Electricians in Florida: Licenses, Code and Permits

In Florida, electrical contractors are licensed by the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). A certified license works statewide, while a registered license works only where the holder has a local competency card. Look up the license on DBPR's free search, and make sure the license type covers your job and your city or county.

Who licenses electricians providers in Florida

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board. The board licenses and regulates electrical contractors under Chapter 489, Part II, Florida Statutes. Certified licenses, such as the Certified Electrical Contractor (EC), are valid statewide. Registered licenses, such as the Registered Electrical Contractor (ER), are limited to the cities or counties where the holder has a competency card. Search DBPR's license database by name or license number.

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Key facts for Florida

Florida's Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board operates under Chapter 489, Part II, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 61G6, Florida Administrative Code.
A Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) license covers electrical work statewide, including all alarm systems and specialty categories.
A Registered Electrical Contractor (ER) license is limited to the cities or counties where the holder has a competency card, and it cannot contract for any alarm system.
Florida's owner-builder disclosure warns that you may not hire an unlicensed person as your electrical contractor.
The Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) went into effect December 31, 2023.
The Florida Building Code 9th Edition (2026), which references the 2023 National Electrical Code, is set to take effect December 31, 2026.
Florida recorded 498 lightning deaths from 1959 to 2017, the most of any state, according to NWS.

What do Florida's electrical license types mean?

Florida's Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board splits licenses into two groups.

Certified licenses work anywhere in Florida. The Certified Electrical Contractor (EC) covers electrical work, including all alarm systems and specialty categories. Certified Alarm System Contractor I and II and Certified Specialty Electrical Contractor licenses have narrower scopes.
Registered licenses are limited to the cities or counties where the holder has a competency card. The Registered Electrical Contractor (ER) cannot contract for any alarm system.

Specialty licenses are limited to a segment such as elevator, utility line or low voltage work. The board publishes a Know Your Scope chart that shows what each license allows.

For a homeowner, the key question is simple. Does the license cover this type of work, in this city or county?

Can Florida homeowners do their own electrical work?

Florida Statutes section 489.503(6) gives property owners a limited owner-builder exemption. An owner may pull a permit and do electrical work on a single-family home or duplex for their own use and occupancy, not for sale or lease.

The local permitting agency must give the owner a disclosure statement. It warns that you may not hire an unlicensed person as your electrical contractor. If you sell or lease more than one building you wired yourself within one year of completion, the law presumes you built it for sale or lease, which violates the exemption.

Local rules vary. Some cities, such as the City of Miami, issue electrical permits only to licensed contractors. Ask your building department before you start.

Which electrical code applies in Florida?

Florida adopts the National Electrical Code through the Florida Building Code. The 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code went into effect December 31, 2023.

The 9th Edition (2026) is set to take effect December 31, 2026, and lists the 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) among its referenced codes. Some cities have their own transition rules. Tampa, for example, says the 9th Edition takes effect there January 1, 2027, with a vesting process for applications accepted by December 31, 2026.

Ask your contractor which edition applies to your permit.

How do hurricanes and lightning affect electrical work in Florida?

Florida's weather is hard on electrical systems. NWS lists Florida first in lightning deaths from 1959 to 2017, with 498. NWS Miami calls Florida the lightning capital of the United States.

Hurricanes bring long outages. During Hurricane Irma in 2017, NWS Miami says over three-quarters of electrical customers in South Florida lost power, many for close to a week.

Generators are the biggest hazard after a storm. CPSC calls portable generators one of the leading causes of post-storm carbon monoxide deaths. It says to run them outside only, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents. Never plug one into a wall outlet. Use a transfer switch installed by a qualified electrician.

After flooding, CDC says to have an electrician check the house's electrical system before turning the power on again.

How to choose a provider in Florida

Look up the contractor on DBPR's license search by name or license number.
Check whether the license is certified (statewide) or registered (local only).
If it is registered, confirm the contractor has a competency card for your city or county.
Make sure the license scope covers your job, especially for alarm or specialty work.
Let the licensed contractor pull the permit unless you knowingly take on owner-builder duties.
Ask which Florida Building Code edition applies, since the 9th Edition starts at the end of 2026.
For a generator, require a transfer switch installed by a qualified electrician.
After a flood, have the electrical system checked before power is restored.

Electricians in Florida cities

Questions people ask

Who licenses electricians in Florida?

The Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board, part of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). It licenses and regulates electrical contractors under Chapter 489, Part II, Florida Statutes.

What is the difference between a certified and registered electrical contractor?

A certified license, such as EC, is valid anywhere in Florida. A registered license, such as ER, is limited to the cities or counties where the holder has a competency card. An ER license cannot contract for any alarm system.

How do I verify a Florida electrical contractor's license?

Use the DBPR license search at myfloridalicense.com. You can search by name or license number, and by city, county or license type.

Can I hire an unlicensed electrician if I pull an owner-builder permit?

No. Florida's required owner-builder disclosure says you may not hire an unlicensed person as your electrical contractor. You are also responsible for making sure anyone you employ holds the licenses state and local law require.

Which edition of the electrical code does Florida use?

The Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) has been in effect since December 31, 2023. The 9th Edition (2026) is set to take effect December 31, 2026, and references the 2023 NEC. Some cities have their own start dates and vesting rules.

Why is lightning a concern for Florida homes?

NWS lists Florida first in U.S. lightning deaths from 1959 to 2017, and NWS Miami calls the state the lightning capital of the country. Ready.gov also advises disconnecting appliances and electronics during outages because power may return with surges.

Sources

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.

How do you hire a licensed electrical contractor in Florida?