Palm Beach County Contractor License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

The Construction Industry Licensing Board of Palm Beach County (CILB/PBC) certifies contractors, journeymen and technicians in the county's regulated trades, under Special Act 67-1876. Certificates renew every two years and expire at midnight on September 30: contractor (unlimited trade) and technician certificates in odd years, journeyman and limited trade certificates in even years. Contractors, active or inactive, upload proof of 14 hours of continuing education for each renewal. A certificate not renewed during September becomes inoperative, and late fees accrue monthly.

At a glance

Who certifies: The Construction Industry Licensing Board of Palm Beach County (CILB/PBC), under Chapter 67-1876, Laws of Florida (the Special Act), as amended. Its Contractor Regulations section enforces contractor compliance with State of Florida and county regulations
Renews every: Two years. County unlimited trade licenses and technicians are renewed every two years on odd years; journeyman, journeyman limited and limited trade licenses every two years on even years.
Expires: At midnight on September 30. Failure to renew the certificate during September makes it inoperative, and it is unlawful to contract under it until it is restored or reissued (Special Act, Section 7)
Renewal fee: From the Board's Rules and Regulations fee schedule: $250 for an active unlimited or limited contractor certificate, $150 for an inactive one, $50 for a journeyman unlimited or limited certificate and $50 for a technician certificate. Fees are non-refundable
Late renewal: Late fees accrue monthly: $25 for a contractor and $5 for a journeyman or technician (the fee schedule also lists $10 for "late processing renewal for insurances/bonds"). An inoperative certificate is restored on payment of the renewal fee and late fees if you apply within 180 days after September 30. Applied for after the next October 30, restoration costs the application fee (the fee schedule lists $450 to reinstate an expired contractor certificate and $100 for a journeyman or technician), and the Board may require reexamination. A certificate not renewed within 2 full years after expiration can't be renewed, restored or reinstated except by reapplication and reexamination (Special Act, Section 7)
Continuing education: 14 hours of Board-approved continuing education for each 2 years before renewal, for active and inactive contractors (excluding journeymen and technicians). It must include a one-hour course on each of Advanced Building Code, Business Practices, Laws and Rules, Workers' Compensation and Workplace Safety/OSHA, with general courses in any construction trade for the rest (Rule 4.C)
Approved providers: Courses from training providers certified by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (FL CILB), the Florida Board of Professional Engineering (FBPE), the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design (BOAID), the Building Code Administrators and Inspectors (BCAIB) or the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (ECLB), or others the Director designates. Each certificate must state the course name and credit hours
Proof of CE: Upload your CE certificates to your account in the PZB Contractor Portal: submitting them is required to receive credit for your contractor renewal. A person holding more than one certificate from the Board completes the requirement only once in each two-year renewal period
Insurance and bond: Proof of general liability insurance, workers' compensation or an exemption, a surety bond, and a local business tax receipt are necessary to maintain certification and operate a construction business (the county's certification brochure)
Insurance certificates: Update general liability and workers' compensation insurance through the online portal; certificates are accepted only from the contractor, not from insurance carriers. The certificate holder must read exactly: Palm Beach County, C/o Contractor Regulations, 2300 N. Jog Rd, 2nd Floor - Suite 2W-61, West Palm Beach, FL 33411. A workers' comp certificate's Description of Operations must state that the contractor (name and license number) is covered under the policy; a qualifier not covered provides a State of Florida Workers' Compensation Exemption Certificate
State preemption: Effective July 1, 2025, specific county construction trade scopes are preempted by state statute and no longer require a Certificate of Competency
Contact: Contractor Regulations, 2300 N. Jog Road, 2nd Floor, Suite 2W-61, West Palm Beach, FL 33411; 561-233-5525. Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Since July 1, 2025, the county no longer requires or issues a Certificate of Competency for trades the state preempted, among them painting, insulation, paving, wood flooring and tile, terrazzo and stone: the Building Code Advisory Board's January 2026 notice, linked from the Contractor Regulations page, lists them all.

This is Palm Beach County's certificate. A Florida state certification renews separately with the state (see the Florida guides).

