Carpentry

Fla. Stat. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

A county that includes an area designated as an area of critical state concern under s. 380.05 may offer a license for any job scope which requires a contractor license under this part if the county imposed such a licensing requirement before January 1, 2021.

3.

A local government may continue to offer a license for veneer, including aluminum or vinyl gutters, siding, soffit, or fascia; rooftop painting, coating, and cleaning above three stories in height; or fence installation and erection if the local government imposed such a licensing requirement before January 1, 2021.

4.

A local government may not require a license as a prerequisite to submit a bid for public works projects if the work to be performed does not require a license under general law.

(b)

The local jurisdictions are responsible for providing the following information to the board within 30 days after licensure of, or any disciplinary action against, a locally licensed contractor who is registered under this part:

1.

Licensure information.

2.

Code violation information pursuant to s. 553.781.

3.

Disciplinary information.

The board shall maintain such licensure and disciplinary information as it is provided to the board and shall make the information available through the automated information system provided pursuant to s. 455.2286.

(c)

Providing discipline to such locally licensed contractors is the responsibility of the local jurisdiction.

(d)

Fla. Stat. § 492.1165 — Construction of chapter

492.1165

Construction of chapter.

—

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent or prohibit the practice of any profession or trade for which a license is required under any other law of this state, or the practice by registered professional engineers.

History.

—

ss. 17, 19, ch. 87-403; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 65, ch. 2000-356.

Copyright © 1995-2026 The Florida Legislature • Privacy Statement • Contact Us

Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

No general, building, or residential contractor certified after 1973 shall act as, hold himself or herself out to be, or advertise himself or herself to be a roofing contractor unless he or she is certified or registered as a roofing contractor.

(4)(a)

When a certificateholder desires to engage in contracting in any area of the state, as a prerequisite therefor, he or she shall be required only to exhibit to the local building official, tax collector, or other person in charge of the issuance of licenses and building permits in the area evidence of holding a current certificate and to pay the fee for the occupational license and building permit required of other persons.

(b)

Fla. Stat. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

Any person who is not required to obtain registration or certification pursuant to s. 489.105(3)(d)-(o) may perform contracting services for the construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of single-family residences, including a townhouse as defined in the Florida Building Code, without obtaining a local license if such person is under the supervision of a certified or registered general, building, or residential contractor. As used in this paragraph, supervision shall not be deemed to require the existence of a direct contract between the certified or registered general, building, or residential contractor and the person performing specialty contracting services.

(e)

Fla. Stat. § 520.69 — Scope of license authority; scope of provisions

520.69

Scope of license authority; scope of provisions.

—

(1)

All persons engaged in the home improvement business as defined herein shall be required to obtain a license under this act as well as any other licenses required by law.

(2)

No mortgage broker’s license shall be required pursuant to chapter 494 of a person whose business is exclusively in home improvement contracts or related instruments.

(3)

This act may not be construed to limit or restrict the power of a city or county to regulate the quality, performance, or character of work of contractors, including requiring submission to and approval by the city or county of plans and specifications for an installation before commencement of construction of the installation, inspection of work done, and regulation by a system of permits and inspections which are designed to secure compliance with, and aid in the enforcement of, applicable state and local building laws, or enforcement of other laws necessary for the protection of the public health and safety.

(4)

Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize a city or county to enact ordinances or regulations relating to the qualifications necessary to engage in the home improvement business.

History.

—

s. 1, ch. 69-44; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; s. 21, ch. 80-256; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 35, 36, ch. 90-103; s. 4, ch. 91-429.

Fla. Stat. § 561.15 — Licenses; qualifications required

(4)

Construction of chapter

492.1165

Construction of chapter.

—

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent or prohibit the practice of any profession or trade for which a license is required under any other law of this state, or the practice by registered professional engineers.

History.

—

ss. 17, 19, ch. 87-403; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 65, ch. 2000-356.

