How to check a contractor's license in Palm Beach County
In Palm Beach County, search DBPR first and the county's own contractor license search second. Some cities also ask contractors to register. West Palm Beach, Wellington and Boca Raton all publish how 1 2 3.
As of October 19, 2026
Last reviewed October 18, 2026 against the cited sources. A guide, not legal, tax or engineering advice.
Updated . Sources
Search the state, then the county
- Look the number up on the DBPR license search 4.
- Then open the county's Planning, Zoning and Building page. Under Contractor Regulations it lists Search a Contractor's Licenses, and the same search appears as Licensed Contractor Search in its online services menu 5.
- A name that shows on one search and not the other needs a question to the contractor, not a guess.
County certificates and city registration
Paperwork names that show up in Palm Beach County: a State license and a County Certificate of Competency. Wellington's registration packet accepts either, along with a county business tax receipt and proof of insurance 2.
West Palm Beach has contractors register by email with a State or County competency license, a business tax receipt and insurance certificates 1.
Boca Raton lists city registration as free for holders of a countywide business tax receipt, and calls registration for new contractors voluntary 3.
Small jobs and permits
Palm Beach Gardens says the HB 803 exemption for single-trade work under $7,500 6 does not apply in the city. Its FAQ treats all Palm Beach County municipalities as a flood hazard area 6.
Ask your own city's permit office what a small job requires before you start.
What our file counts in the county
As of October 19, 2026
As of the DBPR file dated October 19, 20267, the county shows 490 businesses7 with an active certified plumbing license and 199 businesses7 with an active certified pool/spa license. Each takes any mailing city in the county.
The Palm Beach County page lists the cities with their own pages.
Facts used in this guide
As of October 18, 2026
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach County's Planning, Zoning and Building "I Want To" page lists "Search a Contractor's Licenses" under Contractor Regulations, and the same link appears as "Licensed Contractor Search" in the Online Services menu. | county license search | [5] undated (retrieved October 19, 2026)As of October 19, 2026 |
| Wellington requires contractors to register with the Village. The registration packet asks for a Palm Beach County business tax receipt, a County Certificate of Competency or State license, and liability and workers' compensation insurance showing the Village as certificate holder. | Contractor registration packet: county business tax receipt, license, insurance | [2] 2024-05 |
| West Palm Beach contractors register by emailing ds@wpb.org a State license or County competency license, a local business tax receipt, and general liability and workers' compensation insurance certificates naming the City as certificate holder. | Register by email to ds@wpb.org with license, business tax receipt and insurance | [1] undated (retrieved October 18, 2026) |
| Boca Raton's user fee schedule lists contractor registration with the city as free for Palm Beach countywide business tax receipt holders, and voluntary registration for new contractors as no charge. | No charge for Palm Beach countywide business tax receipt holders | [3] 2026 |
| Palm Beach Gardens says the House Bill 803 exemption for single-trade permits under $7,500 does not apply in the city. Its FAQ says Palm Beach County treats all of its municipalities as a flood hazard area. | $7,500 exemption does not apply | [6] undated (retrieved October 18, 2026) |
| Plumbing: businesses with an active certified license and a mailing city in Palm Beach CountyOur count from the DBPR file, counting every postal city in the county. Not an official DBPR figure and not a service area. | 490 businesses | [7] October 19, 2026As of October 19, 2026 |
| Pool resurfacing: businesses with an active certified license and a mailing city in Palm Beach CountyOur count from the DBPR file, counting every postal city in the county. Not an official DBPR figure and not a service area. | 199 businesses | [7] October 19, 2026As of October 19, 2026 |
Questions people ask
Is a County Certificate of Competency the same as a state license?
They are different papers. Wellington's packet lists them as alternatives: a County Certificate of Competency or a State license 2.Ask the contractor which one it uses, then search that one.
Palm Beach County on FL Pro List
Listing pages in Palm Beach County
- Plumbing in Boca Raton
- Plumbing in West Palm Beach
- Pool resurfacing in Boca Raton
- Pool resurfacing in Boynton Beach
- Pool resurfacing in Delray Beach
- Pool resurfacing in Greenacres
- Pool resurfacing in Jupiter
- Pool resurfacing in Lake Worth Beach
- Pool resurfacing in Palm Beach Gardens
- Pool resurfacing in Royal Palm Beach
- Pool resurfacing in Wellington
- Pool resurfacing in West Palm Beach
Guides for other counties
Sources
- Permits - Frequently Asked Questions (City of West Palm Beach Development Services), October 18, 2026
- Contractor Registration Packet (Village of Wellington Building Division), October 18, 2026
- User Fee Schedule 2026-2027 (City of Boca Raton), 2026
- License verification (Florida DBPR), October 19, 2026
- I Want To (Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning and Building), October 19, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions (City of Palm Beach Gardens), October 18, 2026
- Florida DBPR licensee records, October 19, 2026