How to Check a Florida Roofing Contractor's License in Two Minutes (DBPR Lookup)

You have three roofing estimates on the kitchen table. One is thousands of dollars cheaper than the others. The roofer is friendly, in a hurry, and would love a signature by Friday.

Before you compare anything else, spend two minutes on the state's DBPR license search. Florida licenses roofing contractors through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The record is public and free, and the state maintains it, not the contractor.

This guide shows you how to run the search, how to read what comes up, and what to do if the answer isn't clean. We're roofers, and we'd rather you check us too.

The two-minute version

• Ask the roofer for their state license number.

• Look it up at MyFloridaLicense.com.

• Confirm three things: the license is current and active, the license type and scope authorize the roofing work being performed, and the license holder's name matches the contractor information in your agreement.

• Check insurance separately. The license record doesn't show it.

Why a Roofing License Matters (And What It Doesn't Prove)

A license doesn't guarantee good work. We've seen licensed roofers do sloppy jobs. What it does is put a contractor inside a system with rules and a regulator.

That system has teeth. Under Florida Statute 489.128, an unlicensed contractor can't enforce a contract in court, and can't file a lien or bond claim for work done under it. The legal leverage sits with you, not with them.

Licensed contractors also answer to the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Statute 489.129 lists what the board can discipline, including abandoning a job, falsely claiming subcontractors were paid, and working without required permits. Penalties include suspension, revocation, and fines of up to $10,000 per violation.

Step by Step: The DBPR License Search for Florida Roofers

You don't need an account, and you don't need to be a tech person.

• Go to the official site. Type MyFloridaLicense.com into your browser yourself. Don't follow a link from a text message or an ad.

• Open the license lookup. DBPR's Unlicensed Activity page points to a License Lookup Tool. Search by name, business name, or license number.

• Use the license number if you have it. It's the fastest and most exact search. Florida law requires contractors to include their license number in advertising, according to the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association, so a roofer who can't or won't give you one has already told you something.

• Open the record and read the status, license type, name, and expiration date.

• Optional: use your phone. DBPR's free mobile app lets you search by name or license number, so you can check while the contractor is still in your driveway. You can also call the DBPR Customer Contact Center at (850) 487-1395.

DBPR also has an Unlicensed Lookup Tool for checking whether someone has been flagged for unlicensed activity. Run both searches. It costs another thirty seconds.

How to Read a Florida Contractor License Search Result

A Florida contractor license search returns a short record. Here's what each line is telling you.

How to read discipline records. One old, resolved matter isn't the same as a pattern. Pay attention to the type: abandoned projects, unpaid suppliers, and false statements about insurance or payments are the ones that tell you how a company treats customers.

A note on names. Sometimes a license belongs to an individual (the "qualifier") and the company works under that person's license. The business card and the database may not match word for word. That's not automatically a problem, but ask directly: "Whose license are you working under, and can I see it?" A straight contractor answers that without hesitation.

One more thing people mix up: a city or county occupational license is not a contractor license. DBPR's Contractor Tips say it doesn't qualify anyone to act as a contractor.

Certified vs. Registered: The Florida Roofing License Lookup Detail Most People Miss

When you do a florida roofing license lookup, you'll find one of two license types:

• Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC): a state license, valid anywhere in Florida.

• Registered Roofing Contractor (RC): valid only in the local jurisdiction, a county or city, where the contractor holds a certificate of competency.

A registered roofer can't legally bid roofing work in another county, per Contractor License Requirements. In South Florida, where county lines sit close together, a roofer can be fully licensed one county over and still not be allowed to work on your roof.

So the question isn't only "is the license active?" It's also "is it the right license for my address?" If you see an RC license, check which jurisdictions it covers.

A License Is Half the Check: Insurance, Business Registration, and the Contract

The license tells you who they are. Insurance and paperwork tell you what happens when something goes wrong.

Workers' compensation. Florida's Department of Financial Services (DFS) provides a Proof of Coverage search where you can check workers' compensation coverage. DFS also advises homeowners not to allow a contractor to inspect their property, including the roof, until they have verified that the contractor is licensed and insured. Read the agency's guide, Don't Be a Victim: Prevent Contractor Fraud and Abuse, for this and other consumer-protection advice. A fall on your roof is a bad day for everyone, and you want to know who's responsible before it happens, not after.

