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Your contractor license number: where it must appear
Statute 489.119(5)(b) says the registration or certification number appears in each offer of services, business proposal, bid, contract or advertisement, regardless of medium as defined by board rule. Rule 61G4-12.011(3) covers business cards, proposals, contracts, construction site signs, newspapers, airwave transmission, any electronic media (including Internet sites), flyers, billboards and signs on vehicles. It does not cover stationery or promotional novelties like pens, balloons or shirts. If your truck shows your name or artwork, the number is conspicuously and legibly displayed there, but that paragraph does not require lettering on the truck.
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What the law says (official text)
“The registration or certification number of each contractor shall appear in each offer of services, business proposal, bid, contract, or advertisement, regardless of medium”
In plain words: the number goes in every offer, proposal, bid, contract and ad, whatever the medium.
“The terms "advertise" and "advertises" shall apply to business cards, business proposals, contracts, construction site signs, all newspapers, airwave transmission (other than internal company communications), any electronic media including Internet sites, phone directory, and other media including handbills, billboards, flyers, shopping and service guides (coupon offerings), magazines, classified advertisements, manufacturer's "authorized dealer" listings, and signs on vehicles.”
In plain words: the board rule names cards, proposals, contracts, construction site signs, electronic media and Internet sites, and signs on vehicles. Counting social media as “electronic media” is our reading.
“They shall not apply to balloons, pencils, pens, hats, articles of clothing, shirts, or other promotional novelties.”
In plain words: it does not apply to promotional novelties. Statute 489.119(5)(d) also excludes business stationery.
“The board shall assess a fine of not less than $100 or issue a citation to any contractor who fails to include that contractor’s certification or registration number when submitting an advertisement for publication, broadcast, or printing.”
In plain words: for electrical and alarm contractors, the minimum fine is $100, or a citation.
Where your number goes
Your website
Internet sites fall under “electronic media”.
Your social media
This is our reading of “any electronic media”. Putting it there is the safe move.
Proposals, bids and contracts
The statute names them expressly.
Business cards
The board rule includes them among advertisements.
Construction site signs
The rule names them too.
Your truck
If it shows your name or artwork, the number is conspicuously and legibly displayed. Lettering is not required.
Does not count
Business stationery and promotional novelties like pens, balloons or clothing.
If your number is missing
The board may assess a fine or issue a citation if it is not corrected within 30 days, or for later violations.
Your quick list
Look at your website and socials
Look for your number at the top, next to the phone, and in the footer. That is advice, not a placement rule.
Look at proposals and contracts
Every document that offers your work should carry it.
Look at cards and job site signs
They are advertisements under the board rule.
Verify your license
Anyone can search it on the DBPR public site. It helps when your name and number match.
Summary
- Website and socials
- Proposals and contracts
- Cards and job site signs
- Truck: visible if it shows your name
We look at your website for free
Send us the link and we will tell you if your number shows. We also help in English.
Frequently asked questions
Where must my Florida contractor license number appear?
In each offer of services, business proposal, bid, contract or advertisement, regardless of medium (statute 489.119(5)(b)).
Do my website and social media count as advertising?
Rule 61G4-12.011(3) includes any electronic media, including Internet sites. Counting social media there is our reading; putting the number there is the safe move.
Do I have to put my number on the truck?
If the truck shows your name or artwork, the number must be conspicuously and legibly displayed. That paragraph does not require lettering on it.
Do my business cards and stationery count?
The board rule includes business cards among advertisements. The statute excludes business stationery and promotional novelties.
What happens if my number is missing?
The first time, the board issues a notice of noncompliance. It may assess a fine or issue a citation if it is not corrected within 30 days or for later violations.
Official sources
- Florida Statutes 489.119
- Fla. Admin. Code R. 61G4-12.011
- Florida Statutes 489.521
- DBPR license search
We are not lawyers. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fines can change: look at the official source.
