Jackson County is a rural Panhandle county centered on Marianna. Contractor licensing and permitting are both handled by Building Services, part of the county's Community Development Department. The county keeps two separate paths: a registration form for state certified contractors and a competency card for state registered contractors.
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.
Jackson County Building Services
Building Services inspects new structures and major improvements, enforces state and local building requirements, and issues contractor competency cards. The county lists its offices at 2864 Madison St., Marianna. Under Community Development, development orders are approved by the Planning Division first; property owners and businesses then apply to Building Services for permits.
Contractor licensing forms
| Form | Who uses it |
|---|---|
| Certified License Registration Form | State certified contractors |
| Competency Card Application | State registered contractors (local license) |
| Competency Card Renewal Form | Renewing a county competency card |
| Authorization to Sign for Permit Letter | Letting an agent sign permits for the qualifier |
Other forms contractors use
Building Services also posts a blower door tester registration, mobile home installer registration, a product approval spec sheet, swimming pool requirements, the Notice of Commencement and termination forms, and step-by-step permit processes for new single-family and new commercial construction. The county's permit application reminds owner-builders of the F.S. 489.103(7) exemption limits, including the $75,000 cap for owner-built commercial buildings.
Business tax receipt
We did not find an official Jackson County page describing a county local business tax. Contact the Jackson County Tax Collector and the city where your business is located (for example, Marianna) to confirm. Separately, home-based businesses in unincorporated Jackson County need an In-Home Occupation development order from the Planning Division.
Communities
Marianna (county seat), Graceville, Sneads, Cottondale, Malone, Grand Ridge and several smaller towns.
State license guides
| License | Guide |
|---|---|
| General, building, residential (Division I) | General contractor license |
| Roofing | Roofing license |
| Air conditioning A and B | HVAC license |
| Plumbing | Plumbing license |
| Electrical (separate board) | Electrical license |
Jackson County FAQ
I hold a state certified license. Do I need a Jackson County competency card? No. Certified contractors use the Certified License Registration Form. Competency cards are for state registered contractors.
Who approves a new commercial building site? The Planning Division issues the development order first; Building Services then handles the permit.
Can I run my contracting business from home? In unincorporated Jackson County you need an In-Home Occupation General Development Order from the Planning Division.
Next step
Certified licenses are accepted across the Panhandle and the rest of Florida. All CILB certified licenses require the Business and Finance exam; start with our Florida Business & Finance Exam Prep.