Certified Contractor: $249*
• Initial Licensure for Registered Contractor: $309*
• Active Renewal (Certified or Registered Individual): $209
• Active Renewal (Certified or Registered Business): $259

*Amounts are prorated depending on where in the renewal cycle your application date falls.

Certified plumbers will be required to take both a Trades exam and a Business and Financial Management exam.

Business & Financial Management Exam:

120 Questions
Topics Covered:

• Establishing the Contracting Business
• Managing Administrative Duties
• Managing Trade Operations
• Conducting Accounting Functions
• Managing Human Resources
• Complying with Government Regulations

Trades Exam:

4.5 hour time limit
110 Questions
Topics Covered:

• Roof and Storm Drainage Systems
• Sanitary Drainage Systems
• Waste Piping Systems
• Venting Systems (DMV)
• Chemical Waste Drainage Systems
• Industrial Water Drainage Systems
• Water Distribution
• Natural Gas Piping
• Medical Gas Piping
• Industrial Piping
• Swimming Pools, Wells and Irrigation
• Solar
• Fire Protection Systems
• Isometrics

• Kissimmee

All candidates will receive an official photo-bearing exam result report immediately following completion of their examination. Please verify that ALL information is correct on your exam result report before leaving the Test Center. Pencil & Paper candidates, you will receive a grade report on-site after you complete the last part of your written examination for which you were scheduled.

You will only be required to retake the portions of the exam that you did not pass. Your passing scores will be valid for four years, after that you must retake all parts of the exam.

Both certified and registered contractors are required to complete continuing education

14 hours every two years including:

• 1 hour of each of the following:
  • Specialized or Advanced Module
  • Workplace Safety
  • Business Practices
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Laws & Rules
• 9 hours of any other board approved construction related instruction

No. If your license was issued less than 12 months prior to August 31st of the renewal years, you do not owe any continuing education. If your license was issued more than 1 year, but less than 2 years, prior to August 31st of the renewal year, you owe 7 hours of general credits of continuing education.

We will submit your course completions to the state for you.

Yes, our courses are approved for continuing education credit.

You may begin immediately! Simply click the Login button in the upper right-hand corner on your desktop or in the upper-right menu on mobile. Once you've entered your login and password, you will be taken to your courses. Follow the instructions and enjoy!

Our courses are available online, 24/7, and you can log in and log out at any time during the course. If you are going to be away from your computer for more than 10–15 minutes, we recommend that you log out. When you log back in, you will be able to re-enter the lesson you were last in.

Continuing education requirements vary by state. Each course lists a minimum number of credit hours required to complete the course.

It depends on your learning style and comfort level with the topics we cover. There is no set time for completing exam prep courses — you go at your own pace!

Many plumbers like to re-watch materials, while others like to re-take the practice tests. Our recommendation is to go through the course as many times as you need to be comfortable with the material and any applicable reference books. The more familiar you are with the materials, the better you will do on your exam!

After you purchase a course, you have unlimited access for six months. If you need additional time, please contact our offices to arrange an extension (please note: a fee may apply).

It depends on course type and location. Most continuing education courses include quizzes.

Exam prep courses have a short quiz at the end of each lesson and a longer practice test at the end of the course. These quizzes and tests are there to help you practice taking an exam and identify areas you may wish to review more.

No. Practice tests are just that: for practice. You will have the opportunity to retake the practice tests until you do pass. The practice tests are there to help you get used to the process of using your reference materials and finding the correct answers during an exam. If you don't pass on the first try, take the time to note what sections of the material you need to review.

You can review the lessons and quizzes at any time during the six months you have access to the courses.