Not yet re-checked against the Florida Dept of Business & Professional Regulation; verify before relying on it.
Florida subcontractor insurance & compliance requirements
If you're a general contractor hiring subcontractors in Florida, here are the certificates and documents you should collect and keep current, and how TradeGuard tracks them automatically.
Documents to collect from subcontractors in Florida
The core compliance documents a GC should require and keep current for each sub.
Statewide certified or locally registered license required.
Certificate of Insurance for General Liability coverage.
Certificate showing workers' comp for the sub's employees. Who must carry it depends on the state and the number of employees.
Used to report what you pay the sub on Form 1099-NEC. For payments made in 2026 or later the IRS reporting threshold is $2,000 (it was $600).
Required by county/municipality in addition to state license.
Some owners and contracts require it, and some states require it on public projects.
Public owners require one on larger public contracts; the threshold depends on the owner and the state.
Public owners usually require it alongside the performance bond.
Often required with a bid on public work; it backs the bidder's promise to sign the contract at the bid price.
The bond the state requires for a contractor's license or registration; ask the sub for a copy.
Florida DBPR licenses Certified Contractors (works statewide) and Registered Contractors (works locally). All GC and sub trades must hold appropriate state license.
Florida is under federal OSHA jurisdiction.
Surety bond or cash deposit required. Amount varies by license type.
- DBPR: Florida Dept of Business & Professional Regulation
- CILB: Construction Industry Licensing Board (under DBPR)
- FDFS: Florida Dept of Financial Services (Workers Comp)
Summary for Florida
Florida actively enforces unlicensed contractor laws. Workers comp required for construction employers with 1+ employees. Federal OSHA applies.
Track all of this automatically in Florida
TradeGuard asks each sub for these documents through an upload link and shows what's missing for Florida, with alerts before anything expires.
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Florida compliance FAQ
Do subcontractors need a contractor license in Florida?+
Florida DBPR licenses Certified Contractors (works statewide) and Registered Contractors (works locally). All GC and sub trades must hold appropriate state license.
Does Florida follow federal OSHA or a state OSHA plan?+
Florida is covered by federal OSHA. Subcontractors on active job sites are typically expected to carry OSHA 10/30 training.
Is a surety bond required for contractors in Florida?+
Yes. Surety bond or cash deposit required. Amount varies by license type.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm current rules with the relevant Florida agencies before relying on them.