Contractor Licensing

If you're applying or registering for a local contractor license in Charlotte County, use this guide to help you through the process. Follow the checklist below to make sure your application is complete.

New Contractor License – Required Documents

1. Proof of Experience
   • Submit documentation showing the required years of related experience.
     • Your documentation must:
     • Be on employer letterhead
     • Include exact dates of employment
     • Describe the type of work and duties performed
     • Be notarized
     • If self-employed, provide tax returns and Profit & Loss (P&L) statements — these can be accepted in place of employer letters, year-for-year
        
2. Credit Reports
   • Credit reports for both personal and business credit must be sent directly from the credit bureau to Charlotte County Community Development
   • If applying under a new business name, a credit report for the previous business is also required
      
3. Application Fee
   • Refer to the fee table (see "Licenses Offered by Charlotte County")
   • Fees are non-refundable once the application is reviewed
   • Make checks payable to Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners (CCBCC)
   • If you're unsure of the amount due, call 941-743-1201, option 5 for Licensing
      
4. Photo Identification
   • Submit a recent, color passport-style photo
   • Provide a valid photo ID with your current home address (e.g., driver’s license)
      
5. Insurance Requirements
   • Workers' Compensation
     • Provide one of the following:
       • An original certificate of workers’ compensation insurance showing:
         • Charlotte County Community Development as certificate holder
         • Insured’s name, company name, address, and policy number
         • That the qualifier is covered under the policy;
       • OR, if exempt, a copy of the approved exemption form from the Florida Department of Financial Services
   • General Liability Insurance
     • Required limits: $300,000 for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage, or a $300,000 combined single limit (electrical contractor limits may be higher)
     • Charlotte County Community Development must be listed as certificate holder
     • Certificate must include the insured’s name, company name, address, and policy or binder number
     • Insurance is only required once your application is approved, but must match the exact business name on your license
        
6. State Registered License (for Certain Trades)
   • You must provide a copy of your current state registration if applying for any of the following trades:
     • General, Building, or Residential Contractor
     • Master Electrician or Master Plumber
     • Air Conditioning (Class A, B, or C), Mechanical, Roofing
     • Swimming Pool/Spa (Class A, B, or C), Sheet Metal, Underground Utility, Solar Energy
   • If you do not currently hold a state registration:
     • You must register with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR): www.myfloridalicense.com

A copy of your state license must be submitted to Charlotte County before starting work.

State-Certified Contractor Registration Form Sexually Oriented Business Application 

• You passed with a score of 75% or higher
• You provide documentation showing:
  • Exam type and date
  • Score received
  • Number of years of experience submitted before the exam
• Trade and Business & Law exams must match Charlotte County’s standards
  • No substitutions for exams are allowed

Before receiving your Certificate of Competency, you must obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR) from the Charlotte County Tax Collector – 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 241, Port Charlotte, FL. They can be reached at 941.743.1350 or https://taxcollector.charlottecountyfl.gov.

Already have a BTR from another Florida county? If you're state-certified or registered, a reciprocal BTR may be accepted. Email ContractorLicensing@CharlotteCountyFL.gov to confirm.

Handyman Local BTR Form

• If applying under a fictitious business name, submit a copy of your registration from the Florida Secretary of State: www.sunbiz.org

• Submit the following:
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Meeting minutes listing current officers and their titles
  • Resolution of Authorization (stating the applicant is authorized to apply on behalf of the corporation)

• Complete and submit a Partnership Agreement Form