Short answer: Exchange lists 10 plumbing contractors in Florida. Plumbing contracting is licensed by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation under Part I of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes. A certified plumbing contractor may work anywhere in the state, while a registered contractor may work only where it met local competency requirements. Licensees must carry at least $100,000 of public liability and $25,000 of property damage insurance. The Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) Plumbing applies until the 9th Edition (2026) takes effect on December 31, 2026.
- Licensing board
- Florida plumbing contractors are licensed by the Construction Industry Licensing Board within the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation under Chapter 489, Part I, Florida Statutes.
- License types
- Florida issues statewide certified plumbing contractor licenses and locally limited registered plumbing contractor licenses; registered contractors may contract only in the jurisdictions where their local competency was established.
- Insurance minimum
- CILB Rule 61G4-15.003 requires Florida plumbing contractors to maintain at least $100,000 public liability and $25,000 property damage coverage for the life of an active license.
- Current code
- The Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 8th Edition (2023), based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code, has applied in Florida since December 31, 2023.
- Changing soon
- The Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 9th Edition (2026), based on the 2024 International Plumbing Code, takes effect in Florida on December 31, 2026.
- Lien deadline
- Under Chapter 713, Florida Statutes, a claim of lien must be recorded within 90 days after the lienor's final furnishing of labor, services or materials.
Who licenses plumbing contractors in Florida?
Plumbing contracting in Florida is a state-regulated trade. The Construction Industry Licensing Board, which sits within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), administers Part I of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, and issues the licenses that allow a business to contract for plumbing work. Section 489.105(3)(m) defines a plumbing contractor as one whose services are unlimited in the plumbing trade, covering the installation, maintenance, repair, alteration and extension of drainage, water supply, venting and related systems, including septic tanks, wells, pool piping, irrigation and solar water heating, together with associated gas and sewer lines and incidental excavation.
That definition matters to an owner or general contractor because it sets the legal boundary of what a plumbing licensee may sign a contract for. Work that the statute assigns to another trade must be subcontracted to a contractor licensed in that trade. The same paragraph also states that drain cleaning and the installation or repair of rainwater catchment systems do not require a separate mandatory license, so a drain-cleaning company is not necessarily a licensed plumbing contractor and should not be hired for repiping, water heater replacement or new rough-in work on that basis alone.
To qualify for state certification, an applicant must be at least 18, show good moral character and meet one of the experience pathways in section 489.111. The most common route is four years of active experience, at least one of them as a foreman, though a four-year degree in engineering, architecture or building construction can substitute for most of that time, and accredited college credit can replace up to three years. Applicants then pass the state examination and demonstrate financial responsibility, including a credit report, before the board issues the license.
Licenses renew every two years, and section 489.115 requires 14 hours of approved continuing education each biennium, including one hour on laws and rules and coursework on workers' compensation, business practices and workplace safety, plus board-specified hours on the Florida Building Code. When vetting a firm, look for a license number beginning with CFC for a certified plumbing contractor or RF for a registered plumbing contractor, and confirm the record on the DBPR licensing portal rather than relying on a number printed on a truck or business card.
What is the difference between a certified and a registered plumbing contractor in Florida?
Florida runs a two-tier system. A certified contractor holds a certificate of competency issued by DBPR after passing the state examination, and section 489.105 provides that a certified contractor may contract in any jurisdiction in Florida without meeting that jurisdiction's separate competency requirements. A plumbing company headquartered in Jacksonville with a CFC license can therefore bid work in Orlando, Tampa or Miami without sitting a county exam.
A registered contractor, by contrast, has registered with the state on the strength of a local competency license issued by a county or municipality. Under section 489.117, that registration is valid only in the local jurisdictions where the contractor met the local requirements and only for the type of work covered. If you are building in Palm Beach County and your plumber holds an RF registration based on a Broward County competency card, you need to confirm that the registration actually extends to your jurisdiction before signing.
Section 489.117 also limits what local governments can require. A city or county may not demand a local license for job scopes that do not substantially correspond to a state contractor category, such as painting, flooring, cabinetry, handyman services or pressure washing. Plumbing is a state category, so a plumbing license is required, but owners should be wary of a handyman who offers to replace a water heater or reroute supply lines, since that work falls within the plumbing contractor definition.
