Why You Should Not Work as an Unlicensed Contractor

To work legally as a contractor in Florida, you need your contractor’s license. In this state, unlicensed workers are working illegally. In fact, it’s a criminal offense. For this topic, our team at Licenses, Etc. Wanted to share information that comes directly from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). 

If you want to be a contractor, you need get a contractor’s license. If you don’t get licensed, you will be eligible for fewer jobs, while also running the risk of getting caught working unlicensed and being charged with a misdemeanor or felony. 

Besides having an offense against you on your record, you can also be subject to court-ordered monetary restitution if you are found to be working illegally.  

If you get in troubled for being unlicensed, the homeowners or clients that you were doing work for don’t even have to paying you, even if the work was done well.  

Now, not all contracting work requires a license — there are exemptions. In order to fall under an exemption, you must make sure you are working legally and properly (licensed required or not), so you will not get in trouble with the homeowner, state, or DBPR. 

Currently, the DBPR has a hotline and a mobile app that allows people to report unlicensed activity on the go. This makes it very easy for people to report unlicensed work and workers. It’s not easy to work unlicensed anymore in Florida. The DBPR also has a Division of Regulation hosts events to spread awareness to perform stings and sweeps in the communities to stop and educate on unlicensed activity.  In 2016, the organization has conducted more than 921 unlicensed activity outreach events, 49 stings, and 828 sweeps. 

Don’t risk your future or career by practicing unlicensed activity illegally. Getting licensed can be easy! We can help you. We can make it easy and achievable for you, so you can have a successful career as a contractor instead of having a felony against you. 

At Licenses, Etc., we are a group of trained professionals that will help you get your Florida contractor’s license fast. To get started on the process, click our contractor’s license page or our Florida contractor license page call us at 239-777-1028.