Port St. Lucie used to issue its own contractor Certificates of Competency. It stopped accepting them as valid contractor licenses on July 1, 2025. The city now enforces contractor licensing under Florida Statutes Chapter 489 and City Ordinance Chapter 150.501. The Building Department's Compliance Management Division handles it (772-871-5132, Contractorlicensing@cityofpsl.com). The city is in St. Lucie County.
What the change means
The city's guidance says that under F.S. 489.117, every contractor in the categories defined in F.S. 489.105(3)(a) through (o) must be state registered or state certified to work legally in Florida. If you contract on a city-issued Certificate of Competency, you have two options:
| Path | Where to go |
|---|---|
| State certified (statewide) | DBPR, myfloridalicense.com |
| State registered (limited to the jurisdiction of your local competency) | St. Lucie County Contractor Licensing |
The city's HB 735 guidance adds the other half of the law. Local governments may not require a license for job scopes outside the state contractor categories. Some city registrations for those scopes were phased out after July 1, 2023.
Keeping your record current
Contractor records live in the city's PANDA system. The city dropped its $65.00 contractor renewal fee for 2023/2024. To stay current, email insurance renewals, state registration if applicable, and contact changes to ContractorLicensing@cityofpsl.com. The city says a current record prevents problems when you apply for permits.
Permitting basics
The Permitting office is reached at 772-871-5132 or Permitting@cityofpsl.com. Lobby hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.
- Owner-builder permits must be applied for in person. Under F.S. 489.103(7)(b), the owner personally appears and signs, and must show the work is for their own use, not for sale or lease.
- Expired permits are not simply reopened. The city's steps are a demolition permit to remove the unpermitted work, or a new permit with updated plans that meet current code.
Business tax: city and county
Section 111.15 of the city code requires a city business tax receipt before a business starts. Receipts expire September 30 and can be renewed from July 1. Home-based businesses in city limits need one too, and commercial locations must fit the zoning. The city's steps:
- Apply online for the Port St. Lucie BTR, with state or professional license, ID and any fictitious name or articles.
- Then apply to the St. Lucie County Tax Collector for the county BTR (tcslc.com, 772-462-1650).
The Tax Collector says a county BTR is required for any business located in St. Lucie County, including Port St. Lucie.
FAQ
Can I keep working on my Port St. Lucie Certificate of Competency? No. Since July 1, 2025, the city doesn't accept it as a contractor license. Become state registered or state certified.
Is there a city renewal fee? The city waived its $65.00 renewal fee for 2023/2024. Keep your insurance and state registration current in PANDA.
Do I need both a city and a county BTR? Yes, if your business is located in Port St. Lucie.
Make the move to a state license
A state certified license carries statewide and requires the CILB exams, including Business and Finance. See general contractor, residential and roofing, and prepare with our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep.
Sources
- City of Port St. Lucie: Building Compliance Management Division
- City of Port St. Lucie: Contractor Licensing Updated Guidance (HB 735)
- City of Port St. Lucie: Contractor Renewals (PANDA)
- City of Port St. Lucie: Building Permits, Applications, Fees and Checklists
- City of Port St. Lucie: Business Tax
- City of Port St. Lucie: Steps to Start a Business
- St. Lucie County Tax Collector: Local Business Tax