Electrical

Fla. Stat. § 489.507 — Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board

489.507

Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board.

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(1)

There is created in the department the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board. The board shall consist of 11 members, 7 of whom shall be certified electrical contractors, 2 of whom shall be consumer members who are not, and have never been, electrical contractors or members of any closely related profession or occupation, and 2 of whom shall be certified alarm system contractors I. Members shall be appointed for 4-year terms.

(2)

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.

(3)

The board has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this part.

(4)

It is the intent of the Legislature that the board promulgate no rules and take no action to require that applicants for certification as alarm system contractors serve any type of apprenticeship before being allowed to sit for the certification examination.

(5)

Fla. Stat. § 489.503 — Exemptions

State law requires electrical contracting to be done by licensed electrical contractors. You have applied for a permit under an exemption to that law. The exemption allows you, as the owner of your property, to act as your own electrical contractor even though you do not have a license. You may install electrical wiring for a farm outbuilding or a single-family or duplex residence. You may install electrical wiring in a commercial building the aggregate construction costs of which are under $75,000. The home or building must be for your own use and occupancy. It may not be built for sale or lease, unless you are completing the requirements of a building permit where the contractor listed on the permit substantially completed the project. If you sell or lease more than one building you have wired yourself within 1 year after the construction is complete, the law will presume that you built it for sale or lease, which is a violation of this exemption. You may not hire an unlicensed person as your electrical contractor. Your construction shall be done according to building codes and zoning regulations. It is your responsibility to make sure that people employed by you have licenses required by state law and by county or municipal licensing ordinances.

(7)

Fla. Stat. § 492.1165 — Construction of chapter

492.1165

Construction of chapter.

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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.

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

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Fla. Stat. § 489.511 — Certification; application; examinations; endorsement

Has held a valid, current license to practice electrical or alarm system contracting issued by another state or territory of the United States for at least 10 years before the date of application and is applying for the same or similar license in this state, subject to ss. 489.510 and 489.521(3)(a) and subparagraph (1)(b)1. Such application must be made either when the license in another state or territory is active or within 2 years after such license was last active. Electrical contractors and alarm system contractors must complete a 2-hour course on the Florida Building Code. The required courses may be completed online.

(6)

Upon the issuance of a certificate, any previously issued registered licenses for the classification in which the certification is issued are rendered void.

History.

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ss. 5, 17, ch. 79-272; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; s. 4, ch. 85-290; ss. 6, 14, ch. 87-254; ss. 5, 21, 23, ch. 88-149; s. 6, ch. 89-343; s. 11, ch. 91-119; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 66, ch. 92-149; s. 22, ch. 93-166; s. 273, ch. 94-119; s. 491, ch. 97-103; s. 39, ch. 98-419; s. 24, ch. 99-254; s. 31, ch. 2008-240; s. 5, ch. 2016-242; s. 67, ch. 2020-160.

Fla. Stat. § 489.537 — Application of this part

To require that one electrical journeyman, who is a graduate of the Institute of Applied Technology in Construction Excellence or licensed pursuant to s. 489.5335, be present on an industrial or commercial new construction site with a facility of 50,000 gross square feet or more when electrical work in excess of 77 volts is being performed in order to supervise or perform such work, except as provided in s. 489.503.

(4)

Any official authorized to issue building or other related permits shall ascertain that the applicant contractor is certified or registered and duly qualified according to any local requirements in the area where the construction is to take place before issuing the permit. The evidence shall consist only of the exhibition to him or her of current evidence of proper certification or registration and local qualification.

(5)(a)

Municipalities or counties may continue to provide examinations for their territorial area, provided that no examination is given the holder of a certificate.

(b)

To engage in contracting in the territorial area, an applicant shall also be registered with the board.

(c)

Fla. Stat. § 471.003 — Qualifications for practice; exemptions

Any electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning, or mechanical contractor whose practice includes the design and fabrication of electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning, or mechanical systems, respectively, which she or he installs by virtue of a license issued under chapter 489, under former part I of chapter 553, Florida Statutes 2001, or under any special act or ordinance when working on any construction project which:

1.

Requires an electrical or plumbing or air-conditioning and refrigeration system with a value of $125,000 or less; and

2.a.

