Guides · Paperwork and licenses
Do you need a moving license in Florida?
Moving is one of the few trades on this site with a mandatory state license that doesn't run through the DBPR: Florida's Department of Agriculture (FDACS) regulates it, under Chapter 507 of the Florida Statutes.
Updated 2026-08-22
The IM registration, required within the state
Anyone doing moves within Florida (intrastate) has to register with FDACS through the Household Moving Services Registration, known as the IM license. It renews every two years and costs $600.
What has to show in public
The IM registration number has to appear on all advertising, on contracts, and on vehicles: each truck carries a sign on the driver's side door in lettering at least 1.5 inches tall.
If you cross state lines
If the company moves household goods between states, on top of Florida's IM registration it also needs a USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a separate federal registration, not a substitute for the state one.
Why this matters so much in moving
It's a trade where the customer hands their entire household to a stranger, and complaints about unregistered movers are among the most common FDACS receives. Showing the IM number on the truck and the contract is, on top of being required, exactly what a customer comparing a few companies checks for before deciding.
doubts
What people usually ask
Can I do local moves with no registration at all?
No, the FDACS IM registration is required for any move within Florida, local or between cities in the state.
Does the IM registration cover moves to another state?
No, that covers moves within Florida only. Crossing the state line also requires the federal USDOT number.
How long does the IM registration take?
FDACS processes the application in a few weeks once it's complete, with the documents and the $600 payment included. Sources: [FDACS](https://www.fdacs.gov/Business-Services/Moving-Companies), [elawfirm](https://elawfirm.org/blog/how-to-obtain-a-moving-company-license-from-fdacs-a-complete-guide/).