Before hiring a roofer, review our guide on how to qualify your roofing contractor for additional guidance on evaluating a contractor before work begins.

Business registration. Search the company at Sunbiz.org, the state's business registry. It takes a minute and helps you catch companies that appear and vanish.

The contract. Get the license number in writing. Ask who pulls the permit and in whose name. Get the scope, total price, and completion date on paper. And if you're signing after a storm, know this: under Florida Statute 489.147(6), a homeowner may cancel a covered roofing contract without penalty within 10 days after signing or by the official start date, whichever comes first, if the contract was executed within 180 days after the events that led to a state of emergency declaration for the area. The statute also requires specific contract language in bold type of at least 14 points for contracts covered by that provision. Review the statute and consult a Florida attorney if you have questions about whether it applies to your contract. The contract must say so in bold type of at least 14 points. Attorneys at Marshall Dennehey break down the 2025 changes to roofing contracts if you want the details.

Insurance claims. The same statute limits what a roofer can do on a claim. Contractors can't offer you anything of value for letting them inspect your roof or file a claim, and they can't interpret your policy or adjust the claim unless they're a licensed public adjuster. A roofer can suggest you call your insurer. They can't do the insurer's job.

Red Flags You Can Spot Without a Database

• They want most or all of the money upfront, or only in cash.

• They can't or won't give you a license number, or it's missing from their ad or business card.

• The number belongs to someone else or to another company.

• The price is far below every other estimate, and the deadline is "today." The Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association warns that scammers push quick decisions with unusually low prices.

• They offer to "handle the insurance" or cover your deductible.

• They knocked on your door after a storm and you hadn't called anyone.

One of these doesn't prove anything. Two or three together is your answer.

If the License Doesn't Check Out

Slow down. Here's the order we'd follow.

• Don't sign and don't pay a deposit. If you've already signed, stop further payments and put your concerns in writing.

• Talk to a lawyer if money has changed hands. We're roofers, not attorneys, and this isn't legal advice.

• Report it. DBPR takes reports of unlicensed activity at 1-866-532-1440, at ULA@myfloridalicense.com, or through the online complaint form. DBPR also says that during a declared state of emergency, unlicensed activity is treated as a third-degree felony instead of a misdemeanor.

Many homeowners ask about the state's recovery fund. The Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund exists, but it's a last resort. It requires going through the legal process first, and it can't be used for claims against unlicensed contractors. A two-minute check beats any after-the-fact fix.

Your Pre-Signing Checklist

• Got the license number in writing

• Searched it on MyFloridaLicense.com: status "Current, Active"

• Confirmed that the license type and scope authorize the roofing work at my property; if the license is Registered, verified that it covers my local jurisdiction.

• Name on the record matches the contract

• Checked discipline history

• Verified workers' comp (DFS Proof of Coverage)

• Confirmed the company on Sunbiz.org

• Contract lists scope, price, completion date, and who pulls the permit

If a contractor gets defensive about being checked, that tells you something too.

How We Handle This

We give homeowners our license number (CCC1325974) before anyone climbs a ladder. We use our own crews, and you can learn more about our company and how we approach roofing work on our website. The person who inspects your roof is accountable for the job. Look up our license on the DBPR site, and do the same for anyone else you're considering.

If you want a second opinion on an estimate, get in touch with our team. Sometimes the honest answer is a repair, not a replacement.Workers' compensation. Florida's Department of Financial Services runs a Proof of Coverage search where you can confirm a company's workers' comp status. The state's consumer guidance is direct: don't let a contractor inspect your property, including your roof, until you've verified they're licensed and carry proper coverage. 

FAQ

Is the DBPR license search free?

Yes. Anyone can look up a license on MyFloridaLicense.com at no cost.

Can I do a Florida contractor license search by company name?

Yes. You can search by individual name, business name, or license number. The number gives the most precise result.

Does a Florida roofing license lookup show insurance?

No. The license record covers licensing and discipline. Workers' compensation is checked separately through the state's Proof of Coverage search.

What if my roofer works under a different company name?

Ask whose license the company operates under, check that person's record on DBPR, and confirm the company at Sunbiz.org. The names should connect in a way the contractor can explain.

How often do Florida roofing licenses renew?

Every two years. An expired or inactive status is a reason to ask questions before work starts.

Does an out-of-state roofer need a Florida license?

Yes. Out-of-state contractors must hold a Florida license to do the work legally, according to the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association.