How to Get a Contractor License in Polk County

Polk County lies between Tampa and Orlando. Contractor matters for unincorporated Polk County are handled by the Building Division of the Office of Planning and Development in Bartow.

Certified vs registered in Polk County

No county licensing fee for state certified contractors

In Resolution 17-025 (effective July 3, 2017), the Board of County Commissioners removed the "Contractor Licensing fee for state licensed contractors," citing F.S. 489.113(4)(a): a state licensed contractor only has to produce credentials and pay permit fees to obtain a building permit. You still file the county's State Certified Registration Form (PD BLD 65) so your license is on record. The Building Division's licensing contact is contractorlicensing@polk-county.net, 863-534-6530, at 330 W. Church St., Bartow.

Authorizing staff to pull permits

The Associated Accela User form lets a license holder designate employees who may submit applications and sign documents to obtain permits under the holder's license or certificate of competency. The license holder signs an acknowledgment accepting responsibility and liability for each project permitted under that authority. Think carefully about who you list.

The Contractor Licensing Board

Polk County's Contractor Licensing Board reviews complaints and exercises disciplinary authority over licensed contractors. For locally licensed contractors, that includes suspension or revocation. For state-certified contractors, its authority is limited to suspending permit-pulling privileges in Polk County, which mirrors F.S. 489.113(4)(b). The board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the County Commission Boardroom; the Board of County Commissioners appoints nine members and two alternates for three-year terms.

Permitting

Permit applications are submitted online through the county's Accela Citizens Portal. The county's permitting page restates Florida Building Code section 105.1: a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building, and for regulated electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing work. Separate electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits may be needed.

Business tax receipt

The Polk County Tax Collector collects the county local business tax, generally paid annually by individuals or firms located or operating in Polk County. The Tax Collector notes that the receipt "does not convey an acknowledgement of competency in any business occupation, trade, practice, or activity." Cities such as Lakeland and Winter Haven may require their own receipts.

Major cities

Polk County has 17 municipalities. Lakeland is the largest and Winter Haven the second largest; others include Bartow (home of the county Building Division), Haines City, Auburndale and Lake Wales.

State license pages

General contractor, residential contractor, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical. Every CILB category requires the Business and Finance exam.

FAQ

Is there a county fee to register a state certified license in Polk? No. Resolution 17-025 removed it in 2017. You still file the registration form.

Can the Polk Contractor Licensing Board take my state license? No. For state-certified contractors, it can suspend permit-pulling privileges in Polk County. License discipline is up to the state CILB.

Can my office manager pull permits? Yes, if you list them on the Associated Accela User form. You remain responsible for every permit pulled under your license.

Next step

A state certified license is accepted in Polk County without a county licensing fee. Every CILB license starts with the B&F exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam Prep.