How to Check a Florida Builder's License

Builders must have a license to perform construction in Florida.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) issues licenses to Florida builders and other construction professionals. The department also seeks to protect the public by providing a free licensee search for Florida consumers. Residents building a new home or business facility can use the licensee search service to check on a builder's license. Residents should check on the status or existence of a builder's license before signing a contract and proceeding with construction.

Things You'll Need

• Builder information

Instructions

1. Get information about the builder and license. Ask the builder you are negotiating with for this information. Obtain both the principal name of the builder holding the license and the name of the company. Ask for the city and county of the builder's place of business. You should also ask for the Florida builder's license number and license type.

2. Select the type of Florida license search you wish to perform from the DBPR "Licensee Search" page. Click the "Search" button to check a builder's license. Type in the builder's information on the next page. Enter the personal name of the builder and the company name when searching by name. You must enter both the license type and city or county when searching by license type or searching by city or county. Select "Construction Industry" in the "Licensing Category" menu. Enter the licensing type in the second drop-down menu. Click the "Search" button.

3. Click on the builder's name in the search results. You can then view a page with the builder's license information. Look for the licensure date and the expiration date. You can also see the builder's name, company name, company address and county.

4. Look at the county and license type to confirm that the Florida builder has authority to operate in your county. Certified contractors in Florida may operate in every Florida county. Registered contractors may operate only in counties where they have passed local exams.

5. Click on "View License Complaint" at the bottom of the page to check on any complaints about the builder. DBPR accepts and publishes Florida contractor complaints lodged against Florida licensees.

Tips & Warnings

• You may also refer to the DBPR list of Florida contractor licenses to see the types of licenses issued in Florida. Florida builders may have either a certified building license or registered building license. However, the builder may also have a general contractor's license or some other type of construction license.

• You may also download a file with basic information on construction license applicants. Click on the "Construction Applicants" link to download the information. However, the file contains only the name, license type and contact information. You need to run a search to get full information.

• Visit the physical address listed in the builder's license information before signing a contract. Preferably, you should have the builder meet you at that address. You need to make sure a builder claiming to have a license is not posing as a licensed builder.

References

• Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR): Licensee Search Page
• DBPR: Florida List of Licenses for Construction Contractors

Resources

• DBPR: Complaint Filing
• DBPR: License Applicant Download Files