Contractor License from Washington to Florida: Does It Transfer? (2026)
There is no Washington state license to carry to Florida: Washington issues no general contractor license, only a state registration. Florida does license this work, so ask the Florida DBPR - Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
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Verdict
No state license to transfer
The issue on this move is the starting point: Washington issues no general contractor license, so there is no Washington state license for Florida to recognize. Florida does license general contractors through the Florida DBPR - Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB): ask whether it credits a local license or documented experience, and expect its full application, business/law exam, financial statement and bond otherwise.
What changes, Washington → Florida
| Washington (current) | Florida (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Registration fee on file: Contractor registration, which is a separate non-reciprocal filing, is $150.20 | Application/endorsement fee set by DBPR rule; no single verified transfer figure |
| Processing time | Not on file — check with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) | Not stated on retrievable pages |
| Licensing authority | Registration: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I); trade licenses: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — Electrical Licensing & Certification, Plumber Certification, and Contractor Registration | Florida DBPR - Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Florida sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Review Florida's requirements on the Florida DBPR - Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Ask the Florida DBPR - Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) whether it credits a local Washington license or your documented experience: Washington issues no statewide general contractor license, so there is no state license to verify.
- Otherwise apply as a new applicant: meet Florida's education/experience requirements and pass the exams it requires.
- Submit the application with fees (Application/endorsement fee set by DBPR rule; no single verified transfer figure). Processing time: Not stated on retrievable pages.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Florida accept a Washington contractor license?
There is no Washington state license to carry to Florida: Washington issues no general contractor license, only a state registration. Florida does license this work, so ask the Florida DBPR - Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) whether it credits a local license or your documented experience; otherwise you qualify as a new applicant.
What still applies even if reciprocity covers my trade?
Florida's business and law exam, financial statement, bond, and registration — reciprocity waives the trade exam only, not these.
What does the Washington-to-Florida move cost and how long does it take?
Application/endorsement fee set by DBPR rule; no single verified transfer figure. Processing time: Not stated on retrievable pages.
Would the NASCLA exam help for this move?
Possibly, for the trade it covers: Florida's board accepts a NASCLA accredited exam in place of its own trade exam (verified 2026-07-21). The business/law exam, bond and application still apply.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-08-07.
- Florida Statutes 489.115 - Certification and registration; endorsement; reciprocity ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NASCLA - States accepting the NASCLA Accredited Commercial GB Exam (Florida listed) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WA L&I — Application for a Reciprocal 01 General Journey Level Electrician Certificate, form F500-148-000 rev. 07-2026 (Oregon only; $114.60; master cannot be reciprocated) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- WA L&I — Plumber Certification: Get or Renew Your Certification (reciprocates with Idaho; certification $242.70, exam $202.10) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
- WA L&I — Register as a Contractor (RCW 18.27 registration, $150.20, $30,000/$15,000 bonds) ↗ (accessed 2026-08-07)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-08-07
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