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Licensing Requirements

Charlotte County requires the following documentation to submit an application to become a contractor.

Experience Documentation

Experience documentation is to be on letterhead stationery from the employer(s), indicating the exact dates of employment, type of work, and duties performed and must be notarized. In addition, if you are applying for a license under a fictitious name, provide a copy of the fictitious name recording registered with the Secretary of State of Florida.

If the company is a corporation, provide a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, Minutes indicating current officers' names and titles, and a Resolution of Authorization (this states that the applicant is authorized to apply for a license to qualify the corporation). If a partnership, you will need to complete the Partnership Agreement Form.

Reciprocity

Letters of reciprocity are accepted from the county from which the exam was taken, stating the exam date, type of exam, and grade received (75% or higher is required). In addition, letters of reciprocity must include the number of years of experience submitted by the applicant before taking the exam. Both trade and business and law exams are required. The exam taken must be the same exam Charlotte County offers. NO SUBSTITUTIONS ARE ALLOWED.

Identification

Copy of current picture identification such as a driver’s license with current home address shown.

Credit Reports

A credit report sent directly to this office from the credit bureau on your personal credit and your business credit must be provided. If you are applying to change the company name, you will need a credit report on the old company name also.

Application Fee

A check for the application fees made out to the Charlotte County Board of County Commission (CCBCC) for the licensing period (see "Licenses Offered by Charlotte County" below for application fees). Please call 941.743.1201 if you are unsure of the amount due. This fee is non-refundable after the application is reviewed.

Photo

A passport type photo of yourself attached to the application.

Worker's Comp

An original certificate of insurance on worker's compensation showing Charlotte County Building as the certificate holder which indicates the insured's name, company name and address, and the policy number. If exempt, submit a copy of the approved worker's compensation exemption from the Department of Labor (State). Proof of insurance is not required until the application is approved. Certificate must be in the exact name of the business in which you are to qualify and must indicate that the qualifier is covered under the policy if this division is not also provided with a worker’s compensation exemption for the qualifier.

General Liability

An original certificate of insurance stating general liability with limits of $300,000 bodily injury and $50,000 property damage or $300,000 combined single limit liability (State Electrical Board limits are higher) showing Charlotte County Building as the certificate holder which indicates the insured's name, company name and address, and the policy or binder number. Proof of insurance is not required until the application is approved. Certificate must be in the exact name of the business in which you are to qualify.

State Registration (if applicable)

Copy of current active state registration license is required for the following trades: General, Building, Residential Contractor, Master Electrician, Master Plumber, Air Conditioning (A,B,C), Mechanical, Swim Pool (A,B,C), Roofing, Sheet Metal, Underground Utility, or Solar Energy. If you do not currently hold a state registration for the above categories, once the license has been issued by the county, the applicant must register with the Department of Business & Professional Regulations and provide Charlotte County Building with a copy of the state registered license prior to conducting business.

Local Business Tax Receipt

After approval and prior to the issuance of your certificate of competency, you must obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt. To obtain the Local Business Tax Receipt, please call 941.743.1350 or stop by the Tax Collector’s office in Room 241, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL. For additional information, visit their website at www.cctaxcol.com

Reciprocal Local Business Tax receipts for State Registered or Certified Contractors are accepted.

Years of Experience

  • Acoustical & Insulation | 3 yrs
  • Air Conditioning: Class A (unlimited size) | 4 yrs
  • Air Conditioning: Class B (size limits) | 4 yrs
  • Aluminum/Concrete | 4 yrs
  • Asphalt Paving and Coating | 3 yrs
  • Building Class B | 4 yrs
  • Building Demolition (Non-explosive) | 4 yrs
  • Carpentry | Structural | Cabinet & Trim | 3 yrs
  • Ceramic Tile, Terrazzo & Marble | 3 yrs
  • Concrete/Masonry | 3 yrs
  • Concrete Place & Finish | 3 yrs
  • Door/window/garage door | 3 yrs
  • Drywall | 3 yrs
  • Electrical: Master | 6 yrs
  • Electrical: Journeyman | 4 yrs
  • Fence | 3 yrs
  • General Class A | 4 yrs
  • Glass & Glazing | 3 yrs
  • Grade, Fill, & Clearing | 3 yrs
  • Job Site Cleanup | 3 yrs
  • Landscaping-Commercial | 3 yrs
  • Lawn Irrigation | 3 yrs
  • Marine Construction | 3 yrs
  • Mechanical | 4 yrs
  • Painting | 3 yrs
  • Pile Driving | 3 yrs
  • Plaster, Stucco, & Spraycrete | 3 yrs
  • Plumbing: Master | 6 yrs
  • Plumbing: Journeyman (not req.) | 4 yrs
  • Residential Class C | 4 yrs
  • Roofing 4 yrs $200.00
  • Sign: Non-electrical | 3 yrs
  • Sign: Electrical | 3 yrs
  • Structural Steel | 3 yrs
  • Swimming Pool/Spa: Water treatment and cleaning | 3 yrs
  • Swimming Pool/Spa: Class A-Commercial | 4 yrs
  • Swimming Pool/Spa: Class B-Residential | 4 yrs
  • Swimming Pool/Spa: Class C-Maint./Repair | 4 yrs
  • Underground Utility | 4 yrs

Charlotte County Contact Information

  • Charlotte County Community Development Licensing Division Licensing and Building Code Compliance
  • 18400 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
  • Phone: (941) 743-1201 FAX: (941)764-4907
  • www.charlottecountyfl.com
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.