How to Get a Contractor License in Lee County

Lee County, home to Fort Myers and Cape Coral, has its own Lee County Construction Licensing Board and a Contractor Licensing office that keeps state contractors' license, insurance and authorized-signer details on file. Registration lets you pull permits without appearing in person and attach to permits as a subcontractor.

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.

Who may contract in Lee County

Lee County Code Sec. 8-88, in the article creating the Lee County Construction Licensing Board, says all contractors working in Lee County must hold an appropriate license, and lists four types:

A Lee County certificate alone is not enough where state law also requires a state certificate or registration. Local applicants must pass an appropriate exam under the county administrative code.

Registering a state license

Contractor Licensing explains that registering lets the county keep your license, insurance and authorized signers on file so you can pull permits without appearing each time, submit permits electronically, and attach as a subcontractor. Authorized agents listed with the county can apply for and pick up permits for you. To register, email:

• A completed Lee County Contractor Agreement listing all authorized signers
• A copy of your state certified license
• A certificate of insurance for general liability and workers' compensation, with the insured name matching the company name on the license

Attaching subcontractors

After a permit is issued, a subcontractor can attach by phone (with a county PIN, requested through a Subcontractor PIN Agreement), by emailing a subcontractor form, or by uploading it to the permit record. The subcontractor must hold a valid state license and insurance (inspections page).

Business tax receipt

The Lee County Tax Collector requires state certified or registered contractors to submit a copy of their license when applying for or renewing a county business tax receipt. To qualify a company, both the company and qualifier names must be on the state license, and the application must match the license except for physical address. The Tax Collector lists a flat county business tax of $50 for businesses starting October through March, $25 for April through June, and $12.50 for July through September. Cities in Lee County may require their own receipts.

Major cities

Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel.

State license guides

Lee County FAQ

Is a Lee County certificate of competency enough to do roofing? Not by itself where state law requires state registration; a state registered contractor needs both the state registration and the county certificate.

Can my office staff pull permits? Yes, if they are listed as authorized signers on your Lee County Contractor Agreement.

Does the Tax Collector need my state license? Yes. Contractors must submit a copy of their DBPR license with the business tax application or renewal.

Next step

A state certified license covers Lee, Collier, Charlotte and every other county. Every CILB certified license requires the Business and Finance exam; prepare with our Florida Business & Finance Exam Prep.