Glades County is a rural county on the west side of Lake Okeechobee, with Moore Haven as its county seat. Contractor licensing and building permits both run through Glades County Community Development. Here is what its contractor application says.
Certified vs. registered in Glades 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).
Glades County's application spells out three groups:
| Group | What to provide | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| State certified | Current state license, driver's license or Florida ID, Certificate of Competency form, agent authorization if needed, liability and workers' compensation certificates issued to Glades County | "No fee for state certified" |
| State registered | Everything above, plus a verification letter from Block and Associates or the jurisdiction that gave a proctored exam, showing date and grade (minimum 75%) | First-time license fee; same fees apply to annual renewals |
| Limited specialty (painting, carpentry, masonry) | Three notarized letters of professional recommendation; apply in person | Application fees |
The application form predates the July 1, 2025 expiration of many local licenses under F.S. 163.211, so ask Community Development whether it still issues the limited specialty categories.
How to submit
Per the application, the licensed principal may apply in person, or the application may be faxed or sent electronically if legible. Documents must be notarized where indicated, and originals must be mailed. Community Development is at 198 6th Street SW, Moore Haven.
Building Department
The Glades County Building Department, part of Community Development, reviews plans, issues permits and certificates of occupancy, and inspects building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work. It also permits mobile homes. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Inspection requests must be in by 4 PM the day before. Permits are filed and tracked in the county's iWorQ portal.
Business tax
We could not find an official Glades County page describing local business tax requirements for contractors. The Glades County Tax Collector is at the courthouse in Moore Haven; ask there, and at the City of Moore Haven if you are located in the city.
Cities in Glades County
Moore Haven is the county seat and only incorporated city. Buckhead Ridge and Lakeport 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.
Glades County FAQ
Is there a fee to register as a state certified contractor? No. The county application says there is no fee.
What exam score does Glades County accept for registered contractors? At least 75%, verified by Block and Associates or the jurisdiction that proctored the exam.
Can I fax my application? Yes, if legible, but originals of notarized documents must be mailed.
When do I request an inspection? By 4 PM the day before.
Next step
State certification is the fee-free route in Glades County. It starts with Business and Finance; see our Florida Business and Finance Exam Prep.