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What section 489.119 of the Florida Statutes says
The rule sits in Florida's contracting law, chapter 489, part I, which covers construction contractors licensed or registered through the state.
- Advertising: the registration or certification number "shall appear in each offer of services, business proposal, bid, contract, or advertisement, regardless of medium, as defined by board rule" [1].
- Vehicles: if a vehicle carries the contractor's name, or text or artwork suggesting it's used for contracting, the number "must be conspicuously and legibly displayed" with it [1].
- What doesn't count: business stationery and promotional novelties such as pencils, balloons or clothing are not "advertisements" for this rule [1].
- Enforcement: a first offense brings a notice of noncompliance; failing to fix it within 30 days, or repeating it, can bring a citation or fine [1].
The statute doesn't name websites. It leaves "medium" to the licensing board's rules, so if you're unsure how a particular ad is treated, ask the Construction Industry Licensing Board or a Florida construction lawyer.
State licenses, county certificates and the 2025 change
Some Florida tradespeople hold a county certificate of competency instead of, or as well as, a state license, and the county you work in shapes which number you have.
- Palm Beach County: the Construction Industry Licensing Board of Palm Beach County certifies and regulates about 50 categories of construction work [2].
- Broward County: the county issues certificates of competency to more than 12,000 tradespeople, and its licensing changed under House Bill 735, which limited local licenses for some trades; the deadline was extended to July 1, 2025 [3].
- Miami-Dade County: the Construction Trades Qualifying Board oversees local license types and scopes; the county says it offers 110 types of license [4].
If you hold more than one number, show the one that covers the work you advertise. Electrical and alarm contractors are licensed under a separate part of chapter 489 and should check that part's rules too.
Where to put the number on your website
Putting the number where every visitor can see it is simple and covers every page at once.
- Footer of every page: "Licensed [type] contractor, license #CGC0000000" next to the business name and phone.
- Contact and about pages: repeat it in the text, with the license type spelled out.
- Quote forms and estimates: include it in the confirmation email and the PDF estimate, since the law names bids and proposals too.
- As text, not an image: visitors, search engines and screen readers can all read it.
When we build a contractor site, we show the license number you give us. Without one, the line is left out and the report we hand over asks you for it. We never make one up.
Profiles, social pages and ads
The same habit is worth applying everywhere your business advertises, since the statute speaks of advertising "regardless of medium".
- Google Business Profile: add the number to the business description.
- Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor: in the bio or about section.
- Paid ads and directory listings: in the ad text or the listing's license field where there is one.
- Yard signs, door hangers, truck wraps: printed, legible, next to your name.
Check your own site in a minute
A quick look from a customer's point of view usually shows whether the number is easy to find.
Open your site on a phone and scroll to the bottom of the home page and a service page: the number should be there on both. Then run the free Website Check for the other basics. Our contractor website checklist covers the remaining items, and each of our South Florida city guides lists the local offices.
Questions about Florida license numbers
What contractors in Florida ask us when we build their sites.
Does my website really count as advertising?
The statute covers advertisements regardless of medium, as defined by board rule. Showing it on your site is the cautious choice; ask the board or a lawyer if you need a firm answer.
Where do customers check a Florida license?
State licenses can be looked up on the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's website, myfloridalicense.com. County certificates are listed by each county's licensing office.
Can I advertise before my license is issued?
Ask the licensing board before you do. Advertising contracting work you aren't licensed to perform can be treated as unlicensed contracting.
Keep reading
Related pages for the same kind of business, plus the guides and free tools that go with this one.
Sources
Every outside fact on this page comes from the sources below, read on the date shown. Prices and plans change; check the source before you decide.
- The Florida Senate, 2026 Florida Statutes, section 489.119 (read October 26, 2026). Subsection (5): license number in each advertisement regardless of medium; vehicle display; stationery and novelties excluded; notice of noncompliance, then citation or fine.
- Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning and Building, "Contractors Certification" brochure (read October 26, 2026). The Construction Industry Licensing Board of Palm Beach County certifies and regulates about 50 construction categories.
- Broward County Building Code Division, "Contractors" (read October 26, 2026). Certificates of competency for more than 12,000 tradespeople; House Bill 735 preemption deadline extended to July 1, 2025.
- Miami-Dade County, "County Licensed Contractor" brochure (read October 26, 2026). The Construction Trades Qualifying Board oversees license types and scopes; 110 license types.