How to Check a Florida Contractor License, Step by Step
Last updated: October 2026
How do I check a contractor's license in Florida?
Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) licenses contractors through the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Its licensee search is free and takes a few minutes. Run it for every bidder, whether you're planning a kitchen or a whole-home renovation in Florida.
- 1
Get the license number in writing
Ask for it on the quote and the contract. In Miami-Dade, county code requires contractor vehicles to show the contractor's name and certificate number, and ads to include the certificate number (Miami-Dade unlicensed contracting brochure).
- 2
Open the DBPR search
Go to the DBPR licensee search on myfloridalicense.com, listed as Verify a Licensee in the Online Services menu. Under Select Search Type, choose Search by License Number or Search by Name.
- 3
Enter the details and search
Type the license number, or the person's last and first name, or the company under Organization/Establishment Name. A name search lets you narrow results with License Category (choose Construction Industry) and County. Click Search.
- 4
Read the result
Results show License Type, Name, License Number/Rank and Status/Expires. Open the record and confirm the rank, a current and active status, and an expiration date in the future.
- 5
Match names and the qualifier
The name on the license should match the company on your contract. A business record lists related licenses, including the licensed person who qualifies the company.
- 6
Review public complaints
DBPR publishes a list of public complaints for each licensee, with columns for class, incident date, status, disposition and discipline. DBPR notes the list may not show every public complaint, and complaints that are confidential under Florida law are not disclosed.
On a phone? DBPR says you can also verify licenses by name or license number in its mobile app (DBPR construction FAQ).
Certified vs. registered contractors: what's the difference?
A certified contractor holds a state certificate of competency and may contract in any Florida jurisdiction. A registered contractor met the competency requirements of a local jurisdiction and registered with the state, and may contract only in those jurisdictions (section 489.105, Florida Statutes).
DBPR marks the difference in the occupation code: certified codes begin with C and registered codes begin with R (DBPR Construction Industry). A registered license is valid, but only where it applies. If your contractor holds one, confirm it covers your city or county.
Which license does a remodeling contractor need?
Match the license to the job. Scopes below summarize section 489.105. On DBPR records, a certified license number starts with the prefix shown, followed by digits.
| License | Certified prefix | Scope under state law | Common home projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| General contractor | CGC | Unlimited as to the type of work. | Whole-home renovations, additions, structural work |
| Building contractor | CBC | Commercial and residential buildings up to three stories, or remodeling of any size building if structural members are not affected. | Renovations, additions and remodels on homes up to three stories |
| Residential contractor | CRC | One- to three-family homes of up to two habitable stories above no more than one uninhabitable story. | Kitchen and bathroom remodels, home renovations |
| Roofing contractor | CCC | Unlimited in the roofing trade, including required roof-deck attachments and sheathing repair during a reroof. | Roof replacement and repair |
For kitchen and bath work, look for a licensed remodeler with a residential, building or general license. Our guide to kitchen remodeling contractors in Florida covers costs and permits. Electrical contractors have their own category in the DBPR search.
For a roof, look for a roofing license. DBPR says roofing work can't be subcontracted to unlicensed roofers (DBPR FAQ). Hiring a licensed roofing contractor in Miami? Miami-Dade also lets you check contractors at miamidade.gov/building or by calling 311 (Miami-Dade). Our Florida roofing contractors page covers costs and codes.
Do contractors also need a local business tax receipt?
Often, yes. A Local Business Tax Receipt shows the business paid the local tax for the privilege of operating in that city or county (section 205.022). It is not a contractor license. Miami-Dade, for example, requires a business inside a municipality to hold both a city and a county receipt, and a state-regulated business must show its current license to apply for a new one (Miami-Dade Tax Collector).
Local governments can collect business taxes from contractors, but can't make a state-certified contractor take a local exam for work within the license's scope. Before issuing a permit, the building official must confirm the applicant is certified or registered (section 489.131).
What does "licensed and insured" mean for a Florida remodeling contractor?
Liability insurance. DBPR's FAQ lists minimums of $300,000 in liability and $50,000 in property damage coverage for general and building contractors, and $100,000 and $25,000 for other categories, or amounts set by board rule (DBPR construction FAQ). Ask for a certificate of insurance and call the insurer to confirm the policy is active.
Workers' compensation. Construction employers with one or more employees must carry coverage, counting owners who are corporate officers or LLC members. Contractors must also make sure their subcontractors are covered (Division of Workers' Compensation). Exemptions are issued to corporate officers and LLC members, not to the business (exemptions overview). In construction, no more than three officers may be exempt, and each must own at least 10% (construction exemptions).
