Florida contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Florida contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (DBPR), how to check one online, the license types, and 10,280 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Florida?
| Who licenses them | Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) |
|---|---|
| License types | Certified General Contractor, Certified Building Contractor, Certified Residential Contractor, Registered General/Building/Residential Contractor (local jurisdiction only), Roofing Contractor, Residential Pool/Spa Contractor, Specialty Contractor |
| When a license is required | Residential contracts over $2,500 must include the written Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund notice; if the initial payment exceeds 10% of the contract price, the contractor must apply for permits within 30 days and begin work within 90 days after permits issue (unless just cause or you agreed in writing). |
These are competency licenses: certified contractors work statewide, registered contractors only where they met local requirements. If a licensed contractor causes financial harm, the Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund may pay up to $100,000 per claim (Division I, contracts on or after July 1, 2024), but it does not cover unlicensed contractors (https://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/construction-industry/homeowners-construction-recovery-fund/).
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Florida?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Florida contractor license lookup run by DBPR.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DBPR.
What contractor licenses does Florida issue?
- Certified General Contractor
- Certified Building Contractor
- Certified Residential Contractor
- Registered General/Building/Residential Contractor (local jurisdiction only)
- Roofing Contractor
- Residential Pool/Spa Contractor
- Specialty Contractor
How do you get a contractor license in Florida?
Licenses are issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official DBPR source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many home improvement contractors are there in Florida?
The Census Bureau counted 10,280 residential remodelers with employees in Florida in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Miami-Dade County | 1,056 |
|---|---|
| Palm Beach County | 888 |
| Broward County | 883 |
| Orange County | 803 |
| Lee County | 616 |
| Hillsborough County | 558 |
| Duval County | 530 |
| Pinellas County | 481 |
What do Florida homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Florida was built in 1988, 33% of households rent and 61% of homes are single-family houses. 5% of homes heat with utility gas and 91% with electricity.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Florida?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Florida licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.