How to check a contractor’s license in Florida
Before you pay anyone to work on your home, look up their license. It’s free, it takes about two minutes, and it’s the easiest way to avoid hiring someone who isn’t allowed to do the job.
Look it up, step by step
- Ask for the license number. Florida requires contractors to put it on their ads, bids and contracts, so you’ll often find it on the website or the truck.
- Go to myfloridalicense.com, the site of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), and open Verify a License.
- Search by the license number, or by the person’s or the company’s name.
- Open the result and check that the name matches the person or company you’re hiring, that the status says Current, Active, and that the license fits your job (see the letters below).
- Look for complaints. The DBPR suggests checking for complaints before you hire anyone.
What the letters mean
The letters at the start of a Florida license number tell you what the contractor may do. A C means certified: they can work anywhere in Florida. An R means registered: they can only work in the cities or counties where they registered.
| Letters | Type of contractor |
|---|---|
| CGC or RG | General |
| CBC or RB | Building |
| CRC or RR | Residential |
| CCC or RC | Roofing |
| CFC or RF | Plumbing |
| CAC or RA | Air conditioning |
| CMC or RM | Mechanical |
| CPC or RP | Pool and spa |
| EC or ER | Electrical |
A business license from the city, or an LLC registered with the state, is not a contractor’s license. The DBPR warns about this one, because it fools a lot of people.
Which jobs need a licensed pro?
Hire a licensed contractor for electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, roofing and structural work, like taking down a wall. These jobs usually need a permit too, and your contractor should pull it.
Florida has no state handyman license. A handyman can paint, patch drywall, hang shelves or put up a fence, but shouldn’t take on electrical, plumbing, AC or roofing work.
Small jobs: Florida law exempts casual, minor work that costs less than $2,500 in total, labor and materials included. That exemption doesn’t apply if the job is part of a bigger project, if it’s split into smaller jobs to stay under the limit, or if the person advertises as a contractor. Some cities and counties have their own license rules, so your local building department is worth a call.
Why it’s worth two minutes
- It’s the law. Working as a contractor without a license is a crime in Florida, and a felony during a state of emergency, like after a hurricane.
- You get a way to complain. A licensed contractor answers to the state, and you can file a complaint with the DBPR.
- You may get money back. If a licensed contractor breaks certain Florida laws and you lose money, the state’s Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund may pay back part of it. That protection doesn’t exist when you hire someone without a license.
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Sources
- Florida DBPR: verify a license
- Florida DBPR: what the license codes mean
- Florida DBPR: tips for hiring a contractor (PDF, via the City of Port St. Lucie)
- Florida Statutes §489.103: exemptions, including minor work under $2,500
- Florida Statutes §489.119: license number in ads, bids and contracts
- Florida Statutes §489.127: penalties for unlicensed contracting
- Florida Statutes §489.1425: the recovery fund notice
- Brevard County: does a handyman need a license?
This guide is general information, not legal or professional advice. Rules change, so check the sources and ask a licensed pro about your home.