Individual tradespeople working under a licensed contractor may hold a local journeyman license. Section 489.1455 allows counties and municipalities to issue journeyman plumbing licenses to applicants who pass a proctored exam and complete either a registered state-approved apprenticeship or at least 12,000 hours of on-the-job training, plus approved building code coursework. Florida local governments must recognize a journeyman plumbing license issued by any other Florida county or municipality, which helps contractors move crews between job sites in different counties.
Which licenses, permits and registrations apply in Florida?
| Licence / permit / registration | Issued by | Who needs it | Key threshold or rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified plumbing contractor (CFC) | Construction Industry Licensing Board, DBPR | Businesses contracting for plumbing work anywhere in Florida | Valid statewide; 4 years experience including 1 as foreman, state exam, 14 hours CE each 2-year renewal |
| Registered plumbing contractor (RF) | DBPR registration based on a local competency license | Plumbing contractors working only in specific counties or cities | Valid only in the local jurisdictions where competency was met (s. 489.117) |
| Journeyman plumber license | Florida county or municipality | Individual plumbers working under a licensed contractor | Proctored exam plus apprenticeship or 12,000 hours on-the-job training; recognized statewide (s. 489.1455) |
| Public liability and property damage insurance | Private insurer; required by CILB Rule 61G4-15.003 | Every certified or registered plumbing contractor | At least $100,000 liability and $25,000 property damage |
| Plumbing permit | Local building department under the Florida Building Code | Most new installations, alterations and replacements | 8th Edition (2023) until the 9th Edition (2026) takes effect December 31, 2026 |
| Notice of commencement | Owner records with the county clerk (s. 713.13) | Owners of improvements subject to the lien law | Copy filed before first inspection when direct contract exceeds $5,000 (s. 713.135) |
How do I check a plumbing contractor in Florida before I sign?
7 checks, in order, using the Florida registers and rules described on this page:
- Search the contractor on the DBPR MyFloridaLicense portal and confirm an active CFC certified or RF registered plumbing license in the business name on your contract.
- If the license is an RF registration, confirm with DBPR or your local building department that it covers the county or city where your property sits, as required by section 489.117.
- Obtain an agent-issued certificate of insurance showing at least $100,000 liability and $25,000 property damage under Rule 61G4-15.003, plus active workers' compensation coverage or a valid Chapter 440 construction exemption.
- For residential work over $2,500, confirm the contract contains the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund notice required by section 489.1425.
- Record a notice of commencement before work starts and, where the direct contract exceeds $5,000, make sure a copy is filed with the building department before the first inspection under section 713.135.
- Log every notice to owner received within the 45-day window of section 713.06 and collect lien waivers from those parties, plus the contractor's final payment affidavit, before releasing final payment.
- Ask which Florida Building Code edition the permit will be reviewed under given the December 31, 2026 changeover, and require backflow test reports filed with your utility under Rule 62-555.360.
What insurance, financial and workers' compensation requirements apply to Florida plumbing contractors?
Before a license is issued or renewed, the applicant must sign an affidavit attesting that it has obtained and will maintain public liability and property damage insurance. CILB Rule 61G4-15.003 sets the minimums by license category: general and building contractors must carry $300,000 of liability and $50,000 of property damage coverage, while plumbing contractors, like most other specialty categories, must carry at least $100,000 of liability and $25,000 of property damage. The rule makes it a violation for a licensee to let that coverage lapse, and the board audits licensees by random sample.
Those figures are statutory floors, not a recommendation. On commercial projects, a general contractor will almost always require higher limits, additional insured endorsements and waivers of subrogation by contract. Owners of high-value homes should also ask for more than the minimum, because a burst supply line or failed water heater in a multistory condominium can cause water damage well beyond $25,000. Ask for a certificate of insurance issued by the agent, naming you as certificate holder, and check that the named insured matches the licensed business.
Workers' compensation is a separate obligation under Chapter 440, Florida Statutes. Section 489.115 requires each applicant to attest to compliance with Chapter 440, and an applicant relying on an exemption must state that it will obtain that exemption within 30 days of initial certification. Construction businesses in Florida face stricter coverage rules than many other industries, so confirm either an active policy or a valid construction exemption before allowing a plumbing crew onto your site.
