Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about verifying contractor licenses in Florida and using FloridaContractorCheck.com.
About the Platform
What is FloridaContractorCheck.com?
FloridaContractorCheck.com is a free, independent platform that lets anyone instantly verify the license status of any contractor in Florida. We pull data from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and present it in a clear, searchable format so homeowners can make informed hiring decisions.
Is FloridaContractorCheck affiliated with the state of Florida?
No. FloridaContractorCheck.com is an independent, privately operated website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the State of Florida or any government agency. Our license data is sourced from the DBPR's publicly available records under the Florida Sunshine Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes).
How often is the contractor data updated?
We update our contractor database regularly from DBPR public records. License statuses, expiration dates, and other details reflect the most current information available from the official source. For the absolute latest information, you can also cross-reference at myfloridalicense.com.
Is this service free?
Yes — searching our contractor database is completely free for homeowners and anyone verifying a license. There is no account required and no hidden fees. Contractors can optionally upgrade to a Premium membership for enhanced profile features, but basic license verification is always free.
For Homeowners
How do I verify a contractor's license?
Simply go to our Search page and enter the contractor's name, license number, business name, or city. Results will show you the license type, current status, expiration date, and other details pulled directly from DBPR records. The whole process takes less than two minutes.
What does "Active" vs "Current" status mean?
"Active" and "Current" both indicate that a license is in good standing and the contractor is legally authorized to perform work in Florida. Other statuses to be aware of include "Delinquent" (not yet renewed on time), "Null and Void" (cancelled), "Suspended" (temporarily prohibited from working), and "Revoked" (permanently cancelled). You should only hire contractors with an Active or Current license.
What's the difference between CGC, CBC, CRC, and other license types?
Each code represents a specific trade or scope of work. CGC (Certified General Contractor) can oversee broad construction projects; CBC (Certified Building Contractor) handles building construction; CRC (Certified Roofing Contractor) specializes in roofing; CFC covers plumbing; CAC covers HVAC and air conditioning; ES covers electrical work. Make sure your contractor's license type matches the work they will be performing — a CRC cannot legally do plumbing work, for example.
Can I see a contractor's insurance information?
Our platform displays license details from DBPR records, but insurance certificates are not always included in the public database. We strongly recommend asking your contractor directly for a Certificate of Insurance showing both general liability and workers' compensation coverage, and then calling the insurer to verify the policy is active before work begins.
What should I do if a contractor is unlicensed?
Do not hire them. Working without the required license in Florida is a criminal offense. If someone is actively soliciting work without a license, you can file a complaint with the DBPR at myfloridalicense.com or call their Consumer Services Unit at (850) 487-1395. After a hurricane or storm, the Florida Attorney General's office also handles contractor fraud complaints.
How do I leave a review for a contractor?
Visit the contractor's profile page on FloridaContractorCheck.com and scroll to the reviews section. You'll be able to rate the contractor and leave a written review describing your experience. We ask that all reviews reflect genuine first-hand experiences with the contractor's work.
Are the reviews verified?
We take review integrity seriously. Reviews are monitored for spam, fake content, and policy violations. While we cannot verify every individual job, reviews that appear fraudulent or abusive are flagged and removed. Contractors can also flag reviews they believe are inaccurate, which triggers a manual review by our team.
What is a Qualifying Business (QB)?
In Florida, a Qualifying Business (QB) is a company that is officially connected to a licensed contractor's license number. The licensed individual (the qualifier) is legally responsible for all work performed under that business entity. When you hire a contracting company, checking that it has a valid QB relationship with a licensed qualifier is an important step in protecting yourself.
For Contractors
How do I claim my profile?
Visit your contractor profile page on FloridaContractorCheck.com and click "Claim This Profile." You'll be asked to verify your identity by confirming details that match your DBPR license record. Once verified, you'll have full control over your profile, including the ability to add photos, a business description, contact information, and respond to reviews.
What does a Premium membership include?
Premium members get an enhanced, fully branded profile that stands out in search results, priority placement in city and category listings, access to homeowner lead notifications, the ability to request reviews from past clients, a website badge to display your FloridaContractorCheck rating, and the ability to respond to reviews publicly.
How much does Premium cost?
Premium membership pricing varies by plan. Visit the For Contractors page for current pricing details and to see a full breakdown of what each tier includes. We also offer a free basic profile so you can get started with no upfront cost.
Can I respond to reviews?
Yes — Premium members can respond publicly to any review on their profile. Responding professionally to reviews, both positive and critical, is one of the most effective ways to build trust with potential clients. All responses are visible to anyone viewing your profile.
How do I get the website badge?
Premium members receive an embeddable HTML badge that displays their FloridaContractorCheck rating. You can add this badge to your company website to show potential clients that you are licensed, verified, and reviewed. The badge automatically updates to reflect your current star rating.
What is the review request tool?
The review request tool lets Premium contractors send a personalized email or text message to recent clients asking them to leave a review on FloridaContractorCheck.com. Building a strong review base increases your visibility in search results and helps homeowners feel confident choosing your business.
How do leads work?
Premium members receive notifications when homeowners in their service area are actively searching for the type of work they do. Lead details include the homeowner's project description and contact information so you can reach out directly. Leads are exclusive — the same lead is not sold to multiple contractors.
Legal & Data
Where does the license data come from?
All license data displayed on FloridaContractorCheck.com is sourced from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) public records, available under the Florida Sunshine Law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes). This is the same official data that government agencies, courts, and insurance companies rely on to verify contractor credentials.
How accurate is the data?
We strive to keep our database as current as possible by syncing with DBPR records on a regular basis. However, because license statuses can change at any time (renewals, suspensions, revocations), we recommend treating our results as a strong starting point and cross-referencing critical decisions with the DBPR's own website at myfloridalicense.com for the most up-to-date status.
Can I remove my profile?
Because contractor license data is public record under Florida law, we are not obligated to remove profiles that contain only public DBPR information. However, if you believe your profile contains inaccurate information beyond what appears in official DBPR records, please contact us at info@floridacontractorcheck.com and we will review your request. Contractors who claim their profile can also control much of the content displayed.
Still have questions?
Our team is happy to help. Reach out at info@floridacontractorcheck.com, or go ahead and start verifying contractors right now.
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