Licensing

In order to qualify to be a licensed contractor, you must show proof of experience in the particular trade you are interested in being licensed.

First, you must register through the State of Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulations at www.myfloridalicense.com.

After you've received your State license, register with Osceola County using the steps below. Your Certificate of Liability Insurance (COI) should list the the certificate holder and additional insured as: Osceola County Board of County Commissioners, 1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL 34741.

Register with Osceola County

1. Create an account on our Permit Center, or login to your existing account if you already have one.
2. From the Permit Center homepage, click Licenses > Register a License.
   
   
   
3. Accept the disclaimer checkbox and click Continue Application. 
   
   
   
4. On the next screens you'll be required to input your license information such as BTR expiration date, liability insurance policy number & expiration date, state license number & expiration date, WC policy & expiration date.
   
   
5. Complete your application and pay any  required fees.

Connect you license to your Permit Center account

After your license has been registered with Osceola County, it can be connected to your Permit Center account.

1. Login to the Osceola County Permit Center.
2. Go to Home > My Account.
3. Scroll to the License Information section & click Add a License.
   
   
4. Select your License Type, and enter the License Number you want to associate with your account.
5. Click Connect.
6. A confirmation box will ask "Do you want to associate this license with your account?" Click OK.
7. Our Building office staff will review & validate your account. Once validated, your license status will change to Approved, you will be able to use that license to pull permits.

If you have questions during this process, you may contact our Building department at 407-742-0200.

You can use our Permit Center to search contractors, their license expiration date, and insurance expiration date.

1. Create an account on our Permit Center, or login to your existing account if you already have one. You must be logged in to use the license search feature.
2. Once logged in, click the Home button > Advanced Search > Search for a Licensee.
   
   
3. Input your search criteria and then click the Search button. 
4. The results will appear at the bottom of the page.

Osceola County enforces the current state mandated editions of the Florida Building Code including but not limited to:

• Florida Building Code Plumbing
• Florida Building Code Mechanical
• Florida Building Code Building
• Florida Building Residential
• The National Electrical Code NFPA 70

Yes, pursuant to Florida Statute 489.103(7), property owners can act as their own contractor if they meet certain conditions.

For residential projects:

• Owners may build or improve one- or two-family homes or farm outbuildings for personal use.
• All work not performed by licensed contractors must be personally supervised by the owner.
• The property cannot be sold or leased within 1 year after the work is finished.

For commercial projects:

Owners may construct or improve a commercial building if:

• The total project cost does not exceed $75,000.
• The building is solely for the owner's use or occupancy.
• It is not offered for sale or lease.

Requirements:

1. Licensed subcontractors must be hired for regulated trades such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and roofing.
2. Complete and sign the Owner-Builder Statement/Affidavit, available under “Building Permit Applications” on our Permitting Applications page.
3. Submit your signed Owner-Builder affidavit, along with your permit application, to our Permitting office at 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 1400, Kissimmee, FL 34741. This must be done in-person, not online.

If you have questions, contact our Building office at 407-742-0200.

To file a complaint against a licensee or report unlicensed activity, use the Florida DBPR - File a Complaint page.

If your complaint involves County code violations like unsafe structures, overgrown lots, and unpermitted work, you may register a Code complaint to our Code Enforcement office.

A local business tax receipt (LBTR) is issued from the Tax Collector's office to operate a business in Osceola County, whether the scope of the work requires a state license or not.

• This can include, but is not limited to: Retail businesses, home-based businesses, restaurants, food trucks, service providers like lawn care / mobile car washes. 

A state license is issued from the Department of Business and Professional Regulations. State licenses are only issued to those who have taken a state exam for a particular trade that requires a state license.

• This can include, but is not limited to: Medical professionals, skilled trades like electricians, plumbers, mechanical contractors, real estate/mortgage brokers, accountants/CPAs, cosmetologists, barbers, nail salon operators, childcare centers, home health agencies.

If you have any questions as to whether the type of work you're doing requires a state license or only a LBTR, please contact the Tax Collector's office at 407-742-4000.

1. Verify your zoning allows short-term rentals. View Osceola County's Short-Term rental overlay map. If you have questions, our Zoning office can assist at 407-742-0200.

2. Apply for a Vacation Rental license through the FL DBPR's Division of Hotels and Restaurants. You’ll need this license number when you apply for your Local Business Tax Receipt. 

• What types of rental properties need a vacation rental license from DBPR?

3. Register a Local Business Tax Receipt (LBTR) through the Osceola County Tax Collector’s office. Registration and payment can be made at the Tax Collector Main Office (2501 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL 34744) or sent via mail to P.O. Box 422105, Kissimmee, FL 34742.