Requires an aggregate service capacity of 600 amperes (240 volts) or less on a residential electrical system or 800 amperes (240 volts) or less on a commercial or industrial electrical system;

b.

Requires a plumbing system with fewer than 250 fixture units; or

c.

Requires a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system not to exceed a 15-ton-per-system capacity, or if the project is designed to accommodate 100 or fewer persons.

(i)

Any general contractor, certified or registered pursuant to the provisions of chapter 489, when negotiating or performing services under a design-build contract as long as the engineering services offered or rendered in connection with the contract are offered and rendered by an engineer licensed in accordance with this chapter.

(j)

Fla. Stat. § 489.516 — Qualifications to practice; restrictions; prerequisites

489.516

Qualifications to practice; restrictions; prerequisites.

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(1)

Any person who desires to engage in electrical or alarm system 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 administered by the department. 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)

No person who is not certified or registered shall engage in the business of contracting in this state. To enforce this subsection:

(a)

The department shall issue a cease and desist order to prohibit any person from engaging in the business of contracting who does not hold the required certification or registration for the work being performed under this part. For the purpose of enforcing a cease and desist order, the department may file a proceeding in the name of the state seeking issuance of an injunction or a writ of mandamus against any person who violates any provision of such order.

(b)

A county or municipality may issue a cease and desist order to prohibit any person from engaging in the business of contracting who does not hold the required certification or registration for the work being performed under this part.

(3)

Fla. Stat. § 403.511 — Effect of certification

403.511

Effect of certification.

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(1)

Subject to the conditions set forth therein, any certification shall constitute the sole license of the state and any agency as to the approval of the location of the site and any associated facility and the construction and operation of the proposed electrical power plant, except for the issuance of department licenses required under any federally delegated or approved permit program and except as otherwise provided in subsection (4).

(2)(a)

The certification shall authorize the licensee named therein to construct and operate the proposed electrical power plant, subject only to the conditions of certification set forth in such certification, and except for the issuance of department licenses or permits required under any federally delegated or approved permit program.

(b)1.

Construction of chapter

492.1165

Construction of chapter.

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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.

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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. § 489.131 — 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. § 489.537 — Application of this part

489.537

Application of this part.

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(1)

This part applies to any contractor performing work for the state or any county or municipality.

(2)(a)

The scope of electrical contracting shall apply to private and public property and shall include any excavation, paving, and other related work incidental thereto and shall include the work of all specialty electrical contractors. However, such electrical contractor shall subcontract the work of any other craft for which an examination for a certificate of competency or registration or a license is required, unless such contractor is certified or registered or holds a license for the respective trade category as required by the appropriate local authority.

(b)

A registered electrical contractor may bid on electrical contracts which include alarm systems contracting as a part of the contract, provided that the individual shall subcontract such alarm systems contracting, except raceway systems, to a properly certified or registered alarm system contractor. Registered electrical contractors may install raceways for alarm systems. However, if the registered electrical contractor is properly certified or registered as an alarm system contractor, the individual is not required to subcontract out the alarm system contracting.

(3)

Nothing in this act limits the power of a municipality or county:

(a)

Fla. Stat. § 489.514 — Certification for registered contractors; grandfathering provisions

489.514

Certification for registered contractors; grandfathering provisions.

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(1)

The board shall, upon receipt of a completed application, appropriate fee, and proof of compliance with the provisions of this section, issue:

(a)

To an applying registered electrical contractor, a certificate as an electrical contractor, as defined in s. 489.505(12);

(b)

To an applying registered alarm system contractor, a certificate in the matching alarm system contractor category, as defined in s. 489.505(2)(a) or (b); or

(c)

To an applying registered electrical specialty contractor, a certificate in the matching electrical specialty contractor category, as defined in s. 489.505(19).

(2)

Any contractor registered under this part who makes application under this section to the board shall meet each of the following requirements for certification:

(a)

Currently holds a valid registered local license in the category of electrical contractor, alarm system contractor, or electrical specialty contractor.

