How to search for a Florida professional license online
Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) maintains a public database where you can search for active licenses across most professions — from contractors and electricians to nurses, real estate agents, and cosmetologists. The search is free and takes about two minutes if you have the person's name or license number.
The main database is called the DBPR License Search, and it covers roughly 25 different professions regulated by the state. You do not need to know which specific board issued the license; the search works across all of them at once. The database updates daily, so the information reflects current status.
A few professions — notably attorneys and physicians — maintain separate lookup systems run by their own licensing boards. If your search in DBPR returns nothing, those are the first places to check.
Key Takeaways
- The DBPR License Search at myfloridalicense.com is the main tool for looking up most Florida professional licenses and is updated daily.
- You can search by the person's name, license number, or business name, and the results show license status, expiration date, and any disciplinary history.
- Attorneys and physicians have separate lookup systems run by the Florida Bar and the Florida Medical Examiners Commission, not DBPR.
- A license marked "active" means the person is currently authorized to practice; "inactive" or "expired" means they are not.
Accessing the DBPR License Search database
Go to myfloridalicense.com and click the "License Search" button on the homepage. You will land on a search form with three main fields: name, license number, and business name. You only need to fill in one.
If you are searching by name, enter the last name first, then the first name. The search is not case-sensitive and will return partial matches, so "Smith" will pull up "Smithson" as well. If you have the license number, that is the fastest route — enter it and you will get one exact result or none.
After you enter your search term and click "Search," the database returns a list of matching licenses. Each result shows the person's name, license number, profession, the board that issued it, the current status, and the expiration date. Click on any result to see more detail, including disciplinary history if there is any on record.
Understanding what the search results tell you
The status field is the most important piece of information. "Active" means the person holds a current, valid license and is authorized to work in that profession in Florida. "Inactive" means the license exists but is not currently in force — the person may have let it lapse, placed it on inactive status voluntarily, or failed to renew. "Expired" means the renewal important date has passed and the license is no longer valid.
The expiration date tells you when the license must be renewed. Most Florida licenses renew on a two-year cycle, though some professions have different schedules. If the expiration date is in the past and the status still shows "active," that is unusual and worth flagging — it may indicate a data lag or a renewal in progress.
The disciplinary history section, if present, shows any complaints, investigations, or sanctions the licensing board has taken against the person. This includes fines, license suspensions, or conditions placed on the license. Not all licenses will have a history section; many professionals have clean records.
Searching for attorneys and physicians
Attorneys licensed in Florida are not in the DBPR database. Instead, use the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service at floridabar.org. Click "Find a Lawyer" and search by name or bar number. The results show whether the attorney is in good standing, their practice areas, and contact information.
Physicians and other medical professionals regulated by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission have their own lookup at flmedicalexaminers.gov. Search by name or license number to see active status and any disciplinary action. This database covers MDs, DOs, and certain other medical practitioners but not nurses or other allied health professions, which remain in DBPR.
What to do if the search returns no results
If you search for someone and get no results, it usually means one of three things: the person does not hold a Florida license in that profession, the name is spelled differently than you entered it, or the license is in a profession with a separate lookup system.
Try searching again with a different spelling or just the last name. If the person told you they are licensed in Florida but you still find nothing, ask them directly for their license number — that is the most reliable search term. If they cannot provide one, they may be licensed in a different state, or the license may have expired and not been renewed.
For professions you are unsure about, check the DBPR homepage to see which boards and professions fall under their system. If the profession is not listed, search the relevant separate board's website.
Using license information to verify credentials
Before hiring a contractor, real estate agent, or other licensed professional, pull their license record and confirm three things: the status is "active," the expiration date is in the future, and there are no serious disciplinary actions listed. A single complaint or minor fine does not necessarily mean the person is unreliable, but multiple suspensions or revocations are red flags.
If you are hiring someone who claims to be licensed but the search shows an expired or inactive license, ask them about it directly. Some professionals let licenses lapse temporarily while they are not actively working, then renew when they return. Others may have straightforward forgotten to renew. Either way, you should not hire someone to perform licensed work if their license is not currently active.
Keep a screenshot or printout of the license record for your records. If a problem arises later, you have proof of what the license status was on the date you hired them.
Reporting unlicensed or disciplinary concerns
If you discover someone is working in a licensed profession without a valid Florida license, or if you have a complaint about a licensed professional's conduct, you can file a report with DBPR. Go to myfloridalicense.com and look for the "File a Complaint" link, or call the DBPR Consumer Hotline at 850-487-1395.
You will need to provide details about what happened, when it happened, and the person's name or license number if you have it. DBPR will investigate and take action if the complaint has merit. The process is confidential, though the person being complained about will be notified that an investigation is underway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search for someone's license if I only know their business name?
Yes. The DBPR License Search has a "Business Name" field separate from the person's name field. Enter the business name and the search will return all licenses associated with that business. This is useful if you know a contractor's company name but not the owner's name.
Does the license search show why a license was suspended or revoked?
The search results show that a suspension or revocation occurred and the date, but not always the full reason. For details, you can contact the relevant licensing board directly or request the disciplinary file, which is public record. DBPR's website lists contact information for each board.
How often is the DBPR License Search updated?
The database updates daily, so the information is current as of the previous day. If someone just renewed their license this morning, it may not show as active until tomorrow. For time-sensitive verification, call the licensing board directly.
What if someone has a license from another state but works in Florida?
This depends on the profession. Some licensed professionals can work in Florida under reciprocity agreements or temporary permits without holding a Florida license. Others must obtain a Florida license to work here. The DBPR website explains reciprocity rules for each profession, or you can call the relevant board.
Is there a fee to search the DBPR License Search database?
No. The search is free and open to the public. You do not need to create an account or provide any personal information to use it.