Sewer/Water Licensing in Pine Air CDP, Florida

Who Needs a License

In Florida, contractors performing construction work related to sewer and water systems must be licensed. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "contractor" is defined as any person who undertakes to, offers to, or holds themselves out as able to undertake, or submits a bid to construct, repair, or improve any building or structure for others. Work involving installation, repair, or maintenance of sewer and water systems constitutes regulated construction activity requiring licensure.

Fla. Stat. § 489.113 establishes that no person shall engage in the construction industry in Florida without holding an active, valid license issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB).

How to Get Licensed

State Level (Florida CILB):

  1. Determine your license classification. Sewer and water work typically falls under specialty contractor or general contractor categories.

  2. Meet qualification requirements. Per Fla. Stat. § 489.113, you must demonstrate:

  3. Four years of experience in the trade within the past 10 years, OR
  4. Equivalent combination of classroom training and experience
  5. Completion of a CILB-approved business and law exam

  6. Pass the trade-specific exam

  7. Submit application to the CILB. Applications are processed at the state level through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

  8. Obtain your license. Once approved, you receive a state contractor's license valid statewide.

Local Requirements

Permits for sewer and water work in Pine Air CDP must be pulled through the Palm Beach County building authority, as Pine Air is an unincorporated community development in Palm Beach County.

Consult the Pine Air Municipal Code for any local amendments, permit fees, inspection requirements, or additional conditions beyond state law. Contact the Palm Beach County Building Department to confirm current local requirements and permitting procedures for sewer/water projects.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 provides exemptions from licensing requirements. Work performed by employees of property owners on their own property may be exempt, as well as work performed by government employees acting in their official capacity. However, contractors hired to perform sewer and water work are not exempt—they must maintain active licensure.

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

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