Florida Plumber License Check: What Homeowners Need

Florida plumbing contractors are licensed through the Construction Industry Licensing Board at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. A certified plumbing contractor can work anywhere in the state, while a registered contractor can work only where the local registration was issued. Verify the license number on DBPR's license search, and check with your local building department about permits.

Who licenses plumbing providers in Florida

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Florida requires a state license to contract for plumbing work. DBPR's Construction Industry Licensing Board issues certified plumbing contractor licenses (code CF), valid statewide, and registered plumbing contractor licenses (code RF), valid only in the local jurisdiction where the contractor qualified. DBPR says consumers should ask to see the state-issued license and verify the number with the department, online or through its Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395.

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Key facts for Florida

Florida law defines a plumbing contractor's scope to include water and sewer lines, venting, water supply systems, septic tanks, irrigation systems, swimming pool piping and solar water heating systems.
A Florida certified contractor can contract in any jurisdiction in the state, while a registered contractor can contract only in the jurisdiction where the registration applies.
DBPR says contractors it licenses must include their license number in all advertising.
DBPR says a local business tax receipt or registration as an Inc. or LLC does not qualify anyone to act as a contractor.
Under Florida Statutes 489.127, unlicensed contracting during a state of emergency declared by the Governor is a third-degree felony.
The 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code took effect December 31, 2023.
During Hurricane Helene in 2024, NWS Tampa Bay reported record high water levels at numerous tide gauges along the Gulf coast.

What is the difference between a certified and a registered plumbing contractor?

Florida Statutes 489.105 sets two paths. A certified contractor holds a certificate of competency from DBPR and can contract in any Florida jurisdiction without meeting that jurisdiction's own competency rules. A registered contractor qualified through a local jurisdiction's requirements and can contract only there.

On DBPR's Construction Industry page, certified plumbing licenses carry the code CF and registered ones carry RF. If you hire a registered contractor, confirm the registration covers your city or county.

What work falls under a Florida plumbing contractor license?

State law describes a plumbing contractor's scope broadly. It covers installing, maintaining, repairing, altering and extending plumbing, including sanitary and storm drainage, venting, water supply systems, septic tanks, drainage and supply wells, swimming pool piping, irrigation systems and solar water heating systems.

It also covers water, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas lines and related venting, plus storm and sanitary sewer lines. A plumbing contractor can do this work without an extra local license.

DBPR lists plumbing among the construction trades that require a state license.

What warning signs does DBPR flag?

DBPR's hiring brochure lists signs that a contractor may not be licensed:

No license number in an ad or posting.
Asking for all or most of the money up front, cash only, or checks made out to an individual or to cash.
A post office box instead of a street address.
Unmarked vehicles, often with out-of-state tags.
Saying a permit is not necessary, or that it is cheaper if you get it yourself.

DBPR says unlicensed contractors often target the elderly and people with little experience hiring contractors.

Why do hurricanes raise the stakes for Florida plumbing work?

Storms bring surge, flooding and a rush of repair work. Florida law makes unlicensed contracting during a declared state of emergency a third-degree felony, a step up from the first-degree misdemeanor that applies to a first offense otherwise.

Water levels can be extreme. NWS Tampa Bay reported that Hurricane Helene in 2024 set record high water levels at numerous tide gauges, with 6.83 feet above mean higher high water at Old Port Tampa.

FEMA's FloodSmart program suggests moving a water heater to a higher spot, such as an attic, an extra closet or an elevated platform. FEMA also recommends backflow valves and a battery-operated sump pump. Ask a licensed plumber whether such changes need a permit where you live.

Can a Florida homeowner do their own plumbing?

Florida Statutes 489.103 lets property owners act as their own contractor on a one-family or two-family home they occupy and do not offer for sale or lease, if they directly supervise all work not done by licensed contractors.

Local rules can be stricter about trade permits. The City of Miami, for example, says plumbing permits may be issued only to licensed contractors. Check with your local building department before you start.

How to choose a provider in Florida

Ask to see the state-issued license, then verify the number on DBPR's license search.
Check whether the license is certified (CF, statewide) or registered (RF, one jurisdiction).
Look for the license number on ads, trucks and estimates.
Ask your local building department whether the job needs a permit, and let the licensed contractor pull it.
Get written estimates from several licensed contractors that list the work, materials and completion date.
Avoid cash-only deals and large payments before work starts.
After a storm, be extra careful with door-to-door offers and out-of-state vehicles.
Ask about proof of workers' compensation coverage or an exemption.

Plumbing in Florida cities

Questions people ask

Who licenses plumbers in Florida?

The Construction Industry Licensing Board, part of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, licenses plumbing contractors.

How do I verify a Florida plumbing license?

Use DBPR's license search at MyFloridaLicense.com and search by name or license number. You can also call DBPR's Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395.

What does CF or RF mean on a Florida license?

CF is a certified plumbing contractor, licensed to work anywhere in Florida. RF is a registered plumbing contractor, limited to the local jurisdiction where the contractor qualified.

Is a business tax receipt the same as a license?

No. DBPR says an occupational license or business tax receipt does not qualify anyone to act as a contractor, and neither does registering as an Inc. or LLC.

What happens if someone contracts without a license during a hurricane emergency?

Under Florida Statutes 489.127, an unlicensed person who contracts during a state of emergency declared by the Governor commits a third-degree felony.

How do I report unlicensed plumbing work?

Contact DBPR's Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1 (866) 532-1440 or email ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com.

Which building code applies to plumbing in Florida?

The Florida Building Code, which includes a plumbing volume. The 8th Edition (2023) took effect December 31, 2023. Your local building department can confirm the edition that applies to your permit.

Sources

This guide was written by our editorial team from the public sources listed above. It is general information, not legal advice; confirm licensing and terms directly with any provider.

How do you check a plumbing contractor's license in Florida?