# How to Get an Electrician License in Florida: Certified Contractors, Registered Contractors and Local Journeymen

Florida licenses electrical contractors, not journeymen. The state Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB) issues certified licenses valid statewide after a two-part Pearson VUE exam. Registered contractors hold a local certificate and work only in that jurisdiction. Journeyman electrician cards come from counties or cities, so the rules depend on where you work.

## Key takeaways

- DBPR's ECLB "does not license or regulate journeymen." Journeyman cards are issued by local county licensing offices.
- A certified electrical contractor can work anywhere in Florida; a registered contractor only where the local license applies.
- The certified exam has a Business section (50 questions) and a Technical/Safety section (100 questions), both open book, 75% to pass.
- Fees: $263.25 exam application, $123.75 to Pearson VUE, $296 for an active certified license, renewed every two years.
- Renewal needs 11 hours of CE for electrical contractors, including 6 technical hours, by August 31 of each even year.

## Who licenses electricians in Florida?

Two layers. The state's [Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/) (ECLB), part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), licenses the *businesses* and their qualifying contractors. Individual journeymen are a local matter. The ECLB FAQ is direct about it: DBPR "does not license or regulate journeymen," and anyone seeking a journeyman license should contact the county licensing office where they plan to work ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)).

> **Journeyman electricians are licensed locally in Florida**
>
> There is no statewide Florida journeyman electrician license. Each county or city sets its own experience, exam and fee rules. Check with the local licensing office before you plan your hours.

> **Last verified**
>
> State requirements below link the DBPR page or document they came from, checked on 2026-10-24. Florida fees change by rule, so confirm with DBPR before you pay.

## What's the difference between a certified and a registered electrical contractor?

Where you can work. A certified contractor passes the state exam and "can work anywhere within the State of Florida." A registered contractor holds a local county or municipal certificate of competency and can work only in the jurisdictions where that local license applies ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)). If you plan to grow past one county, certification is the license to aim for.

## What are the Florida electrical license types?

**Florida electrical credentials: who issues them, experience, exam and fees**

| Credential | Issued by | Experience | Exam | Fees | Renewal and CE |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Journeyman electrician | County or city, not the state ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)) | Set locally; see your county. Example: Palm Beach County ([county application](https://discover.pbc.gov/pzb/CodeCompliance/Forms/journeyman_app.pdf)) | Set locally | Set locally | Set locally |
| Registered electrical contractor | Local certificate of competency, registered with ECLB ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)) | Set by the local jurisdiction | Local exam | $151 initial active license ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)) | $121 active renewal; 11 hours CE incl. 6 technical ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)) |
| Certified electrical contractor (EC) | ECLB, statewide ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)) | One of several paths, e.g. 3 years of management experience in the last 6; at least 40% must be 3-phase work ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)) | Business + Technical/Safety, Pearson VUE ([DBPR CIB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/eleccib.pdf)) | $263.25 application, $123.75 exam, $296 initial active license ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)) | $296 active renewal; 11 hours CE incl. 6 technical ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)) |

_Certified and registered electrical and alarm contractors renew on August 31 of every even-numbered year ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)). Alarm (EF) and limited-energy (EG) certifications have their own experience splits; see the FAQ._

## How do you become a certified electrical contractor in Florida?

1. **Get your local journeyman card first (usually)** Most electricians work under a journeyman card from their county while they build experience. It's not a state requirement for certification, but it's how most people document hands-on years. Ask your county licensing office for its rules.
2. **Build qualifying experience** The ECLB accepts several options, including three years of management experience in the trade within the last six years, or a qualifying combination totaling six years. For the EC category, at least 40% of the experience must be 3-phase service work ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)). Back it up with W-2s, signed employment verifications or job lists showing five jobs per year claimed.
3. **Apply to the ECLB and pay $263.25** Application fees are non-refundable. Once DBPR approves you, pay the $123.75 computer-based exam fee to the vendor ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)).
4. **Pass both exam sections at Pearson VUE** The Business section has 50 scored questions in 2½ hours and the Technical/Safety section 100 questions in 5 hours, both open book. You need 75% on each ([DBPR CIB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/eleccib.pdf)). Passing scores stay valid for three years.
5. **Show insurance and workers' comp** ECLB requires $300,000 per occurrence and $500,000 property damage, plus $100,000 per person or an $800,000 combined single limit, including products and completed operations. The certificate must list workers' comp coverage and a real policy number; binders aren't accepted ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)).
6. **Get licensed and track your renewal cycle** Pay the $296 initial active license fee. Renew by August 31 of each even year with 11 hours of CE, 6 of them technical ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)). You can't renew without the CE.

## What's on the Florida electrical contractor exam?

Two computer-based, open-book parts given by Pearson VUE: Business (50 scored questions, 2½ hours) and Technical/Safety (100 scored questions, 5 hours). The minimum passing score for each is 75%, and the booklet effective February 2026 references the 2023 edition of NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code ([DBPR CIB](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/eleccib.pdf)). Fail the Technical/Safety part, or fail Business three times, and you file a $67.25 retake application ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)).

## How do Florida journeyman electrician cards work?

Each county or city writes its own rules, so there's no single answer. As one example, Palm Beach County's journeyman application (form revised 2019) accepts a 4-year registered apprenticeship, 2 apprenticeship years plus 3 years of practical experience, or 6 years of full-time work under a certified electrical contractor. It requires 75% on the trade exam and charges a $100 application fee ([Palm Beach County](https://discover.pbc.gov/pzb/CodeCompliance/Forms/journeyman_app.pdf)). Your county may differ, and older forms may be out of date, so confirm with the local board.

