Florida plumbing license lookup: how to check and get a license
Florida plumbing license lookup: who issues plumber licenses (DBPR), how to check one online, the license types, and 9,351 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors by county.
Do plumbers need a license in Florida?
| Who licenses them | Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) |
|---|---|
| License types | Certified Plumbing Contractor (statewide), Registered Plumbing Contractor (local jurisdiction only) |
| When a license is required | No dollar minimum in statute for licensure; residential contracts over $2,500 must include the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund notice; if the initial payment exceeds 10% of the contract price, the contractor must apply for permits within 30 days and start work within 90 days after permits issue. |
A certified plumbing contractor may work anywhere in Florida; a registered one only in the local jurisdiction where they met competency requirements. Plumbing is a Division II trade, so the Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund caps claims at $30,000 for contracts signed on or after July 1, 2024, and only covers contractors who were licensed when you signed.
How do you look up a plumber's license in Florida?
- Ask the plumber for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Florida plumbing license lookup run by DBPR.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the plumber about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DBPR.
What plumbing licenses does Florida issue?
- Certified Plumbing Contractor (statewide)
- Registered Plumbing Contractor (local jurisdiction only)
How do you get a plumbing license in Florida?
Licenses are issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official DBPR source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many plumbers are there in Florida?
The Census Bureau counted 9,351 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees in Florida in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Miami-Dade County | 1,046 |
|---|---|
| Broward County | 881 |
| Palm Beach County | 711 |
| Hillsborough County | 631 |
| Lee County | 550 |
| Pinellas County | 486 |
| Orange County | 454 |
| Duval County | 388 |
What do Florida homes mean for plumbing work?
The median home in Florida was built in 1988, 33% of households rent and 61% of homes are single-family houses. 5% of homes heat with utility gas and 91% with electricity.
How do you choose a plumber in Florida?
- Ask for the license number and look it up yourself on the state or city license search. Licensing is set by the state in some places and by the city or county in others.
- Ask whether the job needs a permit. Water heater swaps, gas work and moving fixtures often do, and the licensed plumber pulls it.
- Get the price in writing: a flat rate for the job, or the hourly rate, the trip fee and how parts are billed.
- For emergencies, ask what the after-hours rate is before the plumber drives out.
- Ask who does the work. A licensed master can send helpers, but the license holder is responsible for the job.
Plumbers in other states
Sources: Florida licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.