Plumbing Contractor Permit Requirements in Miami, FL

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Florida Certified Plumbing Contractor License

   Florida offers two plumbing contractor license types: Certified (statewide) and Registered (local). The Certified Plumbing Contractor license is issued by the Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board (s. 489.105(3), F.S.). Applicants must pass the state examination, demonstrate qualifying experience (e.g., 4 years of trade experience including at least 1 year as a foreman, or approved education/experience combinations — s. 489.111, F.S.), attest to public liability and property damage insurance of $100,000/$25,000 (Rule 61G4-15.003, F.A.C.), and carry workers' compensation coverage or an exemption.

   Official government source

   $245 application fee if applying May 1 of an even year through Aug 31 of an odd year, or $145 if applying Sep 1 of an odd year through Apr 30 of an even year (per DBPR form CILB 5-M); examination fees paid separately to the exam vendor; renewal fees per the current DBPR schedule·4–8 weeks

   $245 application fee if applying May 1 of an even year through Aug 31 of an odd year, or $145 if applying Sep 1 of an odd year through Apr 30 of an even year (per DBPR form CILB 5-M); examination fees paid separately to the exam vendor; renewal fees per the current DBPR schedule

   4–8 weeks

2. Florida Workers' Compensation — coverage or construction-industry exemption

   Florida classifies plumbing contracting as construction industry (Rule 69L-6.021, F.A.C.), where workers' compensation coverage is required with one or more employees (s. 440.02(20)(b), F.S.) — and a corporate officer or an LLC member owning at least 10% who performs the work counts as an employee (s. 440.02(11), (18)(b)). An owner-only LLC or corporation must therefore either carry a workers' compensation policy or file a construction-industry Certificate of Election to be Exempt with the Division of Workers' Compensation before starting paid work ($50, valid 2 years, max 3 officers/members per business, at least 10% ownership; s. 440.05). A sole proprietor or partner engaged in the construction industry is also counted as an employee (s. 440.02(18)(c)) and the s. 440.05 exemption is limited to corporate officers and LLC members — verify the coverage route with the Division, (850) 413-1609, if the business is not incorporated. Operating without required coverage risks a stop-work order and a penalty of 2x the evaded premium, $1,000 minimum (s. 440.107). Employees hired later need actual coverage from day one; an exemption covers only the named officer/member.

   Official government source

   $50 per construction-industry exemption certificate (2 years) or policy premium (varies by payroll)·File the exemption or bind coverage before starting paid work; verify current processing time with the Division of Workers' Compensation

   $50 per construction-industry exemption certificate (2 years) or policy premium (varies by payroll)

   File the exemption or bind coverage before starting paid work; verify current processing time with the Division of Workers' Compensation

3. Florida Business Entity Registration (if applicable)

   LLCs and corporations must register with the Florida Division of Corporations.

   Official government source

   $125 (LLC filing fee)·3–5 business days (online filing)

   $125 (LLC filing fee)

   3–5 business days (online filing)

1. Miami-Dade County Contractor Certification

   Plumbing contractors holding a Florida state Certified Plumbing Contractor license can pull permits in Miami-Dade County, including the City of Miami, without a county certificate. Contractors without state certification may qualify through the Miami-Dade Construction Trades Qualifying Board (Certificate of Competency, Chapter 10 of the county code) and must register the certificate with the state as registered contractors.

   Official government source

   CTQB fees vary by category (posted examples: $315 personal + $315 business license; $240 journeyman); confirm with the Construction Trades Qualifying Board, (786) 315-2100·2–6 weeks

   CTQB fees vary by category (posted examples: $315 personal + $315 business license; $240 journeyman); confirm with the Construction Trades Qualifying Board, (786) 315-2100

   2–6 weeks

2. City of Miami Business Tax Receipt (BTR)

   All businesses operating in the City of Miami must obtain a Business Tax Receipt, renewed annually. Contractors based outside the city who work in Miami without a city business location can apply directly for the BTR without a Certificate of Use. A Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt is also required for county-based businesses.

   Official government source

   Varies by business classification under the City of Miami fee schedule; no citywide fee range is published on the official BTR page — confirm with the City of Miami at (305) 416-2087·1–2 weeks

   Varies by business classification under the City of Miami fee schedule; no citywide fee range is published on the official BTR page — confirm with the City of Miami at (305) 416-2087

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• Florida DBPR — Construction Industry Licensing
• Miami-Dade County — Contractor Licensing

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