How to Get a Contractor License in Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, has one of the more structured local licensing systems in Florida. The county issues State Registered and Local Specialty licenses through trade boards, and it keeps a registry of state certified contractors in its HillsGovHub portal. If you hold a state certified license, registration is free.

Certified or registered: the state side

Florida has two kinds of construction license. A certified contractor (license number starting with "C") passed the state exam and may contract anywhere in Florida. A registered contractor (number starting with "R") holds a local certificate of competency and may contract only in the jurisdictions where that local license is held (F.S. 489.105, F.S. 489.117). Every Division I and Division II certified license issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board requires passing the state Business and Finance exam. Electrical and alarm licenses come from a separate board and use their own exam.

Three ways to be licensed in Hillsborough

The county's Development Services FAQ lists the options for a regulated trade:

The county notes that after State of Florida House Bill 735 not every trade needs a license in Hillsborough County, and it publishes a License Comparison chart. Under House Bill 1383, local jurisdictions may keep offering licenses that mirror DBPR categories. Local Specialty licenses currently offered include aluminum structure, demolition, drywall, garage door installation, glass and glazing, irrigation, plaster and stucco, and windows and doors (county license page). The county warns these types may change as DBPR categories change.

The local boards

Local licenses are approved by the Hillsborough County Boards of Adjustment, Appeals, and Examiners: Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing/Gas. According to the county application instructions, the certificate of competency covers work in the City of Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City and unincorporated Hillsborough County. Applications are filed online in HillsGovHub. The county lists a $50 application initiation fee, $230 on acceptance and $140 on issuance for State Registered and Local Specialty licenses.

Registering a state certified license

State certified license holders register in HillsGovHub at no fee, following the county's "Create Contractor License Applications" guide. Renewals of state certified registrations in HillsGovHub began August 1, 2024. Development Services handles licensing questions.

Trades licensed by other agencies

The county lists fire protection, septic tanks, well drilling, LP gas and mobile home installation as trades licensed by other agencies, not the county.

Business tax receipt

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector issues local business tax receipts through its BTExpress portal. New businesses must get a receipt before starting. The business must be physically located in Hillsborough County (a P.O. box is not acceptable), and regulated businesses must upload supporting license documents. The tax year runs October 1 to September 30.

Major cities

Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace, plus large unincorporated communities such as Brandon and Riverview.

State license guides

Hillsborough County FAQ

Does a state certified contractor pay to register in Hillsborough? No. The county says state certified license holders can register in HillsGovHub with no fee.

Is a county license valid in Pinellas or Pasco? No. State Registered and Local Specialty licenses are valid only in the issuing county. Only a state certified license works statewide.

Does the county license cover the City of Tampa? Yes. The county instructions list the City of Tampa, Temple Terrace, Plant City and the unincorporated county.

Who handles fire sprinkler licensing? Not the county. Fire protection contractors are licensed by another agency (the State Fire Marshal).

Next step

If you want to work beyond Hillsborough, the state certified route is the one that travels. It starts with the Business and Finance exam; prepare with our Florida Business & Finance Exam Prep.