How to Check a Contractor's License in Miami

Florida has one of the more complex contractor licensing systems in the country. Miami homeowners have to navigate both a state database and a county system, understand two different license categories, and decode an alphabet soup of license prefixes. This guide breaks it down clearly.

Understanding the difference between a Certified and a Registered contractor — and what the county license means on top of that — could save you from a very expensive mistake.

Where do I check a contractor's license in Miami, Florida?

Start at MyFloridaLicense.com, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) database. This is the authoritative statewide record for all Florida-licensed contractors. Miami-Dade County also has its own contractor licensing system at miamidade.gov/permits for locally licensed contractors not in the state database.

• MyFloridaLicense.com — Florida DBPR statewide database, covers all state-licensed contractors
• miamidade.gov/permits — Miami-Dade County Contractor Licensing for locally licensed contractors
• A contractor may appear in one or both systems depending on their license type
• Always check the state DBPR first — it's the more comprehensive record

What is the difference between a Certified and a Registered contractor in Florida?

A Certified contractor has passed a state examination and can work anywhere in Florida without additional local approval. A Registered contractor has met local requirements in a specific county or municipality but has not taken the state exam — their license is valid only in the jurisdiction that issued it. For a Miami project, both can be legitimate, but a Certified contractor offers broader accountability.

• Certified — statewide license, passed DBPR state exam, can work anywhere in Florida
• Registered — local license only, valid in the jurisdiction that issued it (e.g., Miami-Dade only)
• Certified contractors appear in the DBPR database at MyFloridaLicense.com
• Registered contractors appear in local county databases like Miami-Dade's permit portal
• If a contractor says they're licensed but isn't in the DBPR, ask which county they're registered in and verify there

What do the CGC, CBC, and CRC license prefixes mean in Florida?

Florida's contractor license numbers start with a two or three letter prefix that tells you exactly what category of work the contractor is certified for. CGC means Certified General Contractor, CBC means Certified Building Contractor, and CRC means Certified Residential Contractor. Make sure the prefix matches the scope of your project before signing anything.

• CGC — Certified General Contractor (broadest scope, commercial and residential)
• CBC — Certified Building Contractor (residential and commercial, limited to 3 stories)
• CRC — Certified Residential Contractor (residential only, limited to 3 stories)
• CAC — Certified Air Conditioning Contractor
• CFC — Certified Plumbing Contractor
• EC — Electrical Contractor

For a full kitchen remodel or addition on a single-family home in Miami, a CRC, CBC, or CGC are all appropriate. For commercial or multi-family work, look for CGC.

How do I search the Florida DBPR database at MyFloridaLicense.com?

Go to MyFloridaLicense.com and select “Verify a License.” Search by license number, name, or business name. The results show license status (Active, Inactive, Delinquent), license type, expiration date, and any disciplinary action on file. Only an Active status confirms the contractor is currently authorized to work.

• Go to MyFloridaLicense.com and click “Verify a License”
• Search by the contractor's name, business name, or license number
• Confirm status is “Current, Active” — Delinquent means renewal fees are overdue
• Check the expiration date — Florida licenses renew biennially
• Look for any discipline history under the license detail record

How does the Miami-Dade Building Department handle permits?

The Miami-Dade Building Department processes permits for work in unincorporated Miami-Dade County. The City of Miami has its own Building Department. Before work begins, your contractor should pull the appropriate permits. You can verify this at miamidade.gov/permits for county work, or cityofmiami.gov/building for City of Miami projects.

• Verify which jurisdiction covers your address — city or unincorporated county
• Ask the contractor to show you the permit before work begins
• Post the permit at the jobsite — it should be visible during inspections
• Confirm the final inspection is passed when work is done, not just that a permit was pulled

What if a contractor only has a county license but not a state certification?

A contractor with only a Miami-Dade county (Registered) license can legally do work in Miami-Dade County, but cannot work in Broward, Palm Beach, or any other Florida county without additional local registration. This is not necessarily a problem if the job is in Miami-Dade, but it does mean the contractor has not passed a state-level exam, and you have fewer accountability mechanisms if something goes wrong.

• Verify county-licensed contractors through miamidade.gov/permits
• Ask if they are Certified (statewide) or Registered (local only)
• If local only, confirm their county license is current and in good standing
• Prefer Certified contractors for large projects — they carry higher accountability standards
• Either way, always verify insurance directly with the carrier

Is there a faster way to verify a Miami contractor's license?

Navigating the Florida DBPR, understanding Certified vs. Registered status, decoding license prefixes, and cross-referencing Miami-Dade county records takes real effort. CheckLicensed.com pulls contractor license data from official state sources instantly — so you can skip the portal navigation and get a clear answer on whether your contractor is licensed and in good standing.