Florida Contractor Insurance Requirements: License, GL, Workers' Comp, and Bond Rules

What Florida requires by license type

Florida licenses contractors at two levels: state-certified (CILB-issued, valid statewide) and registered (county-level). Both carry insurance and bond requirements that the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) verifies before renewal.

At minimum, Florida state-certified contractors are required to carry General Liability with limits of $300,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage for non-Division I trades, and higher Division I limits for general, building, and residential contractors. Most general contracts and most municipalities require $1M/$2M as a practical floor — and that's what we recommend.

Workers' comp — when it kicks in for Florida construction

Florida construction is the strictest workers' comp state in the country. Any construction business with one or more employees — including yourself if you're not formally exempted — must carry workers' compensation insurance. Up to three corporate officers can elect exemption through DBPR, but the rule is one employee = coverage required.

Outside construction, the threshold is four or more employees (full or part-time). Roofers and demolition contractors have additional surcharges and stricter audit reviews.

Bonds and financial responsibility

Florida contractors generally need a financial responsibility bond ($20,000 for most divisions; higher amounts for Division I) if their credit score doesn't meet the FICO threshold. Performance and payment bonds are required on most public jobs over $200,000.

Related guides

See our Contractor Insurance Cost Guide for benchmark pricing, the Certificate of Insurance Guide for how to issue COIs same day, and the General Liability page for line-by-line coverage detail.

FAQs

• Do I need workers' comp if I'm a sole owner Florida contractor? — In construction, yes — unless you formally file a DBPR exemption.
• How fast can Ellie issue a Florida COI? — Same business day for active clients during business hours.
• Will GL alone meet my CILB requirement? — For non-Division I trades, GL at the statutory minimum can — but most jobs demand $1M/$2M.