(b)

Fla. Stat. § 489.511 — Certification; application; examinations; endorsement

The board shall, by rule, designate those types of specialty electrical or alarm system contractors who may be certified under this part. The limit of the scope of work and responsibility of a certified specialty contractor shall be established by board rule. A certified specialty contractor category exists as an optional statewide licensing category. Qualification for certification in a specialty category created by rule shall be the same as set forth in paragraph (1)(b). The existence of a specialty category created by rule does not itself create any licensing requirement; however, neither does its optional nature remove any licensure requirement established elsewhere in this part.

(5)

The board shall certify as qualified for certification by endorsement any individual applying for certification who:

(a)

Meets the requirements for certification as set forth in this section; has passed a national, regional, state, or United States territorial licensing examination that is substantially equivalent to the examination required by this part; and has satisfied the requirements set forth in s. 489.521;

(b)

Holds a valid license to practice electrical or alarm system contracting issued by another state or territory of the United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to the certification criteria that existed in this state at the time the certificate was issued; or

(c)

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

520.69

Scope of license authority; scope of provisions.

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(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.

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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. § 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. § 475.180 — Nonresident licenses

475.180

Nonresident licenses.

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(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. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

489.117

Registration; specialty contractors.

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(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. § 471.003 — Qualifications for practice; exemptions

Regular full-time employees of a business organization not engaged in the practice of engineering as such, whose practice of engineering for such business organization is limited to the design or fabrication of manufactured products and servicing of such products.

(d)

Regular full-time employees of a public utility or other entity subject to regulation by the Florida Public Service Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or Federal Communications Commission.

(e)

Employees of a firm, corporation, or partnership who are the subordinates of a person in responsible charge, licensed under this chapter.

(f)

Any person as contractor in the execution of work designed by a professional engineer or in the supervision of the construction of work as a foreman or superintendent.

(g)

A licensed surveyor and mapper who takes, or contracts for, professional engineering services incidental to her or his practice of surveying and mapping and who delegates such engineering services to a licensed professional engineer qualified within her or his firm or contracts for such professional engineering services to be performed by others who are licensed professional engineers under the provisions of this chapter.

(h)

Fla. Stat. § 403.511 — Effect of certification

The certification and any order on land use and zoning issued under this act shall be in lieu of any license, permit, certificate, or similar document required by any state, regional, or local agency pursuant to, but not limited to, chapter 125, chapter 161, chapter 163, chapter 166, chapter 186, chapter 253, chapter 298, chapter 373, chapter 376, chapter 379, chapter 380, chapter 381, chapter 403, except for permits issued pursuant to any federally delegated or approved permit program and except as provided in chapter 404 or the Florida Transportation Code, or 33 U.S.C. s. 1341.

(4)

This act shall not affect in any way the Public Service Commission’s ratemaking powers or its exclusive jurisdiction to require transmission lines to be located underground under chapter 366; nor shall this act in any way affect the right of any local government to charge appropriate fees or require that construction be in compliance with applicable building construction codes.

(5)(a)

An electrical power plant certified pursuant to this act shall comply with rules adopted by the department subsequent to the issuance of the certification which prescribe new or stricter criteria, to the extent that the rules are applicable to electrical power plants. Except when express variances, exceptions, exemptions, or other relief have been granted, subsequently adopted rules which prescribe new or stricter criteria shall operate as automatic modifications to certifications.

(b)

Fla. Stat. § 471.021 — Engineers and firms of other states; temporary registration to practice in Florida

471.021

Engineers and firms of other states; temporary registration to practice in Florida.

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(1)

Upon approval of the board and payment of the fee set in s. 471.011, the management corporation shall issue a temporary registration for work on one specified project in this state for a period not to exceed 1 year to an engineer holding a certificate to practice in another state, provided Florida licensees are similarly permitted to engage in work in such state and provided that the engineer be qualified for licensure by endorsement.

(2)

Upon approval by the board and payment of the fee set in s. 471.011, the management corporation shall issue a temporary registration for work on one specified project in this state for a period not to exceed 1 year to an out-of-state corporation, partnership, or firm, provided one of the principal officers of the corporation, one of the partners of the partnership, or one of the principals in the fictitiously named firm has obtained a temporary registration in accordance with subsection (1).

(3)

The application for a temporary registration shall require appointment of the Department of State as an agent of the applicant for service of process in any action or proceeding against the applicant arising out of any transaction or operation connected with or incidental to the practice of engineering for which the temporary registration was issued.

History.

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