Financial responsibility is also part of the licensing review. Initial applicants submit a credit report and evidence of financial responsibility, credit and business reputation, and section 489.115 allows the board to set minimum net worth, cash or bonding standards of up to $10,000 for Division II contractors, a group that includes the plumbing category. A Florida license therefore signals that a business passed a basic financial screen at the time it was licensed, but it is not a performance bond. For larger projects, ask separately for payment and performance bonds sized to the contract.
Which plumbing code applies in Florida, and what changes on December 31, 2026?
Florida adopts a single statewide building code, the Florida Building Code, which the Florida Building Commission updates on a three-year cycle. The plumbing volume currently in force is the Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 8th Edition (2023). It took effect on December 31, 2023 and is based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code with Florida-specific amendments. Plumbing permits applied for since that date have been reviewed and inspected against the 8th Edition.
The next edition is close. The Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 9th Edition (2026), which is based on the 2024 International Plumbing Code with Florida amendments, takes effect on December 31, 2026. Miami-Dade County has advised that online permit applications submitted after 4 p.m. on December 30, 2026 must comply with the 2026 edition, and that applicants using master or cookie-cutter model plans should update them to avoid delays. Owners and developers with projects in design now should confirm with their plumbing contractor and design team which edition the permit application will fall under.
Local governments enforce the code through their building departments, and the applicable edition is generally fixed by the date of the permit application, not the date work starts. For a phased project that straddles the changeover, each permit may be reviewed under a different edition. Expired applications can create problems: Miami-Dade, for example, requires a new process number, fees and plans conforming to the 2026 edition for expired applications that do not qualify for an extension.
The Florida Building Code also contains provisions that have no counterpart in most other states. Miami-Dade and Broward counties fall within the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, and buildings in flood hazard areas must meet the code's flood-resistant construction requirements, which affect where water heaters, equipment and fixtures can be located relative to design flood elevation. A plumbing contractor who regularly works in coastal South Florida will be familiar with these rules, and that familiarity is worth asking about during vetting.
How does Florida's construction lien law affect a plumbing project?
Chapter 713, Part I, Florida Statutes, the Construction Lien Law, gives contractors, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors, laborers and suppliers who improve real property the right to record a lien against it if they are not paid. For owners, the practical risk is paying twice: once to the general contractor, and again to an unpaid plumbing subcontractor or pipe supplier who has preserved lien rights. Improvements with a direct contract price of $2,500 or less are exempt from most of Part I under section 713.02(5).
Parties who do not contract directly with the owner must serve a notice to owner before starting work or within 45 days of first furnishing labor or materials, under section 713.06. A claim of lien must then be recorded within 90 days after the lienor's final furnishing, under section 713.08, and served on the owner before recording or within 15 days after. A recorded lien lasts one year unless an enforcement action is filed, though under section 713.22 the owner can record a notice of contest that shortens the lienor's deadline to 60 days.
Owners start the process by recording a notice of commencement before work begins under section 713.13. It becomes void if work does not start within 90 days of recording and is generally effective for one year unless it states a longer period. Under section 713.135, when the direct contract exceeds $5,000 a copy of the recorded notice must be filed with the building department before the first inspection, although direct contracts under $15,000 to repair or replace an existing heating or air-conditioning system are exempt from that filing requirement.
Before final payment, a contractor in privity with the owner must provide a final payment affidavit listing anyone who remains unpaid, and section 713.06 requires it to be delivered at least five days before the contractor sues to enforce a lien. Section 713.02(7) and section 489.128 also deny lien rights to unlicensed contractors, which is one more reason to confirm the license before work starts. Collecting conditional and unconditional lien waivers from the plumbing contractor and its main suppliers at each draw is the most reliable way to protect the property.
What should a Florida homeowner check in a residential plumbing contract?
Florida adds consumer protections that apply specifically to residential work. Section 489.1425 requires any contract to repair, restore, improve or construct a residence to include a written notice about the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund unless the value of labor and materials is $2,500 or less. The notice explains that payment, up to a limited amount, may be available from the fund if the homeowner loses money because a licensed contractor violated specified Florida laws, and it directs the consumer to the Construction Industry Licensing Board.
