Why contractors stay with Gold Coast
For more than 50 years Florida builders have renewed, upgraded, and advanced their licenses with Gold Coast because we make continuing education fit the way you work. State-wide campuses give you the option to learn face-to-face, bilingual instructors and support staff are on call six days a week, and four flexible formats—online, livestream, classroom, and correspondence—let you finish on your schedule, not ours. Add rapid credit reporting to DBPR and you’ll understand why thousands of contractors have trusted us with their continuing education.
What exactly is included in the 14-hour online package?
You receive ten self-paced modules: Principles of Florida
Statutes & Rules (2 hrs); Ethics for the Construction Professional (1 hr); Advanced 7th-Edition Florida
Accessibility Code Overview (1 hr); Swimming-Pool Electrical Safety (1 hr); Know Your Building Code—Internet
Format (3 hrs); Workers’ Compensation Overview (1 hr); OSHA Safety Basics (1 hr); Successful Business
Practices (1 hr); Wind Mitigation—Strengthening the Roofing System (1 hr); and Advanced 7th-Edition Florida
Energy Conservation (2 hrs). Together they meet the Board’s six mandatory subject areas plus the remaining
eight general hours.
I hold more than one CILB license. Do I need separate CEs?
No. The Board allows a single 14-hour completion to renew every
CILB certificate or county registration you hold. For example, a General Contractor who is also a Roofing
Contractor finishes once and satisfies both licenses.
How long do I have to complete the online course?
Your seat never expires for a full year, and you can start,
stop, and resume on any device.
Completion certificates remain archived in your account indefinitely.
Can I take the course by textbook instead of online?
Contact our Career Counselors at 1-800-732-9140 and we will arrange to send a book to you in the mail.
Payment for your correspondence course is due when you submit your answers for grading. For grading, you can
stop by any of our campus locations during business hours to have your answers graded in person or mail your
completed exam along with check payment to: Gold Coast Schools, 12070 Northwest 40th Street, Suite 2, Coral
Springs, FL 33065.
What are the system requirements for the online course?
Any modern computer, tablet, or smartphone with an updated
browser will run the program.
If you hit a snag, our support team is ready to help by phone or chat.
How quickly does Gold Coast report my hours?
You will need to check your account manually after the course
is complete – confirmation will typically be completed within 48 business hours.
Do Florida contractors have to complete continuing education every year?
Generally, no. In Florida, contractor continuing education (CE) is typically tied to the license renewal cycle—not required every year. Division I and II contractors renew in even-numbered years, while Building Inspectors renew in odd-numbered years. Confirm your renewal schedule with DBPR to ensure you renew at the correct time.
Is there a mandatory laws and rules course for Florida contractors?
Yes. Florida requires a Florida laws and rules component as part of the CE for many contractor licenses (commonly included within the total required hours for renewal).
How many hours of workplace safety training are required?
Florida commonly requires 1 hour of workplace safety as part of the total CE hours for renewal (for licenses that have CE requirements).
How much does it cost to renew a Florida contractor license?
Renewal fees vary by license type and timing (on-time vs. delinquent). The exact amount is set by the regulating board/agency and can change, so it’s best confirmed at renewal time through the state’s renewal notice or licensing portal.
Can I carry over CE hours to the next renewal period?
Usually, no. CE hours generally must be completed within the current renewal cycle, and excess hours typically don’t carry forward to the next period.
Do certified and registered contractors have different CE requirements?
Often, yes. Requirements can differ depending on whether a contractor is certified (statewide) or registered (local competency-based) and also by trade/board—so contractors should verify requirements for their specific license category.
