FL Plumber Verification Guide
Verify any plumber's credentials before signing a contract or allowing work to begin.
Step 1 — Know Your FL License Types
CFC — Certified Plumbing Contractor (Statewide): The highest tier of plumbing license, issued by the FL DBPR. Passed the state contractor's exam, demonstrated financial responsibility, met experience requirements (CILB). Valid anywhere in FL; can pull permits statewide; number begins with "CFC"; renews biennially; required to carry minimum insurance; subject to DBPR/CILB oversight.
CPC — Certified Plumbing Contractor (alt): Alternate designation in some DBPR records and older licenses; same statewide authority as CFC. Must show "Current, Active" status.
Registered Plumbing Contractor (RP) — County Only: Local license from a county/municipality, not the state. Restricted to the issuing jurisdiction — an RP licensed in Broward cannot legally perform permitted work in Palm Beach or Miami-Dade. Still registered with DBPR. Can be highly competent — the limitation is jurisdictional, not skill-based. Always ask: "Are you licensed to work in [your county]?"
Plumbing Journeyman (PL) — Cannot Contract: Completed apprenticeship and passed the journeyman exam; can perform skilled work only under direct supervision of a licensed contractor. Cannot pull permits, contract directly with a homeowner, or operate a company independently.
Master Plumber — Not a FL License: Florida does not have a "Master Plumber" designation at the state level. The title has no legal meaning in FL. If a plumber introduces themselves as a "Master Plumber," ask to see their FL CFC or RP license number.
Plumbing Apprentice — Training Only: In a 4–5 year supervised program; not licensed; cannot work without direct on-site supervision. Apprentices working under properly licensed contractors is a sign of a professional operation, not a red flag.
Step 2 — How to Verify a FL Plumbing License
- Go to myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp — the official FL DBPR portal. Do not use third-party sites.
- Select "Plumbing Contractor" from the License Type dropdown.
- Enter their name or license number (license number is most accurate).
- Confirm the Status reads exactly "Current, Active." Any other status (Expired, Suspended, Revoked, Probation, Null and Void) means they cannot legally work.
- Verify the license type covers your location (CFC statewide; RP limited to a county/municipality).
- Check the expiration date — licenses renew biennially on August 31 of odd-numbered years.
- Click the license record and check the Disciplinary History section. A clean record shows "None."
What an active license looks like (example): License Type Certified Plumbing Contractor; License # CFC1429XXX; Status Current, Active; Expiration 8/31/2025; County Statewide; Disciplinary Actions None. Pro tip: screenshot the result and keep it with your contract.
Florida Plumber Licensing Guide
Section 1 — Florida's Two-Tier Licensing System
The higher tier is State-Certified (CFC) — licensed by FL DBPR through the CILB, passed a statewide exam; can pull permits and work in every county. The second tier is State-Registered (RP) — a local license from a specific county/municipality, registered with DBPR but geographically limited. An RP from Broward cannot perform permitted work in Palm Beach. Always confirm the plumber is licensed for your specific county.
| Feature | State-Certified (CFC) | State-Registered (RP) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed by | FL DBPR / CILB | Local county/city |
| Geographic scope | All of Florida | One county/city only |
| Pull permits | Anywhere in FL | Local jurisdiction only |
| State exam required | Yes | Varies by county |
| DBPR oversight | Yes | Partial |
Section 2 — Insurance Requirements for FL Plumbers
General Liability Insurance: FL requires a minimum of $300,000 per occurrence for licensed plumbing contractors. Protects you if the plumber damages your property. Workers' Compensation: required for any contractor with employees — without it, you (the property owner) may be liable for an injured worker's medical bills and lost wages. How to verify: request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before work begins; have the insurer send it directly to you; if a plumber can't provide a COI within 24 hours, treat it as a serious red flag.
Section 3 — FL DBPR License Status Reference
| Status | Meaning | Hire? |
|---|---|---|
| Current, Active | Valid and in good standing | Yes |
| Expired | Did not renew; prohibited from licensed work | No |
| Suspended | Temporarily suspended due to disciplinary action | No |
| Revoked | Permanently revoked by the CILB | Absolutely Not |
| Probation | Active but operating under board-imposed conditions | Use Caution |
| Null and Void | Never properly issued or voided administratively | No |
| Delinquent | Renewal fees unpaid; cannot legally work | No |
Section 4 — Risks of Hiring an Unlicensed Plumber in Florida
- FL Statute 489.127 prohibits knowingly hiring an unlicensed contractor; a homeowner who does so can face a first-degree misdemeanor charge.
- Insurance claim denial: insurers can deny a plumbing-related claim entirely if work was done by an unlicensed contractor — even if unrelated to the specific claim.
