How to Check a Florida Contractor License Before You Hire

To check a Florida contractor's license, go to MyFloridaLicense.com, choose "Verify a License" and search by the person's name, the business name or the license number. Confirm the license is current and matches the business you're hiring. Roofing, plumbing, electrical and air-conditioning work need a state license; some trades are licensed locally.

Why the license matters in Florida

Licensed contractors have met state requirements overseen by Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Registering an Inc. or LLC, or holding a local occupational license or business tax receipt, is not the same as a contractor license. DBPR's hurricane guidance for residents makes that distinction clear: check the state license itself.

Step by step: verify a license on MyFloridaLicense.com

Use the official license search at https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?mode=1

Search by name

Enter the individual's name and review matching license records. Open the record to confirm status, license type and the business the person qualifies.

Search by business name, then check the qualifying individual

Search the company name, then confirm which qualifying individual holds the license tied to that business.

Search by license number

If the contractor gives you a license number, search that number and match it to the name and business on the contract.

What to look at

Confirm the license is current, the license type matches the work (for example roofing or plumbing), and the business name on the license matches who you are hiring. DBPR also offers mobile lookup tools from its construction industry information pages.

Which jobs need a state license

DBPR lists examples that need a state license, including roof repairs or replacement, installing new windows, plumbing repairs, and electrical repairs or rewiring. Air-conditioning contractors are licensed under Chapter 489 of the Florida Statutes. Work such as cabinets, countertops, flooring, paint, wallpaper and window treatments may not need a state license but may be licensed by your local building department, so check with your county or city.

What about handymen?

Some minor work may fall under statutory exemptions in Florida Statutes Chapter 489 (including section 489.103). Exemption details change with the statute and with local rules, so ask the pro what license they hold and confirm with your building department before work starts. Do not assume a general repair listing replaces a required trade license.

Permits are separate from licenses

A license is the contractor's state or local credential. A permit is approval for a specific job, issued by your city or county building department. Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco each run their own permitting processes.

Report unlicensed activity

Call DBPR's unlicensed activity hotline at (866) 532-1440 or email ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com. During a declared state of emergency, unlicensed contracting carries higher penalties. More information: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/unlicensed-activity/

More hiring steps

For general hiring steps on Select The Service, see https://selecttheservice.com/blog/how-to-hire-a-local-service-provider

Find a local pro

Find handyman and repair pros who serve Tampa, Clearwater or Lakeland on Select The Service, and check any state-licensed trade on MyFloridaLicense.com before you hire.

Handyman category: https://selecttheservice.com/services/general-handyman
Tampa: https://selecttheservice.com/services/general-handyman/fl/tampa
Clearwater: https://selecttheservice.com/services/general-handyman/fl/clearwater
Lakeland: https://selecttheservice.com/services/general-handyman/fl/lakeland

FAQ

How do I check if a contractor is licensed in Florida?

Go to MyFloridaLicense.com, select Verify a License and search by the contractor's name, business name or license number. Open the record to see whether the license is current and which business it qualifies.

Does an LLC or a business tax receipt mean a contractor is licensed?

No. DBPR says neither registering an Inc. or LLC nor holding a local occupational license qualifies someone to act as a contractor. Check the state license itself.

Which home jobs need a state license in Florida?

DBPR lists roof repairs and replacements, installing new windows, plumbing repairs, and electrical repairs or rewiring as examples that need a state license. Air-conditioning work is also a licensed trade under Chapter 489.

Does a painter or flooring installer need a state license?

Often not. DBPR notes that work such as cabinets, countertops, flooring, paint, wallpaper and window treatments may not need a state license, but may be licensed by your local building department, so check with your county or city.

How do I report unlicensed contracting?

Call DBPR's unlicensed activity hotline at (866) 532-1440 or email ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com. During a declared state of emergency, unlicensed contracting carries higher penalties.

Is a permit the same as a license?

No. A license is the contractor's state or local credential. A permit is approval for a specific job, issued by your city or county building department.