Baker County is a small county west of Jacksonville, with Macclenny as its county seat. Permitting runs through the county's Community Development Department, and the paperwork for a licensed contractor is short. Here is what official Baker County sources say you need.
Certified vs. registered in Baker County
A state certified contractor (license number starting with "C") passed the state exams and can contract anywhere in Florida without meeting local competency rules (F.S. 489.105). A state registered contractor (license number starting with "R") holds a local competency license and can contract only where that local license is recognized (F.S. 489.117).
Baker County's published permit checklist is written for state certified contractors. If you plan to work here and in Duval, Nassau or Union counties, a state certificate avoids having to meet separate local competency rules in each place.
What Community Development requires before a permit
The Baker County Community Development Department administers state and county building codes, the comprehensive plan and land development regulations. Its page lists what a state certified contractor must provide "before building permits will be issued":
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Current state license | Your DBPR certificate |
| Liability insurance and workers' compensation | Or a workers' compensation exemption |
| Occupational license | The local business tax receipt (see below) |
The department also notes that if anyone other than the license holder buys the permit, it needs an original, notarized authorization (such as a power of attorney) signed by the contractor and listing the people authorized. Plan for that before you send an office manager or foreman to the counter.
Occupational license (business tax)
Baker County still uses the older term "occupational license." The Baker County Tax Collector issues it. The Tax Collector's page says that if your business is inside the limits of an incorporated municipality, "a city license must be procured before a County license," and it points businesses in the City of Macclenny to the city and the Tax Collector. Its step-by-step list includes registering a fictitious name with the Division of Corporations if you trade under a name other than your legal name, and registering with the Department of Revenue for sales tax.
We have not listed fees here because they depend on business type. Ask the Tax Collector for the current amount.
Practical notes
- Order of operations: state license, then city license (if in Macclenny), then county occupational license, then permits.
- Licensed trades: The usual DBPR categories apply here, including roofing, A/C, plumbing and electrical. Electrical contractors are licensed by the Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board, not the CILB.
- Small office: Baker County's permitting is handled by a single department that also covers zoning, so zoning questions (for example home-based business use) go to the same office.
Cities in Baker County
Macclenny is the county seat and the main city. Glen St. Mary is the other municipality.
State license guides
The county steps above come after the state license. For the state side, start with the Florida licensing hub and the trade guides: general contractor, roofing, HVAC, plumbing and electrical. Every CILB construction license, Division I or II, requires the Business and Finance exam: 120 questions, 6.5 hours, 70% to pass. Pearson VUE exam performance reports show a 56% first-time pass rate statewide for that exam in 2025.
Baker County FAQ
What do I bring to pull my first permit in Baker County? Your current state license, liability insurance, workers' compensation or exemption, and your occupational license, per Community Development.
Can my employee pull permits for me? Yes, if you give the department an original, notarized authorization signed by you that names that person.
My office is in Macclenny. Which license comes first? The Tax Collector says to get the city license before the county license.
Does Baker County give its own contractor exam? We found no county exam on official Baker County pages. Plan on the state exams.
Next step
The state certificate starts with the Business and Finance exam, which every CILB trade takes. Our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep is built around the official content outline.