Plumbing and HVAC rules in Florida

What the state says about plumbing and heating and cooling work, with the page each rule comes from. It's a summary of the published rules, not legal advice, and your city or county can have rules of its own.

Checked September 23, 2026

Plumbing licensing

Plumbing contractors in Florida hold a license from the Construction Industry Licensing Board: a Certified license (CFC) that's good statewide, or a Registered license (RF) based on local competency.^{1, 2, 3}

Heating and cooling licensing

Heating and cooling contractors in Florida hold a Certified Air Conditioning (CAC, classes A, B and C) or Mechanical (CMC) license, or a Registered Air Conditioning (RA) or Mechanical (RM) license, from the Construction Industry Licensing Board.^{1, 2, 3}

Plumbing and mechanical codes

Florida's plumbing code is the plumbing volume of the Florida Building Code, 8th edition (2023), and a 9th edition (2026) has been published.⁴ Florida's mechanical code is the mechanical volume of the same 8th edition, with a 9th edition pending.⁴

Permits to replace a water heater, furnace or AC

Ask your local building department whether replacing a water heater, furnace or AC needs a permit where you live.

Backflow testing

If your home has a backflow preventer, your water utility can tell you whether it needs testing and who can test it.

Sources

What plumbing and HVAC work costs in Florida

Published national ranges for plumbing, water heater, sewer, AC, heat pump and furnace jobs, and a planning estimate for your own job.

Plumbing, heating and cooling costs in Florida

Contractors in Florida

2,036 plumbers and heating and cooling contractors are listed in Florida. 394 hold an active USDOT registration. Browse them by county, or ask for quotes and we'll pass your job to contractors near you.

Cite this page

“Plumbing and HVAC rules in Florida.” PlumbingInformationSite.com, updated September 27, 2026. https://plumbinginformationsite.com/fl/rules/