Look up a policy in the state's Proof of Coverage search and an officer exemption in the Exemption search. An exemption covers only the named officer, so a contractor with employees still needs a policy.
What is the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund?
It is a source of recovery for homeowners harmed by the financial mismanagement of a licensed contractor, and DBPR calls it a last resort after civil remedies are exhausted (DBPR Recovery Fund). For contracts signed on or after July 1, 2024, payments are capped at $100,000 per Division I claim (general, building and residential contractors) and $30,000 per Division II claim, which includes roofing (section 489.143).
Residential contracts over $2,500 must include a written notice about the fund (section 489.1425). If yours doesn't, ask why.
Red flags of unlicensed contracting
- No license number on the quote, or a number registered to a different company.
- Asks you to pull the permit yourself as an owner-builder.
- Tells you no permit is needed without checking with your building department.
- A large deposit with no permit application in sight.
- Calls itself a handyman but bids a full kitchen, bath or roof.
- Shows up door to door after a storm and wants an answer today.
- Can't produce a certificate of insurance or proof of workers' comp coverage or an exemption.
Why these matter: handyman jobs are exempt only under $2,500 and only when casual, minor or inconsequential (DBPR). With an owner-builder permit, you act as the contractor yourself (Orange County). A contractor who takes more than 10% up front must apply for permits within 30 days, absent just cause or your written agreement to a longer period (section 489.126).
Unlicensed contracting is a first-degree misdemeanor, and a third-degree felony for a repeat offense or during a declared state of emergency (section 489.127). An unlicensed contractor also can't enforce the contract or claim a lien (section 489.128).
Florida contractor license checklist
Print this and fill in one copy per bidder before you sign.
| Check | Where to verify | What good looks like | Done |
|---|---|---|---|
| License is current and active | DBPR Verify a Licensee | Status shows current and active, expiration in the future | |
| License type fits the job | Rank on the DBPR record | CRC, CBC or CGC for remodels; CCC for roofing | |
| Registered license covers your area | DBPR record | Certified (C) license, or a registered (R) license valid where you live | |
| Name matches the contract | DBPR record and related licenses | Same company, with its licensed qualifier listed | |
| Public complaints reviewed | DBPR complaint list | None, or closed with an outcome you understand | |
| Liability insurance | Certificate of insurance; call the insurer | Current policy dates and the contractor's legal name | |
| Workers' comp | DFS Proof of Coverage or Exemption search | Active policy, or a valid exemption | |
| Local business tax receipt | City or county tax collector | Current receipt where your city or county requires one | |
| Permit pulled by the contractor | Your building department | Contractor's name on the permit, not yours | |
| Recovery fund notice in contract | The contract | Included on residential contracts over $2,500 | |
| Deposit terms | The contract | If over 10%, permit applied for within 30 days |
We run DBPR license and insurance checks before a contractor joins our network. Read how Florida Remodeling Direct verifies contractors, and still run the search yourself before you sign.
Get quotes from licensed, insured renovation contractors
Florida Remodeling Direct is a free quote-matching service. We connect Florida homeowners with up to 4 independent licensed contractors. We are not a contractor and do not perform construction work.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Florida?
Use the DBPR Verify a Licensee search on myfloridalicense.com. Search by license number or name, open the record, and confirm the status is current and active, the expiration date is in the future, the rank fits your project, and the name matches your contract.
What do CGC, CBC, CRC and CCC mean on a Florida license?
On DBPR records they mark a Certified General Contractor (CGC), Certified Building Contractor (CBC), Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) and Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC). The leading C means certified, which allows work anywhere in Florida.
What is the difference between a certified and a registered contractor in Florida?
A certified contractor passed the state exam and may contract in any Florida jurisdiction. A registered contractor met a local competency requirement and registered with the state, and may contract only in the jurisdictions where that registration applies.
Does a Florida contractor need workers' comp insurance?
Construction employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation, counting owners who are corporate officers or LLC members. Up to three officers with at least 10% ownership can elect an exemption. You can check both on the state's online search tools.
Can a handyman remodel a kitchen or bathroom without a license in Florida?
Usually not. DBPR says handyman jobs under $2,500 in total cost are exempt only when they are casual, minor or inconsequential, and jobs that need a permit typically don't qualify.
What happens if I hire an unlicensed contractor in Florida?
The unlicensed contractor cannot enforce the contract or claim a lien for the work. Unlicensed contracting is a first-degree misdemeanor, and a third-degree felony for repeat offenses or during a declared state of emergency.
Want licensed pros without the legwork?
Compare free, no-obligation quotes from licensed Florida remodeling contractors.