Verify a Contractors License
BACK TO
VERIFY
State Contractors License
• look for license number after the letter
designation this example CGC
• look for expiration date
County Contractors License-SAMPLE
County Contractors License- SAMPLE
Don't be fooled by a similar looking card issued by Division of Workers' Compentation
This is not a Contractor's License
This is a workers compensation exemption
• One could easily be fooled by this card because it displays all the key words: State of Florida, Construction Industry, Home Remodeling, LLC with the scope of business Handyman.
•SCOPE OF BUSINESS OR TRADE: Handyman (There is no licensed trade for a handyman).
Unlicensed contractors use this card to give the appearance they are a legitimate home remodeling company! This is not a contractor's license and this company/person CANNOT OBTAIN BUILDING PERMITS.
Florida Contractor Licensing Facts
Facts about Florida Contractor Licensing
Florida Contractor Licensing- Local and
State Differences
• In the State of Florida there are two types of contractor licensing authorities: The State of Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR) and local and county governments.
• Out of the 67 counties in the State of Florida, no two counties are alike when it comes to local licensing. Some counties have their own local specialty licensing and some do not.
• Local municipalities and counties that are licensing authorities have developed their own unique licensing categories, definitions, and restrictions to the license. So what applies to a specific local license in one county might be different in another county.
• Local licenses grant authority to the licensed holder to work only in the jurisdiction/county where the license was issued. These contractors can only obtain permits in the county their licensed was issued by. Local Specialty Contractors must be appropriately licensed in the jurisdiction in where they want to pull permits.
• The State Certified Contractor is the only license type in the State that is recognized statewide. A contractor with this license can work in any of the 67 counties in Florida.
• Not all contractor licenses are equal. Not only are there restrictions on where one can work there are restrictions on the types of buildings one can obtain permits for work.
I can't stress enough before you enter into a contract; If you live in a high-rise building you need to know who you can hire to work on or in your building.
• In the State of Florida there are two types of contractor licensing authorities: The State of Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR) and local and county governments.
• Out of the 67 counties in the State of Florida, no two counties are alike when it comes to local licensing. Some counties have their own local specialty licensing and some do not.
• Local municipalities and counties that are licensing authorities have developed their own unique licensing categories, definitions, and restrictions to the license. So what applies to a specific local license in one county might be different in another county.
• Local licenses grant authority to the licensed holder to work only in the jurisdiction/county where the license was issued. These contractors can only obtain permits in the county their licensed was issued by. Local Specialty Contractors must be appropriately licensed in the jurisdiction in where they want to pull permits.
• The State Certified Contractor is the only license type in the State that is recognized statewide. A contractor with this license can work in any of the 67 counties in Florida.
• Not all contractor licenses are equal. Not only are there restrictions on where one can work there are restrictions on the types of buildings one can obtain permits for work.
I can't stress enough before you enter into a contract; If you live in a high-rise building you need to know who you can hire to work on or in your building.
Do-it-yourself Verification
Before you look
for a contractor it is best to find out who
can do the job/what type of contractor you
need. The following guideline should help
you.
What kind of contractor do I need?
Make sure the license:
• Allows the contractor to work in your jurisdiction
• Allows the contractor to obtain permits for the type of structure you live in
• Is valid and up-to-date.
Once you find a contractor download our checklist for working with a contractor.
What kind of contractor do I need?
- Determine your scope of work
- Call your local Building Department to find out what types of license/contractor is required to do the work you need done
- Once you find a contractor be sure to verify his or her license by calling your Building Department or the DBPR.
- See the next two file drawers for specific details about verifying a State Contractor's License (starts with the letter C) and Local County Contractor's License.
My Contractor's License is only a row of numbers without any letters, who do I call?If the License numbers beginning with a "C" it is regulated by the State of Florida's DBPR
Your most likely are looking at a Business Tax Receipt this is not a license for contracting. It is a tax all business have to pay.
Make sure the license:
• Allows the contractor to work in your jurisdiction
• Allows the contractor to obtain permits for the type of structure you live in
• Is valid and up-to-date.
Once you find a contractor download our checklist for working with a contractor.
State Contractor's License Verification
Verify a State
Contractors License on-line
• Click here for The State of Florida /DBPR license verification
• Type in the State Contractors License Number and choose category (construction, electrical, etc.)
• Verify License is valid and check for complaint history
Call to Verify a State Contractors License
• Call to verify 1-850-487-1395
Report Unlicensed Activity
• Toll-Free 1-866-532-1440
Learn more about Unlicensed Contractors
Check out The State of Florida's Department of Professional Regulation/ DBPR Bureau of Unlicensed Activity; learn more about licensing rules and regulations. This page is specific to consumer information related to unlicensed activity with downloadable brochures.
• Click here for The State of Florida /DBPR license verification
• Type in the State Contractors License Number and choose category (construction, electrical, etc.)
• Verify License is valid and check for complaint history
Call to Verify a State Contractors License
• Call to verify 1-850-487-1395
Report Unlicensed Activity
• Toll-Free 1-866-532-1440
Learn more about Unlicensed Contractors
Check out The State of Florida's Department of Professional Regulation/ DBPR Bureau of Unlicensed Activity; learn more about licensing rules and regulations. This page is specific to consumer information related to unlicensed activity with downloadable brochures.
Local County Contractor's License
Verify a Local
County Contractor's License;
Contact your local building department to verify a local contractor's license
• Ask them to verify the license, permits and complaint history
Contact your local building department to verify a local contractor's license
• Ask them to verify the license, permits and complaint history
What a License Looks Like
State Contractors License
• look for license number after the letter
designation this example CGC
• look for expiration date
County Contractors License-SAMPLE
County Contractors License- SAMPLE
Don't be fooled by a similar looking card issued by Division of Workers' Compentation
This is not a Contractor's License
This is a workers compensation exemption
• One could easily be fooled by this card because it displays all the key words: State of Florida, Construction Industry, Home Remodeling, LLC with the scope of business Handyman.
•SCOPE OF BUSINESS OR TRADE: Handyman (There is no licensed trade for a handyman).
Unlicensed contractors use this card to give the appearance they are a legitimate home remodeling company! This is not a contractor's license and this company/person CANNOT OBTAIN BUILDING PERMITS.
Contractor Complaint Form
Take
the time and report the crime--
Get
your Contractor Complaint
Form
During the course of verification if you come across and unlicensed contractor report the unlicensed activity to The State of Florida Toll-Free 1-866-532-1440 and file this complaint form.
If you had to hire an licensed contractor after being duped by an unlicensed contractor- BE SURE TO TAKE THE TIME TO REPORT THE CRIME!
During the course of verification if you come across and unlicensed contractor report the unlicensed activity to The State of Florida Toll-Free 1-866-532-1440 and file this complaint form.
If you had to hire an licensed contractor after being duped by an unlicensed contractor- BE SURE TO TAKE THE TIME TO REPORT THE CRIME!
Search for Prior Unlicensed Activity
Search here for
someone who has been previously cited by
the
DBPR for unlicensed construction
activity.
The subjects listed at this site are here because someone took the time and reported the crime.
The subjects listed at this site are here because someone took the time and reported the crime.
How do I know if the license is a real contractors
license?
You always need to call the State of Florida to check the contractor's license to make sure it is valid 1-850-487-1395. Read below to determine if a contractor's license is a local county contractor's license or a state contractors license.
You always need to call the State of Florida to check the contractor's license to make sure it is valid 1-850-487-1395. Read below to determine if a contractor's license is a local county contractor's license or a state contractors license.
Does your
State required contractors to be licensed? Check
with the National Association of State
Contractors Licensing Agencies
directory.
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