Plumbing Licensing in Lake Wales, Florida

Who Needs a License

Any person who engages in plumbing work in Lake Wales must hold a valid Florida plumbing license. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, plumbing is defined as work involving the installation, maintenance, or repair of pipes, fixtures, and appliances for the conveyance of water, gas, or sewage. This includes water supply systems, drainage systems, venting systems, and gas piping. Anyone performing this work for compensation must be licensed, regardless of project size or complexity.

How to Get Licensed

Florida plumbing licenses are issued by the Construction Industry Licensing Board under Fla. Stat. § 489.107. To qualify for licensure, applicants must meet requirements under Fla. Stat. § 489.113, which typically include:

  1. Experience: Documented plumbing experience (specific hours vary by license classification)
  2. Examination: Pass the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board exam for plumbing
  3. Application: Submit an application to the Construction Industry Licensing Board with proof of experience, exam passage, and required fees

To begin the licensing process, contact the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board directly for current examination schedules, experience requirements, and application procedures. The board sets all qualification standards and exam content.

Local Requirements

Lake Wales operates under the Lake Wales Municipal Code. Building permits for all plumbing work in Lake Wales must be obtained through the Lake Wales Building Department before work begins.

Review the Lake Wales Municipal Code for local amendments, permit procedures, and any additional requirements specific to plumbing work within city limits. Contact the Lake Wales Building Department to confirm current local permit fees, inspection schedules, and documentation required at the time of application.

Polk County may also have jurisdiction over certain plumbing work outside city limits; verify with the Building Department whether your project falls under city or county authority.

Exemptions

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.103, certain work is exempt from licensing requirements. These exemptions include maintenance and repair work performed by a property owner on their own residential property, and other limited activities defined by statute. However, exemptions do not eliminate the requirement to obtain local building permits. Review the statute directly and confirm with the Lake Wales Building Department which activities, if any, qualify for exemption in 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

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