How to check a contractor license in Florida
Updated November 2026 · HireAnyPro guide for Florida homeowners
Short answer: search the contractor's name or license number at myfloridalicense.com (Florida DBPR). The license should be current and active, match the company on your contract, and cover the type of work. Pest control companies and movers are checked with FDACS instead. Painters, cleaners, landscapers and handymen have no statewide license, so check your county and ask for insurance.
6 steps before you hire
- 1
Get the exact business name and license number
Licensed Florida contractors must put their license number on contracts, bids and ads. If a contractor will not give you one, treat that as a no.
- 2
Look it up with the state
For construction trades and electricians, search the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) at myfloridalicense.com by name or license number. Pest control companies and movers are checked with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) instead.
- 3
Check that the license is current and matches the job
The status should read current and active, the name should match the company on your contract, and the license type should cover the work (a roofing license does not cover electrical work).
- 4
Ask for proof of insurance
Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage (or the state exemption) and confirm it with the insurer before work starts.
- 5
Make sure permits are pulled by the contractor
Most structural, roofing, electrical, plumbing and HVAC jobs need a permit. The licensed contractor should pull it in their own name. If you are asked to pull an owner-builder permit for work a contractor is doing, you take on the legal responsibility.
- 6
Compare at least 3 written quotes
Get written, itemized quotes from at least three licensed pros, and compare public reviews. A rating of 4.5 or higher backed by many reviews is a good sign; a brand-new business with no reviews is not necessarily bad but deserves more checking.
Which Florida trades need a state license?
These trades need a Florida license for most jobs:
| Trade | Licensed by | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| General contractors | Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR) | Building, remodeling and structural work needs a general, building or residential contractor license. Certified licenses (CGC, CBC, CRC) are valid statewide; registered ones (RG, RB, RR) only where the contractor holds a local license. |
| Roofers | Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR) | Roof installation and re-roofing need a roofing contractor license (certified CCC or registered RC) and, in most places, a building permit. |
| Plumbers | Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR) | Plumbing contractors need a state license (certified CFC or registered RF). Water heater replacements and repiping usually need a permit too. |
| HVAC contractors | Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR) | Air-conditioning and heating work needs an air-conditioning contractor (CAC, RA) or mechanical contractor (CMC, RM) license. Technicians who handle refrigerant also need EPA Section 608 certification. |
| Pool contractors | Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR) | Building, remodeling or repairing a pool or its equipment needs a pool/spa contractor license (CPC certified, RP registered). Routine cleaning and chemical service usually does not. |
| Solar installers | Construction Industry Licensing Board / Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (DBPR) | Solar systems are installed under a solar contractor license (CVC) or by a licensed electrical contractor for the electrical side. |
| Electricians | Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (DBPR) | Electrical contractors need a state license: certified (EC, valid statewide) or registered (ER, valid locally). |
| Alarm and security installers | Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board (DBPR) | Installing or servicing alarm systems needs an alarm system contractor (or electrical contractor) license from the state. |
| Pest control companies | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) | Pest control businesses are licensed by FDACS under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, not by DBPR. |
| Movers | FDACS (moves within Florida); FMCSA (moves between states) | Movers doing moves within Florida must register with FDACS under Chapter 507, Florida Statutes. Interstate movers need a USDOT number from the federal FMCSA. |
These trades have no statewide license, but local rules still apply:
- Landscapers: Florida has no general landscaping license, but anyone applying fertilizer commercially needs an FDACS limited certification, and many counties require a local license or business tax receipt.
- Handymen: A handyman can do minor repairs, but work that needs a licensed contractor (structural, roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC) must be done by one. Some counties license handymen locally.
- Locksmiths: Florida has no statewide locksmith license. Some counties, including Miami-Dade, license locksmiths locally.
- Appliance repair: No state license is needed for appliance repair, but technicians who work with refrigerant need EPA Section 608 certification.
- Tree services: Florida does not license tree services statewide. ISA arborist certification is voluntary. Insurance matters most here: ask for liability and workers’ compensation proof.
- Painters: Florida has no statewide license for this trade. Many counties and cities require a local certificate of competency or business tax receipt, and some jobs (new fences, garage doors) need a permit.
- Flooring installers: Florida has no statewide license for this trade. Many counties and cities require a local certificate of competency or business tax receipt, and some jobs (new fences, garage doors) need a permit.
- Fence installers: Florida has no statewide license for this trade. Many counties and cities require a local certificate of competency or business tax receipt, and some jobs (new fences, garage doors) need a permit.
- Garage door companies: Florida has no statewide license for this trade. Many counties and cities require a local certificate of competency or business tax receipt, and some jobs (new fences, garage doors) need a permit.
- House cleaners: Florida has no statewide license for this trade. Many counties and cities require a local certificate of competency or business tax receipt, and some jobs (new fences, garage doors) need a permit.
- Carpet cleaners: Florida has no statewide license for this trade. Many counties and cities require a local certificate of competency or business tax receipt, and some jobs (new fences, garage doors) need a permit.
- Window cleaners: Florida has no statewide license for this trade. Many counties and cities require a local certificate of competency or business tax receipt, and some jobs (new fences, garage doors) need a permit.
Florida rules that protect homeowners
Deposits over 10%
Under section 489.126, Florida Statutes, a contractor who takes more than 10% of the contract price up front on a residential job must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after the permits are issued, unless you agree in writing to a longer period.
Notice of Commencement
For most improvements over $2,500, a Notice of Commencement must be recorded with the county before the first inspection (Chapter 713, Florida Statutes). Your contractor or permit office can tell you if your job needs one.
Lien releases before final payment
Under Florida’s construction lien law, unpaid subcontractors and suppliers can place a lien on your home even if you paid the contractor. Ask for lien releases from them before you make the final payment.
Unlicensed contracting is a crime
Contracting without a required license is a crime under section 489.127, Florida Statutes, with tougher penalties during a declared state of emergency, such as after a hurricane. Report it to DBPR.
The Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund
Florida’s recovery fund can reimburse homeowners for certain losses caused by a state-licensed contractor. It does not cover work by unlicensed contractors, which is one more reason to check first.
After a storm
Be careful with door-to-door crews after hurricanes. Check the license, never pay in full up front, and do not sign over your insurance benefits without reading the contract.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Florida?
Search the contractor’s name or license number on the DBPR site, myfloridalicense.com. Confirm the license is current and active and that the license type matches the job. Pest control companies and movers are licensed by FDACS instead.
How do I find a licensed contractor in Miami?
Start with a directory of local pros such as HireAnyPro (hireanypro.com/services/general-contractor/miami), shortlist three with strong ratings and many reviews, then verify each one’s license on myfloridalicense.com and ask for proof of insurance before signing.
What is the difference between a certified and a registered contractor in Florida?
A certified contractor holds a state license that is valid anywhere in Florida. A registered contractor holds a state registration based on a local license and may only work where that local license is valid.
Does a handyman need a license in Florida?
Florida has no statewide handyman license, but a handyman may not do work that requires a licensed contractor, such as structural, roofing, electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. Some counties license handymen locally.
How much deposit can a contractor ask for in Florida?
There is no fixed cap, but if a contractor takes more than 10% of the price up front on a residential job, Florida law requires them to apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after the permits are issued, unless you agree otherwise in writing.
Who licenses pest control companies in Florida?
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) licenses pest control businesses under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes.
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This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; the state agencies (DBPR, FDACS and, for interstate movers, FMCSA) are the final word.