Required Experience and Education for a Contractor License in Florida

Based on the recent news, the construction industry in the state of Florida is one of the most promising sectors in the US---this makes it an opportune time to acquire a contractor’s license and get the money rolling into your bank account. Note that as soon as you receive your Florida contractor’s license, continuing education courses are needed for FL contractor’s license renewal (around 14 hours).

Before you figure out what kind of experience and education you specifically need, you have to decide what kind of FL contractor license to acquire. There are two different kinds of contractor’s license in Florida. The registered contractor’s license in Florida allows the contractor to work inside a particular area in Florida. What is needed for this kind of Florida contractor’s license is a certificate of competency. And the other kind is a certified license. This FL contractor license lets you as a contractor work anywhere in the state.


Focusing on Experience & Education
For Florida, there are different approaches to qualifying for a contractor’s license. First, you must have 4 years of experience and/or education. The education can be 4 years at a school of higher learning that has been accredited and gives you degree that is connected to construction. Or you can opt for 3 years of higher learning course followed by 1 year of working experience in the construction industry. As you can see, there should be a combination of experience and education.

There are also other ways in which to combine experience and education in order to qualify as a contractor. You can have 3 years being a worker and 1 year being a foreman. Another way is to have 2 years of college credits from an accredited school alongside a year as a foreman and another year as a worker. The last way you can get substantial experience for qualification is if you have a year of college credits from an accredited school, 2 years of experience as a worker, and 1 year experience as a foreman.

Qualifying for Military Vets

In the year 2016, it was more convenient for military vets to become qualified contractor’s license holders. Currently, if you have military experience of up to 3 years, this can apply to the education and experience requirement of 4 years. Even better, the military work does not have to be connected to construction. Vets who would like to apply for this waiver can submit the Veteran Fee Waiver and Military Service Verification Form. Vets also need to accomplish a licensure application based on the kind of contractor’s license in Florida that they need. As soon as they have been given the license, they still need to have the 14 hours of continuing education for every 2 years in order to keep their license.

Deciding to Continue Education

If you would like to always be approved during license renewal every 2 years, you have to be proactive and decide on your continuing education. You can browse through course booklets and review course material. This is so you can pass the needed 14 hours of study. You have to make sure, however, that the courses have been approved by the Florida licensing board. Also, double check that as soon as you finish your continuing education courses, the institution you’re working with notifies the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board by furnishing them with a copy of your completion certificate.

No matter where you’re located in Florida, we at Contractors Reporting Services make Florida contractor’s license requirements, renewal, etc., easy. Located in  Tampa, Florida, we’re ready to talk to you about your licensing needs and concerns.
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Steps to Apply for a Contractor’s License in Florida

Applying for a contractor’s license in Florida is accomplished at the local and state level. The process of licensing is under the purview of the Construction Industry Licensing Board, with guidance from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

In this article, we discuss the steps you need to take to apply for a Florida contractor’s license.

Figure Out the Kind of Contractor License You Need to Apply For

There are two kinds of FL contractor’s license. At the level of the state, there is the Certified License and at the local level, there is the Registered License. Once you’ve figured this out, you have to determine if you are a Division I Contractor or a Division II Contractor.

Division I Contractors are general contractors, building contractors, and residential contractors. Division II Contractors, on the other hand, are more specific, such as Underground Utility Contractors, Tank Lining Applicators, Specialty Contractors, Solar Contractors, Sheet Metal Contractors, Roofing Contractors, Spa/Pool Contractors, Pollutant Storage System Contractors, Plumbing Contractors, Mechanical Contractors, and Air-Conditioning Contractors.

Get the Application Forms

You can get the application forms through the Construction Industry Licensing Board.

Study for and Pass the Exams

To get a Certified Contractor License, you have to study for and pass the Division I or Division II exams, as applicable. This does not include Pool Contractors.

Professional Testing conducts these examinations. If you think you are ready to take the exams, go online to register and apply through their website or contact them via email at flconstruction@proftesting.com. More information is available in the application form.

If you think you need further preparation prior to testing, there are contractor license schools in the state, even specialized ones.

Gather and Submit the Requirements

First, you have to show proof of financial responsibility. You have to submit a credit report that has, at minimum, a 660 FICO-derived score. You have to make sure that the credit reporting agency puts in your score in the said report. Please note that if your credit score falls below 660, you must show a surety letter or bond or credit.

Second, you should scan and submit your electronic fingerprints by making use of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Livescan Device Vendors. Remember that before you submit your license application, there should be sufficient time for FDLE to process the results of your fingerprints. This is because it takes five days for processing.

Third, you have to show evidence of liability insurance. For General and Building Contractors, the General Liability Insurance is $300,000 for public liability and $50,000 for property damage. For all other contractors, it’s $100,000 for public liability and $25,000 for property damage.

Fourth, you have to give evidence of compensation insurance for your workers. If you plan on hiring or already have employees, you need to get them compensation insurance.

Note that if you are applying for a Certified License, you need proof of qualification and if you are applying for a Registered License, you need proof of competency.

Get a Contractor License Bond

If you did not reach the FICO credit score of 660 and above, you should give a bond. The bond amount differs, according to the contractor category. The bond for Division I Contractors is $20,000 while the bond for Division II Contractors is $10,000.

Notably, the bond amount can be decreased to half if the applicants finish a fourteen-hour financial responsibility course. The board should approve the course provider.

Submit Your Application

Fill out your application form by completing it in ink. Afterwards, pay the necessary licensing fees issuing a check to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

As you can see, applying for a Florida contractor’s license can get tedious. The specialists at Contractors Reporting Services in Tampa, FL helps you to go through the necessary processes so you can get a contractor’s license in Florida in no time.

The next post was originally seen on Steps to Apply for a Contractor’s License in Florida and is republished from Contractors Reporting Services. See more on:} http://activatemylicense.com