How to Verify a Contractor License in Florida (DBPR Lookup, 2026)
Florida licenses construction contractors statewide through the DBPR — verify any license free at myfloridalicense.com (“Verify a License”). Florida has two license types: Certified (CCC/CGC/etc. — valid statewide) and Registered (valid only in specific local jurisdictions). Unlicensed contracting is a misdemeanor here — and during a declared state of emergency (read: after hurricanes), it’s a felony.
How Does Florida’s Two-Tier System Work?
| Certified | Registered | |
|---|---|---|
| Valid where | Statewide | Only in the local jurisdictions where registered |
| License prefix | ”C” — e.g., CGC (general), CCC (roofing), CFC (plumbing), CAC (HVAC), EC (electrical) | “R” — e.g., RG, RR |
| Exam | State exam passed | Local competency card basis |
| What it means for you | Hire anywhere in Florida | Confirm they’re registered in your county/city |
Roofing, general construction, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work all require licensure in Florida — there’s no “small job” trade exemption like Texas. Handyman work is limited to minor non-structural tasks.
How Do You Verify, Step by Step?
- Go to myfloridalicense.com → “Verify a License” — search by name, license number, or city
- Confirm status: current/active, and that the license type matches the trade (a CCC roofer is not licensed for your electrical panel)
- For Registered licensees, confirm your county appears in their registration
- Check complaints and discipline on the record, and ask for certificates of liability + workers’ comp sent from the insurer
- After storms, cross-check against the storm chaser red flags — Florida is ground zero for post-hurricane contractor fraud
What Makes Florida’s Rules Unusually Sharp?
- Emergency felony rule: unlicensed contracting is normally a first-degree misdemeanor — but during a declared state of emergency it becomes a third-degree felony. The state actively stings after hurricanes.
- The Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund can compensate you for losses caused by a licensed contractor’s fraud or abandonment (statutory caps apply) — one more reason hiring licensed isn’t optional: unlicensed work gets zero fund protection.
- AOB ban: Florida prohibited Assignments of Benefits on residential property policies issued after Jan 1, 2023 — if a restoration company pushes AOB paperwork, read our AOB guide before touching a pen.
- Claim deadlines are short: initial property claims within 1 year, supplemental within 18 months — see supplemental claims.
- Hurricane-exposed pricing varies sharply by metro — sanity-check quotes against our Tampa roofing, Orlando pest control, and Miami HVAC guides.
What If Something Goes Wrong?
File complaints with DBPR (license discipline), your county’s consumer protection office, and — for fraud — local law enforcement, especially post-storm. If the contractor was licensed, ask DBPR about Recovery Fund eligibility before assuming the money is gone. The full sequence, including demand letters and small claims (Florida limit: $8,000), is in scammed by a contractor: what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check a contractor’s license in Florida? Search “Verify a License” at myfloridalicense.com (DBPR) by name or license number. Confirm active status, the right trade, and — for Registered licensees — that your county is covered.
What’s the difference between certified and registered contractors in Florida? Certified (license starts with “C”) passed the state exam and can work statewide. Registered (“R”) can only work in the specific local jurisdictions where they hold competency registration.
Is unlicensed contracting really a felony in Florida? During a declared state of emergency, yes — third-degree felony. In normal times it’s a misdemeanor that escalates with repeat offenses. Florida enforces this aggressively after hurricanes.
What is the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund? A state fund that can compensate homeowners for actual losses caused by a licensed contractor’s fraud, misconduct, or abandonment when you can’t collect otherwise. It applies only to licensed contractors — another reason verification comes first.
Do Florida roofers need a license? Yes — roofing requires a CCC (certified) or registered roofing license. “My buddy does roofs on weekends” is illegal in Florida, and after a storm it’s a felony.
Last updated: June 10, 2026. Sources: Florida DBPR (myfloridalicense.com); Fla. Stat. § 489.127 (unlicensed contracting penalties), § 489.140 (Recovery Fund), § 627.7152 (AOB), § 627.70132 (claim deadlines). This article is consumer information, not legal advice.