Handyman License Requirements in Miami-Dade County, FL
Miami-Dade County LBTR (Tax Collector, mdctaxcollector.gov) required for businesses in the county, incorporated or not; a business located in a municipality also needs that city's BTR. City of Miami BTR: miami.gov Get-a-Business-Tax-Receipt-BTR. Miami-Dade Certificate of Competency for regulated trades; local handyman/specialty licenses preempted (HB 735).
Miami-Dade County requirements
Miami-Dade County LBTR (Tax Collector, mdctaxcollector.gov) required for businesses in the county, incorporated or not; a business located in a municipality also needs that city's BTR. City of Miami BTR: miami.gov Get-a-Business-Tax-Receipt-BTR. Miami-Dade Certificate of Competency for regulated trades; local handyman/specialty licenses preempted (HB 735).
Source link: mdctaxcollector.gov · secure.miamidade.gov · miamidade.gov · checked November 2, 2026
County business license
Required
- Name: Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt (LBTR)
- Office: Miami-Dade County Tax Collector, Local Business Tax Section (200 NW 2nd Ave)
- Fee: Per category (not quoted)
"The Tax Collector's Office handles local business tax receipts, which are required for businesses in Miami-Dade County... If chosen location is in a municipality other than Unincorporated Miami-Dade, the Local Business Tax office for both the County and the Municipality must be contacted for requirements, as a receipt must be obtained from each jurisdiction."
Source: mdctaxcollector.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
Required
- Name: Miami-Dade County Certificate of Competency (Construction Trades Qualifying Board / Board and Code Administration Division) for regulated trades; local specialty (incl. handyman-type) categories preempted by HB 735
- Trigger: Regulated trade work/permits; insurance minimums required before issuance
"The Florida Legislature passed House Bill HB735 in 2021, preempting local governments from issuing local specialty licenses"
Source: miamidade.gov · checked November 2, 2026
The Florida rule
Regulator: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR): Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB); Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB) for electrical
s. 489.103(9) F.S.: work 'of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature in which the aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items is less than $2,500' (strictly UNDER $2,500). Does not apply if part of a larger operation or split to evade, or to anyone who advertises as a contractor / represents being qualified to contract.
What counts toward it: labor+materials (aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items)
"(9) Any work or operation of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature in which the aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items is less than $2,500, but this exemption does not apply:"
Source: flsenate.gov · leg.state.fl.us · checked November 2, 2026
State registration
No separate handyman registration. Contractors are either state-certified (statewide) or state-registered (based on local certificate of competency) with DBPR; no separate dollar threshold beyond the $2,500 exemption.
Source: www2.myfloridalicense.com · checked November 2, 2026
Forming an LLC in Florida
State filing fee: $125.
Source: dos.fl.gov · checked November 2, 2026
What to do, in order
- Read the Florida rule and confirm with Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR): Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB); Electrical Contractors' Licensing Board (ECLB) for electrical.
- Line up the Miami-Dade County items listed on this page.
- Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.
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