How to Get a Contractor License in Seminole County

Seminole County, just north of Orlando, has seven cities and a large unincorporated area. The Seminole County Building Division in Sanford permits all of unincorporated Seminole County, and you need an active license in its contractor database before you can pull a permit.

Certified vs registered in Seminole County

Chapter 40 of the Seminole County Code defines the terms:

• Licensed contractor: certified by the State of Florida or the local jurisdiction and meeting all state or local requirements to be actively contracting.
• Registered contractor: registered with DBPR after fulfilling Seminole County's competency requirements.

Chapter 40 also creates a local board with power to hold hearings on violations and to sanction violators by reprimand, fines or revocation of the right to pull permits in Seminole County.

Registering a state license

The Building Division's License Administration form lists what certified contractors must provide:

1. A copy of your current state license (DBPR, State Fire Marshal, DACS Bureau of LP Gas, DHSMV and so on, depending on trade).
2. Proof of workers' compensation coverage or an exemption certificate, and proof of general liability, listing Seminole County, 1101 E. 1st St., Sanford, FL 32771 as certificate holder.
3. The completed form, submitted by fax, email or in person.

Before you submit plans

The county's ePlan guide lists the first steps: have an active license in the Seminole County contractor database, then check the Property Appraiser record to confirm the tax district is unincorporated. If the tax district shows a city name, permit through that city instead. A printout of that verification is a required upload.

The Building Division also notes that major changes took effect July 1, 2026, following amendments to Florida Statutes Chapter 553 and updates to the county Land Development Code; the Building Official's letter on the registration page explains how they affect daily operations. Read it before your first submittal.

Business tax receipts: county and city

The Seminole County Tax Collector requires all businesses in Seminole County to have a business tax receipt. It lists two types: Non-Regulated (Type A), $25.00, for businesses that need no certification or license, and Regulated (Type B), $45.00, for businesses that need county, state or federal licenses. Contractors fall under Type B. Receipts run October 1 to September 30.

If your business is inside a city (Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford or Winter Springs), the county says you need both a city and a county receipt.

Major cities

County government is based in Sanford. The county's seven cities are Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford and Winter Springs.

State license pages

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

FAQ

What is the BTR fee for a contractor in Seminole County? The Tax Collector lists $45.00 for a Regulated (Type B) receipt, which covers businesses requiring a state license.

My office is in Oviedo. Do I need a county BTR too? Yes. Businesses in a city need both city and county receipts.

How do I know whether to permit with the county or a city? Check the tax district on the Property Appraiser record. If it shows a city, permit with that city.

What can the county board do to a contractor? Under Chapter 40, it can reprimand, fine or revoke the right to pull permits in Seminole County.

Next step

A DBPR certified license is what Seminole's database expects. Start with Florida Business & Finance Exam Prep.