State guide
The NASCLA Route to a Florida Contractor License
Updated August 2026
Florida is one of the 17 states (plus the US Virgin Islands) that accept the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam - pass it once and the trade-exam box is checked here and in every other participating state, no retesting.
Here is exactly what the NASCLA covers with the Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR), and what Florida still asks of you on top of it.
What the NASCLA covers in Florida
The trade portion for Certified General Contractor licensure (accepted since March 2019). NASCLA itself confirms Florida's participation, and scores flow to the state electronically (details below).
What Florida still requires
Florida keeps two of its own exam portions on top of the NASCLA: the Business and Finance exam and the Florida Building Code exam. The NASCLA replaces the trade portion only.
Florida is one of the two biggest markets on the NASCLA list - the extra two portions are worth it.
Every state also runs its own application - experience or financial documentation, references, and fees - so treat the board's current checklist as the source of truth: requirements change, and this page was last verified against official sources in August 2026.
How your NASCLA score reaches Florida
After you pass, your score lands in NASCLA's National Examination Database within about 48 hours. You then request an electronic transcript to the Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR) - and to any other participating state you ever apply to. One exam, seventeen states.
Official source for current requirements: myfloridalicense.com
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