How to Get a Contractor License in Duval County

Duval County and the City of Jacksonville are a consolidated government, so most contractor rules here are City of Jacksonville rules. Jacksonville has its own licensing board, the Construction Trades Qualifying Board, and its Building Inspection Division requires contractor registration before permits. The beach cities and Baldwin handle some matters separately.

Certified vs. registered in Duval 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).

The Construction Trades Qualifying Board (CTQB) acts under Chapters 62 and 342 of the Jacksonville Ordinance Code. Per the city, it ensures contractors in general building, residential, roofing, pool, sheet metal, electrical, HVAC/refrigeration, plumbing, water treatment, irrigation, natural gas, pool subcontractor and carpentry subcontractor trades meet competency, financial responsibility, credit and insurance standards set by city ordinance and state law. The Mayor appoints its 16 members.

Jacksonville's license search separates state licenses from Duval County licenses (registered contractors, specialty contractors, journeymen), so both kinds exist here. Local licenses are subject to F.S. 163.211; confirm the status of any local-only category with the CTQB.

Registering with the Building Inspection Division

The Building Inspection Division FAQ lists what you need "to register as a contractor to pull permits":

Documents go to BIDRegistrations@coj.net.

Beach cities

Neptune Beach, for example, runs its own contractor registration. Its form requires a state certified or registered license, a Duval County Trades Qualifying Board license, or a Florida Department of Agriculture license; a current business tax receipt from where your business is located; and insurance certificates naming the City of Neptune Beach. Check each beach city's rules before pulling permits there.

Local business tax receipt

The Duval County Tax Collector issues the Local Business Tax Receipt (LBTR) for Jacksonville and Duval County. Key dates from the Tax Collector:

Late renewals pay a 10% penalty for October plus additional monthly penalties.

Coastal construction

Duval is one of the Florida counties with a Coastal Construction Control Line per the Florida DEP. Oceanfront work seaward of the line needs a DEP permit.

Cities in Duval County

Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Baldwin.

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.

Duval County FAQ

Do I need a CTQB license if I am state certified? No. A state certificate is valid statewide. You still register with the Building Inspection Division before permitting.

Where do I send my contractor registration? To BIDRegistrations@coj.net, per the city's FAQ.

When does my LBTR expire? September 30 each year.

Does Jacksonville registration cover Neptune Beach? No. Neptune Beach has its own contractor registration.

Next step

State certification starts with the Business and Finance exam. Our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep follows the official outline.