Florida Permit Desk

How to Check a Florida Contractor's License on DBPR (and What the Statuses Mean)

Last verified against official sources: · Guide

Independent guide, not a government site. Confirm every requirement with the building office for your address before starting work. Items marked Unverified could not be confirmed on an official page.

To check a Florida contractor, search their name, business name or license number on the state's free DBPR license search.[1][3] DBPR is the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Then read two things on the record: the license type (what work they may do, and where) and the status (whether they may work right now).[4][6]

Step 1: Get the license number

Ask the contractor for their license number. It should already be easy to find. State law requires each certified or registered contractor to put their number on every offer of services, bid, proposal, contract and advertisement.[12] It must also appear on a vehicle that shows the contractor's name or looks like a construction vehicle.[12] Contractors must also put it on each building permit application.[12]

Step 2: Search DBPR

Open the DBPR license search. You can search by name, by license number, by city or county, or by license type.[1]

  • By license number: enter just the number part, or the whole number including the letters.[2] Picking a license category and type is optional.[2] You'll get a list of matching or similar numbers. Open each record to see the licensee's name and the business linked to that license.[3]
  • By the person's name: enter first and last name, then open each result to see the business tied to that license.[3] If you're unsure of the spelling, enter the first 4 or more letters of the last name.[2]
  • By business name: type it in the "Organization/Establishment Name" field.[3] You can't search by a person's name and a business name at the same time. If you fill in both, only the last name is used.[2]
  • Too many results? Narrow them with the license category, license type and city filters.[2]

Step 3: Check that the contractor qualifies the business

In Florida, the individual holds the contractor's license. A corporation, LLC or partnership can do construction work only if a licensed contractor is approved to qualify it.[3] The approved business name appears on that person's license. If the contractor works without a business name, the license says "INDIVIDUAL".[3]

So if you searched a company name, DBPR recommends a second step. Note the individual contractors listed as qualifying the business, then search each one by name to confirm they properly qualify it.[3] DBPR stopped issuing separate business licenses for construction companies on 1 October 2009. Contractors still have to qualify each business with their individual license.[5]

Under state law, a business counts as unlicensed for a job if it has no qualifying agent licensed for that scope of work.[14] A business tax receipt (what used to be called an occupational license) is not a contractor's license.[13]

Step 4: Read the license type: certified or registered

Type Where they may work How to spot it
Certified Anywhere in Florida, without meeting each local area's competency rules.[9] Occupation code begins with C.[6] Examples: CGC Certified General, CBC Certified Building, CRC Certified Residential, CCC Certified Roofing, CAC Certified Air Conditioning, CFC Certified Plumbing.[7]
Registered Only in the local jurisdictions where they met the competency requirements for their registration.[9] Occupation code begins with R.[6] Examples: RG Registered General, RB Registered Building, RR Registered Residential, RC Registered Roofing, RA Registered Air Conditioning, RF Registered Plumbing.[7]

A registered contractor got a local (county or city) contracting license first, then registered it with the state.[5] A certified contractor passed the Florida contractor's exam and met the state's financial and experience requirements.[5]

Where can a registered contractor work? The statute says registered contractors "may contract only in such jurisdictions", meaning the ones their registration was issued for.[9] DBPR's construction FAQ adds "along with any adjoining locales that will accept your registration".[5] If you hire a registered contractor, ask your local building department whether it accepts that registration.

What each category covers

The category tells you the work a contractor may do. Some examples from state law:

  • General contractor: services are unlimited as to the type of work, except as the law expressly provides.[9]
  • Building contractor: commercial buildings and single- or multi-family residential buildings up to three stories, plus accessory structures. Also remodeling or repair of any size building if the work doesn't affect structural members.[9]
  • Residential contractor: one-, two- and three-family homes of up to two habitable stories above no more than one uninhabitable story, plus accessory structures.[9]
  • Roofing contractor: all kinds of roofing, waterproofing and roof coating, plus related work such as skylights, roof-deck attachments, and repair of wood roof sheathing or fascia during a roof job.[9]

DBPR's Construction Industry Licensing Board page describes every category, including air-conditioning, mechanical, plumbing, pool/spa, solar and specialty licenses.[6]

Electricians are licensed by a different board

Electrical and alarm contractors are licensed by DBPR's Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board, not the construction board.[8] DBPR's code list shows EC for an electrical contractor and ER for a registered electrical contractor.[7] A certified electrical license covers the whole state.[8] A registered electrical contractor may work only in the cities or counties their registration covers, and may not contract for any alarm system.[8]

Step 5: Read the status

DBPR shows two status words: a primary status and a secondary status, for example "Current, Active".[4][5]

Status you see What DBPR says it means
Current, Active The license is current and the contractor may practice within their scope of work.[5] This is the status to look for.
Current, Inactive The license is current, but the holder isn't actively practicing.[5] "Inactive" means they've met the requirements but may not work under the license.[4] Under state law, a person working on an inactive license is unlicensed.[13]
Delinquent, Active The license wasn't renewed by its expiration date. The contractor may not practice with it until the status is updated.[5]
Delinquent, Inactive The license wasn't renewed by its expiration date, and it was inactive before that.[5]
Null & Void The license lapsed after repeated failure to renew. The holder would generally have to reapply.[4][5]
Suspended The holder's work privileges are suspended for a set period.[4] Working on a suspended license counts as unlicensed under state law.[13]
Revoked The licensee no longer meets the department's requirements to operate under the license.[4]
Probation The licensee has been placed on probation as part of a disciplinary action or as a condition of licensure.[4]
Applicant / Eligible Someone has applied but isn't approved yet, or has been approved to move on to the next step, such as the exam.[4] Neither is a license.
Vol. Relinquish, Retired, Deceased The holder gave up the license, retired, or has died, according to DBPR's records.[4]

DBPR's glossary also lists less common statuses, such as "Restricted by Agreement/Order", where practice is not permitted.[4]

When does a license become null and void? DBPR's general glossary says it happens when the licensee "has failed to renew several times".[4] The statute is more specific. A license that expires without renewal becomes delinquent. If the holder doesn't make it active or inactive before the end of that next licensure cycle, it becomes void.[15] We follow the statute. DBPR may reinstate a void license if the holder failed to renew because of illness or economic hardship.[15][5]

Check the expiration date too

The "Expires" date is when the license must be renewed to keep its status.[4] Certified contractors renew on 31 August of even-numbered years. Registered contractors renew on 31 August of odd-numbered years.[5] A record checked just before a renewal date can change soon after, so check again close to signing.

