Licensing Guides
Florida Plumbing License: How to Become a Plumber in Florida
Plumbing, FL
Table of Contents
Benefits of Getting a Plumbing Contractors License in Florida
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Florida?
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing Contractors License in Florida?
Does My Florida Plumbing Contractors License Work in Any Other State?
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for a Plumbing License in Florida?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Plumbing Work in Florida?
You can’t rush through the training it takes to become a plumber, but that time and effort can lead to a career that is long-lasting, lucrative, and fulfilling. Almost every state requires plumbers to be licensed, because it’s complicated work that affects the health and safety of our society.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 504,500 plumbers nationwide, and Florida employs 26,730 of them. The national number is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, adding 44,000 plumbers to the ranks across the country. In Florida, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is higher, at 13% for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Contractors struggle to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVACR or mechanical professionals while the demand for them continues to grow. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, “Construction employment in Florida in July 2025 totaled 657,000, an increase of 3,800 (0.6%) from July 2024 and an increase of 79,600 (14%) from February 2020.” So, if you get the training you need, you should have a variety of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
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Licensing requirements for plumbers vary from state to state and, in some cases, from locality to locality. Florida has strict, statewide standards for working in the plumbing business.
Plumbing License Requirements for Plumbers in Florida
Is a license required for plumbing contractors in Florida? Yes.
To legally perform plumbing work in the state of Florida, you must be a licensed contractor or a technician apprentice working under a licensed contractor.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, a division of Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), issues the licenses.
Types of Plumbing Licenses in Florida
What are the different types of plumbing licenses in Florida?
There are two plumbing licenses available in Florida.
Registered Plumbing Contractor: A State Registered License only allows you to work in the locality where you passed that locality’s competency exam. Each county will have their own licensure requirements.
Certified Plumbing Contractor: A State Certified License allows you to work anywhere in the state of Florida. You must pass the State of Florida’s licensing examination to earn a Certified License.
Each license has specific requirements that must be met to qualify for licensure.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
Registered Plumbing Contractor
Be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Show evidence of possessing a certificate of competency from a local licensing authority.
Submit to a background check.
Provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting a personal credit report.
Obtain general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance (or an exemption if you don’t have employees).
File an application and submit appropriate fees.
Certified Plumber
Be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Have four years of experience or a combination of education and experience.
Take and pass a state certification exam.
Submit to a background check.
Provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting a personal credit report.
Obtain general liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance (or an exemption if you don’t have employees).
File an application and submit appropriate fees.
Steps to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Florida
To become a registered contractor, you must first obtain a local certificate of competency. This can require experience and testing. For example, to earn a certificate of competency in plumbing in Collier County, you need two years of experience and you must pass a Business and Law exam.
Then, the steps include:
Acquire general liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 with $25,000 property damage coverage, as well as workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees.
Demonstrate financial responsibility based on your submitted FICO credit score of 660 or higher.
Complete a criminal background check.
Submit the application with the applicable fee.
The steps to become a Certified Plumbing Contractor include:
Complete a training program — either on the job working under the supervision of a licensed contractor or classroom training at a vocational school or college, or a combination of the two.
Get verified experience in the plumbing industry.
Pass a trade exam and a business and finance exam.
Acquire general liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 with $25,000 property damage coverage, as well as workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees.
Demonstrate financial responsibility based on your submitted FICO credit score of 660 or higher.
Complete a criminal background check.
Submit the application with the applicable fee.
Benefits of Getting a Plumbing Contractors License in Florida
There are many benefits you’ll see from getting your Florida plumbing license:
Most importantly, it is required by law in Florida to be licensed through the state to legally perform any plumbing work.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.
Only licensed plumbing contractors can: operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits and pass inspections, bid on public and government projects.
Having a license protects your company and customers.
A license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market and increases your earning potential as you acquire more experience.
What Is the Mean Salary for a Plumber in Florida?
