Why picking the right category is the first critical decision
DBPR offers three Certified Contractor categories for vertical construction in Florida: CRC, CBC and CGC. Each has a distinct legal scope, its own Trade exam and a different market demand. Picking the wrong one means you're either under-licensed for the work you want, or you paid and studied more than necessary.
CRC, Certified Residential Contractor
Legal scope (FS 489.105(3)(d)): authorized to build, repair and modify one-family and two-family residences and accessory structures (garages, sheds, residential pools).
- Single-family homes (custom, spec, tract)
- Duplex (up to 2 units in one structure)
- Luxury homes, gated communities
- Residential remodels and additions
- Pool houses, ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
Does not authorize: townhomes beyond duplex, apartments, vertical condominiums, commercial, hotels. Those require CBC or CGC.
When it fits: if you intend to focus on custom residential in Orlando, Kissimmee, Davenport, Jacksonville, Tampa suburbs. Hot market, $350k–$800k average ticket.
CBC, Certified Building Contractor
Legal scope (FS 489.105(3)(b)): authorized to build commercial buildings up to 3 stories and multi-family residential of any size, provided they are no taller than 3 stories.
- Townhomes, fourplexes, garden-style apartments
- Low-rise mixed-use (retail below, residential above)
- Strip malls, retail plazas
- Restaurants, retail stores
- Small hotels and boutique hotels (up to 3 stories)
- Small schools, churches, small offices
- Single-family and duplex (CBC includes everything CRC covers)
Does not authorize: buildings above 3 stories (mid-rise/high-rise), large hospital complexes, heavy industrial. Those require CGC.
When it fits: for most candidates wanting flexibility, it covers residential and small commercial, opening two markets at once. Most popular King Training choice.
CGC, Certified General Contractor
Legal scope (FS 489.105(3)(a)): authorized to build any type of structure, with no limit on height, area or occupancy. The broadest category.
- Everything CRC and CBC cover
- Mid-rise and high-rise (vertical condos, large hotels)
- Hospitals, large schools, universities
- Stadiums, arenas, convention centers
- Large shopping centers
- Industrial buildings and factories
- Public works (DOT, county, federal)
When it fits: if you want to work on large projects, tall buildings, or plan to compete for public and high-value commercial contracts. Trade exam is denser, but the license opens every door.
Direct comparison: CRC vs CBC vs CGC
| Feature | CRC | CBC | CGC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-family | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Duplex | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Townhomes / multi-family | ❌ | ✅ (up to 3 stories) | ✅ (any) |
| Commercial up to 3 stories | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mid-rise / high-rise | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Hospitals / large schools | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Large public works | limited | limited | ✅ |
Hot Florida markets by category
Single-Family (CRC or CBC)
Orlando, Kissimmee, Davenport, Tampa, Jacksonville, Cape Coral, Port St. Lucie. Residential boom driven by domestic in-migration and second-home buyers. Custom homes, spec homes, urban infill.
Multi-Family / Townhomes (CBC)
Doral, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Lake Nona, Winter Garden. High rental demand, investment funds building build-to-rent communities. Lower % margins, much larger absolute dollars.
Small Commercial & Build-Out (CBC)
Strip malls across South Florida, restaurant build-outs, clinics, salons, gyms. Short cycles (3–6 months), 15–20% margins, very active market.
Mid-Rise / High-Rise (CGC)
Brickell, Downtown Miami, Sunny Isles, Hollywood, Aventura, Downtown Orlando, Tampa Riverwalk. Luxury vertical condos, hotels. $30M–$500M tickets. Typically joint ventures and established GCs.
How to pick your category
- If you only want to build homes: CRC is enough and the lighter exam.
- If you want flexibility (residential + small commercial): CBC. Most popular pick.
- If you think big (mid-rise, heavy commercial, public works): CGC. Denser exam, higher ceiling.
Important: upgrading between categories is allowed later (CRC → CBC → CGC), but requires retaking the new category exam. That's why many candidates go straight to CBC or CGC, avoiding repeating the process later.
Next step: define your category
King Training is structured for CRC, CBC and CGC. Lesson one helps you pick the right category before filing the DBPR application, avoiding the most expensive mistake of the whole journey. See how a GC's day to day works and how much each category bills.