If you plan to do business in the state of Florida, you only need to obtain a vendor license, but if you want to do business with the State of Florida itself, you need to register your vendor account with the Florida Department of Management Services.
Getting your license begins by filling out an online application, but you first need to be familiar with the requirements that Florida places on different types of businesses. As just one example, the requirements for licensure on an elevator safety business are different from those on a cosmetology business. Registering to do business with the state itself requires additional steps that include certifying your business's location, identity and activities.
Before starting your application, familiarize yourself with the requirements that Florida places on your specific type of business. Licensing requirements are located on the state's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website. There, you can find an A-to-Z listing of every type of business that Florida licenses.
Advertisement Article continues below this adNot all business categories are simple to navigate. For example, licenses for businesses related to alcoholic beverages are different for wholesalers, salespersons and retail beverage sales. Each category on the DBPR website can be navigated to find the specific sort of license you plan to apply for. After you find the category that applies to you, fill out the online application for a license, which is located on the same page. You can also look up the online application using the DBPR website's search function.
If there is no online application option in your chosen business category, you can choose to print and fill out the form for your specific type of business and mail it to the address listed on the form. If the type of business you run is missing from the website entirely, contact DBPR directly to inquire with the department whether you need a license. Included at the bottom of the DBPR licensing application page are the email and phone number of the department's customer contact center. In some cases, you may not need a license at all.
The vending license required by Florida allows you to operate a business within the state. However, if you want to do business with the state directly, you need to register for a vendor account. To register your account to do business with the state, go to the Florida Department of Management Services website.
Advertisement Article continues below this adThere are a few requirements for registering your business. You need to provide your company name, federal tax ID and your tax filing name. You also need to provide your business location, detail the types of commodities you sell or services you offer, and provide certification of your business as qualifying for enterprise status. All of this can be filled in using the New Vendor Registration form on the state's vendor information portal.
After you complete the registration, you use the vendor bid system to search for opportunities to do business with the state. Florida uses this electronic system to streamline the relationship between vendors and the state, making it easier to find jobs and bid on those jobs. You can check back in with the vendor system to review your bid, prepare responses to the bid and see if you are awarded the contract.
Doing business in Florida, therefore, requires a license but sometimes also registration. A license is required to run certain businesses within the state, while vendor account registration is necessary if you want to bid on and complete jobs for the state itself.