Hiring an unlicensed roofing contractor in Florida is one of the most expensive mistakes a homeowner can make. Unlicensed work voids your insurance coverage, cannot pass building inspection, and leaves you with no warranty protection or legal recourse. The good news is that verifying a Florida roofer's license takes less than 60 seconds online. Here is exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Get the License Number
Ask your roofing contractor for their Florida contractor license number. Every legitimate roofing contractor will provide this immediately and without hesitation. The license number will start with either CCC (Certified Roofing Contractor) or CGC (Certified General Contractor). Both are valid for roofing work. If the contractor cannot or will not provide a license number, end the conversation — they are not licensed.
The license number is also required to appear on the contractor's written contract and on all advertising and marketing materials, including business cards, trucks, and websites.
Step 2: Go to myfloridalicense.com
Open your web browser and navigate to myfloridalicense.com. This is the official website of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which licenses and regulates all contractors in the state. Click on the "Verify a License" or "Search for Licensee" option on the homepage.
Step 3: Enter the License Information
In the search fields, enter the contractor's license number. You can also search by name, business name, or city if you do not have the number. Click search. The system will return the contractor's license record within seconds.
Step 4: Check These Five Critical Items
When the license record appears, verify five things. First, confirm the license status says "Current, Active." Any status other than active — such as suspended, revoked, expired, or delinquent — means the contractor cannot legally perform roofing work. Second, confirm the license type is CCC or CGC, not a different trade license. Third, check the expiration date to ensure the license is not about to lapse. Fourth, note whether there are any complaints, disciplinary actions, or enforcement proceedings listed. A clean record is what you want. Fifth, confirm the name on the license matches the person or company you are dealing with.
What If They Have a "Registered" License?
Some contractors hold a Registered Roofing Contractor license (RCC) or Registered General Contractor (RGC) instead of a Certified license. Registered contractors can only work within the county that issued their registration. If a contractor holds an RCC for Broward County, they cannot legally pull permits in Miami-Dade or Palm Beach. Certified contractors (CCC or CGC) can work statewide.
For most South Florida projects, a Certified contractor provides more flexibility and often has more extensive qualifications. Either license type is legally valid within its jurisdiction.
Additional Verification: Insurance and Workers' Compensation
A valid license is necessary but not sufficient. Also request a Certificate of Insurance showing general liability coverage of at least $1 million and workers' compensation coverage. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers' compensation, you — the homeowner — could be held liable for medical costs and lost wages.
Your contractor should be able to provide a current Certificate of Insurance within minutes. If they cannot, treat it as a red flag equal to an invalid license.
Red Flags That Signal an Unlicensed Contractor
Several warning signs suggest a contractor may be unlicensed. They cannot provide a license number. They offer to work without a permit to save you money. They ask for full payment upfront before starting work. They have no physical business address or only a PO box. Their truck has no company signage or license number displayed. They appeared at your door unsolicited after a storm. They offer unusually low prices that undercut every other bid by 40% or more.
If any of these red flags appear, verify the license before proceeding. A few minutes of verification can save you tens of thousands of dollars in problems.
Why This Matters for Your Insurance
Florida insurance companies require that roofing work be performed by a licensed contractor operating under a valid building permit. If unlicensed work is discovered during a subsequent insurance claim, the insurer can deny the claim entirely. If unpermitted work is found during a 4-point inspection required for policy renewal, the insurer can refuse to renew your policy. The short-term savings of hiring an unlicensed contractor create long-term insurance problems that far exceed the original cost difference.
The Bottom Line
Checking a Florida roofer's license takes 60 seconds at myfloridalicense.com. This single step protects you from unlicensed work, insurance claim denials, building code violations, and the financial risk of hiring someone who disappears when problems arise. At Goliath Roofing, our state-certified license (CCC number), insurance certificates, and manufacturer certifications are available for verification before every project.