The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation handles licenses for most professions in Florida
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is the state agency that issues and renews professional licenses. If you work in a field that requires a license — cosmetology, real estate, construction, nursing, plumbing, electrical work, security, or dozens of others — DBPR is the office that processes your paperwork, sets the rules you follow, and investigates complaints against licensed professionals.
DBPR does not issue driver's licenses (that is the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) or occupational licenses for a handful of professions like medicine and law (those have their own boards). But for most trades and service professions in Florida, DBPR is where you go.
Understanding what DBPR does and how to reach them matters because you will need them at several points: when you first get licensed, when you renew, if you need to check someone else's license, or if you have a complaint about a licensed professional's conduct.
Key Takeaways
- DBPR issues and renews licenses for professions including cosmetology, real estate, construction trades, nursing, security, and many others.
- You can verify whether someone holds a current, valid license by searching DBPR's online license lookup tool at myfloridalicense.com.
- License renewal important date vary by profession and are printed on your license card; DBPR sends renewal notices but does not automatically renew.
- If you have a complaint about a licensed professional's conduct, you file it with DBPR's Division of Regulation, which investigates and can take disciplinary action.
- DBPR's website and phone lines are the official channels; be cautious of third-party websites that charge fees to help with license applications or renewals.
How to find and verify a professional's license
Before hiring someone or working with a licensed professional, you can check whether their license is current and in good standing. Go to myfloridalicense.com, DBPR's official license lookup tool. You can search by the person's name, license number, or business name. The search will show you the license type, issue date, expiration date, and any disciplinary history.
This matters because an expired license means the person is not legally permitted to work in that field in Florida. If someone claims to be licensed but does not appear in the search, they are either not licensed or their license has been suspended or revoked. Do not hire them for licensed work.
The lookup is free and takes less than a minute. Bookmark it if you hire contractors or service professionals regularly.
Renewing your license before it expires
Your license expiration date is printed on your license card. DBPR sends renewal notices by mail, but receiving a notice does not mean your license is automatically renewed — you must submit the renewal yourself and pay the fee. If you miss the important date, your license expires and you cannot legally work in that profession until you renew it.
Renewal important date vary by profession. Some licenses renew every two years, others every three or four. Check your license card now to see when yours expires, and mark that date on your calendar. You can also renew online through myfloridalicense.com for most professions, which is faster than mailing in a paper form.
If your license has already expired, you may still be able to renew it within a grace period, but the rules vary by profession. Contact DBPR directly to ask whether your specific license type allows a late renewal, or check the profession-specific page on their website.
Getting a new license or changing your license type
If you are pursuing a new license for the first time, the process depends on your profession. Some licenses require you to pass an exam, complete a certain number of classroom hours, or work under supervision for a set period. Others have different pathways.
DBPR's website has a section for each profession that lists the specific requirements, exam information, and the process process. Start by finding your profession on dbpr.state.fl.us, then follow the steps listed there. Many professions also have a list of approved schools or training programs you must attend before you can sit for the exam.
If you hold a license in one field and want to add another license type (called a "license endorsement" or "license addition"), contact DBPR to find out whether you can transfer some of your existing experience or whether you must meet the full requirements for the new license.
Filing a complaint about a licensed professional
If you believe a licensed professional violated the rules of their profession — whether through poor work, dishonesty, or unsafe practices — you can file a complaint with DBPR's Division of Regulation. The complaint does not cost anything.
You can file online through the DBPR website or by mail. When you file, include as much detail as possible: the professional's name and license number (or business name), what happened, when it happened, and any documentation you have (photos, contracts, receipts, emails). DBPR will investigate and may take disciplinary action, which can range from a warning to license suspension or revocation.
Understand that DBPR investigates whether the professional broke the rules of their profession, not whether you are satisfied with the work or the price. If you have a contract dispute or want money back, you may need to pursue that through small claims court or civil court separately.
Contacting DBPR and avoiding scams
DBPR's official website is dbpr.state.fl.us. You can reach them by phone at 850-487-1395 during business hours. For license lookups and renewals, myfloridalicense.com is the official portal.
Be cautious of third-party websites that advertise help with Florida licenses and charge a fee. Some of these sites are legitimate document preparation services, but others are scams that take your money and do not submit your process. If you use a third party, verify that they are registered with DBPR as a document preparer. The safest route is to handle your process or renewal directly through DBPR's website or by mail.
DBPR staff can answer questions about your specific profession's requirements, but they cannot tell you whether you will pass an exam or whether you meet the requirements — only you and the exam board can determine that. If someone claims to may provide you a license or promises to "fast-track" your process, that is a red flag.
Understanding license types and what they mean
Florida licenses come in different categories depending on the profession. Some are "active" licenses, which means you are currently permitted to work. Some are "inactive," which means you hold the license but are not actively practicing — you do not have to renew an inactive license as often, and you can reactivate it later if you return to work.
Some professions have different license levels. For example, construction has general contractor licenses, specialty contractor licenses (like electrical or plumbing), and building contractor licenses. Real estate has sales associate licenses and broker licenses. The requirements and renewal fees differ for each level.
When you search for someone's license on myfloridalicense.com, the results will show you the exact license type they hold. If someone claims to be a general contractor but their license shows only a specialty license in one trade, they are not licensed to do general contracting work in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check if someone's license is suspended or revoked?
Yes. Search their name on myfloridalicense.com and look at the license status. If it shows "suspended," "revoked," or "inactive," the person is not currently licensed to work in that profession. Do not hire them for licensed work.
What happens if I work without a license in Florida?
Working in a licensed profession without a license is illegal and can result in fines and criminal charges depending on the profession. If you are unsure whether your work requires a license, search your profession on the DBPR website or call them to ask.
How long does it take to get a new license?
Processing time varies by profession and whether you need to pass an exam first. Some licenses take a few weeks after you submit your process; others take several months if you must complete training or wait for an exam date. Check the profession-specific page on dbpr.state.fl.us for an estimate.
Can I renew my license if I live outside Florida?
Yes. You can renew online through myfloridalicense.com or by mail from anywhere. Some professions may have additional requirements if you are not actively working in Florida, so check your profession's page or contact DBPR to confirm.
What if I lost my license card?
Contact DBPR to request a replacement. You can usually do this online or by phone. There may be a small fee. In the meantime, you can prove your license is current by printing your record from myfloridalicense.com.