Plumbing Licensing in Key West city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Any person who performs plumbing work in Key West must hold a valid Florida plumbing license. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, plumbing is defined as the practice, business, or work of installing, altering, servicing, and repairing pipes, fixtures, and appliances connected to water supply, drainage, or gas distribution systems in buildings and structures.

Work requiring licensure includes:
- Installation, repair, or alteration of water supply lines
- Drainage and sewage system work
- Gas piping installation and service
- Water heater installation and repair
- Fixture installation and maintenance

How to Get Licensed

State-Level Licensing:

Florida's Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) issues plumbing licenses under authority of Fla. Stat. § 489.107. To qualify for licensure, applicants must meet requirements in Fla. Stat. § 489.113, which include:

1. Experience: Documented practical experience in plumbing (typically 4 years for a Journeyman or Apprenticeship Plumber license)
2. Examination: Pass the Florida plumbing licensing exam administered by CILB
3. Application: Submit completed application with proof of experience, identification, and exam passage to CILB

Contact the CILB directly for current application fees, exam schedules, and detailed experience requirements. Application is made to the state board, not the local municipality.

Local Requirements

Permit and Inspection:

Once licensed, plumbers in Key West must obtain permits from the Key West Building Department before beginning plumbing work. Permits are required for new installations, alterations, and repairs (as defined in local code).

Municipal Code Compliance:

Key West has adopted local amendments and standards in the Key West Municipal Code. Contractors must review the applicable chapters for plumbing work requirements specific to Key West, including inspections, material standards, and local amendments to state code.

Contact the Key West Building Department for:
- Permit applications and fees
- Inspector scheduling
- Local amendments to plumbing standards
- Certificate of Completion requirements

Exemptions

Per Fla. Stat. § 489.103, certain work is exempt from licensure requirements:

• Homeowners performing work on their own residential properties (with limited exceptions)
• Certain maintenance and repair work on existing systems (check statute for specific limitations)
• Work performed by licensed contractors in other trades when incidental to their licensed work

Exemptions are narrowly construed. Any plumbing contractor working for pay must verify their specific situation against § 489.103 before proceeding without a license.

State Licensing Board Contact

Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Phone: 850-487-1395
- Website: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/construction-industry/

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
• Key West Municipal Code

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