Contractors licensed in Florida must ensure that any business they operate or supervise is properly qualified through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Depending on the license type — general contracting, trade contracting, or electrical contracting — different forms are required to establish legal qualification of a business entity under Florida law.
This guide outlines the most commonly used qualification-related forms issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) and the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB) and explains how and when each is used.
💪 CILB Qualification Forms for Construction Contractors
The Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) regulates licenses for general, building, residential, roofing, plumbing, HVAC, and other Division 1 and Division 2 contractors. The following forms are used to qualify or add a business entity:
CILB 6-A – Application to Qualify a Business Organization
- Used by a licensed contractor to initially qualify a corporation, LLC, or other legal entity.
CILB 6-B – Application for Secondary Qualifying Agent
- Adds an additional license holder as a qualifier to an already-qualified business entity.
CILB 7 Series – Trade-Specific Applications to Qualify an Additional Business Entity
- Form 7 is split into multiple lettered versions, each specific to a particular license type.
- For example:
- CILB 7-A: General Contractor
- CILB 7-M: Plumbing Contractor
- CILB 7-F: Mechanical Contractor
- CILB 7-I: Roofing Contractor
- Each trade has its own version of Form 7 (e.g., 7-B through 7-BS and beyond).
- These forms are used when the license holder is applying for a new license classification or upgrading from a registered to certified license, and wants to simultaneously qualify a business.
- Applicants must re-establish the basis for licensure (e.g., experience, education, prior work) because the form includes a re-qualification component.
For the complete and current list of Form 7 variants, visit DBPR’s official construction licensing page.
📍 Clarifying Form CILB 9 – Universal Application to Qualify an Additional Business
Form CILB 9 is a trade-neutral, universal form used by license holders in any trade to qualify an additional business. It offers two filing tracks depending on the applicant’s current status:
Plain English Explanation: If you already have a certified license and want to add another business entity under that same license and classification, Form 9 is the correct application. You’re not applying for a new license — you’re simply extending your existing license to cover another company.
✅ Option 1 – “As a Business”
- Used when the license holder currently qualifies a business (e.g., an LLC or corporation) and wants to qualify an additional business entity (also structured as an LLC or corporation).
- Requires completion of the full form and submission of financial documentation for the new entity. Used when the license holder already qualifies a business and wants to qualify another business entity (LLC or Corp.).
- Requires completion of the full form and submission of financial documentation for the new entity.
✅ Option 2 – “As an Individual”
This option applies when:
- The license holder currently operates as an individual (sole proprietor) and wants to qualify another sole proprietorship.
- The license holder currently qualifies a business entity (e.g., LLC or corporation) and wants to add a new business that will operate as an individual (sole proprietorship).
Key Features:
- Requires partial form completion (Sections I–III and VII–XII).
- Does not require reapplication for licensure — simply extends the existing license classification to a new business entity operating as an individual.
🔄 Differences Between CILB Form 7 and Form 9 for Qualifying Additional Business Entities
Summary Comparison
| Form | Who Uses It | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| CILB 7 Series | Contractors applying for a new license classification or upgrading from Registered to Certified | Used to qualify a business at the same time you’re applying for or upgrading a license. Since you are seeking new license type or classification you need to demonstrate on this form your experience and qualifications. |
| CILB 9 (Option 1) | All license types (Div 1 & Div 2) | Used when you already qualify one business under a license (same type and classification) and want to qualify another business entity using that same license and classification. |
| CILB 9 (Option 2) | All license types (Div 1 & Div 2) | Used when you currently operate individually or qualify a business and want to qualify another sole proprietorship. Streamlined form required. |
🔐 Reminder: Only licensed individuals may qualify businesses. Companies cannot qualify other companies under Florida law.
🧾 CILB Form 8 – Application for Financially Responsible Officer (FRO)
This form is used when the licensed contractor does not want to assume financial liability for the business. Instead, a Financially Responsible Officer (FRO) is designated to take on financial obligations including tax liabilities, debts, and judgments.
- Often used when the qualifier is an employee rather than an owner.
- FRO must provide a credit report, personal financial statement, and background check.
- The qualifier still retains responsibility for construction supervision.
📌 Note: When applying for qualification where a Financially Responsible Officer (FRO) will be appointed, the appropriate Form 7 or Form 9 must be submitted together with Form 8.
⚡ ECLB Form 4 – Electrical Contractor Business Qualification
The Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (ECLB) governs certified electrical, alarm system, and specialty contractors. These license holders use Form ECLB 4 for the following business qualification purposes:
- To qualify a new business
- To qualify an additional business
- To transfer a license from one business to another
- To reactivate an inactive license and associate it with a business
Form ECLB 4 requires:
- Ownership and business structure disclosures
- Identification of qualifier as primary or secondary
- Business credit report and financial statement
- Insurance and workers’ compensation compliance
- Background disclosures for all principals
❗ Important: Unlike with CILB forms, there is no option to appoint a Financially Responsible Officer (FRO) when qualifying a business under an electrical contractor license. The qualifier must assume both supervisory and financial responsibility.
📂 How to Access These Forms
To access official forms:
- Visit the DBPR Licensing & Regulation Portal
- Scroll to “Choose a Profession”
- Select:
- “Construction Industry” for CILB forms
- “Electrical Contractors” for ECLB forms
- Use the “Apply For A License” or “Forms and Publications” section to locate the relevant form
🛠️ Legal Help with Contractor Licensing and Qualification
Florida contractors must ensure that their business is properly qualified under state law. Improper or incomplete qualification may result in penalties, contract unenforceability, or license complaints.
At Andrew Douglas, P.A., we assist contractors with:
- Filing and structuring DBPR qualification forms
- Drafting qualifier and FRO agreements
- Maintaining license compliance and defending DBPR complaints
- Strategic licensing advice for multi-entity businesses
📞 Call 954.474.4420 or 📧 **email **andrew@douglasfirm.com to ensure your business is properly qualified and protected.