In Florida’s construction world, it’s common to hear about people “renting” a GC license to pull permits for construction jobs.
Let’s be clear:
🛑 That practice is illegal — and the DBPR is actively investigating and cracking down.
But here’s where the confusion begins:
What’s the difference between illegally renting a license and a legal GC On Record service like the one we offer at GCOnlinePro?
This article explains:
What “license rental” really means
Why it’s illegal
What DBPR looks for during investigations
And how we do it legally — even for jobs far from our home base
🚫 What Is a “License Rental”?
A license rental is when a licensed General Contractor allows someone to pull permits using their license without providing any real oversight.
This usually means:
The GC never visits the job
Has no relationship with the workers
Doesn’t review plans or inspections
And often has no idea what’s happening on-site
In these cases, the GC is only paid to sign permits — and that’s it.
That’s exactly what Florida law prohibits.
⚖️ What the Law Says
Florida Statute § 489.129(1)(j) says it’s a violation when a GC:
> “Allows his or her certificate to be used by another to engage in contracting without the GC’s supervision and control.”
Penalties can include:
Suspension or revocation of the GC license
Fines up to $10,000 per violation
Civil lawsuits or even criminal charges if things go wrong
🔎 What DBPR Looks For When Investigating
DBPR focuses on whether the GC is actually involved in the project. They ask:
Is the GC listed as an officer or W-2 employee of the company?
Are they reviewing the plans and contract scope?
Who is coordinating inspections?
Is the GC truly exercising control and oversight, or just collecting a fee?
They also review:
Permit history across counties
Project distance vs. GC location
Any communication records (text, email, job logs)
✅ How GCOnlinePro Does It LEGALLY
At GCOnlinePro, we don’t just sign permits and walk away.
We offer a compliant GC On Record model that includes real oversight — even if the project is in another part of Florida.
Here’s how:
📸 1. Weekly Photo Reports
Clients send updated photos showing job progress, conditions, corrections, and any violations.
📁 2. Plan Review Before Submission
We review all plans, scope of work, and check compliance before signing.
🧾 3. Inspection Tracking
We monitor inspection results through the city portal and require the site manager to share updates immediately.
🧰 4. Clear Supervision Agreement
Every project is signed under a contract that defines roles, assigns field supervision, and protects both parties legally.
📞 5. Communication Channel
We stay in touch with the client and supervisor by phone, email, and text — available for issues, red tags, or job changes.
🛑 What We Do Not Do
❌ We don’t pull permits blindly
❌ We don’t allow undocumented use of our license
❌ We don’t “disappear” after the permit is approved
❌ We don’t qualify random businesses with no real oversight
💸 Why Some GCs Still Risk It
Some GCs “rent” their license for fast money — charging $500 or $1,000/month and never showing up. They take the risk, hoping DBPR won’t catch them.
But if something goes wrong — from code violations to injuries or unpaid subs — that GC is legally responsible.
It’s not worth the risk for anyone.
🏗️ Final Word
The GC On Record model from GCOnlinePro is different. It’s legal, structured, and built for today’s reality: contractors who need permit support, but still want to run the project themselves.
By providing real documentation, reviewing plans, and following inspections — even remotely — we help you build safely and legally.
📞 Need Permit Help?
We serve licensed contractors, remodelers, and investors across Florida — from Tampa to Palm Beach and beyond.
👉 Call or text (954) 546-4071 or visit www.GCOnlinePro.com
✅ Get your permits submitted
✅ Stay compliant
✅ Avoid legal headaches