The recovery fund protects only consumers who dealt with a licensed contractor, so the license check is the homeowner's first line of defence. Section 489.128 makes contracts entered into by an unlicensed contractor unenforceable by that contractor, and licensed status is judged as of the contract's effective date or, if none is stated, the date of execution or first work. Unlicensed contracting is a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense and a third-degree felony for a repeat offense under section 489.127.
Florida also regulates payment timing on private projects. Section 715.12 applies to written contracts for improvements that carry lien rights under Chapter 713. If retainage is agreed, the owner must pay the balance within 14 days after the earliest of certification of substantial completion, issuance of a certificate of occupancy, or the owner taking possession, subject to a written punch list. Late payments bear interest at the statutory judgment rate under section 55.03 plus an additional 12 percent per year.
A sound residential plumbing contract in Florida should state the license number, describe the scope in fixtures and systems, name who pulls the permit, and identify which edition of the Florida Building Code the work will be permitted under. It should also include the recovery fund notice, a payment schedule tied to inspections, and a requirement for lien releases from suppliers before final payment. Avoid paying large deposits for work that has not been permitted, and keep copies of the permit card and every inspection result.
How do hurricanes, flooding and storm recovery affect plumbing work in Florida?
Florida's hurricane season reliably produces a surge in demand for plumbing repairs after storms, from flooded water heaters and damaged sewer laterals to well pumps and lift stations that lost power. That surge also attracts unlicensed operators. Section 489.127(2)(c) makes unlicensed contracting during a state of emergency declared by the Governor a third-degree felony, and owners should be even more careful to verify licenses in the weeks after a named storm.
Florida law also gives licensed contractors flexibility after a disaster. Section 489.117(5) allows a registered contractor to perform work covered by its registration in an area under a declared state of emergency for a natural emergency, even outside the local jurisdictions where it normally may contract. That authorization ends 24 months after the declared state of emergency expires, and the jurisdiction that issued the contractor's local license may discipline it for violations committed elsewhere during that period.
Flood exposure shapes plumbing design. Much of coastal and South Florida lies within mapped flood hazard areas, and the Florida Building Code requires flood-resistant construction there, which affects the elevation of water heaters and equipment, the protection of fixtures and openings below design flood elevation, and the use of backwater valves where sewer backflow is a risk. When storm damage triggers substantial improvement rules, the replacement work may need to meet current flood provisions rather than simply match what was there before.
Septic systems and private wells are common outside Florida's urban areas, and both are within the plumbing contractor definition. Water well construction is also regulated under Chapter 373, Florida Statutes, through the water management districts, and onsite sewage treatment is overseen by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. For post-storm repairs that involve a well, septic tank or drainfield, confirm which permits are required and that the contractor holds the right credentials for that specific work.
What backflow and cross-connection rules apply to plumbing in Florida?
Backflow protection in Florida is governed both by the plumbing code and by drinking water rules. Florida Administrative Code Rule 62-555.360, administered by the Department of Environmental Protection, requires every community water system to establish and implement a cross-connection control program using backflow protection at or for its service connections. The program must rest on a written plan based on AWWA Manual M14, define which customer categories need protection and the minimum level for each, and set out who owns, installs, tests and maintains the devices.
The rule sets minimum testing intervals that affect owners directly. Backflow preventer assemblies at non-residential connections must be tested after installation or repair and at least annually after that, and assemblies at residential connections must be tested at least every two years. Air gaps must be inspected at least annually. High-hazard customers such as hospitals, chemical plants and car washes generally require reduced-pressure principle assemblies, and a utility that finds an unprotected cross-connection can require the hazard to be removed or discontinue water service.
In practice, each utility runs its own program under the rule. Counties and cities including Lee, Manatee, Palm Beach and Indian River publish their own backflow requirements, tester lists and reporting portals, and each sets out how, and by whom, test results must be reported. Owners of commercial buildings, restaurants and irrigation systems should expect a recurring annual testing obligation, and new construction will need the correct assembly installed and tested before final inspection.
Lawn irrigation, fire sprinkler connections, boilers and reclaimed water are frequent sources of cross-connection problems in Florida. Reclaimed water is widely used for irrigation in parts of the state, and a crossed reclaimed and potable line is a serious public health hazard. When vetting a plumbing contractor for commercial or multifamily work, ask whether it employs certified backflow testers, how it handles test reporting to your utility, and how it documents device locations for future annual testing.
