Florida contractor qualifier requirements for an LLC
Under Florida Statutes § 489.119, a Florida LLC or corporation that engages in regulated construction contracting must be qualified by an individual licensed contractor (the Qualifying Agent) approved by the DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) or Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB). Before submitting the DBPR qualification packet, your LLC or corporation must already be formed and ACTIVE on Sunbiz, have a federal IRS EIN, carry required general liability and workers' compensation coverage (or a valid Ch. 440 exemption), and list the exact Sunbiz entity name on the policy.
Verified against the Florida Division of Corporations on Oct 21, 2026
- Form your entity on Sunbiz: Florida LLC ($125 state fee) or Corporation ($70 state fee).
- Obtain your federal IRS EIN: and open the company bank account.
- Secure insurance and credit documents: general liability certificate matching the exact Sunbiz name, and workers' comp policy or Ch. 440 exemption.
- File the DBPR/CILB qualification: name the Primary (or Secondary) Qualifying Agent under § 489.119.
- Stay ACTIVE on Sunbiz: file the annual report by May 1 so the qualified license stays valid.
| Factor | Individual Sole Proprietor Contractor | Florida LLC Qualified by Primary Qualifier (§ 489.119) | Second LLC Qualified by Existing Qualifier (Additional Business) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Liability Shield on Business Debts | No | Yes, with proper separation | Yes, with proper separation |
| Sunbiz Formation Required | No | Yes | Yes |
| Financial & Supervisory Authority (§ 489.1195) | Owner | Qualifier supervises operations | Qualifier must supervise each business |
| CILB Approval Requirements | Individual license | Business qualification application | Additional business qualification; board review |
Primary Qualifying Agent vs. Financially Responsible Officer (F.S. § 489.1195)
The primary qualifying agent is responsible for supervising all operations and financial matters of the business. A secondary qualifier or financially responsible officer can share defined responsibilities as allowed by statute and the board.
The qualifier's license is tied to the exact Sunbiz entity name.
Should a Florida Contractor Form a Standard LLC (Ch. 605) or a PLLC (Ch. 621)?
Contractors typically use a standard Chapter 605 LLC or Chapter 607 corporation. Chapter 621 professional entities are generally for professions such as medicine, law, accounting and architecture.
- Business organizations must be qualified under § 489.119. Official source
- Construction licensing is administered by DBPR / CILB. Official source
- LLC state fee $125; profit corporation $70. Official source
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What is a qualifying agent for a Florida contractor LLC?
The licensed individual who qualifies the business with DBPR and is responsible for supervising its contracting work.
Can a qualifier qualify more than one Florida LLC?
Yes in some cases, with an additional business qualification and board review of the qualifier's ability to supervise each business.
Do I form my Florida LLC before or after applying with DBPR?
Before. The entity must exist and be active on Sunbiz first.
Does a Florida general contractor use a regular LLC or a PLLC?
Usually a regular Chapter 605 LLC or a corporation.