PRESS RELEASES

August 18, 2025

Florida DBPR Opens Entry Period for 2025 Quota Beverage License Drawing

~ A Total of 52 Licenses are Available in 26 Florida Counties for the 2025 Entry Period ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) announced the opening of the 2025 Quota Beverage License Drawing Period. Each year, new quota beverage licenses are issued to businesses in counties with an increased population, with one new license created for every population increase of 7,500 in each county. This creates an accessible pathway for businesses to become licensed to serve a full range of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits.

Interested parties may apply through October 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST. through DBPR’s online portal.

The 2025 drawing entry period includes 52 new quota beverage licenses available for issuance in 26 counties, including Bay, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Dade, Duval, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, and Volusia.

Following the application period, entrants selected from the drawing will be awarded the right to apply to hold one of the available licenses in the county from which their entry was selected.

Through ABT’s programming, including the quota license drawing, the Department distributes more than $31 million dollars to various programs each year, ensuring that critical funding reaches a broad range of public health and community initiatives throughout Florida. Specifically related to the Quota Beverage License, fees collected from entities that receive a new quota liquor license are allocated to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) to support the Hughs Act. For fiscal year 2024-2025, a total of $559,000 in Hughes Act funds was transferred to DCF for alcohol and drug abuse education, treatment, and prevention programs.

For more information about the Quota Beverage License Drawing entry process, interested entrants are encouraged to contact a local Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco District Office or  visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

Florida DBPR Takes Action Against Unlicensed Contractors in Lee and Monroe Counties

February 24, 2025

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) announced its decisive action against unlicensed contractors targeting Floridians through two proactive enforcement operations in Lee and Monroe counties. These operations, conducted in partnership with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Building Department and Lee County Sheriff’s Office, targeted bad actors attempting to take advantage of vulnerable homeowners through unlicensed contracting scams.

“Florida is a law-and-order stronghold under Governor DeSantis and, under his leadership, DBPR continues to work with state and local law enforcement partners to hold bad actors accountable,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “These targeted efforts protect Floridians and business owners alike from the dangers and negative, long-term impacts of unlicensed activity, and we look forward to keeping the momentum going.”

Lee County Operation
On January 28-29, DBPR executed a two-day undercover operation in Lee County, which was recently impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Following a state of emergency, unlicensed contracting targeting storm-impacted Floridians becomes a felony. This operation resulted in 9 individuals being charged with unlicensed contracting and felony State of Emergency violations.

Monroe County Operation
On February 6-7, DBPR investigators partnered with Monroe County law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend unlicensed contractors. The operation resulted in 8 citations for unlicensed contracting and electrical work.

All cases have been referred to the State Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement agencies for further action.

How to Recognize and Report Unlicensed Activity
Unlicensed contractors often lack the required training, experience, and insurance, which can expose homeowners and businesses to poor workmanship and potential financial loss. Florida homeowners and business owners in search of professionals to complete work on residential or commercial properties should always verify a professional’s license at MyFloridaLicense.com and be aware of the following unlicensed activity warning signs:

• Offers with unusually low prices.
• Requests for large, upfront cash payments.
• Lack of written contracts.
• Refusal to pull permits or requests for the homeowner to personally pull permits for a project.
• The use of P.O. boxes rather than physical addresses.
• Unmarked vehicles with out-of-state plates.

Floridians are encouraged to report any suspicions of unlicensed contracting activity to DBPR through the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at (866) 532-1440 or by visiting MyFloridaLicense.com.

Industry partners can aid in DBPR’s mission to combat unlicensed activity by using DBPR’s Unlicensed Activity Toolkit to educate their communities. The toolkit is available for download here.

Florida DBPR Celebrates Governor DeSantis’ Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Recommendations that Streamline Professional Licensure and Enhance Customer Service for Florida Businesses and Professionals

February 3, 2025

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Melanie S. Griffin applauds Governor Ron DeSantis’ Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommendations that will streamline professional licensure for Florida’s businesses and professionals and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Governor DeSantis’ Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommendations include improvements to the department’s business processes and key investments that enhance the licensing experience.

“Governor DeSantis has continuously empowered state agencies to eliminate bureaucracy, making it easier and faster for Floridians to get licensed and get to work,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget creates efficiencies that maximize licensing services to best serve Florida’s growing number of businesses and professionals – an ultimate win for them, their families, and Florida’s economy.”

The FY 2025-26 budget recommendations build upon Governor DeSantis’ vision for creating a business-friendly environment in Florida. Highlights include:

• $340,853 to provide paperless payment systems for quick and convenient transactions for applicants and licensees at no additional cost to licensees.
• $216,000 to implement a department-wide translation project, making DBPR’s call center services available in numerous languages.
• $191,856 to automate licensing processes, increasing speed and efficiency in the application processes.
• $112,000 to facilitate new education requirements for Florida condominium board members following the passage of House Bill 1203 (2024).

For more details, click here.