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Repair guide

Handyman License in Florida 2026: The s. 489.103(9) Exemption and How to Check a Contractor License

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Handyman License in Florida 2026: The s. 489.103(9) Exemption and How to Check a Contractor License

This guide covers the contractor licensing rules in the 2026 Florida Statutes, chapter 489, in force now, and the HB 803 permit change that took effect on July 1, 2026 (Florida Senate, HB 803).

Checked against the official sources on October 1, 2026.

Not legal advice. For a ruling on a specific job, ask the Construction Industry Licensing Board at DBPR or your county licensing office.

Florida has no state handyman license

Section 489.105(3) lists the contractor categories the state licenses, from general, building and residential contractors to roofing, plumbing, air-conditioning, pool/spa and specialty contractors. None of them is a handyman category.

Electrical work has its own license under part II of chapter 489. Section 489.505 defines an electrical contractor as a person who installs, repairs, alters, adds to or designs "electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, conduit, or any part thereof."

What s. 489.103(9) allows without a contractor license

Section 489.103(9) exempts "Any work or operation of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature in which the aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items is less than" the dollar cap set in s. 489.103(9). Read the current cap in the statute itself.

The same subsection names two cases where the exemption does not apply:

  • "(a) If the construction, repair, remodeling, or improvement is a part of a larger or major operation, whether undertaken by the same or a different contractor," or where the job is divided into smaller contracts "for the purpose of evading this part or otherwise."
  • "(b) To a person who advertises that he or she is a contractor or otherwise represents that he or she is qualified to engage in contracting."

Two other exemptions in s. 489.103 cover common household jobs:

  • Subsection (6) exempts finished products "that are not fabricated into and do not become a permanent fixed part of the structure, such as awnings."
  • Subsection (14) exempts heating or air-conditioning units with "no ducts" and "a factory-installed electrical cord and plug," up to the capacity stated in the statute.

Jobs DBPR lists as needing or not needing a license

DBPR publishes examples on its What Services Require a DBPR License page. The page states the list "is not all inclusive."

No DBPR license needed, per that page:

  • "Paint; install cabinets, wood or tile flooring, and insulation regardless of compensation."
  • Drywall installation or replacement "if the contract does not include other work on the load bearing part of the wall or any plumbing, electrical, or air conditioning work."
  • "Insert a plug-in A/C window unit regardless of compensation."
  • "Add a water filter onto a faucet regardless of compensation."
  • "Install a driveway or install pavers/tile walkways regardless of compensation."

A DBPR license needed, per the same page:

  • "Install a dishwasher (requires connecting to drinking water) or replace a hot-water heater for compensation."
  • "Remodel a home that requires alteration or replacement of a load-bearing wall for compensation."
  • "Construct a roof for compensation."
  • "Repair or replace swimming pool pumps for compensation."
  • Drywall work when the contract "also includes work on the load bearing part of the wall, plumbing, electrical, or air conditioning work."

On electrical work the page states: "If you pay someone to perform even the simplest of electrical work, such as connecting two wires, you must hire a licensee."

The HB 803 permit exemption does not change licensing

HB 803 added s. 553.79(1)(g), effective July 1, 2026. It exempts an owner of a single-family dwelling, or the owner's contractor, from a building permit for "any work valued at less than $7,500," after a written request to the building department.

The exemption does not apply to "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work" or to property "partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area" (s. 553.79(1)(g)2.).

The exemption removes a permit, not a license requirement. The City of Venice states that approval of an exemption request "does not waive any applicable zoning, floodplain, contractor licensing" or other requirements (City of Venice, HB 803 policy).

What happens when unlicensed work is contracted

Section 489.127(1)(f) prohibits engaging "in the business or act in the capacity of a contractor" or advertising as available to do so "without being duly registered or certified."

Penalties in s. 489.127(2):

  • A first violation by an unlicensed person is "a misdemeanor of the first degree."
  • A repeat violation is "a felony of the third degree."
  • A violation "during the existence of a state of emergency declared by executive order of the Governor" is "a felony of the third degree."

DBPR "may issue a stop-work order for all unlicensed work on a project" (s. 489.127(3)). Counties and cities may also cite unlicensed contractors through code enforcement officers (s. 489.127(5)).

Section 489.128 makes contracts entered into by an unlicensed contractor "unenforceable in law or in equity by the unlicensed contractor," and no lien or bond claim exists in that contractor's favor. The same section states that "if a state license is not required for the scope of work to be performed under the contract, the individual performing that work is not considered unlicensed."

A business tax receipt is not a contractor license. Section 489.127(1) states: "A business tax receipt issued under the authority of chapter 205 is not a license for purposes of this part."

How to check a contractor license on DBPR

  1. Open the DBPR license search.
  2. Pick a search type: by name, by license number, by city or county, or by license type.
  3. Check the license type against the job. DBPR states that certified contractors carry occupation codes beginning with "C" and registered contractors carry codes beginning with "R" (DBPR Construction Industry).
  4. Check the status. Under s. 489.127(1), a person "operating on an inactive or suspended certificate or registration is not duly certified or registered and is considered unlicensed."

A certified contractor may contract "in any jurisdiction in the state," and a registered contractor "may contract only in such jurisdictions" where the registration was issued (s. 489.105(8) and (10)).

To report unlicensed work, use the DBPR Unlicensed Activity Program.

Contractor licensing in Sarasota and Manatee counties

DBPR advises homeowners to "check with your county or city to learn whether or not a local business tax receipt or certificate of competency is required for services that do not require a state license" (DBPR).

Sarasota County:

  • Contractor Licensing: 941-861-5214 (South) or 941-861-3532 (North), licensing@scgov.net (Sarasota County Building Licensing and Enforcement).
  • Unlicensed contracting or work without a permit: 941-861-5000, ula@scgov.net (same page).
  • The county states it can address building code violations "but not contractual disputes, fee and price disputes or quality of workmanship issues" (same page).

Manatee County:

  • The county states that contractors "shall establish a Qualification File with the County prior to performing any work" and that it "does not Reciprocate Registered licenses" (Manatee County, What does and does not require a permit).
  • License verification: licensing@mymanatee.org or 941-748-4501 ext. 3574 (same document).

How HANDYS routes jobs

HANDYS is a referral service. It connects homeowners with independent local pros who do the work and set their own prices. Pros carry their own insurance. HANDYS does not hold a contractor license and does not perform work.

Plumbing, electrical, structural and roofing jobs go to licensed contractors. Check any pro's license on the DBPR license search before work starts.

Update log

  • October 1, 2026: published; every rule checked against the linked official source.

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