How to renew

Check your certificate's renewal year: contractor (unlimited trade) and technician certificates renew in odd years, journeyman and limited trade certificates in even years, each by September 30.
Contractors (active or inactive): finish 14 hours of continuing education from an approved provider in the two years, including one hour each of Advanced Building Code, Business Practices, Laws and Rules, Workers' Compensation and Workplace Safety/OSHA, and upload the certificates to your PZB Contractor Portal account.
Make sure your general liability and workers' compensation certificates in the portal are current, with the certificate holder exactly as the county lists it.
Renew and pay the renewal fee before the end of September (the Board's fee schedule lists $250 for an active contractor certificate and $50 for a journeyman or technician).
Missed it? The certificate is inoperative until restored, and late fees accrue monthly ($25 contractor, $5 journeyman or technician). Within 180 days, the renewal fee and late fees restore it; after the next October 30, restoration costs the application fee and the Board may require reexamination; after 2 full years, you must reapply and retest.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

Spring of your renewal yearContractors: count your CE hours for the two years, 14 in all with the five required one-hour topics, and upload the certificates to the PZB Contractor Portal.
SummerCheck your insurance certificates in the portal: current policies, the exact certificate holder, and the workers' comp statement.
By September 30Renew and pay the renewal fee. A certificate not renewed during September becomes inoperative.
After September 30Late fees accrue monthly; within 180 days, the renewal fee and late fees restore the certificate. After the next October 30, restoring it costs the application fee and may need reexamination.

Put this renewal in your calendar

Know your expiration date? Download a free calendar file with reminders before it, no sign-up needed. It's made in your browser: nothing you type is sent to us (your browser keeps it only if you follow the sign-up link, for your new ledger). A Google Calendar button sends just that one event to Google.

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your general liability and workers' compensation certificates on file with Contractor Regulations
Your surety bond and local business tax receipt
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Palm Beach County contractor certificates expire?

At midnight on September 30, every two years: county unlimited trade licenses and technicians on odd years, and journeyman, journeyman limited and limited trade licenses on even years.

How many CE hours do Palm Beach County contractors need?

14 hours of Board-approved continuing education for each 2 years before renewal, for active and inactive contractors (excluding journeymen and technicians), including a one-hour course on each of Advanced Building Code, Business Practices, Laws and Rules, Workers' Compensation and Workplace Safety/OSHA.

How much does it cost to renew?

The Board's fee schedule lists $250 for an active unlimited or limited contractor certificate, $150 for an inactive one, $50 for a journeyman unlimited or limited certificate and $50 for a technician certificate.

What happens if I renew late?

Failure to renew during September makes the certificate inoperative. Late fees accrue monthly, $25 for a contractor and $5 for a journeyman or technician, and an inoperative certificate is restored on payment of the renewal fee and late fees if you apply within 180 days after September 30. Applied for after the next October 30, restoration costs the application fee and the Board may require reexamination; after 2 full years, it can only come back by reapplication and reexamination.

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Palm Beach County Contractor Regulations

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Florida guides

All Florida guides on one page

2027 license renewal deadlines, month by month

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet

Palm Beach County Contractor License Renewal

Last reviewed October 2026 · 6 min read

At a glance

Who certifies: The Construction Industry Licensing Board of Palm Beach County (CILB/PBC), under Chapter 67-1876, Laws of Florida (the Special Act), as amended. Its Contractor Regulations section enforces contractor compliance with State of Florida and county regulations
Renews every: Two years. County unlimited trade licenses and technicians are renewed every two years on odd years; journeyman, journeyman limited and limited trade licenses every two years on even years.
Expires: At midnight on September 30. Failure to renew the certificate during September makes it inoperative, and it is unlawful to contract under it until it is restored or reissued (Special Act, Section 7)
Renewal fee: From the Board's Rules and Regulations fee schedule: $250 for an active unlimited or limited contractor certificate, $150 for an inactive one, $50 for a journeyman unlimited or limited certificate and $50 for a technician certificate. Fees are non-refundable
Late renewal: Late fees accrue monthly: $25 for a contractor and $5 for a journeyman or technician (the fee schedule also lists $10 for "late processing renewal for insurances/bonds"). An inoperative certificate is restored on payment of the renewal fee and late fees if you apply within 180 days after September 30. Applied for after the next October 30, restoration costs the application fee (the fee schedule lists $450 to reinstate an expired contractor certificate and $100 for a journeyman or technician), and the Board may require reexamination. A certificate not renewed within 2 full years after expiration can't be renewed, restored or reinstated except by reapplication and reexamination (Special Act, Section 7)
Continuing education: 14 hours of Board-approved continuing education for each 2 years before renewal, for active and inactive contractors (excluding journeymen and technicians). It must include a one-hour course on each of Advanced Building Code, Business Practices, Laws and Rules, Workers' Compensation and Workplace Safety/OSHA, with general courses in any construction trade for the rest (Rule 4.C)
Approved providers: Courses from training providers certified by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (FL CILB), the Florida Board of Professional Engineering (FBPE), the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design (BOAID), the Building Code Administrators and Inspectors (BCAIB) or the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (ECLB), or others the Director designates. Each certificate must state the course name and credit hours
Proof of CE: Upload your CE certificates to your account in the PZB Contractor Portal: submitting them is required to receive credit for your contractor renewal. A person holding more than one certificate from the Board completes the requirement only once in each two-year renewal period
Insurance and bond: Proof of general liability insurance, workers' compensation or an exemption, a surety bond, and a local business tax receipt are necessary to maintain certification and operate a construction business (the county's certification brochure)
Insurance certificates: Update general liability and workers' compensation insurance through the online portal; certificates are accepted only from the contractor, not from insurance carriers. The certificate holder must read exactly: Palm Beach County, C/o Contractor Regulations, 2300 N. Jog Rd, 2nd Floor - Suite 2W-61, West Palm Beach, FL 33411. A workers' comp certificate's Description of Operations must state that the contractor (name and license number) is covered under the policy; a qualifier not covered provides a State of Florida Workers' Compensation Exemption Certificate
State preemption: Effective July 1, 2025, specific county construction trade scopes are preempted by state statute and no longer require a Certificate of Competency
Contact: Contractor Regulations, 2300 N. Jog Road, 2nd Floor, Suite 2W-61, West Palm Beach, FL 33411; 561-233-5525. Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

