How to Get a Contractor License in Lake County

Lake County, northwest of Orlando, handles contractor licensing through the Office of Building Services in Tavares. Its county code has separate articles for state certified contractors and for locally registered and licensed contractors, and the county will not issue a permit until every subcontractor is named and licensed.

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.

Lake County's licensing framework

Chapter 6 of the Lake County Code is organized this way:

State certified contractors

The county's Certified Contractor Licensing Requirements page lists what a certified contractor needs before applying for a permit, including a copy of the state license, a copy of a current business tax receipt from a county or city outside Lake County, a copy of the license holder's driver's license, and current contact details. Insurance certificates are also required.

Local registration and reciprocity

The county's Application for Registration (BF08) is for contractors reciprocating a local license from another county. It states that the passing grade for Lake County is 75.0% and that the applicant must have taken the Business and Law exam. It also calls for a $5,000 bond payable to the Florida Homeowners Construction Recovery Fund, an affidavit that you will stay within the scope of the local license, and an insurance certificate.

Permits and subcontractors

The Permitting Information page says subcontractors may be named when applying, but the permit will not be issued without all subcontractors named, and each must be currently licensed. Owners and tenants cannot be named as subcontractors. Building Services can confirm whether a subcontractor is licensed and active in Lake County.

Building Services and Planning and Zoning customer service moved to 320 W. Main St. in Tavares, next to the Property Appraiser's Office, per the county's notice.

Business tax receipt

In January 2020 the Board of County Commissioners began repealing the county business tax for unincorporated Lake County, with a plan to reduce the rate and eliminate it in fiscal year 2022. Cities in Lake County (for example Tavares, Minneola and Fruitland Park) still issue their own receipts. Check with the city where your business is located and with the Lake County Tax Collector for current status.

Communities

Municipalities in Lake County include Clermont, Leesburg, Tavares (county seat), Eustis, Mount Dora, Minneola, Groveland and Lady Lake.

State license guides

Lake County FAQ

Can I list my subcontractors after the permit is issued? No. Lake County will not issue a permit until all subcontractors are named, and all must be currently licensed.

What score does Lake County accept for local reciprocity? 75.0%, and you must have taken the Business and Law exam, per the county's registration application.

Does unincorporated Lake County still require a business tax receipt? The county announced a phase-out ending in fiscal year 2022. Cities may still require one.

Next step

Lake County's local path asks for a business and law exam anyway. The state Business and Finance exam gets you a license valid statewide; prepare with our Florida Business & Finance Exam Prep.