Contractor Licensing in Riviera Beach, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law regulates construction contracting through the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "contractor" is defined as any person who undertakes to, offers to, or purports to construct, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, move, wreck, or demolish any building or structure, or improvement to real property, for others for a fixed price, commission, time and materials, or other compensation.

If your work falls within this definition, you must be licensed before performing work in Riviera Beach. This includes general contracting, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and specialty trades, depending on the scope of work performed.

How to Get Licensed

Licensure in Florida is administered by the Construction Industry Licensing Board under Fla. Stat. § 489.107.

Steps to obtain a license:

1. Determine your license classification — Identify whether you need a General Contractor, General Building Contractor, or specialty contractor license based on the work you perform.

2. Meet qualifications — Under Fla. Stat. § 489.113, you must meet experience and education requirements specific to your trade classification.

3. Pass the examination — Fla. Stat. § 489.111 establishes licensure by examination. You must pass the state examination for your classification.

4. Apply with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — Submit your application, proof of qualifications, examination results, and applicable fees to DBPR. The Board issues the state license.

Local Requirements

Riviera Beach requires contractors to pull permits through the City of Riviera Beach Building Department before beginning work. Consult the Riviera Beach Municipal Code for local permitting requirements, inspection procedures, and any additional local amendments beyond state law.

Contact the Riviera Beach Building Department to determine specific local permit requirements and fees for your project.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 exempts certain individuals and work from licensing requirements. These include property owners performing work on their own property, certain federal and state employees, and licensed professionals such as architects and engineers performing work within their licensed scope. Review the statute for the complete list of exemptions applicable to your situation.

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. § 489.111 — Licensure by examination
• Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions
• Riviera Beach Municipal Code

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