How to Get a Contractor License in Putnam County

Putnam County sits along the St. Johns River between Jacksonville and Gainesville, with county offices in Palatka. It is a smaller, largely rural county, and its contractor rules are run by one office: the Putnam County Building Department, part of Development Services, at 2509 Crill Ave., Palatka. The department's mission statement covers "permitting, inspections and licensing."

Certified vs registered in Putnam County

Chapter 8 of the Putnam County Code uses three terms worth knowing:

Statewide, a registered contractor is one whose DBPR registration rests on local competency and is valid only where local requirements were met (F.S. 489.117). The county publishes a Local Building Contractor Listing of licensed and insured contractors currently registered in Putnam County, organized by category (Air Conditioning Class A and B and others). The county notes that contractors on that list "may, or may not, hold a state license," so the list is a registration record, not a statement of state licensure. For state licenses, use the DBPR license search.

Questions about contractor registration and permits go to the Building Department at (386) 329-0307.

Business tax receipt

This is where Putnam differs from many counties: the Putnam County Tax Collector states that business tax receipts are not required in unincorporated Putnam County. If your business is located inside a city, check that city's rules. The City of Palatka, for example, runs its own local business tax.

What needs a permit in Putnam County

The county's 2025 permit requirements sheet is a useful quick reference. It lists, among others:

• new construction, additions, remodeling and change of use;
• any structure in a Special Flood Hazard Area, plus boat houses and bulkheads or retaining walls over 2 feet high;
• adding or replacing windows or doors, roofing and siding, and stucco on wood-framed buildings;
• pools 24 inches deep or more;
• electrical service change-outs and rewiring, A/C and heat pump replacements, water heater replacements and new gas appliances or piping.

It also lists work that does not need a permit if it meets zoning rules, including repair of residential roof covering of no more than 25% of the roof area within any 12-month period. Emergency repairs may begin before a permit is issued, under the conditions on the sheet.

For commercial projects, the county's checklist starts with a pre-application conference with the Development Review Committee before the building permit application.

Which state license to pursue

Common starting points are the residential contractor and general contractor categories, plus roofing, HVAC, plumbing and electrical. Every CILB license requires the Business and Finance exam.

FAQ

Do I need a county business tax receipt in Putnam County? Not in the unincorporated county, according to the Tax Collector. A city may require one.

Is every contractor on the county's local listing state licensed? No. The county says listed contractors may or may not hold a state license.

Do I need a permit to replace a few shingles? Repairs covering 25% or less of a residential roof within 12 months are on the county's no-permit list. Larger roof work needs a permit.

Prepare for the state exam

A state certified license is recognized in Putnam County and statewide. Every CILB license requires the B&F exam: Florida Business & Finance Exam Prep.