Roofing Contractor License Requirements in Florida

Overview — roofing licensing in Florida

Florida requires a state-level roofing contractor license, issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board. The license verifies competence and consumer protection, and is required to legally bid and perform roofing work in the state. Working without one when required is typically a misdemeanor and exposes the contractor to civil penalties — and the contract becomes unenforceable in court.

License classes available

Florida offers 2 roofing license classes — pick based on the largest project you plan to bid:

• Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC). Statewide license. Allows roofing work anywhere in Florida without local registration. Includes commercial and residential, all roof systems.
• Registered Roofing Contractor (RC). Local license. Allows roofing only in the specific county/city where you registered. Cheaper to obtain but limits geographic reach.

Experience required

4 years of construction experience, at least 1 year as a foreman. College credits in construction management can substitute up to 3 years. Documented via signed affidavits from former employers.

Exam — what you're tested on

Florida requires a written examination administered by Pearson VUE. Topics covered:

• Roofing trade knowledge — Florida-specific wind codes, hurricane mitigation
• Business and finance (separate test)
• Florida Building Code chapter 15 (roofing)
• Florida statutes on construction (Chapter 489)

Passing score: 75% on each section. Up to 4 attempts per year are allowed.

Fees

• Application fee: $249
• Initial license fee: $209
• Renewal fee: $209 ( biennial)

Bond & insurance

Bond: Not required at the state level. DBPR doesn't require a bond, but several Florida counties (Miami-Dade, Broward) require a separate bond for local registration.

General liability insurance: Minimum $300,000.

Workers' compensation: Required for any contractor with 1+ employees in roofing. Sole proprietors can apply for an exemption but most adjusters still require coverage.

Commercial auto: Commercial auto required for company vehicles.

Continuing education

Florida requires 14 hours of continuing education every 2 years. CE must come from approved providers — verify a course is approved before paying. Required topics typically include:

• 1 hour workplace safety
• 1 hour workers comp
• 1 hour business practices
• 1 hour laws and rules
• 1 hour wind mitigation methodology
• 9 hours general

Reciprocity with other states

Florida has reciprocity agreements with: GA, NC, SC, TN, LA. Reciprocity typically waives the trade exam if you hold an equivalent license in good standing in the reciprocal state for at least one year. Each state still requires its own application and business/law exam.

Local permits and requirements

Miami-Dade and Broward counties enforce stricter wind/uplift requirements (HVHZ — High-Velocity Hurricane Zone). Roofing in HVHZ requires NOA-approved (Notice of Acceptance) products only.

Common gotchas

Things that catch most applicants on their first license cycle in Florida:

• Miami-Dade HVHZ rules are the strictest in the country — using non-NOA products will fail final inspection and require full re-roof.
• Florida requires you to disclose wind-mitigation features to the homeowner in writing on every contract over $2,500. Missing disclosure = unenforceable contract.
• Storm-restoration work in Florida is regulated by the AOB (Assignment of Benefits) law passed in 2019. Read it before any insurance-funded job.
• Continuing education is mandatory and must be completed in DBPR-approved courses — many discount online courses don't qualify.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a certified and registered Florida roofing contractor?

Certified (CCC) is statewide — work anywhere in Florida with one license. Registered (RC) is local — work only in the county that registered you, and you must register separately in each. Most contractors go certified after 1-2 years registered.

How long does Florida CCC licensing take?

Application processing: 30–60 days. Exam queue: 2–8 weeks depending on Pearson VUE availability. Total: 3–5 months from start to active license.

Do I need a different license to roof in Miami-Dade County?

No — your DBPR CCC works statewide, including Miami-Dade. But Miami-Dade enforces HVHZ rules: only NOA-approved roofing products may be installed. The license is the same; the products you can legally use are restricted.

Can I keep my Florida CCC if I move out of state?

Yes. Florida CCC has no in-state residency requirement. Just maintain insurance, complete CE on schedule, and pay biennial renewal.

What is Assignment of Benefits and why does it matter for Florida roofing?

AOB is when a homeowner signs over their insurance claim rights to the roofer, who then deals directly with the insurer. The 2019 reform law (HB7065) limits AOB scope and adds attorney-fee constraints. Doing storm restoration in Florida without understanding AOB rules is a financial trap.