How to Get a Contractor License in Volusia County

Volusia County runs from the Atlantic beaches inland to DeLand, where the county government is based. For contractors, it has a centralized local system: Volusia County Contractor Licensing, part of Building and Zoning in Growth and Resource Management, keeps the list of contractors allowed to pull county permits, and issues certain local licenses and competency cards.

Certified vs registered in Volusia County

The county describes the purpose of its Contractor Licensing activity as establishing "a centralized and uniform system for the local regulation" of contractors.

Registering to pull permits

Volusia's permits run on Connect Live. Its registration guide is explicit: "Licensed contractors must be registered as Participating contractors with Volusia County Contractor Licensing to apply for building permits on Connect Live." You register with Contractor Licensing first, receive a registration PIN, then create your Connect Live account using the email on your county contractor record.

The Contractor Licensing FAQ says you cannot register online. Instead, fill out the Contractor Listing application and return it with:

• a copy of your state license;
• general liability and workers' compensation certificates of insurance, listing Volusia County, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand, FL 32720 as certificate holder. A workers' compensation exemption certificate can replace the workers' comp certificate, but general liability is still required.

The county asks contractors to download the application before signing if they want to use a digital signature; otherwise it needs a wet signature. Contractor Licensing lists permitctr@volusia.gov and 386-736-5957.

Local licenses and cards

Through the same office you can apply for a Journeyman Competency Card, a Local Specialty License or a Master Electrician Competency Card. The Applications and Forms page has the journeyman application and exam instructions.

Contractor Licensing and Construction Appeals Board

This board meets monthly to hear appeals of decisions and interpretations of the building official and the contractor licensing manager, and to consider variances from the technical codes. Seven members serve terms of one to three years.

Business tax receipt

Volusia County repealed its county business tax receipt effective January 1, 2024. No county receipt is required for any business located in Volusia County. Cities may still require their own, so contact the city where your business is physically located.

Coastal construction

Volusia County is on the Florida DEP list of counties with a Coastal Construction Control Line. Oceanfront work seaward of the line can need a DEP CCCL permit in addition to the local permit.

Major cities

Volusia County has 16 municipalities, including Daytona Beach, DeLand (where county government is based) and New Smyrna Beach. Cities run their own building departments.

State license pages

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

FAQ

Can I register with Volusia County online? No. Submit the Contractor Listing application with your state license and insurance certificates. After that, you set up Connect Live with the PIN the county provides.

Do I need a Volusia County business tax receipt? No. The county receipt was repealed effective January 1, 2024. Check with your city.

Who hears appeals of the building official's decisions? The Contractor Licensing and Construction Appeals Board, which meets monthly.

Next step

A state certified license plus a Contractor Listing application gets you into Connect Live. Start with Florida Business & Finance Exam Prep.