General contractor licenses
in Miami, Florida
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is a general contractor operating from a home in Miami, Florida, serving customers in person and online, and employing W-2 employees. It is subject to federal, state, county, and city licensing requirements, including contractor licensing and business tax receipts. For this City of Miami location, city zoning approval and county DERM environmental review are distinct steps in the municipal business-use process.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Federal Government
- State
- Florida
- County
- Miami-Dade County
- City
- City of Miami
Details to confirm before you apply
- What county DERM review documents and fees apply to the municipal home-office application?
- What is the renewal fee for the Miami-Dade County Contractor License?
- What is the processing time for the Miami-Dade County Contractor License application?
- Are there any additional local permits required for commercial vehicles?
- What specific zoning regulations apply to home-based contractors in the City of Miami?
- Is there a need for a fire inspection for the home office setup?
- What county DERM review documents, fees and environmental conditions apply to the exact address and proposed activities?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Federal employer obligations; State unemployment insurance employer account; New-hire reporting; Commercial vehicle rules; Lead-safe renovation firm certification; Individual lead-safe renovator qualification. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 9- 01Certified General Contractor License (CILB Form 5-A)Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) · Florida
Florida law requires state licensure to act as a general contractor, and this business is a general contractor operating in Florida.
RequiredBiennial - 02General Contractor State Examination (Business & Finance and Trade Knowledge)DBPR CILB (administered by Professional Testing, Inc. and Pearson VUE) · Florida
Passing the state certification examination is a statutory prerequisite for the Certified General Contractor license this business needs.
RequiredNot applicable - 03Miami-Dade County Contractor Certificate of Competency and Contractor Business LicenseMiami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources · County
Anyone acting as a general contractor in Miami-Dade County must hold a county-issued Certificate of Competency plus a county contractor business license.
RequiredEvery 2 years - 04Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt (LBT)Miami-Dade County Office of the Tax Collector · County
Every business with a place of business or business activity in Miami-Dade County must hold a county local business tax receipt.
RequiredAnnual - 05City of Miami Business Tax Receipt (BTR)City of Miami Finance Department · Miami
Every business operating in the City of Miami must hold a BTR.
RequiredAnnual - 06Home Office Accessory Use CertificateCity of Miami Office of Zoning · Miami
The business operates from a residence; the City of Miami requires a home office to obtain an accessory of use certificate.
RequiredAnnual
This example includes 3 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a general contractor in Miami check?
Our research identifies City of Miami Business Tax Receipt (BTR), issued by City of Miami Finance Department, as required. Every business operating in the City of Miami must hold a BTR. Check the other city permits in this guide and confirm the requirements for your premises and activities.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a general contractor in Miami?
About $929 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Certified General Contractor License (CILB Form 5-A) (Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)), then General Contractor State Examination (Business & Finance and Trade Knowledge) (DBPR CILB (administered by Professional Testing, Inc. and Pearson VUE)). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical general contractor. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.