What has changed recently, or is about to change, for plumbing contractors in Florida?
Last reviewed against the primary sources listed below. Dates are effective dates unless marked otherwise.
- — Scheduled: The Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 9th Edition (2026), based on the 2024 International Plumbing Code, takes effect statewide in Florida.
- — Scheduled: Miami-Dade County online permit applications submitted after 4 p.m. must comply with the 2026 Florida Building Code.
- — In force: The Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 8th Edition (2023), based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code, took effect in Florida.
Where can I verify a license and check the source in Florida?
Every figure and rule on this page can be checked against the primary source. These are the offices that publish them. Confirm current requirements directly before you rely on any of them:
Florida Legislature — Section 489.105, Florida Statutes: Definitions; Florida Legislature — Section 713.08, Florida Statutes: Claim of lien; Florida Administrative Code — Rule 61G4-15.003 Public Liability Insurance; Florida Administrative Code — Rule 62-555.360 Cross-Connection Control for Public Water Systems; Miami-Dade County — Florida Building Code Ninth Edition (2026) code change notice; Florida DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing Board.
Nearby regions and related trades
Plumbing contractors in other regions: California, Colorado, New South Wales, Ontario, Queensland, Texas.
Other trades in Florida: Architect, Demolition & Disposal, Electrical, General Contracting, HVAC, Mechanical, Renovation & Remodeling, Roofing & Waterproofing.
Jump to licence verification sources for Plumbing in Florida, or back to all plumbing contractors on Exchange.
Frequently asked questions
Can a plumbing contractor licensed in one Florida county work in another?
It depends on the license. A certified plumbing contractor, whose license number starts with CFC, holds a state certificate of competency and may contract anywhere in Florida. A registered contractor, with an RF number, may contract only in the jurisdictions where it met local competency requirements. The exception is a declared natural emergency, when registered contractors may work in the affected area for up to 24 months after the emergency expires.
How much insurance must a Florida plumbing contractor carry?
The Construction Industry Licensing Board requires plumbing contractors to keep at least $100,000 of public liability and $25,000 of property damage coverage for as long as the license is active. That is half of what general and building contractors must carry. Most commercial contracts and many homeowners ask for higher limits, so treat the rule as a minimum and request a current certificate naming you as holder.
Does a drain-cleaning company need a Florida plumbing license?
Not for drain cleaning alone. The statutory definition of plumbing contractor expressly says drain cleaning and rainwater catchment work do not require a separate mandatory license. However, once the job involves replacing pipe, installing fixtures, water heaters or sewer laterals, or altering supply and drainage systems, it falls within licensed plumbing contracting and needs a certified or registered plumbing contractor and usually a permit.
When does the new Florida plumbing code take effect?
The Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 9th Edition (2026), based on the 2024 International Plumbing Code, takes effect on December 31, 2026. Until then, the 8th Edition (2023) applies. The edition is usually set by the permit application date, so projects submitted in late December 2026 should confirm the cutoff with their building department, as Miami-Dade has set a 4 p.m. December 30 deadline for online applications.
How long does a plumbing subcontractor have to file a lien in Florida?
A subcontractor or supplier without a direct contract with the owner must first serve a notice to owner no later than 45 days after it starts work. It then has 90 days after its last day of furnishing labor or materials to record the claim of lien. The lien expires after one year unless a lawsuit is filed, or 60 days after the owner serves a notice of contest.
How often do backflow preventers need testing in Florida?
Under Department of Environmental Protection Rule 62-555.360, assemblies serving non-residential connections must be tested after installation or repair and at least once a year, while residential assemblies must be tested at least every two years. Your water utility runs the program and may set its own reporting process and approved tester list, and it can discontinue service where an unprotected cross-connection is found.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed plumber in Florida?
You lose important protections. Contracts made by unlicensed contractors cannot be enforced by them and they have no lien rights, but you also cannot claim against the Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund, which covers losses caused by licensed contractors. Unpermitted work may need to be opened up or redone at sale or inspection, and unlicensed contracting during a declared state of emergency is a felony.
