Sewer/Water Licensing in Fort Lauderdale city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law requires licensing for individuals and entities engaged in sewer and water work. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "contractor" is defined as a person who undertakes to, offers to, purports to, or agrees to build, construct, contract, or superintend construction for another. Work involving installation, repair, or maintenance of sewer and water systems constitutes regulated construction activity requiring licensure under Fla. Stat. § 489.113.

How to Get Licensed

Licensing is issued by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board under Fla. Stat. § 489.107. The process requires:

1. Qualification verification: You must demonstrate competency through:
2. Four years of experience in sewer/water work (or equivalent apprenticeship/education substitution per Fla. Stat. § 489.113)

3. Passing a Florida contractor exam specific to your classification

4. Application: Submit your application to the Construction Industry Licensing Board, which evaluates experience documentation and exam passage.

5. Exam passage: You must pass the state contractor exam administered by a board-approved testing entity. The exam covers Florida construction law, safety, and trade-specific knowledge.

6. License issuance: Upon approval, Florida issues your contractor license, valid statewide.

Reference Fla. Stat. § 489.113 for complete qualification requirements and examination standards.

Local Requirements

Fort Lauderdale Building Department: All contractors must pull permits through the Fort Lauderdale Building Department before commencing sewer or water work within city limits. Check the Fort Lauderdale Municipal Code for local permit requirements, inspection schedules, and any municipal amendments that may exceed state minimums.

Contact the Fort Lauderdale Building Department to confirm current local permit fees, required documentation, and inspection procedures for sewer/water projects.

Exemptions

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.103, exemptions include:

• Individuals performing work on their own property (not for hire)
• Licensed professionals in other capacities performing limited work within their scope
• Certain public utility employees performing work for their employer
• Individuals performing single-family residential construction on their own primary residence

Work performed for compensation or on property you do not own requires a license—exemptions are narrow.

State Licensing Board Contact

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Operator Certification Program
- Phone: 850-245-7500
- Website: https://floridadep.gov/water/certification-restoration/content/water-and-domestic-wastewater-operator-certification

References

• Fla. Stat. § 489.103 — Exemptions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.107 — Construction Industry Licensing Board
• Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions
• Fort Lauderdale Municipal Code

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)