The annual mean wage for a plumber in Florida is $53,630, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, that salary can increase as you acquire more experience. A plumbing salary database, shared with ServiceTitan by Payscale.com, projects the median plumber salary will increase nationally in 2025 by 3.65% for entry-level workers, and 3.55% for both intermediate and senior level plumbers. In Florida those salary projections are:
Entry (<2 years): $51,800
Intermediate (2-4 years): $67,400
Senior (4-7 years): $73,000
Salaries can vary widely depending on the city where you work and other factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a plumbing technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one plumbing software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive up the average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Florida?
The fees for licenses are based on whether you are using the certification or registration process and when you file for the license:
Registered Plumbing Contractor fee – $305 if applying between May 1 of an odd year and Aug. 31 of an even year; $205 if applying between Sept. 1 of an even year and April 30 of an odd year. You’ll also incur fees for any local licensing.
Certified Plumbing Contractor fee – $245 if applying between May 1 of an even year and Aug. 31 of an odd year; $145 if applying between Sept. 1 of an odd year and April 30 of an even year.
Renewals are due every two years, on Aug. 31. Certified licenses expire in even-numbered years, while registered licenses expire in odd-numbered years.
The renewal fee for both types of license is $105 for an individual or $155 for a qualified business.
You will also have to pay fees for the examinations. The statewide exam is administered by Professional Testing Inc. The registration fee is $135. The Business and Finance test is $80. The Trade Knowledge test is $80.
Exam candidates who have received a bachelor’s degree in building construction from an accredited 4-year college and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher are exempt from the trade knowledge portion of the exam.
Typically, you won’t pay for an apprenticeship, and you’ll even have the opportunity to earn while you learn. There are no tuition or fees for the classroom-related instruction for the apprenticeship program at Hillsborough Community College, though the apprentice may incur some costs for tools, books, and materials needed.
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How to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Florida
Becoming a state Certified Plumbing Contractor in Florida isn’t fast, but it’s very straightforward.
APPRENTICESHIP/WORK EXPERIENCE: Work experience can be any combination of the following:
Four year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to three years experience) and one year proven experience applicable to the category for which you are applying
One year of experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses
One year of experience as a worker, one year as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses
Two years of experience as a worker, one year as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses
Four years of experience as a worker or foreman, of which at least one year must have been as a foreman
Note: One year is equal to 2,000 hours of experience.
TAKE LICENSING EXAM: After getting the education and training you need, you must pass the required exams. You need to earn at least a 70% to pass each — the General Trade Knowledge Examination and the Business & Financial Management Examination.
The Business and Financial Management Examination consists of 120 questions, administered in one session via computer at a testing center.
The Plumbing Contractors General Trade Knowledge examination is administered in two sessions. The morning session consists of 45 equally weighted questions and five isometric drawings. The isometric drawings are worth 10 points each. The afternoon session consists of 65 equally weighted questions. Your scores for the morning and afternoon sessions will be combined to determine your total score.
The examination has questions relating to the following:
Reading and interpreting plans and specifications
Reading and interpreting codes
Basic mathematics (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, decimals, square roots, calculations of area and volumes, calculating the sides of a triangle, and solving simple algebraic equations for unknown variables)
Required components and installation techniques
Maintenance techniques and analysis
OSHA regulations
Isometric drawing and interpretation
Use of tools and equipment
Effective July 1, 2020, exam candidates who have received a bachelor’s degree in building construction from an accredited four-year college or a related degree as approved by board rule, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, are exempt from the trade knowledge portion of the exam. You will only be required to register for the Business and Finance exam.
APPLY FOR LICENSE: After you have passed the exam, you may apply for your Certified Plumbing Contractors License.
On your application you will be asked to provide proof of experience in the installation of:
Waste piping
Water distribution lines/systems
Natural gas and liquid petroleum piping and venting systems
Sanitary drainage
Drainage venting
Additional experience that may be used includes the maintenance and repair of:
Waste piping
Water distribution lines/systems
Industrial water drainage
Sanitary drainage
Chemical waste drainage
Drainage venting
Medical gas piping (oxygen, helium, nitrous oxide, compressed air, vacuum)
Industrial piping
Industrial gas piping
Industrial vacuum piping
Steam distribution
Oil and gasoline storage and distribution
Sewage disposal systems (septic tanks, pumps, lift stations, and interceptors)
Solar water heating systems
Water wells
Swimming pool piping systems
PROVIDE PROOF OF:
INSURANCE: You will need to provide proof of general liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 with $25,000 property damage coverage. You’ll also need workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees.
