How to Check a Roofing Contractor’s License with the Florida DBPR

A storm rolls through South Florida, and within hours, your phone rings. Someone is at your door with a clipboard, a friendly smile, and an offer to fix your roof fast. Before you sign anything, there is one question you need to answer: is this person actually licensed to work on your home? 

What Is the DBPR and How Does It Regulate Roofers?

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation regulates contractors across the state. To hold a Florida roofing contractor license, an individual must pass a state exam and maintain their license in good standing through continuing education.

This system exists specifically to protect you. When a licensed contractor works on your home, you have legal recourse if something goes wrong. Also, local building codes require permits for most roofing work in places like Palm Beach County, and only licensed contractors can pull those permits.  

How Do You Check a Roofing License on MyFloridaLicense.com?

The DBPR makes the process straightforward. Follow these steps and you will have your answer in minutes.

1. Go to the website: Open your browser and navigate to MyFloridaLicense.com.

2. Click “Verify a License”: You will find this option on the homepage. It takes you directly to the license search tool.

3. Enter the contractor’s name or license number: You can search by the business name, the individual contractor’s name, or the license number if they have provided one.

4. Review the results: Look for an active license status. Florida roofing contractors typically hold a CCC (Roofing Contractor) or CBC (Building Contractor) license.

5. Confirm the license is current: Check that the license has not expired and that there are no disciplinary actions listed on the record.

If the contractor cannot give you a name or license number to search, that alone is a red flag. Every legitimate Florida roofing contractor should be able to provide this information without hesitation. 

What License Type Should a Florida Roofing Contractor Have?

Florida issues two main license types relevant to roofing work. A CCC license designates a Roofing Contractor, someone specifically qualified to perform roof installation, repair, and replacement. A CBC license designates a Building Contractor, which covers a broader scope of construction work including roofing.

Both are valid for roofing projects in Palm Beach County. What you want to confirm is that the license is active, not expired, and that it is registered with the correct contractor business. 

Note: Verify that the contractor carries an active workers’ compensation policy and general liability insurance. You can request certificates of insurance directly.

What Are the Warning Signs of a Storm Chaser?

Storm chasers are unlicensed or out-of-state contractors who move into an area immediately after a hurricane or severe storm. They target neighborhoods with visible damage and use urgency, confusion, and sometimes fear to pressure homeowners into signing contracts before the storm debris is even cleared.

• They show up uninvited right after the storm. Storm chasers monitor storm paths and deploy quickly. If someone knocks on your door within hours of major weather and offers to start work immediately, be skeptical. Legitimate local contractors are busy managing their existing clients in the same storm area.
• They pressure you to sign before you can think. Any contractor who says the offer expires today, that prices will spike tomorrow, or that you need to sign right now to secure materials is using high-pressure sales tactics.
• They ask you to sign over your insurance rights. In Florida, Assignment of Benefits (AOB) agreements give a contractor control over your insurance claim. While AOB has legitimate uses, many storm chasers exploit it to bill your insurer directly, sometimes for work that was never done or materials never used.
• They cannot provide a local address or verifiable license. A contractor with no physical office in South Florida, no local references, and a license number that does not pull up on MyFloridaLicense.com is a contractor you should not hire.
• They offer to waive your deductible. This is insurance fraud in Florida. No legitimate contractor will offer to cover your deductible. If they do, it typically means they plan to inflate the claim to cover it, which puts you at legal risk as well.

 Knowing how to spot these storm chasers saves you from a situation that can take months to resolve. 

What Should You Do If You Already Signed with an Unlicensed Contractor?

The first thing to know is you shouldn’t panic, but do act quickly. Florida law generally allows you to cancel a home improvement contract within three business days of signing.

Contact your insurance company immediately and let them know you are reconsidering. If you signed an AOB agreement, notify your insurer that you want to rescind it. You should also report unlicensed contracting activity to the DBPR; they have an active complaint process, and your report can protect other homeowners in your neighborhood.

If the contractor has already performed work, document everything with photographs and contact an attorney who handles contractor disputes before making any additional payments.

Work With a Licensed South Florida Roofing Contractor

Coastal Roofing has served Palm Beach County homeowners and businesses with licensed, permitted roofing work.  Contact Coastal Roofing today for a roof inspection. We are happy to answer your questions and provide you with a straightforward assessment of your roofing needs.