How to Become a Contractor in Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County’s mix of luxury coastal builds, sprawling residential growth inland, and constant renovation work makes it one of Florida’s steadiest markets for licensed contractors. If you’re ready to get licensed here, the process has a few details worth knowing before you start.

Two Paths to Get Licensed

Like the rest of South Florida, Palm Beach County runs on a two-tier system: a state license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), and a county-level Certificate of Competency issued through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) of Palm Beach County.

It’s worth pointing out that Palm Beach County’s local licensing board and the state’s licensing board share the same name and acronym. DBPR’s Construction Industry Licensing Board issues statewide certifications. Palm Beach County’s Construction Industry Licensing Board is a completely separate, locally created body that only issues county-level certificates.

They’re easy to mix up in conversation, so pay attention to which one a form or office is actually referring to.

State Certified Contractor (DBPR)

This license lets you work anywhere in Florida, not just Palm Beach County. Once certified, you register with the county’s Building Division before pulling permits locally.

Palm Beach County Certificate of Competency

This is a locally issued license limited to work within Palm Beach County. It’s administered by the county’s Construction Industry Licensing Board, which was created by a special act of the Florida Legislature in 1967, not by county ordinance, which is a bit different from how Miami-Dade and Broward structure their local boards.

As of July 1, 2025, a number of county trade scopes were preempted by state law and no longer require a Palm Beach County Certificate of Competency. If you’re pursuing a specialty trade, check the county’s Contractor Regulations page before assuming a local certificate is still required for your category.

Steps to Get a Palm Beach County Certificate of Competency

Palm Beach County’s process changed in 2026. As of June 10, 2026, state law now requires applicants to pass their exam before the Board reviews the application, reversing the county’s prior process.

Here’s how it works today:

1. Pick your category. Palm Beach County certifies contractors under categories similar to the state’s own, including Building, General, and Residential contractor classifications, plus a range of specialty trades. As one example, a Building Contractor’s work is limited to commercial buildings and single or multiple-dwelling residential buildings not exceeding three stories or 36 feet, or to remodeling and repair work that doesn’t affect a building’s structural members. That category requires four years of supervisory experience under a general contractor, or one year as a licensed residential building contractor, and a Building Contractor must subcontract any plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work unless separately certified in that trade.
2. Submit your preliminary paperwork. Before you can schedule your exam, you’ll need to submit the required forms confirming you meet the category’s experience and eligibility requirements, including a Business Financial Form, Employment History Form, and Affidavit of Construction Experience Form.
3. Complete a livescan fingerprint background check. Palm Beach County requires a criminal background check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for all applicants, using the county’s own ORI number so results route back to the Contractors Certification Division.
4. Sit for your exam. All exams must be taken within Palm Beach County through an approved testing agency. A passing grade of 75% is required on each exam, both trade and business, which is higher than the 70% threshold used in Miami-Dade and Broward. You can take up to four exam attempts per category in a 12-month period, with at least 60 days between attempts.
5. Have your application reviewed by the Board. Once you’ve passed your exam, your completed application goes to the Construction Industry Licensing Board for review. Applications must be received by the first Friday of the month to be considered at that month’s meeting.
6. Check your credit standing. A personal credit score of 660 or higher meets the Board’s minimum credit reputation requirement automatically. A score between 580 and 659 requires you to complete a Board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course before licensure.
7. Carry the required insurance. You’ll need general liability coverage and either workers’ compensation insurance or a valid exemption before your certificate is issued.

If you would like the full breakdown of the state exam structure, fees, and renewal cycle, we cover it step by step in How to get a General Contractor License in Florida.

A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Start

• Continuing education is mandatory. Certificate holders must complete 14 hours of Board-approved Palm Beach County contractor continuing education each renewal cycle, including specific one-hour courses covering required topics.
• A criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you. The Board can weigh the age of the offense and evidence of rehabilitation, and by law can’t deny a certificate solely because of a conviction or a failure to prove civil rights were restored.
• A state license doesn’t require the county exam. If you go the DBPR route and register locally, you skip Palm Beach County’s exam and Board review process entirely.

Get Exam-Ready with Gold Coast

Whether you’re heading for a state certification or a Palm Beach County Certificate of Competency, passing the exam is the part most candidates worry about most. Gold Coast School of Construction has been preparing Florida contractors for licensing exams for decades, with courses built around the actual exam content and reference materials you’ll use on test day.

Ready to get started? Explore our Florida contractor licensing exam prep courses and find the path that matches the license you’re after.

Frequently Asked Questions