Florida does not offer blanket reciprocity, but it does allow certification by endorsement for qualifying out-of-state contractors under Fla. Stat. 489.115(3). You may be certified without re-taking the full Florida exam if you passed a substantially equivalent exam, hold a substantially equivalent license, or have held a valid out-of-state license for at least ten years. Verify the current reciprocal-state list with the CILB.
Endorsement pathways
Fla. Stat. 489.115(3) provides certification by endorsement where the applicant:
- passed a substantially equivalent national, regional, state, or territorial examination;
- holds a license issued by a state or territory whose criteria are substantially equivalent to Florida’s;
- comes from a state or territory that has a reciprocal agreement with Florida; or
- has held a valid current out-of-state license for at least ten years before applying (effective July 1, 2020).
A NASCLA-based route (NASCLA exam plus the Florida Business & Finance and Building Code components) is available through CILB Form 10. Confirm the exact statutory wording and current forms with the DBPR before relying on any pathway.
The reciprocal-state list
Florida’s CILB holds reciprocal general contractor (Division I) agreements with exactly three states: Louisiana, North Carolina, and Mississippi, under Fla. Stat. 489.115(3)(c), CILB Form 32 (Eff. July 2024), and Rule 61-35.010 F.A.C. — see the official CILB reciprocity list.
To use reciprocity you must hold a valid current license from a reciprocal state, pass the Florida Business & Finance exam, pay a $350 fee, submit fingerprints, and provide a FICO report (a sub-660 score triggers the 14-hour financial-responsibility course). State-specific conditions apply: Louisiana and Mississippi GC applicants need at least one year of experience on a structure four or more stories in height, while North Carolina applicants complete all experience sections.
Reciprocity (CILB 32) is distinct from certification by endorsement (CILB 10) — do not conflate the two. The reciprocal-state set can change, so confirm the official CILB reciprocity list before assuming your state qualifies.
Related pages
Reciprocity still requires you to meet Florida’s standards — review the Florida GC license requirements and decide your path on certified vs registered contractor in Florida. When you are ready, file via the Florida GC license application. For the overview, return to the Florida general contractor license guide.
This page summarizes endorsement law and is general information, not legal advice. Verify statutory pathways and the current reciprocal-state list with the Florida DBPR/CILB before acting.
Last verified: 2026-06-19
Not affiliated with the Florida DBPR. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) or the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) — it is an independent informational guide. Always verify requirements, fees, and deadlines with the Florida DBPR/CILB.
Not legal advice. This is general information, not legal or professional advice, and does not create any advisory relationship. For your situation, consult a qualified professional.