09/19/2025
**State Licensed Contractor vs. Local Business Tax Receipt (“Tax Stamp”) in Florida**
When hiring for construction, remodeling, or repair work in Florida, it’s important to know the difference between a **state licensed contractor** and a business that only holds a **local business tax receipt** (sometimes called a tax stamp).
🔹 **State Licensed Contractor (FL DBPR License)**
* Licensed and regulated by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).
* Has met education, experience, and testing requirements.
* Must carry proper insurance and maintain good standing with the state.
* Authorized to perform regulated construction trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, general contracting, etc.) anywhere in Florida.
* Provides consumer protection—complaints can be filed with DBPR if issues arise.
🔹 **Local Business Tax Receipt (“Tax Stamp”)**
* Issued by a **city or county** as proof the business paid local taxes.
* **Not a professional license**—it does not qualify someone to perform regulated contracting work.
* Anyone can obtain one simply to operate a business within that municipality.
* Does not guarantee the person has the training, insurance, or state approval to legally perform construction work.
⚠️ **Key Takeaway:**
A business operating only under a local tax stamp is **not legally authorized** to perform regulated contracting work. Always verify a contractor’s **state license** through the Florida DBPR before signing a contract or letting them start work.
👉 You can check a license at [www.myfloridalicense.com](http://www.myfloridalicense.com).
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