How To Become A Registered Contractor In Florida

The construction industry is booming again in Florida. Equally a result, many people are seeking to take advantage of this past becoming licensed contractors. Affiliate 489, Florida Statutes and 61G4-12 through 23, Florida Administrative Lawmaking sets along the requirements for an bidder to achieve initial licensure. In Florida, an individual is given a construction license rather than a corporation. Therefore, the individual's ain experience and qualifications will determine if the license is granted or denied. This blog mail will discuss the requirements for initial license of any individual who wants to become a certified building contractor in Florida.

Understanding the requirements for initial license of how to become a certified building contractor in Florida is key

Building Contractor Examination

Applicants for certified (state wide) licenses must consummate the Florida contractors' examination in the respective category of the license they seek. Chapter 61G4-16, Florida Authoritative Code, contains the provisions adopted by the Construction Industry Licensing Lath ("CILB") regarding examination contents, security protocols, and procedures for requesting special accommodations for disabilities. State certification examinations are available for Division I and Division II Contractors.

Division I contractor examinations are made upwardly of iii parts:

contract administration;
project administration;
concern and finance.

Division 2 contractor examinations consist of two parts:

trade cognition;
business and finance.

For more information regarding the administration and scheduling of examinations:

you may contact the Section'due south Bureau of Education and Testing at (850) 921-8215;
or visit the Department continuing didactics and testing website at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/examination-information/construction-examinations/#1508178731062-162fea5f-d475

Experience/Education

An individual who wants to become a certified building contractor may enter into a contract for any construction action in Florida. As such, the applicant must demonstrate that he/she has the requisite ability, knowledge, skill and feel in the following areas:

Foundation/slabs;
masonry walls;
steel erection;
precast concrete structures;
cavalcade erection;
formwork for structural reinforced concrete;
and elevated slabs.

Applicants must demonstrate no more than than 3 story commercial structure experience for structures that are fit for human occupancy and must detail at that place project and employment history for the CILB. Additional experience can exist shown in large calibration residential structure or large scale renovation work only in order for the Edifice Contractor license to be granted they are required to have commercial experience. Notably, whatsoever doubts nigh an applicant's education and/or experience will require an appearance before the CILB Application Review Committee for an evidentiary hearing on the application. Applicants take 3 bones options to qualify for licensure:

Feel/Instruction Option #1:

Applicant has received a four-year higher bachelor'south degree in engineering, architecture, or building structure. As well, they have one year of structure experience in the category of licensure they are seeking.

Feel/Didactics Selection #ii:

Applicant has iv years of active experience equally a worker in the trade or as a foreman in charge of a group normally responsible to a superintendent. However, at least one year of the four years required experience must have been as a foreman.

Experience/Education Pick #iii:

Applicant has a combination didactics and experience. All junior college or community college-level courses volition be considered accredited college-level courses. Consequently, this works every bit a sort of sliding scale where the more education the applicant possesses, the less experience they require.

Financial Responsibleness and Stability

All applicants for initial licensure to become a certified building contractor must meet the financial responsibility requirements in Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C. Specifically, the applicant must provide the Department with a consumer credit report that does not disclose any unpaid liens or judgments. Additionally, credit reports are required on all businesses which the bidder intends to qualify.

The consumer credit report for each applicant must provide a FICO credit score. An applicant may be denied for lack of financial stability if his or her credit score is below 660. However, applicants may replenish a licensing bond in lieu of the required credit score:

in the amount of $20,000.00 (Division I Contractors);
or $10,000.00 (Division Two Contractors).

Also, applicants may reduce the required amount of the bond if they accept a Lath approved fourteen hr financial responsibleness course. For more information on the financial responsibility and stability requirements and xiv hour class, you lot may visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/cilb/financial.html.

G ood Moral Character/Criminal Background

Pursuant to Department 489.111(3)(a), Florida Statutes, each applicant for licensure to become a certified edifice contractor in Florida must establish that they are of expert moral character. Therefore, if the CILB denies an bidder for lack of good moral character, it must furnish a argument containing the Board's findings. Additionally, the CILB must provide a consummate record of the evidence on which the denial was based. Also, it must provide a notice of the applicant'southward rehearing and appellate rights. Lastly, all applicants must submit fingerprints for the purposes of completing a criminal background check.

Criminal history reports are provided through the Florida Department of Police force Enforcement in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigations. They are good for a menstruum of half-dozen (six) months from date of issuance.

Insurance

Applicants must furnish an affidavit attesting that he or she has obtained the following insurance coverage:

workers' compensation insurance;
public liability insurance;
and property damage insurance.

Yous can find the required affidavit in the Section'south approved application packages. License holders must maintain current property impairment, liability insurance and workers bounty at all times their license is in an agile condition as required by dominion 61G4-15.003, F.A.C.

Are You Set up To Go A Certified Edifice Contractor in Florida?

To conclude, it'due south of import to clearly sympathise the requirements necessary to achieve initial structure licensure. Undoubtedly, preparing ahead of time will simply help in the process. And with proper guidance, your hard work will result in the granting of a land of Florida certified structure license.