SOLID FINANCES: You will need to submit your FICO credit score of 660 or better. According to the state website, “If an applicant does not have a 660 credit score at the time of application, the applicant may still establish financial responsibility by obtaining a licensing bond or letter of credit. The amount of the bond or letter of credit depends on the type of license sought: $20,000 for Division I contractors or $10,000 for Division II contractors. These amounts may be reduced to $10,000 for Division I contractors and $5,000 for Division II contractors by completing a board-approved financial responsibility course.”
CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK: You must submit to a background check as part of the application process, and it will require you to submit your fingerprints.
Note: The Registered Plumbing Contractor follows a similar process, though the applicant’s local license dictates the experience and exam requirements.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Plumbing Contractors License in Florida?
For certification, it will take at least four years to meet the experience/education requirements to qualify for the required exams. The registration process varies in time based on the locality where the applicant intends to work. You can typically find this information on each municipality’s government website. In Collier County, you need at least two years of experience as a journeyman plumber.
Florida Plumber Training Programs and Schools
Plumbers are responsible for a lot more than just fixing leaks or clogs. They design, install, and renovate systems that carry liquids or gasses, so they must know more than just the mechanics. They must know plumbing code.
There are many programs to get the training you need to become a plumbing professional in Florida. Some certification programs require only one or two semesters before you can begin serving as an assistant and begin accruing the work experience you need. Other programs can be two- or four-year college degree programs in plumbing and heating.
Here's a detailed list of the best plumbing schools in Florida:
Niche: 2026 Best Colleges with Plumbing Degrees in Florida
Hillsborough Community College offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program that provides the classroom hours required while you complete on-the-job training in the field.
Fort Myers Technical College offers a plumbing program where you’ll learn fixture installation, drainage, waste, venting, water distributions, irrigation systems, and well systems. The program is approximately 10 months and costs around $7,500.
Apprenticeship: Florida offers a variety of apprenticeship options that meet the state’s plumbing licensing requirements. You can apply for a union training program through organizations like the United Association (UA) Local 234 in Jacksonville or Local 803 in Orlando. Non-union programs are also available through trade associations such as the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of Florida. Alternatively, you can search for entry-level apprentice positions on job boards like ZipRecruiter or Indeed, where employers may be willing to sponsor your training. Just be sure your apprenticeship is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor to ensure it meets official standards.
Program Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED (General Educational Development) degree.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job, you will need to possess good customer service skills, be detail-oriented, have some mechanical capability, and be physically fit because the job can include some heavy lifting and hours of walking, standing, and working in tight spaces.
Florida Plumbing Contractor Licensing Exam Details
More detail is given about what to expect on the exam on the FDBPR website’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
The Plumbing General Trade Knowledge examination has a total of 160 possible points. To pass this examination, a candidate must have a score of 112 out of 160 possible points. A score of 111 out of 160 comes to 69.38%.
The Business and Finance examination consists of 120 questions. To pass this examination a candidate must answer 84 questions correctly to receive a passing grade of 70%.
The isometric drawings are graded by teams of three licensed plumbing contractors who serve as examiners (Subject Matter Experts). Teams of examiners will score the isometric drawings. Each examiner independently scores every drawing as pass or fail on eight criteria (legibility, orientation, flow, angles, piping, labeling, vents, and fixtures). At least two out of the three examiners must agree that the criteria have been met. The points awarded for all correct criteria are added together and converted to a 10-point scale to determine the score for each drawing. The number of points awarded for each drawing is then added to the total number of correct answers obtained on the multiple-choice questions during the morning and afternoon sessions. This figure is then divided by the total number of possible points (160) to obtain the percentage correct score.