This is Palm Beach County's certificate. A Florida state certification renews separately with the state (see the Florida guides).

How to renew

Check your certificate's renewal year: contractor (unlimited trade) and technician certificates renew in odd years, journeyman and limited trade certificates in even years, each by September 30.
Contractors (active or inactive): finish 14 hours of continuing education from an approved provider in the two years, including one hour each of Advanced Building Code, Business Practices, Laws and Rules, Workers' Compensation and Workplace Safety/OSHA, and upload the certificates to your PZB Contractor Portal account.
Make sure your general liability and workers' compensation certificates in the portal are current, with the certificate holder exactly as the county lists it.
Renew and pay the renewal fee before the end of September (the Board's fee schedule lists $250 for an active contractor certificate and $50 for a journeyman or technician).
Missed it? The certificate is inoperative until restored, and late fees accrue monthly ($25 contractor, $5 journeyman or technician). Within 180 days, the renewal fee and late fees restore it; after the next October 30, restoration costs the application fee and the Board may require reexamination; after 2 full years, you must reapply and retest.

Still tracking this in a spreadsheet? On a paid plan, get emailed 90, 60, 30, 7 and 1 days before it expires, by default.

Start free

Deadline checklist

Spring of your renewal yearContractors: count your CE hours for the two years, 14 in all with the five required one-hour topics, and upload the certificates to the PZB Contractor Portal.
SummerCheck your insurance certificates in the portal: current policies, the exact certificate holder, and the workers' comp statement.
By September 30Renew and pay the renewal fee. A certificate not renewed during September becomes inoperative.
After September 30Late fees accrue monthly; within 180 days, the renewal fee and late fees restore the certificate. After the next October 30, restoring it costs the application fee and may need reexamination.

Put this renewal in your calendar

The file covers one date: once you renew, make a new one. How to add it to your calendar

The license isn't the only thing expiring

Most lapses that cost contractors work aren't the license itself. They're one of these, renewing on a different date:

Your general liability and workers' compensation certificates on file with Contractor Regulations
Your surety bond and local business tax receipt
General liability insurance policy
Workers' compensation policy (or exemption)
Certificates of insurance (COIs) you've given to clients and GCs
Commercial auto insurance

LicenseLedger keeps every one of those dates in one place and emails you before each one expires, with reminders far enough ahead to finish CE and paperwork.

Track your renewal dates free

Frequently asked questions

When do Palm Beach County contractor certificates expire?

At midnight on September 30, every two years: county unlimited trade licenses and technicians on odd years, and journeyman, journeyman limited and limited trade licenses on even years.

How many CE hours do Palm Beach County contractors need?

How much does it cost to renew?

What happens if I renew late?

Official sources

Rules, fees and CE requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the official source before you renew:

Palm Beach County Contractor Regulations

This guide is general information, not legal advice.

Other Florida guides

All Florida guides on one page

2027 license renewal deadlines, month by month

Get a reminder before this renewal is due

Add this license, your insurance policies and the COIs you collect from subs to LicenseLedger, and get an email before each one expires. Free for up to 3 records, no credit card required.

Start free

Not ready to sign up? Get the free tracking spreadsheet