Copyright © 1995-2026 The Florida Legislature • Privacy Statement • Contact Us

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 — Exemptions

1. I understand that state law requires construction to be done by a licensed contractor and have applied for an owner-builder permit under an exemption from the law. The exemption specifies that I, as the owner of the property listed, may act as my own contractor with certain restrictions even though I do not have a license.

2. I understand that building permits are not required to be signed by a property owner unless he or she is responsible for the construction and is not hiring a licensed contractor to assume responsibility.

3. I understand that, as an owner-builder, I am the responsible party of record on a permit. I understand that I may protect myself from potential financial risk by hiring a licensed contractor and having the permit filed in his or her name instead of my own name. I also understand that a contractor is required by law to be licensed in Florida and to list his or her license numbers on permits and contracts.

Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

489.113

Qualifications for practice; restrictions.

—

(1)

Any person who desires to engage in contracting on a statewide basis shall, as a prerequisite thereto, establish his or her competency and qualifications to be certified pursuant to this part. To establish competency, a person shall pass the appropriate examination approved by the board and certified by the department. If an applicant has received a baccalaureate degree in building construction from an accredited 4-year college, or a related degree as approved by the board by rule, and has a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, such applicant is only required to take and pass the business and finance portion of the examination. Any person who desires to engage in contracting on other than a statewide basis shall, as a prerequisite thereto, be registered pursuant to this part, unless exempted by this part.

(2)

Fla. Stat. § 634.317 — License and appointment required

634.317

License and appointment required.

—

No person may solicit, negotiate, or effectuate home warranty contracts for remuneration in this state unless such person is licensed and appointed as a sales representative. A licensed and appointed sales representative shall be directly responsible and accountable for all acts of the licensee’s employees. A municipality; a county government; a special district; an entity operated by a municipality or county government; or an employee or agent of a municipality, county government, special district, or entity operated by a municipality or county government is exempt from the licensing and appointing requirements under this section.

History.

—

s. 1, ch. 77-339; s. 3, ch. 81-148; s. 2, ch. 81-318; s. 3, ch. 83-265; ss. 16, 32, 33, 34, ch. 83-323; s. 1, ch. 84-94; s. 36, ch. 91-106; s. 142, ch. 91-108; s. 20, ch. 93-195; s. 5, ch. 95-245; s. 77, ch. 98-199; s. 32, ch. 2024-140.

Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

(5)

The certificate is not transferable.

(6)(a)

The board shall, by rule, designate those types of specialty contractors which may be certified under this part. The limit of the scope of work and responsibility of a specialty contractor shall be established by the board by rule. However, a certified specialty contractor category established by board rule exists as a voluntary statewide licensing category and does not create a mandatory licensing requirement. Any mandatory statewide construction contracting licensure requirement may only be established through specific statutory provision.

(b)

By July 1, 2025, the board shall, by rule, establish certified specialty contractor categories for voluntary licensure for all of the following:

1.

Structural aluminum or screen enclosures.

2.

Marine seawall work.

3.

Marine bulkhead work.

4.

Marine dock work.

5.

Marine pile driving.

6.

Structural masonry.

7.

Structural prestressed, precast concrete work.

8.

Rooftop solar heating installation.

9.

Structural steel.

10.

Window and door installation, including garage door installation and hurricane or windstorm protection.

11.

Plaster and lath.

12.

Structural carpentry.

(7)

Fla. Stat. § 520.68 — Persons not required to be licensed

520.68

Persons not required to be licensed.

—

No home improvement finance seller’s or seller’s license shall be required under this act of any person when acting in any capacity or type of transaction set forth in this section:

(1)

An individual who performs services for a home improvement finance seller for wages or salary.

(2)

A plumber, electrician, architect, engineer, residential designer, or landscape architect who is required by state or local law to attain standards of competency or experience as a prerequisite to engaging in such craft or profession and who is acting exclusively within the scope of the craft or profession for which he or she is currently licensed pursuant to such other law. The installation of central heating and air-conditioning systems by such a person shall be deemed within the scope of such person’s craft or profession.

