The Difference Between A Registered Contractor and a Certified Contractor

Did you know there’s a difference between a registered contractor and a certified contractor — there is in Florida.

According to the Florida DBPR (Department of Business & Professional Regulation, a certified contractor is someone who passed the state licensing examination to become licensed (except in cases of Grandfathering and Endorsement). Certified licensees can work anywhere within the State of Florida. While, a registered contractor is someone who registered a local county or municipal certificate of competency with the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board to become a state registered contractor. Registered licensees can only work in the counties or municipalities where they hold a local license.

If you’re looking to work around Florida, you will need a certified contractor’s license.  With a registered contractor license, your license resides in the county. You let Florida know this county license exists. If you let your county license expire, your license overall is considered expired. You need both the county and state registration up to date.

With a certified contractor license, you can work anywhere in the state of Florida. You passed an exam and you maintain the necessary insurance. Registered contractors has not taken an exam.

You can tell if a contractor is registered or certified by looking them up in Florida’s contractor license search.

In terms of quality, registered contractors are as good as certified contractors – only main difference is the registered contractor didn’t take the state exam, but they may have taken a city exam.

Looking to get your contractor’s license? Registered? Certified? We can steer you in the right direction. As a Florida contractor licensing company, our team at Licenses, Etc. will work with you to get your contractor license application approved by the Board. We have helped thousands of contractors in Florida and in other states get their contractor license.

We will complete and file all necessary paperwork. To get your contractor license, click Florida contractor’s license page to learn more or call 239-777-1028.