Business Licenses

Operating a business in Florida requires compliance with specific licensing and permitting regulations. Our experienced Miami-based business license attorneys can guide you through the intricate process, ensuring your business remains compliant and avoids costly penalties. We can assist with business licenses, business tax receipts, occupational licenses and other business licenses and permits in Florida and throughout the United States.

The State of Florida mandates that businesses and many professionals obtain the necessary licenses and permits to operate legally. The specific business license requirements vary significantly depending on factors such as:

Consequences of Non-Compliance:

Failing to obtain the required licenses and permits can have serious repercussions, including:

We provide the best legal support for your Florida business license to help your business succeed.

Most businesses require a combination of licenses and permits from various government agencies (federal, state, and local). It’s essential to proactively identify all necessary business licenses and permits from the outset to ensure that your business stays compliant.

Contact our office today for a consultation and let us help your business thrive in Florida.

Key Florida Business Licenses & Permits

The State of Florida business licenses and permits include:   

Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Licenses

The Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco division regulates the manufacturing, distribution, sale and service of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in Florida including, without limitation the processing of license applications, tax, surcharges and fees collection and auditing paid by license holder, and enforcement of rules and laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. 

Architects and Interior Designers

In the State of Florida architects and interior designers must be licenses by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The division of Architecture and Interior Design is responsible for licensing and regulating architects and interior designers. The division reviews applications, disciplinary cases and conducts informal hearings concerning licenses and discipline. 

Asbestos Contractors, Consultants, Athlete Agents, Talent Agencies Licenses

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is responsible for licensing and regulating Asbestos Contractors, Asbestos Consultants, Athlete Agents, Home Inspectors, Mold-Related Services and Talent Agencies.

The Division of Regulation is responsible for complaint analysis and investigations, and the Office of the General Counsel provides prosecutorial services for disciplinary cases. The Department engages in rulemaking to implement the provisions set forth in its statutes and conducts other general business, as necessary.

Auctioneers

The division of Auctioneers regulates and licenses auctioneers. The division reviews license applications and disciplinary cases, conducts informal hearings, engages in rulemaking to implement the provisions of the law and conducts other general business. 

Barbers, Cosmetology, Construction, Engineers, Electrical Contractors, Pilots

Industry specific divisions regulates and licenses Barbers, Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board, Construction Industry, Cosmetology, Electrical Contractors, Employee Leasing Companies, Engineers, Geologists, Harbor Pilots, Landscape Architecture and Veterinary Medicine. 

Boxing, Kick Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Licenses

The Florida State Boxing Commission licenses and regulates professional boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts. In addition, the Commission is responsible for the approval of amateur boxing, kickboxing and mixed arts sanctioning organizations.

Building Professionals Licenses 

Florida Building Code, Manufactured Building Program, Product Approval System and local code amendments are the core of understanding the Business Codes and Standards. The Building Code Information System (BCIS), www.floridabuilding.org, is a multi-functional database that provides building professionals, general public, local governments, businesses and manufacturers with a single-point access to resources above and more. 

Accountants 

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and accounting firms in the State of Florida are regulated by the Division of Certified Public Accounting Department of the Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The division processes applications to sit for the CPA exam, original Florida licensure applications, licensure by endorsement applications, reactivation of a delinquent or inactive CPA license, temporary permit applications, accountancy firm licensure and continuing education reporting forms. In addition, the division provides administrative support to the Board of Accountancy. The Board’s meetings are open to the public. 

Child Labor

The Child Labor Program aims is to provide a program of education, enforcement, and administrative initiatives designed to achieve full compliance in the enforcement of Child Labor laws and ensure the health, education and welfare of Florida’s working minors. 

Community Association Managers & Firms Licenses

The Regulatory Council of Community Association Managers duties relate to licensure examination, continuing education requirements, continuing education providers, fees and professional practice standards relative to the Community Association Manager profession. The Council holds meetings, engages in rulemaking to implement the statutes and conducts other general business, as necessary.

Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes Licenses

The Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes is charged with providing oversight of the Florida residential communities which are regulated through education, complaint resolution, mediation and arbitration, and developer disclosure. A key function of the division is to provide oversight for Florida residents living in the communities regulated.  

Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Licenses

The Division of Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the state of Florida from injury due to the use of adulterated, contaminated, misbranded drugs, drug ingredients and cosmetics by administering the provisions of the Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act. The Program is responsible for licensing, compliance and enforcement and rulemaking. 

Elevator Licenses 

The Bureau of Elevator Safety ensures elevators and escalators throughout the State of Florida remain the safest mode of transportation by enforcing elevator safety laws and licensing and regulating industry professionals, elevators, escalators, and other vertical and inclined conveyance devices such as dumbwaiters, moving walks, stairway chairlifts and inclined or vertical wheelchair lifts.

Farm Labor Licenses

The Farm Labor Program ensures, through a system of compliance and enforcement, that Florida farm workers are protected from harmful work situations and exploitation. This is accomplished through routine inspections and investigations.

Gym

The business license and permit you need to operate a gym in the state of Florida is called a Health Studio license. In addition, some health studios (gyms) must post bond or other financial security for a limited time. Operating as a Health Studio without being properly licensed is a violation of Chapter 501, Part I, Florida Statutes.

Hotels, Restaurants, Food Trucks, Catering and Other Licenses

The Division of Hotels and Restaurants licenses, inspects and regulates public lodging and food service establishments in Florida. In addition, the division also licenses and regulates elevators, escalators and other vertical conveyance devices. 

Labor Organizations 

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation has the authority to license and regulate the activities of labor organizations. Florida law provides that every person desiring to act as a business agent in this state must obtain a license by filing an application with the department.

Gaming Licenses 

The Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering is charged with the regulation of Florida’s pari-mutuel, cardroom, and slot gaming industries, as well as collecting and safeguarding associated revenues due to the state. The division is also the State Compliance Agency (SCA) under the provisions of the Gaming Compact Between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida. In Florida, pari-mutuel wagering is authorized for horse racing, harness horse racing, greyhound racing, jai alai games, and cardroom poker games. Additionally, slot machine gaming at pari-mutuel facilities is authorized in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.  

Real Estate License 

The Real Estate Commission administers and enforces the real estate license law. The Division of Real Estate is responsible for the examination, licensing and regulation of real estate appraisers, appraisal management companies and instructors.

Yacht and Ship Licenses 

The ‘Yacht and Ship Brokers Act’ governs the licensing and regulation of yacht and ship brokers and salespersons in the State of Florida.  The Yacht and Ship Broker’s Section, a unit of the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes, is located in Tallahassee, Florida and performs licensing, educational, and investigative functions, with its primary focus on oversight of our program areas. 

Attorneys and Lawyers 

Attorneys are licensed by the Supreme Court of Florida and regulated by the Florida Bar. In Florida and generally in the United States, legal advice and consultation can only be provided by a Florida licensed attorney.

Malescu Law can assist

Contact our experienced business license attorneys today for expert guidance on obtaining the necessary licenses and permits for your business in:

We serve companies and individuals across all 50 states and the District of Columbia

Contact us or schedule a consultation.

Malescu Law P.A. – Business & Corporate Lawyers