Building, residential or general: verifying a Florida contractor's licence
What CBC and CRC mean, how they differ from general contractors, what each may build and how to check a licence and its status.
A home addition, a gut renovation or a new house is likely the largest contract you will sign for your property. Florida licenses the contractors who do this work at the state level, and the licence class tells you what the holder is allowed to build. Checking takes about two minutes.
The classes this directory covers
This directory lists two certified licence classes, both valid anywhere in Florida:
- CBC, Certified Building Contractor. The statute describes a building contractor as one whose services are limited to construction of commercial buildings and single- or multiple-dwelling residential buildings that do not exceed three stories in height (section 489.105).
- CRC, Certified Residential Contractor. A residential contractor's services are limited to construction, remodelling, repair or improvement of one-, two- or three-family residences not exceeding two habitable stories above no more than one uninhabitable story.
Florida also licenses certified general contractors (CGC), whose work is unlimited by building type, and several specialty classes such as roofing, plumbing, electrical and air conditioning. This directory does not list general contractors. If you are hiring for a single trade, look for that trade's licence. A residential contractor or building contractor who is doing a roofing, electrical or plumbing job must either hold the specialty licence or hire a licensed subcontractor for it.
Step by step
- Ask for the licence number in writing. Florida requires a contractor's registration or certification number to appear in each offer of services, bid, contract and advertisement, in any medium (section 489.119).
- Look it up on DBPR's Verify a License page or in this directory.
- Match the name on the record to the company on your contract.
- Match the class to the job. A CRC can do a house addition for a single-family home, but not a mixed-use commercial building. A CBC can do a three-story building that a CRC could not.
- Check the status. You want Current and Active, with an expiry date in the future. This directory shows both and lists only licences that were Current and Active on the day the file was pulled.
The qualifying agent
Companies hold a contractor licence through a qualifying agent, the licensed individual responsible for supervising operations, field work and finances (section 489.1195). The record names that person. Two companies can share a qualifier, and a qualifier can leave a company, so verify that the qualifier is still attached to the business you are signing with.
Discipline records
The Construction Industry Licensing Board publishes final disciplinary actions by fiscal year on the DBPR construction public records page. Where a licence number appears in those files since fiscal year 2021-22, the profile in this directory shows the dated entry. It is a public record, not a verdict on the company today. Read it and ask the contractor about it.
What if the contractor is unlicensed?
Unlicensed contracting is a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense and a third-degree felony for a repeat offense or a first offense during a declared state of emergency (section 489.127). A contract by an unlicensed contractor cannot be enforced by that contractor, and the contractor cannot claim a lien for the work (section 489.128). Do not hand over a deposit; report them to DBPR.
Questions worth asking
How many projects like mine have you built in the past two years, and can I speak to a recent client? Will your own crew do the work, and which parts are subcontracted? Who is the project manager and how often will they be on site? How do you handle change orders and unexpected conditions behind walls? A contractor who is proud of their work answers plainly and in writing.
Licensed is not the same as insured
A licence does not prove liability insurance or workers' compensation coverage. Ask for a certificate of insurance naming you, call the insurer to confirm it is in force, and ask who pulls the building permit.
General information only, current as of the date above. The information on Florida Building & Residential Contractor Check is not a recommendation or a guarantee of anyone's work. A license record shows registration status on the date shown, not workmanship, insurance coverage at the time of your job, or suitability for your project. Confirm license, insurance and permits directly before you hire. Rules and programs change; check the official sources linked in this guide.