## Can you use an out-of-state electrical license in Florida?

Florida offers licensure by endorsement, not automatic reciprocity. You must show the required experience plus either ten years of licensure in another state (active within the last two years) or a license earned by passing an exam substantially similar to Florida's for that category. DBPR keeps an endorsement list of qualifying exams, and reviews can take several months ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)). Out-of-state journeymen go to the county instead.

## Starting your own electrical contracting business in Florida

Certification is the license; the business still needs its own setup. Plan for these before your first invoice.

- **Workers' comp:** up to three officers can be exempt, but qualifiers and non-officer employees must be covered ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)).
- **Insurance:** keep the ECLB liability limits above in force and on file ([ECLB FAQ](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/)).
- **Taxes:** sales and use tax on materials and how your entity files are covered in [Florida contractor taxes and licensing](https://www.brix.so/taxes/florida).
- **Business setup:** entity, pricing and your first customers are covered in [how to start an electrical business](https://www.brix.so/start/electrical).

BRIX tracks licenses, insurance certificates and permits and flags renewals before they lapse, so the August 31 even-year deadline and your 11 CE hours don't sneak up on you. It also answers calls while you're on a panel change, books the job and sends the quote and invoice from one customer record.

- [Compliance and permit tracking](https://www.brix.so/#use-cases): Tracks licenses, safety documents and permits and flags renewals before they lapse.
- [AI receptionist](https://www.brix.so/features/ai-receptionist): Answers every call 24/7, qualifies the caller, books the job and texts back anyone it misses.
- [Quotes and estimates](https://www.brix.so/features/quotes-estimates): Builds accurate quotes on site and follows up on every open estimate.
- [Invoicing and payments](https://www.brix.so/features/invoicing-payments): Turns finished jobs into invoices and politely chases unpaid ones until the money is in your account.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Florida have a state journeyman electrician license?

No. Florida's DBPR says it does not license or regulate journeymen, and directs applicants to the local county licensing office where they plan to work. Each county or city sets its own journeyman experience, exam and fee requirements.

### What is the difference between certified and registered electrical contractors in Florida?

A certified contractor passes the state ECLB exam and can work anywhere in Florida. A registered contractor holds a local certificate of competency and can work only in the counties or cities where that local license applies.

### How much does a Florida electrical contractor license cost?

The ECLB lists $263.25 for the certified exam application, $123.75 for the computer-based exam paid to the vendor, and $296 for the initial active certified license. Active certified renewal is $296 every two years; registered active renewal is $121.

### Is the Florida electrical contractor exam open book?

Yes. Both the Business section and the Technical/Safety section are open book and given by computer at Pearson VUE. You need at least 75% on each section, and passing scores remain valid for three years.

### How many CE hours do Florida electrical contractors need?

Certified and registered electrical contractors need 11 hours per two-year renewal, including 6 technical hours. Contractors who also do alarm work need 2 hours of false alarm prevention. You can't renew without completing CE.

### What insurance does a Florida electrical contractor need?

The ECLB requires $300,000 per occurrence and $500,000 property damage, with either $100,000 per person or an $800,000 combined single limit, including products and completed operations. Workers' comp must also be shown, though up to three officers can be exempt.

## Related

- [Electrician License Requirements by State: Who Licenses You, Hours, Exams and CE](https://www.brix.so/licensing/electrician)
- [How to Get an Electrician License in Texas: Every TDLR Tier, Hours and Fee](https://www.brix.so/licensing/electrician/texas)
- [Florida Contractor Taxes and Licensing: Sales Tax, Licenses and Workers' Comp](https://www.brix.so/taxes/florida)
- [Electrician Software for Panel Upgrades, EV Chargers, Permits and Progress Billing](https://www.brix.so/for/electrical)
- [How to Get an HVAC License in Florida: Class A, Class B and Mechanical Contractors](https://www.brix.so/licensing/hvac/florida)
- [How to Get a Plumbing License in Florida: Local Journeyman Cards and the State Contractor Exam](https://www.brix.so/licensing/plumbing/florida)
- [Voltage Drop Calculator](https://www.brix.so/tools/voltage-drop-calculator)
- [AI Receptionist for Electricians: Screen the Hazards, Book the Site Visit](https://www.brix.so/for/electrical/ai-receptionist)
- [Bookkeeping for Electricians: Progress Billing, Job Costing and QuickBooks](https://www.brix.so/for/electrical/bookkeeping)
- [Electrical Leads: How Electricians Win More Panel, EV and Generator Jobs](https://www.brix.so/for/electrical/sales)

## Change log

- 2026-10-24: Page published. Certified/registered contractor rules, fees, exam, CE, insurance and endorsement verified against DBPR; local journeyman example from Palm Beach County.

## Sources

- [Florida DBPR — Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [Florida DBPR — ECLB frequently asked questions (fees, CE, insurance, journeymen)](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [Florida DBPR — Electrical Contractors Candidate Information Booklet (effective Feb. 2026)](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/servop/testing/documents/eleccib.pdf) (checked 2026-10-24)
- [Palm Beach County — Journeyman Electrician/Plumber application (local example)](https://discover.pbc.gov/pzb/CodeCompliance/Forms/journeyman_app.pdf) (checked 2026-10-24)

Last verified against [Florida DBPR Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/electrical-contractors/faqs/) on 2026-10-24.

Talk to BRIX: call or text (518) 588-1122, email eeharris2004@gmail.com, or book a 15-minute call at https://cal.com/ethanharris/15min.

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Written by BRIX Editorial Team. Last updated 2026-10-24. General information, not tax, legal or financial advice.
Canonical: https://www.brix.so/licensing/electrician/florida