Contractor License Requirements in Florida

Florida requires contractor licensing for construction work. The licensing process is overseen by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Florida has both state-certified and county-registered contractor licenses. Certified licenses are valid statewide, while registered licenses are valid only in the issuing county. Financial responsibility must be demonstrated through net worth or credit. Florida aggressively enforces unlicensed contracting laws with criminal penalties.

Important

Never hire a contractor who cannot provide a valid license number. A legitimate contractor will have no hesitation sharing their license credentials for you to verify independently. If a contractor refuses, discourages you from checking, or makes excuses, treat that as a serious red flag.

Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

Search by: License number, Licensee name, Business name, County

Trade-Specific Licensing Boards

Follow these steps to verify a contractor's license in Florida:

1. 1
   Visit MyFloridaLicense.comGo to the official Florida DBPR license verification page at myfloridalicense.com. This is the centralized system for verifying all contractor licenses issued in Florida.
2. 2
   Enter the contractor's license number or nameSearch by license number for the most precise results. You can also search by the contractor's name, business name, or county. Select the appropriate license type from the dropdown if searching by name.
3. 3
   Distinguish between Certified and Registered licensesFlorida issues two types of contractor licenses. A "Certified" license is valid statewide. A "Registered" license is only valid in the county that issued it. Make sure the license covers your project location.
4. 4
   Check the license status and classificationThe status must show "Current, Active." Verify the license classification -- a Certified Building Contractor cannot do the same work as a Certified General Contractor. The classification determines the scope of work allowed.
5. 5
   Review disciplinary actions and complaintsClick through to see if any disciplinary actions, fines, or administrative complaints have been filed. Florida tracks enforcement actions publicly. Multiple actions or a license suspension are red flags.

What to Look for in Verification Results

• Status must show "Current, Active" -- not Delinquent, Suspended, or Revoked
• Confirm the license is Certified (statewide) or Registered (county-specific) for your location
• License classification must authorize the specific type of work you need
• Check the "Primary Qualifying Agent" -- this is the person legally responsible
• Review any administrative complaints or disciplinary actions
• Verify the business address and contact information match what the contractor gave you

Hiring an unlicensed contractor in Florida carries significant risks for both the homeowner and the contractor:

• No consumer protections: State recovery funds and guaranty programs typically only cover work performed by licensed contractors.
• Insurance issues: Your homeowner's insurance may deny claims related to work done by an unlicensed contractor.
• Permit problems: Building permits often require a valid contractor license. Work done without permits can create issues when selling your property.
• Quality concerns: Licensed contractors have demonstrated minimum competency through exams, experience requirements, or both.
• Legal liability: Homeowners may bear greater legal responsibility for injuries or property damage caused during unlicensed work.
• Penalties: In Florida, unlicensed contracting can result in fines and criminal penalties for the contractor, and the homeowner may lose the ability to enforce the contract.

Florida does not currently have reciprocal contractor licensing agreements with other states. Contractors licensed in other states must apply for a new Florida license through the standard application process. Some states may credit out-of-state experience toward licensing requirements -- contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) for details.