A painter in Florida must have a contractor’s license to work. This involves filing for a general contractor's license. Painters can find Florida licensing agencies through the secretary of state's office; alternatively, they can go to the county clerk's office to obtain the required licenses and permits.

Register the Business

In Florida, every business owner must register his business’ name with the state and county to identify the painting business to federal, state and local governments. The business’ organization can be that of sole proprietor, incorporated or limited liability company (LLC), but the business’ name must be unique for identification.

Contractor Requirements

To receive a general contractor’s license, a painter must be at least 18 years old, prove she has experience in this specialty field and pass an examination. The examination requires knowledge of building requirements as outlined in the building codes of the state of Florida. This contractor's license can be for residential work, commercial work or both, but the candidate must state her preference on the examination application before taking the test.

County Licensing

Most counties or municipalities in Florida require a painting business to obtain or file for a business license to conduct business in that county or city. For example, the city of Tallahassee requires a painting business to get a business tax certificate. This tax certificate ensures the painting business pays all the appropriate taxes to the city or local government.

Employer Identification Number

Every business in the United States that has employees must file for an Employer Identification number (EIN) through the Internal Revenue Service. This requirement empowers the business to withhold taxes from the employee’s paycheck, such as federal income tax, Social Security tax, and state or local payroll taxes.