(3)

A person who does not engage, in any manner, in two or more home improvements, each of which was for consideration of $500 or more, within a calendar year. This exemption does not apply if the work is divided and contracts for less than $500 are made for the purpose of evasion of this provision or otherwise.

(4)

Fla. Stat. § 489.131 — Applicability

Any official authorized to issue building or other related permits shall, before issuing a permit, ascertain that the applicant contractor is certified or is registered in the area where the construction is to take place.

(6)(a)

No municipality or county may require the holder of a certificate issued pursuant to this part to sit for examination to operate within the scope of such certificate.

(b)

To engage in contracting in the territorial area, an applicant shall also be registered with the board, as required by s. 489.117.

(c)

Each local board or agency that licenses contractors must transmit quarterly to the board a report of any disciplinary action taken against contractors and of any administrative or disciplinary action taken against unlicensed persons for engaging in the business or acting in the capacity of a contractor including any cease and desist orders issued pursuant to s. 489.113(2)(b) and any fine issued pursuant to s. 489.127(5).

(7)(a)

It is the policy of the state that the purpose of regulation is to protect the public by attaining compliance with the policies established in law. Fines and other penalties are provided in order to ensure compliance with state laws and local jurisdiction ordinances.

(b)

Fla. Stat. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

489.117

Registration; specialty contractors.

—

(1)(a)

A person engaged in the business of a contractor as defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(o) must be registered before engaging in business as a contractor in this state, unless he or she is certified. Except as provided in paragraph (2)(b), to be initially registered, the applicant must submit the required fee and file evidence of successful compliance with the local examination and licensing requirements, if any, in the area for which registration is desired. An examination is not required for registration.

(b)

Registration allows the registrant to engage in contracting only in the counties, municipalities, or development districts where he or she has complied with all local licensing requirements, if any, and only for the type of work covered by the registration.

(c)

Each registrant shall report to the board each local jurisdiction and each category of registration in which the registrant holds a certificate of competency or license, or where the registrant has been granted a certificate of competency or license by reciprocal agreement, for which registration is required by this part, within 30 days after obtaining such certificate or license.

(2)(a)

Fla. Stat. § 725.08 — Design professional contracts; limitation in indemnification

“Professional services contract” means a written or oral agreement relating to the planning, design, construction, administration, study, evaluation, consulting, or other professional and technical support services furnished in connection with any actual or proposed construction, improvement, alteration, repair, maintenance, operation, management, relocation, demolition, excavation, or other facility, land, air, water, or utility development or improvement.

(4)

“Design professional” means an individual or entity licensed by the state who holds a current certificate of registration or is qualified under chapter 481 to practice architecture or landscape architecture, under chapter 472 to practice land surveying and mapping, or under chapter 471 to practice engineering, and who enters into a professional services contract.

(5)

This section does not affect contracts or agreements entered into before the effective date of this section.

History.

—

s. 1, ch. 2000-162; s. 11, ch. 2001-211; s. 83, ch. 2020-160.

Copyright © 1995-2026 The Florida Legislature • Privacy Statement • Contact Us

Fla. Stat. § 475.180 — Nonresident licenses

475.180

Nonresident licenses.

—

(1)

Notwithstanding the prelicensure requirements set forth under ss. 475.17(2) and (6) and 475.175, the commission in its discretion may enter into written agreements with similar licensing authorities of other states, territories, or jurisdictions of the United States or foreign national jurisdictions to ensure for Florida licensees nonresident licensure opportunities comparable to those afforded to nonresidents by this section. Whenever the commission determines that another jurisdiction does not offer nonresident licensure to Florida licensees substantially comparable to those afforded to licensees of that jurisdiction by this section, the commission shall require licensees of that jurisdiction who apply for nonresident licensure to meet education, experience, and examination requirements substantially comparable to those required by that jurisdiction with respect to Florida licensees who seek nonresident licensure, not to exceed such requirements as prescribed in ss. 475.17(2) and (6) and 475.175.

