Where to find someone's Florida license information
Florida keeps license records public through the Department of State's online lookup system. You can search for active, inactive, or expired licenses for most professions — from contractors and nurses to real estate agents and cosmetologists. The search is free and takes a few minutes.
The system does not show personal details like Social Security numbers or home addresses. It shows the license number, issue and expiration dates, any disciplinary actions, and whether the license is currently valid. This is the same information the state publishes in official records.
Different license types use different search tools. A contractor's license search works differently from a nurse's license search, so you need to know which type you are looking for before you start.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's Department of State runs a free public search tool at myfloridalicense.com where you can look up most professional licenses.
- You will need to know the license type and either the person's name or license number to search.
- Results show whether a license is active, inactive, or expired, plus any disciplinary history the state has recorded.
- Some license types — like medical doctors — use a separate search system run by their own state board rather than the general Department of State tool.
How to search myfloridalicense.com
Go to myfloridalicense.com and select the license type from the dropdown menu. The site lists over 30 professions, including contractors, electricians, plumbers, real estate agents, insurance agents, security guards, and many others.
Once you pick the license type, you can search by the person's last name, first name, or license number. You do not need all three — a last name alone often returns results. Click Search and the system will show all matching licenses in Florida.
The results page displays the license status (active, inactive, expired, or revoked), the issue date, expiration date, and any public disciplinary actions. If you see a license is expired, that person is not currently authorized to work in that field in Florida.
License types available on myfloridalicense.com
The Department of State's main lookup covers professional licenses across construction, real estate, insurance, security, and trades. This includes general contractors, electrical contractors, plumbers, HVAC technicians, roofing contractors, real estate brokers and agents, insurance agents, security officers, and many others.
Health care licenses — doctors, nurses, dentists, therapists — are not on myfloridalicense.com. Instead, each health profession has its own board with its own search tool. For example, the Florida Board of Medicine runs a separate search for physicians, and the Florida Board of Nursing runs a separate search for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
If you are looking for a health care provider, search the specific board's website. A quick search for "Florida Board of [profession]" will take you to the right tool.
What disciplinary history means
If a license record shows disciplinary action, it means the state board investigated a complaint and took formal action. This could be a fine, a suspension, probation, or a requirement to take additional training. The record will show what violation occurred and when.
A single disciplinary action does not automatically mean someone is unsafe or dishonest — it means the board found a violation of state law or professional rules. Some violations are minor (paperwork errors, late renewals), while others are serious (fraud, harm to a client). The record itself does not judge severity; you have to read what the violation was.
If you want more detail about a disciplinary case, you can contact the licensing board directly. They can explain what happened and what corrective action the licensee took.
Searching for health care providers
Florida has separate lookup systems for doctors, nurses, dentists, psychologists, physical therapists, and other health professions. Each board maintains its own database and search tool.
The Florida Board of Medicine (flboardofmedicine.gov) searches for physicians and physician assistants. The Florida Board of Nursing (floridasnursing.gov) searches for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing home administrators. The Florida Board of Dentistry (floridasdentistry.gov) searches for dentists and dental hygienists.
Start by searching the board for the profession you need. If you are not sure which board oversees a particular role, a search for "Florida Board of [profession]" will point you to the right agency.
What to do if you cannot find a license
If your search returns no results, the person either does not hold an active license in Florida, the license has expired, or you may have spelled the name differently than it appears on the license. Try searching with just the last name, or try alternate spellings.
If the person claims to be licensed in Florida but you cannot find them, that is a red flag. A licensed professional should appear in the state's public records. You can contact the licensing board directly to confirm whether someone holds a valid license — they will tell you yes or no, even if the online search is not working.
If someone is working in a licensed field without appearing in the state database, they may not be licensed. Report this to the licensing board or to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which oversees most professional licenses in the state.
Why license lookups matter
Before hiring a contractor, real estate agent, or other licensed professional, checking their license status protects you. An active license means they have met state training requirements and passed an exam. A disciplinary history tells you whether the state has found violations in the past.
This information does not tell you whether someone is good at their job or whether you will like working with them. It tells you whether they are legally authorized to work and whether the state has had to step in before. That is useful information to have before you sign a contract or hand over money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search for someone's license if I only know their phone number or address?
No. The search tool requires either a name or a license number. If you have neither, you cannot search the system. You would need to contact the licensing board directly and ask whether they can help you locate someone.
Does an expired license mean someone broke the law?
No. An expired license straightforward means the person did not renew it before the expiration date. They may have retired, moved out of state, or chosen not to continue in that profession. An expired license does not indicate wrongdoing — it just means they are not currently authorized to work in that field in Florida.
If I find a disciplinary action, should I automatically refuse to hire that person?
Not necessarily. Read what the violation was and when it occurred. A minor violation from ten years ago is different from a serious violation last year. You can also ask the person directly about it — they may have corrected the problem or learned from it. The record gives you information to consider, not a final judgment.
Can I look up someone's license in another state using this tool?
No. myfloridalicense.com only searches Florida licenses. Each state maintains its own licensing system. If you need to check someone's license in another state, search that state's Department of State or the relevant licensing board website.
What if the person I am looking for has a common name and many results appear?
Try adding the license number if you have it, or narrow by city or county if the search tool allows it. If you still have multiple matches, contact the licensing board directly with the person's full name and any other identifying information you have. They can confirm which person holds the license you are looking for.