Work that may not need a state license

DBPR lists cabinets, countertops, paint, wallpaper, carpet, tile and window treatments as examples of work that doesn't need a state license.[5] Some of these trades may be licensed by your local building department instead, so ask them.[3] State law also stops local governments from requiring a license for certain job scopes. Examples include painting, flooring, cabinetry, handyman services, pressure washing, stuccoing and tile installation.[11]

Local (county) contractor licenses

Some counties issue their own contractor licenses (certificates of competency) and have their own search.

  • Miami-Dade County: The County's Contractor Licensing Section licenses contractors and tradespeople working in the county, under Chapter 10 of the County Code.[16] County certificate holders who must register with DBPR, and don't, have their permitting privileges restricted.[16] Use the County's Contractor Inquiry and Complaint Search to search by company name or license number, and to look up complaints. For help, call Contractor Licensing at 786-315-2880.[17]
  • Palm Beach County: The County's Contractor Regulations page links both a County licensed-contractor search and the state search.[18] Since 1 July 2025, the County no longer requires or issues a certificate of competency for some trades. Examples include painting, countertops, tile, terrazzo and stone, wood flooring, and fabric awnings.[19] Contractor Regulations: 2300 N. Jog Road, 2nd Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33411; 561-233-5525; pzbctr@pbc.gov; Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.[18]

Other counties and cities may run their own local licensing. Unverified We have not checked every county. Ask your local building department whether it issues local contractor licenses.

If something is wrong

  • Why it matters: Under state law, it's illegal to act as a contractor, or to advertise as one, without being registered or certified.[13] A contract signed by an unlicensed contractor on or after 1 October 1990 can't be enforced by that contractor.[14]
  • Complaints about a licensed contractor: call DBPR's Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395 or use the complaints page.[5]
  • Complaints about unlicensed activity: call DBPR's toll-free unlicensed activity line, 1-866-532-1440.[5]
  • What DBPR can and can't do: DBPR's discipline is administrative, such as fines, probation, suspension or revocation. The department can't represent you in a civil matter to get back money you paid.[20] It may not be able to handle some price disputes, contract disagreements or workmanship issues.[20]

Contacts

Office Phone Address / link
DBPR Customer Contact Center 850-487-1395 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399[1]
DBPR unlicensed activity line 1-866-532-1440 File a complaint[5][20]
Miami-Dade County Contractor Licensing 786-315-2880 Contractors & Building Trades[16]
Palm Beach County Contractor Regulations 561-233-5525 2300 N. Jog Road, 2nd Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33411[18]

Before work starts, also check that the permit was pulled. See How to Find Your Roof's Permit Date for how to search permits by address.

Common questions

What status should a contractor's license show before I hire them?

Look for a current, active license. DBPR's construction board says "current, active" means the license is current and the contractor may practice within their scope of work.[5] Under state law, someone working on an inactive or suspended license is treated as unlicensed.[13]

What is the difference between a certified and a registered contractor?

A certified contractor holds a state certificate of competency and may contract anywhere in Florida. A registered contractor registered with the state based on a local competency license and may contract only in the jurisdictions that registration covers.[9]

The company's name doesn't show up. Is it unlicensed?

Not necessarily. Florida licenses the individual contractor, who then qualifies the business. The business name appears on that person's license, so search the business name, then check the qualifying contractor by name.[3]

Is a business tax receipt (occupational license) a contractor's license?

No. State law says a business tax receipt is not a license for contracting purposes.[13]

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from the official sources below, checked on 22 October 2026.

  1. Florida DBPR: License search (Verify a License)
  2. Florida DBPR: License Search Help
  3. Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board: Business Information (how to verify a contractor)
  4. Florida DBPR: Licensing Portal Term Glossary (license status definitions)
  5. Florida DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board: FAQs
  6. Florida DBPR: Construction Industry Licensing Board (license types)
  7. Florida DBPR: Understanding DBPR Codes
  8. Florida DBPR: Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board
  9. Florida Statutes § 489.105 (2026), Definitions
  10. Florida Statutes § 489.113 (2026), Qualifications for practice
  11. Florida Statutes § 489.117 (2026), Registration; specialty contractors
  12. Florida Statutes § 489.119 (2026), Business organizations; qualifying agents
  13. Florida Statutes § 489.127 (2026), Prohibitions; penalties
  14. Florida Statutes § 489.128 (2026), Contracts entered into by unlicensed contractors unenforceable
  15. Florida Statutes § 455.271 (2026), Inactive and delinquent status
  16. Miami-Dade County: Contractors & Building Trades (local licensing)
  17. Miami-Dade County: Contractor Inquiry and Complaint Search
  18. Palm Beach County PZB: Contractor Regulations
  19. Palm Beach County Building Code Advisory Board: Certificate of Competency Preemption notice (PDF, issued 21 Jan 2026)
  20. Florida DBPR: File a Complaint