How to Get a Contractor License in Dixie County

Dixie County is a small Big Bend county on the Gulf, with Cross City as its county seat. Its Community Development Department handles building, code enforcement, planning and zoning from one office. Official information online is limited, so this page sticks to what we could confirm.

Certified vs. registered in Dixie 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).

Dixie County's code (Chapter 8, from Ordinance 93-03) provides for a county construction industry licensing board. Section 8-66 says all persons contracting in the county, except those exempted, "shall register with the board in the proper classification," and Section 8-91 makes it unlawful to contract without being certified by that board "or as otherwise provided herein." These sections date from 1993. State law since then (F.S. 163.211) has limited local licensing, so ask the Building office how it applies the code today.

Building office

The Dixie County Building, Code, Planning and Zoning office (Community Development) is at 387 SE 22 Avenue, Cross City. It posts residential, subcontractor, Notice of Commencement and marine permit applications online. Dixie County uses an iWorQ portal for permit records and inspection requests.

The county posts a separate marine application, which matters on this coast: docks, seawalls and other marine work have their own permit path.

Business tax: an exception for out-of-county contractors

The Dixie County Tax Collector issues local business tax receipts and says new businesses must obtain one before operating. It adds a useful note: "Registered or Certified Contractors, regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) whose business location is not located within Dixie County, would not be required to pay a business tax in Dixie County." This tracks F.S. 205.065: a DBPR-regulated business that has paid business tax where its permanent location is cannot be charged another local business tax for temporary work in a different county or city.

If your business is located in Dixie County, you register with the Tax Collector and provide proof of your state license.

Cities in Dixie County

Cross City (county seat) and Horseshoe Beach. Suwannee is an unincorporated coastal community.

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.

Dixie County FAQ

I am based in Gilchrist County. Do I owe Dixie business tax? Per the Dixie Tax Collector, DBPR-licensed contractors located outside Dixie County are not required to pay Dixie business tax.

Does Dixie County still run a local licensing board? The county code provides for one. Ask the Building office how it handles registration today.

Is there a separate permit for docks? The county posts a separate marine application.

Where is the Building office? 387 SE 22 Avenue, Cross City.

Next step

State certification is accepted throughout Florida. It starts with the Business and Finance exam; our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep covers it.