How to Get a Florida Alcohol or Tobacco License

All businesses in Florida need to be licensed to legally sell, manufacture, or distribute alcohol and tobacco products. Depending on the type of business you own, the required license type varies. 

For example, a restaurant that wants to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption needs a different license than a grocery store wanting to sell packaged liquor and tobacco. 

Verify the license type you need with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Then, follow the steps in this guide to get licensed.   

How to Apply for an Alcohol or Tobacco License in Florida

The application process for an alcoholic beverages or tobacco license is typically the same for all variations. However, you will need to submit an additional application for each specific type of license that your business requires. 

Follow these four steps to apply for your Florida tobacco, cigarette or alcoholic beverage license. 

Step 1: Determine your eligibility

There are some requirements on who can become a licensed alcoholic beverages or tobacco seller. To be eligible, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Display good moral character
• Have not violated any beverage laws in the past 5 years
• Have not been convicted of a felony in the past 15 years

If your business is not eligible for a license because of a recent felony conviction, you can appeal the decision with the DBPR. 

Step 2: Complete the application

Next, fill out the appropriate license application form and mail it to your county’s division district office with all supporting documents. 

You’ll need to gather the following materials:

• Health and H&R approval
• Proof of zoning approval
• Personal questionnaires for all officers, directors, or shareholders
• Social security numbers of all applicants
• Business registration number
• Federal employer’s identification number
• Proof of right to occupancy 
• Management contracts
• Service agreements
• Sketch of premise
• Application fee
• Proof of a surety bond, if required 

All parties must also get proof of fingerprinting to include in the application.

If there are no apparent problems with your application, you will be issued a temporary license. This temporary license will expire once the DBPR makes a decision regarding your application. 

Step 3: Review and inspections

Before your application is approved, the site director of your division district office will thoroughly review your application. 

This will include a site inspection of all premises and business locations. The complete approval process typically takes 1–3 months. 

Step 4: Approval

If your application and site inspection meet the requirements and there are enough available licenses, your business will be approved for a license. 

Pay the initial licensing fee to receive your official license documentation. 

How to Renew Your Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco License

All alcoholic beverages and tobacco licenses last for one year and must be renewed annually by March 31. The renewal fee will be included in the renewal notice and can be paid online, over the phone, or by mail. 

You can renew your license over the phone or by mail, as long as the notice of renewal is postmarked before the deadline. 

If you don’t renew your license by March 31, you will be charged a delinquent renewal penalty. This penalty is either $5 a month or 5% of the license fee, whichever is greater.