Guide · Licensing
Where you have to show your contractor license number
Leaving the number off an estimate or an ad is one of the easiest violations to get cited for, and one of the easiest to avoid.
In California, your license number must be on all construction contracts, subcontracts and calls for bid, and on advertising. In Florida, it must be on every offer of services, proposal, bid, contract and ad. In Arizona, it must be on all bids, contracts, estimates and documents you use with customers; some ads can instead link to a website that shows it. In Nevada, every form of business advertising must show it, including business cards and vehicles. The simple rule: put it on every estimate, invoice and ad.
The rules we checked
| State | Where the number must appear | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California | All construction contracts; subcontracts and calls for bid; all forms of advertising as prescribed by the registrar. | B&P Code § 7030.5 |
| Florida | Each offer of services, business proposal, bid, contract or advertisement, regardless of medium. Business stationery and promotional novelties aren't "advertisements" for this rule. | Fla. Stat. § 489.119(5) |
| Arizona | All bids, contracts, estimates and documents used to correspond with customers. Since September 2021, vehicle, radio, internet and billboard ads can skip the number if they give a web address whose home page prominently shows your name and number. | Arizona ROC (A.R.S. §§ 32-1124, 32-1158) |
| Nevada | All advertising must include your company name and license number; the board lists business cards, letterhead, signage, directories, websites and commercial vehicles. | NRS 624.720, Nevada State Contractors Board |
Checked November 4, 2026. Other states and many cities have their own rules. This is not legal advice; check your state contractor board.
Make it automatic
- Estimates and invoices: put the number in the header of your template so it's on every document without thinking.
- Website: near the top of the home page, not just the footer. Arizona's exception specifically requires it on the home page and not in the footer.
- Social profiles and directory listings: these count as advertising in most states that require the number on ads.
- Truck and business cards: Nevada lists both. When in doubt, add it.
In Settle
Add your license number once in your business profile and Settle prints it on every estimate and invoice PDF and on the page your customer opens from the link.
Does my license number have to be on my estimates?
In Arizona, yes: bids, contracts and estimates. In California and Florida, it's required on bids and contracts, and an estimate the customer signs usually becomes the contract. Putting it on every estimate is the safe habit.
Do I need my license number on my truck?
Nevada's board lists commercial vehicles as advertising that must show it. Arizona lets vehicle ads point to a website showing the number instead. Check your state's rules.
Does my license number need to be on my website?
In states that require it on advertising, a business website is generally treated as advertising. Arizona's rule for linking ads requires it prominently on your home page.
Sources
- California Business and Professions Code § 7030.5
- Florida Statutes § 489.119
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors: changes to advertising requirements
- Nevada Revised Statutes § 624.720
- Nevada State Contractors Board: advertising requirements
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