How to Get a Contractor License in Citrus County

Citrus County is a clear example of how Florida's 2024 licensing changes reached the county level. The county used to issue local competency cards. It no longer does. If you want to contract in Inverness, Crystal River or anywhere else in Citrus County, you now need a state license.

What changed

The Citrus County Contractor Licensing page states: "Citrus County is no longer offering local licensing. Local competency cards expired on their 2025 expiration date." The county attributes this to the 2024 changes to F.S. 163.211, "Licensing of occupations preempted to state."

F.S. 163.211 preempts occupational licensing to the state. Local licensing in place before January 1, 2021 was allowed to continue only until July 1, 2025, unless authorized by general law. The 2024 amendment (Chapter 2024-212, SB 1142) set that date.

Certified vs. registered in Citrus 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).

With no local cards, a new contractor's realistic route in Citrus County is a state certificate. Holders of older Citrus competency cards should check their state registration status with DBPR, since the county card underlying it has expired.

Registering your state license in Citrus County

Once you hold a state license, the county says to "submit a contractor application in the Citrus County Accela portal." The Building Division processes all permits through Accela and lists three setup steps:

The county's Licensing Compliance Office enforces contractor compliance with state statutes, the Florida Building Code and county rules, and advises residents to check with the office that a contractor is "properly registered in Citrus County with current licenses and insurance."

The Building Division also handles floodplain management with FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which matters for work in the county's coastal and river flood zones.

Business tax receipt

The Citrus County Tax Collector issues local business tax receipts. It says anyone providing goods or services to the public, including a one-person or home-based business, needs one, and that a business must meet applicable county, state and federal rules before the receipt is issued. If your work takes employees inside city limits, a city license may also be needed. Receipts renew annually.

Cities in Citrus County

Inverness (county seat) and Crystal River are the incorporated cities. Homosassa, Beverly Hills and Lecanto are unincorporated communities.

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.

Citrus County FAQ

Can I still get a Citrus County competency card? No. The county stopped local licensing and existing cards expired on their 2025 expiration date.

I have a state license. What next? Submit a contractor application in the Citrus County Accela portal.

Do I need a digital signature? Yes, for all plans submitted through Accela, per the Building Division.

Who issues business tax receipts? The Citrus County Tax Collector.

Next step

With local cards gone, the state exam is the path. Every CILB license requires the Business and Finance exam; our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep covers it.