Guides · Paperwork and licenses
Do you need a painting license in Florida?
There's no "painting license" in Florida the way there is for plumbing or HVAC. What does exist is a dollar threshold that, once crossed, pulls the job under general contractor licensing.
Updated 2026-08-22
The $500 threshold
Florida requires a general contractor license for painting work that becomes a finished part of the structure and totals $500 or more. Below that amount, the job falls under the minor-work exemptions.
Why this used to be so confusing
For years, some Florida counties required their own local permit for painting on top of any state rule, which meant the answer changed depending on where you worked. A recent law bars counties from requiring contractor licenses for trades the state doesn't regulate separately, which cleaned this up quite a bit, but confirming the current rule in the county you work in is still the safe step before billing a large job.
What this means in practice
An interior paint job on one room, under $500, usually doesn't require a contractor license. A full house or building painting contract, which almost always exceeds $500, can require one.
doubts
What people usually ask
Can I paint houses with no license at all?
For small jobs under $500, generally yes. For larger contracts over that amount, you may need a general contractor license.
Is the $500 threshold per job or per client per year?
It's per individual job, not accumulated per client. But splitting a large job into several small invoices to dodge the threshold isn't legal and is treated the same as working unlicensed.
Do I need insurance even if I don't need a license?
Liability insurance doesn't depend on whether you need a contractor license: any business entering a customer's home should have it, license or not. Sources: [NextInsurance](https://www.nextinsurance.com/blog/painter-license-requirements-state-comprehensive-guide/), [ContractorRequirements](https://contractorrequirements.com/painter/florida/).