The short answer
To check a Florida contractor license, open DBPR’s official license search, search the license number or name, and compare the full record with the business on your contract. Confirm the trade, current status, business relationship, and any local requirements before work begins.
1. Gather the identifying details
Ask for the legal business name, license number, qualifier’s name, and project scope. Keep the quote or contract beside you. Starting with the number reduces confusion between namesakes; a company name alone can return several unrelated records.
2. Open the official DBPR lookup
Use the official search linked below. Choose license number when you have one, or name when you do not. Open the detail record rather than relying on a search snippet or an image of a license. Save the record link or a dated copy so you can show which result you checked.
3. Match the trade and business
Check that the license category is relevant to the actual work. Confirm the relationship between the named license holder or qualifier and the business you intend to hire. A number belonging to another person or company is not sufficient evidence for your contract.
For construction licenses, DBPR distinguishes certified contractors, with statewide authority within their license scope, from registered contractors, whose authority depends on the jurisdictions where they are registered. Ask the relevant board or building department when scope or location is unclear.
4. Read the complete status
DBPR uses primary and secondary status terms. Read the full combination, dates, and any applicable discipline information. “Current” and “Active” have different roles in the record; an isolated word copied into an advertisement is not the full result.
A delinquent renewal is not the same as a suspension or revocation. If the status is unclear, obtain an explanation from DBPR before treating the license as current authorization.
5. Confirm the property’s local requirements
Ask the city or county building department which permits and local requirements apply to your scope and address. A state license check does not establish permit approval. If DBPR returns no match, confirm spelling, number, trade, and jurisdiction before concluding that someone is unlicensed. Some work is outside state licensing or subject to exemptions.
Florida DBPR: construction industry FAQsMiami-Dade County: homeowner permit information
6. Finish the other checks
Use Sunbiz to examine the Florida business entity, then verify insurance and project references separately. An active entity, a website, and a license each provide different information.
ServiceFax helps bring available records together. A report may have source or county coverage gaps; use its findings alongside current official checks and documents from the contractor.
Frequently asked questions
Does active Sunbiz status mean a contractor is licensed?
No. Sunbiz concerns business entity records. Check the appropriate professional license separately.
What if the lookup finds no license?
Check the number, spelling, qualifier, and applicable licensing authority. Ask DBPR or the local building department whether this scope requires a license; a failed name search alone is not a definitive unlicensed finding.
Does a license prove insurance or guarantee good work?
No. Confirm insurance with its issuer and review the scope, references, permits, and contract separately.
Sources and further reading
This guide provides general information. Project requirements and legal rights depend on the work, location, contract, and current law. Ask the relevant authority or a Florida attorney about your circumstances.