The eight checks, in order
- 1
Ask for the license number and the exact business name
A licensed contractor will give you both without hesitation. If someone offers only a first name and a cell number, stop there. Write down the business name exactly as it appears on the estimate — you will need it to match the state record.
- 2
Open the state license search
Go to myfloridalicense.com, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation portal, and choose "Verify a License." You can search by license number, individual name, or business name.
- 3
Confirm the status reads Current, Active
Anything else — Null and Void, Delinquent, Inactive, Suspended — means they cannot legally pull a permit for your job today. Check the expiration date too: Florida construction licenses run on two-year cycles.
- 4
Check that the license type matches the work
A certified roofing contractor (CCC) cannot legally re-pipe your bathroom, and a plumbing license (CFC) does not cover a re-roof. Match the license category to the scope on your estimate.
- 5
Read the complaint and discipline history
The DBPR record shows disciplinary actions attached to the license. A single old citation is not automatically disqualifying; a pattern of unresolved complaints is.
- 6
Verify the qualifier is tied to the company you're hiring
In Florida, an individual holds the license and "qualifies" a business. Confirm the qualifier on the state record is connected to the company name on your contract — not a different entity that lent its license.
- 7
Get the insurance certificate directly from the insurer or agent
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation, sent to you by the agent rather than forwarded as a PDF by the contractor. Confirm the policy dates cover your project window.
- 8
Confirm local registration and the permit
For work in Orange, Seminole, or Osceola County — or inside a city with its own building department — the contractor also needs local registration and a local business tax receipt. Ask who is pulling the permit. If the answer is "you are, as owner-builder," you are taking on their liability.
What the Florida license codes mean
The two- or three-letter prefix on the license tells you what the holder is allowed to build. Match it to the work on your estimate.
| Code | License type | Typically covers |
|---|---|---|
| CCC | Certified Roofing Contractor | Roof replacement, repair, re-decking, underlayment |
| CGC | Certified General Contractor | Any structure, unlimited stories |
| CBC | Certified Building Contractor | Commercial up to three stories, all residential |
| CRC | Certified Residential Contractor | One- and two-family residences up to two stories |
| CFC | Certified Plumbing Contractor | Water supply, drainage, water heaters, re-pipes, gas |
| CAC | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor | HVAC systems, ductwork, refrigeration |
| EC | Certified Electrical Contractor | Wiring, panels, service upgrades, generators |
Trades verified locally, not by the state
Landscaping, Concrete, Drywall, Painting and similar trades are generally not state-certified through DBPR. Verify those through the Orange County Contractor Licensing Division, the Seminole County Building Division, or Osceola County Building — plus a current local business tax receipt and a Certificate of Insurance.
Red flags that should stop the conversation
- Wants cash, Zelle, or a large deposit before any permit is applied for
- Says a permit isn't needed for a roof replacement, panel change, water heater, or re-pipe
- Asks you to pull the permit yourself as owner-builder
- Uses a license number that belongs to a different company name
- Has no in-state physical address you could drive to
- Appeared in the neighborhood right after a storm with a same-day-only price
- Won't put the scope, materials, and warranty terms in writing
Questions homeowners ask
- Is every contractor in Florida required to hold a state license?
- No. Roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and general/building/residential contracting are state-regulated categories licensed through DBPR or the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board. Trades such as painting, drywall, landscaping, and flatwork concrete are generally regulated at the county or city level instead, so you verify those through the local building or licensing division rather than the state portal.
- What is the difference between a certified and a registered license?
- A certified contractor passed the state exam and can work anywhere in Florida. A registered contractor holds a competency card issued by a local jurisdiction and can only work in the jurisdictions that recognize it. Both can be legitimate — but a registered license does not automatically let someone work across the whole Orlando metro.
- Is it illegal to hire an unlicensed contractor in Florida?
- Contracting without a required license is a third-degree felony under § 489.127, Florida Statutes, on projects valued at $5,000 or more, and on any size project during a declared state of emergency. Beyond the criminal exposure for the contractor, homeowners who hire unlicensed help typically lose access to permit inspections, warranty recourse, and the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund.
- Can I recover money if a licensed contractor takes my deposit and disappears?
- Florida operates the Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund, which can reimburse homeowners harmed by a licensed contractor's misconduct after a DBPR final order or a court judgment. The fund only covers work performed by licensed contractors — another reason verification before payment matters.
- How much deposit is normal in Florida?
- For residential repair contracts, Florida law restricts a contractor from collecting more than 10 percent of the contract price as a down payment before permits are applied for, unless specific conditions are met. A demand for half up front, in cash, before a permit exists is a warning sign.
- Does a Google rating tell me whether someone is licensed?
- No. Ratings measure customer experience, not licensure, insurance, or permit history. Plenty of unlicensed operators hold high review averages. Treat reviews and license verification as two separate checks that both have to pass.
Next steps
For homeownersPost a job, get bids
Instead of contacting contractors one at a time, describe your project once on Knuckl and let licensed Orlando-area subcontractors bid on it.