Search the contractor's name, business name, or license number on the state's free DBPR portal at myfloridalicense.com, and confirm the status reads "Current, Active." It takes about two minutes, it's free, and it's the single best way to avoid losing money on a job in Florida. Everything below is the detail that makes that two minutes count.
Table of contents
- Why this matters more in Florida
- How to check a license, step by step
- Certified vs. registered: the difference that trips people up
- What the license statuses actually mean
- The post-storm trap: door-knockers and "storm chasers"
- Beyond the license: two more things to confirm
- FAQ
Why this matters more in Florida
In Florida, a contract signed with an unlicensed contractor is unenforceable. If the work goes wrong, you may have no legal path to recover your money. Hiring unlicensed also means the contractor can't legally pull permits, and unpermitted work can come back to bite you when you sell, insure, or repair the home later.
This isn't a small problem here. The state takes it seriously enough that contracting without a license during a declared state of emergency — which is exactly when many homeowners are most desperate — is a third-degree felony on the first offense. That tells you how common the problem gets after a hurricane.
So before you sign anything or hand over a deposit, verify. Here's how.
How to check a license, step by step
- Go to the state's official license search at myfloridalicense.com. This is the source. Third-party lookup sites pull from the same database but can lag behind, so go straight to the state.
- Search by license number if you have it (most precise), or by the person's or company's name.
- When the result loads, confirm three things:
- The status says "Current, Active."
- The license type matches the work you're hiring for (a roofer should hold a roofing license, not a general handyman registration).
- There's no disciplinary history that gives you pause — the portal shows public complaints and actions.
- If you can't find them at all, or the contractor won't give you a license number, treat that as your answer.
You can also verify by phone with the DBPR at (850) 487-1395 if you'd rather talk to a person.
Certified vs. registered: the difference that trips people up
Florida issues two kinds of contractor licenses, and the distinction matters most in metro areas like Tampa Bay and Orlando where county lines are close together.
A certified contractor passed a state exam and can work anywhere in Florida. Their license number starts with "C" (for example, CCC for a certified roofing contractor, CAC for air conditioning, CFC for plumbing, CGC for a general contractor).
A registered contractor is licensed only in specific counties. If your result shows "Registered," check that the listed counties include yours. A contractor registered in Hillsborough isn't automatically cleared to work across the line in Pinellas or Polk.
If you're hiring in a particular city, our city directory pages only list companies serving that area — but you should still confirm the individual license covers your county.
What the license statuses actually mean
The status field is the whole game. Here's the short version:
- Current, Active — good. This is what you want.
- Delinquent — the contractor missed a renewal. Not a valid license. Don't hire for licensed work until they prove renewal.
- Suspended — the board pulled the license, usually for a disciplinary reason. They can't legally work.
- Revoked / Null and Void — the most serious. The license is effectively gone.
If it says anything other than Current or Active, walk away and find someone whose license is clean.
The post-storm trap: door-knockers and "storm chasers"
Here's the Florida-specific pattern worth knowing. After a hurricane — and Central Florida has had its share, from Ian in 2022 to Milton in 2024 — out-of-area crews flood neighborhoods knocking on doors, offering fast roof and water-damage work for cash. Some are legitimate. Many aren't licensed to work in Florida at all, and a few disappear after collecting a deposit.
The established local companies are usually the ones too busy to knock on doors. So our stance is simple: be skeptical of anyone who shows up uninvited after a storm, and never let urgency talk you out of the two-minute license check. If you need help fast after a storm, start with vetted local crews through our Storm Prep & Recovery hub rather than whoever's in the driveway.
Beyond the license: two more things to confirm
A clean license is the floor, not the ceiling. Two quick additional checks:
- Workers' compensation insurance. Florida requires construction contractors to carry it. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you could be on the hook. Ask for a certificate of insurance before work starts — any reputable company has one ready.
- A real business entity. Confirm the company is registered with the Florida Division of Corporations at sunbiz.org. A licensed contractor operating under a business that doesn't exist on Sunbiz is a mismatch worth asking about.
Do those three checks — license, insurance, entity — and get at least three written quotes on any big job like a roof replacement or a new AC system. That combination weeds out almost every bad outcome before it starts.
FAQ
Is it free to check a Florida contractor's license? Yes. The official DBPR search at myfloridalicense.com is free and takes about two minutes.
What if the contractor isn't listed? If you can't find them and they can't provide a valid license number, don't hire them for licensed work. You can also report suspected unlicensed activity to the DBPR through its website or mobile app.
Does an active license mean the contractor is good? No — it means they're legally allowed to do the work. Pair the license check with reviews, a certificate of insurance, and multiple written quotes before deciding.
My contractor says they're "state certified." How do I confirm that? A state-certified license number starts with "C" and is valid statewide. Verify the number on the DBPR portal and confirm the status is Current, Active.