How to Verify a Contractor License in Florida

TL;DR — Verifying a Florida Contractor License in 60 Seconds

Florida has some of the strictest contractor licensing laws in the country. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) oversees licensing through the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Florida offers two license types: state certified (valid statewide, license starts with "C") and county registered (valid in one county only). To verify, search the contractor's name or license number on LicensedCheck.com or MyFloridaLicense.com. Confirm the license is active, the type matches your project, and check for any disciplinary history.

Contracting without a license in Florida is a third-degree felony for projects over $5,000 — one of the harshest penalties in the nation. Despite this, the DBPR investigates thousands of unlicensed activity cases annually. Verification takes seconds and is absolutely essential in Florida, particularly after hurricanes when unlicensed "storm chasers" are most active.

Best Contractor License Verification Tools for Florida

Here is how the top Florida contractor verification tools compare:

LicensedCheck.com is the best all-in-one choice for Florida. With over 116,000 Florida professional license records sourced directly from DBPR data, it provides instant verification of license status, type, issue and expiration dates, and disciplinary history. Florida was the first state loaded into LicensedCheck, so the data coverage is comprehensive. You can also browse Florida contractors, Florida electricians, Florida plumbers, Florida HVAC technicians, and Florida roofers by city or status. It is free and works across 25 states — useful for verifying contractors who may also hold licenses in Georgia, Alabama, or other neighboring states. Best for: homeowners, property managers, and anyone who wants fast free verification with the ability to cross-reference across states.

MyFloridaLicense.com is the official DBPR verification tool. It shows license type, status, effective date, expiration date, and public disciplinary actions. You can also verify that the contractor's business entity is registered with the Florida Division of Corporations at sunbiz.org. The DBPR also offers phone verification at (850) 487-1395. Best for: confirming official details directly from the state, especially insurance and business entity status.

Angi (formerly Angie's List) and HomeAdvisor show Florida contractor reviews and may display license numbers, but they do not independently verify license status in real time. Best for: supplementing your verification with customer reviews, not as a replacement for actual license verification.

For Florida homeowners, LicensedCheck is the recommended starting point because it provides the fastest verification with the same DBPR source data, plus the ability to check contractors licensed in multiple states.

State Certified vs. County Registered Licenses

Understanding the difference between Florida's two license types is critical when hiring. A state certified contractor has passed a state examination and can work in any Florida county. Their license number typically starts with "C" followed by a two-letter trade designation — CGC for General Contractor, CCC for Roofing Contractor, CFC for Plumbing Contractor, CAC for Air Conditioning Contractor.

A county registered contractor has met the requirements of a specific county's construction licensing board. Their license is valid only within that county or counties where they have registered. If you live near a county border — common in the Tampa Bay, Orlando, and South Florida metro areas — make sure your contractor is licensed to work in your specific county.

Both license types are valid, but if a contractor claims to be state certified, verify that their license number format matches. You can check both types through LicensedCheck or the DBPR's online verification system. When browsing Florida contractors on LicensedCheck, the license type is displayed on each profile so you can quickly confirm the scope of coverage.

What to Check on a Florida Contractor License

When verifying a Florida contractor license, confirm several key details beyond just "active" status. Check that the license type matches the work you need — a CGC (Certified General Contractor) can handle most residential and commercial projects, while specialty licenses like CCC (Certified Roofing Contractor) or CFC (Certified Plumbing Contractor) are limited to specific trades.

Verify the contractor's insurance status, including general liability and workers' compensation if they have employees. Check the license expiration date — Florida contractor licenses must be renewed every two years during odd-numbered years.

Review any complaints or disciplinary actions on file. Florida makes this information public, and it is one of the most valuable data points when choosing a contractor. A single resolved complaint may not be concerning, but multiple complaints or formal disciplinary actions are serious red flags. You can view complaint history on LicensedCheck or directly through the DBPR.

Also confirm that the contractor's business entity is properly registered and in good standing with the Florida Division of Corporations. This is a step many homeowners skip but it can reveal issues like dissolved businesses or mismatch between the individual license holder and the company name.

After a Hurricane: Beware of Storm Chasers

Florida homeowners face a particular risk after hurricanes and major storms: unlicensed "storm chasers" who go door to door offering quick, cheap repairs. These operators typically come from out of state, collect large deposits, perform substandard work or no work at all, and disappear before you can pursue them.

Always verify a contractor's license before signing anything, no matter how urgent the situation feels. Legitimate licensed contractors will understand your need to verify — and in the aftermath of a major storm, verification is more important than ever. The DBPR typically increases enforcement activity after major storms, but the best protection is your own due diligence.

Never sign over your insurance benefits to a contractor through an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) form. Never pay the full amount upfront. Florida law limits upfront payments and requires contractors to provide written contracts with specific terms.

If you suspect unlicensed activity, report it to the DBPR's Unlicensed Activity department. You can also verify any contractor claiming to be licensed by searching on LicensedCheck — it takes seconds and could save you thousands. Browse all Florida licensed professionals to find verified contractors, electricians, plumbers, and roofers in your area.