Contractor Licensing Division

Contact Contractor Licensing

The purpose of the Contractor Licensing Division is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Port St. Lucie by regulating the construction industry.

Licensing Requirements & Regulations

Licensing requirements are regulated by the Florida State Statute Chapter 489 and the City of Port St. Lucie Ordinance Chapter 150.501. The City of Port St. Lucie Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals is responsible for approving all local applications for licensure, requests for change of status, and any disciplinary action taken against a Locally Licensed Contractor.

Attention

Pursuant to the State of Florida, House Bill 735 - Which prohibits local government, as defined in s. 163.211, from requiring a person to obtain a license for a job scope which does not substantially correspond to the job scope of one of the other contractor categories defined in s.489.105(3)(a)-(o) and (q) or authorized in s.489.1455(1). To become a State-Registered Contractor (limited to work only in the jurisdiction where a Certificate of Competency has been obtained), please contact the Contractor Licensing Office at 772-871-5062.

Those who currently have licensing in the below categories can continue until July 1, 2023. The phased-out registrations will no longer be effective after July 1, 2023. To maintain your local competency card, update your insurance with the licensing division. During the annual renewal period (Sept. 30), these registrations will be extended, at no charge, until July 1, 2023.

Phased out local licenses: HB735 Licensing Requirements(PDF, 218KB)

For questions regarding these new state-mandated license requirements, please contact the Department of Business & Professional Regulation at www.myfloridalicense.com or your local state representative.

State Certified Contractors Registration Process

Contractors licensed through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation may streamline the permit process by registering as a Computer Member with the Contractor Licensing Division.

Learn more about becoming a State Licensed Certified Building Contractor.

Register as a Computer Member:

  • Complete the Computer Member Registration Form(PDF, 400KB) and email it to contractorlicensing@cityofpsl.com with the required documents noted on the form.
  • Should the Certified Contractor elect not to become a Computer Member, the Qualifier must submit a copy of his/her driver's license, state certification, general liability insurance, and workers compensation insurance with each permit applied for.

Request for Letter of Reciprocity

Locally licensed registered contractors may request a Letter of Reciprocity when seeking to register as a contractor in a different municipality. This process eliminates having to retake the exam and streamlines the registration process.

Request a Letter of Reciprocity:

Resources

Beware of Unlicensed Contractors

Hiring a contractor is an investment! Learn about the dangers of hiring unlicensed workers.

Report Unlicensed Activity

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation:

City of Port St. Lucie Contractor Licensing Division

Hiring a Contractor Tips

Here are a few tips to know before hiring a contractor for your next project:

  • OBTAIN AT LEAST 3 WRITTEN PROPOSALS
  • INSIST ON A WRITTEN CONTRACT: Include detailed description of work to be performed, list of materials, specific start/completion dates. Record any monies paid including check number. Retain detailed records (i.e. copies of contracts, receipts, letters, dates & times of phone calls, names of person(s) you have been in contact with, etc.).
  • CONFIRM LICENSE IS VALID: Eliminate any potential scams by Searching for a Contractor to verify the license produced is valid.
  • CALL THE COMPANY: Ask for references & confirm the person you are dealing with does in fact work for the company. Upon acceptance of the contract, verify that he/she has submitted your contract/deposit to the appropriate personnel.
  • CONFIRM A PERMIT IS ISSUED IF REQUIRED: Prior to commencing work, if a permit is required, it should be posted at the property. The information on the permit should have the property address, contractor name, permit number & type of permit. You may also call the Building Department at 772-871-5132 to verify.
  • DO NOT APPLY FOR YOUR OWN PERMIT: This should raise a “red flag”. If you do not intend to do the work yourself and have been asked to apply for the permit, you are at risk of financial harm.
  • DO NOT PAY CASH OR WRITE A CHECK TO AN INDIVIDUAL.
  • DO NOT HIRE SOMEONE “WORKING ON THE SIDE”: You will not be protected if he/she gets hurt and you could be liable for the injuries incurred on your property. Your homeowner’s insurance policy may not honor your claim if the work being performed required a licensed contractor.

Section 455.277(1)(j), Florida Statute prohibits any person from aiding, assisting, procuring, employing, or advising any unlicensed person or entity. Individuals who aid unlicensed persons may face fines of up to $5,000.

Gopher Tortoise Permits

gopher tortoiseProtected by state law, a gopher tortoise relocation permit must be obtained from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) before disturbing burrows and conducting construction activities.

Learn more at Gopher Tortoise Permits on the FWC's website.

Glossary

Registered contractor: Any contractor who has registered with the department pursuant to fulfilling the competency requirements in the jurisdiction for which the registration is issued. Registered contractors may contract only in such jurisdictions.

Certified contractor: Any contractor who possesses a certificate of competency issued by the department and who shall be allowed to contract in any jurisdiction in the state without being required to fulfill the competency requirements of that jurisdiction.

Contractor: The person who is qualified for, and is only responsible for, the project contracted for and means, except as exempted in this part, the person who, for compensation, undertakes to, submits a bid to, or does himself or herself or by others construct, repair, alter, remodel, add to, demolish, subtract from, or improve any building or structure, including related improvements to real estate, for others or resale to others; and whose job scope is substantially similar to the job scope described in one of the paragraphs of this subsection. For regulation under this part, the term “demolish” applies only to the demolition of steel tanks more than 50 feet in height; towers more than 50 feet in height; other structures more than 50 feet in height, and all buildings or residences. Contractors are subdivided into two divisions, Division I, consisting of those contractors defined in paragraphs (a)-(c), and Division II, consisting of those contractors defined in paragraphs (d)-(q):

General contractor: A contractor whose services are unlimited as to the type of work which he or she may do, who may contract for any activity requiring licensure under this part, and who may perform any work requiring licensure under this part, except as otherwise expressly provided in s. 489.113.

Building contractor: A contractor whose services are limited to construction of commercial buildings and single-dwelling or multiple-dwelling residential buildings, which do not exceed three stories in height, and accessory use structures in connection therewith or a contractor whose services are limited to remodeling, repair, or improvement of any size building if the services do not affect the structural members of the building.

Residential contractor: A contractor whose services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of one-family, two-family, or three-family residences not exceeding two habitable stories above no more than one uninhabitable story and accessory use structures in connection therewith.

Back to top