Who Issues Plumbing Contractors Licenses in Florida?
The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) is the state agency responsible for licensing plumbers in Florida.
Does My Florida Plumbing Contractors License Work in Any Other State?
While the Construction Industry Licensing Board, which oversees the DBPR, has reciprocal license agreements for building and residential construction licenses with Louisiana, North Carolina, and Mississippi, there are no plumbing reciprocity agreements.
What Are the Reciprocity Requirements for a Plumbing License in Florida?
You can apply for licensure by endorsement if you can demonstrate successful completion of a licensing examination substantially equivalent to Florida’s examination or if you have held an active out-of-state license for 10+ years. This would allow the applicant to skip the trade exam, though they’d still have to pass the business and law exam and complete the application process.
Plumbing Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. National Inspection Testing and Certification (NITC), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (ASSE Certifications), and other professional certifications are not required but may make you a more attractive hire to prospective employers or can increase your marketability to customers.
Other Requirements Unique to Florida
Doing almost any plumbing work in Florida without a contractor’s license is against the law. The FDBPR website references a couple of simple tasks you can do without a license. The only tasks they condone without a license are adding a water filter to a faucet and installing or repairing irrigation systems that have a back-flow preventer, but you CANNOT connect those lines to potable (drinking) water to make the system functional.
Are There Plumbing Scholarships in Florida?
Yes, there are plumbing scholarships in Florida. Some options include:
Pro-Tec Plumbing & Air offers a scholarship program in partnership with Fort Myers Technical College that will help fund tuition costs for students pursuing careers in plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning/refrigeration (HVAC/R).
Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric provides scholarships to regional students who will be enrolling in the plumbing, air conditioning, or electric training programs at Atlantic Technical Center in Coconut Creek or Sheridan Vocational School in Hollywood.
Mike Scott Plumbing provides scholarships to those pursuing a two- or four-year degree or a vocational training certificate at an accredited post-secondary community college, university, or vocational school.
In addition to these scholarships, plumbing students in Florida can explore financial aid opportunities by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Submitting the FAFSA gives you access to federal grants like the Pell Grant, subsidized student loans, and work-study programs—all of which can help cover tuition, tools, and other training costs. Many Florida community colleges and trade programs also use FAFSA data to award institutional aid or state-based grants.
How Can Someone Verify My Plumbing License in Florida?
Your plumbing license can be verified through the Florida DBPR Online Services Licensee Search. Users can verify a license by name or license number.
When Can a Plumbing License Be Suspended in Florida?
A suspended plumber’s license means that the plumber is temporarily prohibited from practicing their trade legally. Some of the common reasons that a Florida plumbing license can be suspended are:
Fraud
Failure to secure required permits
Misleading or deceptive practices
Failure to comply with regulations
Practicing on a lapsed license
Willful or repeated violations of regulations governing plumbing professionals
Licensees can also face disciplinary action if they fail to report changes in business or personal information to the board or fail to respond to an investigation or complaint.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For detailed and specific information about Florida plumbing license regulations you can refer to the official Florida Statutes.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Plumbing Work in Florida?
Performing plumbing work in Florida without a license is illegal. According to Florida Statutes, “The department may impose an administrative fine of up to $10,000 on any unlicensed person guilty of unlicensed contracting. In addition, the department may assess reasonable investigative and legal costs for prosecution of the violation against the unlicensed contractor. The department may waive up to one-half of any fine imposed if the unlicensed contractor complies with certification or registration within 1 year after imposition of the fine under this subsection.”
For more information, see the Florida Statutes.
Continuing Education
Certified contractors must acquire 14 hours of continuing education during each license period. The credits must come from a state-approved provider. As a part of the 14 hours of continuing education, contractors are required to have at least one hour in each of the following areas of study:
Workplace safety
Workers’ compensation
Business practices
Advanced module building code
Laws and rules
Renewals are due every two years, on Aug. 31. Certified licenses expire in even-numbered years, while registered licenses expire in odd-numbered years.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all Plumbing industry news in several ways:
Check top plumbing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends.
Listen to top plumbing podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