- Unpermitted work kills home sales: inspectors identify unpermitted work; you may have to open walls, redo work, obtain retroactive permits, and pass inspection before closing.
- Hurricane damage claims at risk: FL insurers specifically look for unlicensed work when processing storm claims.
- Penalties for unlicensed contractors: up to a $10,000 fine per violation plus up to 1 year in jail under FL Statute 489.127.
Section 5 — 15 Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- What is your CFC or RP license number? (Look it up on myfloridalicense.com.)
- Are you licensed to work in this specific county/municipality?
- Can you provide a Certificate of Insurance for general liability and workers' comp?
- Do you carry workers' compensation insurance?
- Will you pull the permit for this job?
- Who will physically perform the work — you, a journeyman, or a subcontractor?
- What warranty do you provide on parts? On labor? (1 year labor minimum standard.)
- What does your contract say about unexpected issues discovered during the job?
- What is your payment schedule? (Be wary of 50%+ upfront.)
- Do you have local references from similar jobs in the past 12 months?
- Are you familiar with current Florida Building Code plumbing standards?
- What steps will you take to protect my floors, walls, and furnishings?
- Will you provide a written, itemized estimate before any work begins?
- What permits are required and how long will they take?
- What are your cleanup procedures when the job is complete?
Section 6 — FL Licensed Plumber Rate Guide
| Service / Region | Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CFC Licensed (South FL) | $95–175/hr | Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach |
| CFC Licensed (Central FL) | $85–145/hr | Orlando metro, Seminole, Osceola |
| CFC Licensed (North FL) | $75–125/hr | Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville |
| Emergency Service (nights/weekends) | 1.5–2× standard | +$100–200 surcharge common |
| Permit fees (varies by county) | $60–400 | Homeowner pays; contractor pulls |
| After-storm surge pricing | Up to 3× normal | Legal but exploitative — get quotes |
Typical Project Costs (FL Market):
| Job Type | Low | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water heater (40 gal tank) | $800 | $1,400 | Includes permit + installation |
| Water heater (tankless) | $1,500 | $3,500 | Gas vs. electric varies |
| Slab leak repair | $1,500 | $4,500 | Depends on access method |
| Toilet install | $150 | $350 | Labor only; toilet extra |
| Drain cleaning (snake) | $125 | $275 | Standard blockage |
| Drain cleaning (hydro-jet) | $350 | $700 | Severe blockage or grease |
| Whole-house repipe | $3,500 | $12,000 | Size of home + material |
| Emergency service call | $200 | $400 | Base fee, plus labor |
Section 7 — Florida Consumer Protections
- 3-Day Right of Rescission: for contracts over $25 signed at your home, you have a 3-business-day cooling-off period to cancel without penalty; contractor must give written notice.
- FL Home Improvement Lien Law: subcontractors/suppliers can lien your home even if you paid the GC in full; contractor must provide a disclosure statement.
- Notice to Owner (NTO): a standard legal notice preserving subs'/suppliers' lien rights; ensure the GC is paying their subs.
- Florida Construction Industries Licensing Board (CILB): regulatory body; file complaints at myfloridalicense.com.
- Unlicensed Activity Hotline: 1-866-532-1440 to report suspected unlicensed contracting.
Unlicensed Plumber Red Flags
- Cannot provide a license number
- License not verifiable on myfloridalicense.com (or shows Expired/Suspended/Revoked)
- Wants cash only, refuses a written contract
- Quote significantly lower than all others (40%+ below)
- Says "you don't need a permit for this" (for work that requires one)
- No physical business address — only a cell number
- Demands 50% or more upfront before starting work
- Cannot show proof of insurance
- Solicits door-to-door after a storm or disaster
- Pressures you to sign immediately for a "discount"
- No online presence, reviews, or BBB profile
- Subcontracts all work to unknown third parties
- Won't provide an itemized written estimate
- Service vehicle has no company name or DOT markings
- Begins work before pulling the required permit
- Offers to "keep it off the books" for a lower price
- References are unavailable or cannot be verified
- Offers to handle unlicensed electrical work "while they're there"
- Cannot explain what the Florida Building Code requires for your job
- Becomes aggressive or dismissive when asked about license
After a Hurricane: Special Scam Warning
Florida experiences massive unlicensed contractor activity after major hurricanes (Ian 2022, Irma 2017, Dorian 2019). Post-storm warning signs: extreme urgency ("we need to start today"); cash only, no contract; "insurance will cover everything" without reviewing your policy; out-of-state license (cannot legally work in FL without FL licensure); Assignment of Benefits (AOB) fraud (asking you to sign over insurance benefits — a major red flag); immediate large deposit. After any storm, take 24–48 hours before hiring; verify license on DBPR; call your insurer before authorizing any contractor; report suspicious solicitation to FL DBPR at 1-866-532-1440.