How to Get a Contractor License in Manatee County

Manatee County, between Tampa Bay and Sarasota, licenses contractors through the Contractor Licensing Division of its Building Division. It is one of the counties where unincorporated areas have no business tax receipt at all, but that does not change state contractor licensing.

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.

Contractor Licensing Division

The Contractor Licensing Division says state certified contractors "have the option of registering their state certified license" with the county to work in unincorporated Manatee County. In practice, the county's Online Services portal requires each contractor to register and add agents or delegates under their license, so registration is how you get permit access.

Local licenses still issued

Manatee County issues and reciprocates local licenses for these trades, subject to Construction Trades Board approval and testing where applicable:

Insurance updates are online only

Per the county's insurance instructions, state certified contractors must update general liability and workers' compensation certificates through the online portal. Only the qualifier's account can submit them (delegates cannot), the county no longer accepts insurance by email, fax or mail, and certificates are accepted only from the contractor, not from insurance carriers.

Permits

The Permitting Section states that Development Services has moved to 9000 Town Center Parkway, Lakewood Ranch. Applications go through the Accela Online Services portal and Digital Plan Room.

The cities run their own building departments: the City of Bradenton and the City of Palmetto each issue permits inside their limits.

Business tax receipt

Unincorporated Manatee County does not have a local business tax receipt (formerly occupational license). The county stresses that this is unrelated to construction contractor licensing, which is required by Chapter 489. Cities may have their own business tax; check with the city if your office is in one.

Communities

Bradenton (county seat), Palmetto, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key (partly), plus unincorporated Lakewood Ranch, Parrish and Ellenton. Sarasota is next door.

State license guides

Manatee County FAQ

Do I need a county business tax receipt to contract in unincorporated Manatee? No. The county has no local business tax receipt. You still need a state or county contractor license.

Can my office manager upload my renewed insurance? No. Only the qualifier's online account can submit insurance updates, per the county.

Does the county still license masonry contractors locally? Yes. Mason, masonry and concrete, and concrete are among the local licenses issued, subject to Construction Trades Board approval.

Next step

Manatee's local licenses cover only a few trades. For general, roofing, HVAC, plumbing and other CILB categories, the state certified route applies, and it starts with the Business and Finance exam. Prepare with our Florida Business & Finance Exam Prep.