Who requires it
Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR)
License & permit · Florida
Florida Financially Responsible Officer Bond
A Florida construction business that names a Financially Responsible Officer must back that designation with $100,000 surety or an irrevocable letter of credit payable to the Construction Industry Licensing Board. That security is not the credit-score path most contractor applicants use.
Common bond amount
$100,000
Amount on DBPR CILB 8 and Construction Industry FAQ. Grandfathered pre–February 1, 2007 FRO renewals may differ—confirm with DBPR.
How you file
File the CILB 8 bond with the Construction Industry Licensing Board, or a letter of credit
Renewal
Maintain while serving as FRO; replace or amend when the officer or entity changes
Who requires it
Under § 489.1195 a business may name an FRO who owns the financial side of the organization and who cannot also be the primary qualifying agent. DBPR’s CILB 8 packet and Construction Industry FAQs require that officer to keep $100,000 surety (or letter of credit) payable to the Construction Industry Licensing Board for fines and costs. Primary qualifying agents who personally take financial responsibility still follow ordinary CILB financial-responsibility rules for licensure—they do not use this bond as a shortcut around those rules.
How much is required
DBPR’s CILB 8 Financially Responsible Officer Bond form requires $100,000. An irrevocable letter of credit in the same amount can replace the surety bond. DBPR FAQ describes a grandfather path: people registered as FROs before February 1, 2007 may renew an existing $50,000 bond unless they file a new application or updated bond—confirm that path with DBPR if it might fit.
How to get and file it
Fill out DBPR CILB 8. Have the surety complete the included Financially Responsible Officer Bond ($100,000, payable to the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board). Signatures belong on the FRO, an authorized company officer, and the surety. Match the company name the board expects. Or arrange an irrevocable letter of credit in the same amount if DBPR accepts that path for your file. Submit the FRO application and security per CILB 8. Keep the bond or letter of credit live while the designation stays active. When the FRO changes, the outgoing officer resigns in writing and the new officer files a fresh CILB 8—security amendments may follow. One person may serve as FRO for more than one construction business, but each business needs its own application and security.
Cost note
The $100,000 figure is the required bond amount, not the premium you pay. See bond amount vs premium. Bond amount vs premium →
Requirement checklist
- Required amount
- $100,000 surety bond or irrevocable letter of credit
- Who requires it
- Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board
- Application
- DBPR CILB 8 — Application for Financially Responsible Officer
- Purpose of security
- Payment of fines and costs pursuant to Rules 61G4-15.0021 and 61G4-15.006, F.A.C.
Official sources
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as a Florida contractor license bond?
No. Applicants generally submit a credit report showing a FICO-derived score of 660 or higher and no unsatisfied liens or judgments. Applicants with a score below 660 must complete a board-approved 14-hour financial responsibility course. The $100,000 FRO bond applies only when a business names a Financially Responsible Officer under § 489.1195 and CILB 8.
Surety basics (not repeated here)
Universal surety concepts explained once—linked here instead of repeated on every state or bond page.
Apply for the Financially Responsible Officer Bond
The application can open with this bond already selected. You can still go back and change selections.
Last verified 2026-08-06. This guide is based on verified educational content and official sources.
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