CGC (Certified General Contractor) vs CBC (Certified Building Contractor)
Florida's two primary general-construction licenses have different scope authorities. CGC is the broader license; CBC has commercial scope with residential limits. The CGC license is the standard for high-end residential remodels and additions.
CGC (Certified General Contractor)
Unlimited residential + commercial scope
CBC (Certified Building Contractor)
Commercial buildings, residential limits
How they stack up.
| Dimension | CGC (Certified General Contractor) | CBC (Certified Building Contractor) |
|---|---|---|
| Residential scope | Unlimited | Limited (typically up to 3 stories or specific size) |
| Commercial scope | Unlimited | Most commercial (with some structural limits) |
| Structural authority | Full | Generally allowed; some exceptions |
| Florida DBPR exam difficulty | Highest | High |
| Typical NE FL contractor | Most residential remodel GCs | Commercial-focused GCs |
CGC is the right license for any residential remodel or addition. Mark Tivey carries Florida CGC1511598 plus FL Certified Pool/Spa Contractor RP252555575.
CBC is appropriate when the contractor's primary work is commercial buildings within the residential-size limits and they don't need full residential-scope authority.
- Florida Statute 489.105 — contractor license categories
- Florida DBPR license verification (myfloridalicense.com)
Tivey services for this work.
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