(2)(a)

Any resident licensee who becomes a nonresident shall, within 60 days, notify the commission of the change in residency and comply with nonresident requirements. Failure to notify and comply is a violation of the license law, subject to the penalties in s. 475.25.

(b)

Fla. Stat. § 489.107 — Construction Industry Licensing Board

Two are consumer members who are not, and have never been, members or practitioners of a profession regulated by the board or members of any closely related profession; and

(k)

Two are building officials of a municipality or county.

(3)

To be eligible to serve, each contractor member must have been certified by the board to operate as a contractor in the category with respect to which the member is appointed, be actively engaged in the construction business, and have been so engaged for a period of not less than 5 consecutive years before the date of appointment. Each appointee must be a citizen and resident of the state.

(4)

The board shall be divided into two divisions, Division I and Division II.

(a)

Division I is comprised of the general contractor, building contractor, and residential contractor members of the board; one of the members appointed pursuant to paragraph (2)(j); and one of the members appointed pursuant to paragraph (2)(k). Division I has jurisdiction over the regulation of general contractors, building contractors, and residential contractors.

(b)

Fla. Stat. § 163.083 — Qualifying improvement contractors

163.083

Qualifying improvement contractors.

—

(1)

A county or municipality shall establish a process, or approve a process established by a program administrator, to register contractors for participation in a program authorized by a county or municipality pursuant to s. 163.081. A qualifying improvement contractor may only perform such work that the contractor is appropriately licensed, registered, and permitted to conduct. At the time of application to participate and during participation in the program, contractors must:

(a)

Hold all necessary licenses or registrations for the work to be performed which are in good standing. Good standing includes no outstanding complaints with the state or local government which issues such licenses or registrations.

(b)

Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including obtaining and maintaining any other permits, licenses, or registrations required for engaging in business in the jurisdiction in which it operates and maintaining all state-required bond and insurance coverage.

(c)

File with the program administrator a written statement in a form approved by the county or municipality that the contractor will comply with applicable laws and rules and qualifying improvement program policies and procedures, including those on advertising and marketing.

(2)

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 — Exemptions

9. I agree that, as the party legally and financially responsible for this proposed construction activity, I will abide by all applicable laws and requirements that govern owner-builders as well as employers. I also understand that the construction must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes, and zoning regulations.

10. I understand that I may obtain more information regarding my obligations as an employer from the Internal Revenue Service, the United States Small Business Administration, the Florida Department of Financial Services, and the Florida Department of Revenue. I also understand that I may contact the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board at   (telephone number)   or   (Internet website address)   for more information about licensed contractors.

11. I am aware of, and consent to, an owner-builder building permit applied for in my name and understand that I am the party legally and financially responsible for the proposed construction activity at the following address:   (address of property)   .

12. I agree to notify   (issuer of disclosure statements)   immediately of any additions, deletions, or changes to any of the information that I have provided on this disclosure.

Fla. Stat. § 489.131 — Applicability

The right to create local boards in the future by any municipality or county is preserved.

(10)

No municipal or county government may issue any certificate of competency or license for any contractor defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(o) after July 1, 1993, unless such local government exercises disciplinary control and oversight over such locally licensed contractors, including forwarding a recommended order in each action to the board as provided in subsection (7). Each local board that licenses and disciplines contractors must have at least two consumer representatives on that board. If the board has seven or more members, at least three of those members must be consumer representatives. The consumer representative may be any resident of the local jurisdiction who is not, and has never been, a member or practitioner of a profession regulated by the board or a member of any closely related profession.

(11)

Any municipal or county government which enters or has in place a reciprocal agreement which accepts a certificate of competency or license issued by another municipal or county government in lieu of its own certificate of competency or license allowing contractors defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(o), shall file a certified copy of such agreement with the board not later than 60 days after July 1, 1993, or 30 days after the effective date of such agreement.

(12)