General Contracting

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. § 489.117 — 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. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

489.113

Qualifications for practice; restrictions.

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(1)

Any person who desires to engage in 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 approved by the board and certified by the department. If an applicant has received a baccalaureate degree in building construction from an accredited 4-year college, or a related degree as approved by the board by rule, and has a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, such applicant is only required to take and pass the business and finance portion of the examination. 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)

Fla. Stat. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

Any person who is not required to obtain registration or certification pursuant to s. 489.105(3)(d)-(o) may perform contracting services for the construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of single-family residences, including a townhouse as defined in the Florida Building Code, without obtaining a local license if such person is under the supervision of a certified or registered general, building, or residential contractor. As used in this paragraph, supervision shall not be deemed to require the existence of a direct contract between the certified or registered general, building, or residential contractor and the person performing specialty contracting services.

(e)

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)

Qualifications for license

634.041

Qualifications for license.

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To qualify for and hold a license to issue service agreements in this state, a service agreement company must be in compliance with this part, with applicable rules of the commission, with related sections of the Florida Insurance Code, and with its charter powers and must comply with the following:

(1)

Any service agreement company applying for a license must be a solvent corporation formed under the laws of this state or of another state or district of the United States and must meet minimum requirements under this section.

(2)

The service agreement company must furnish the office with evidence satisfactory to the office that the management of the company is competent and trustworthy and can successfully and lawfully manage its affairs.

(3)

The service agreement company must make the deposit required under s. 634.052.

(4)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreement business in this state unless it maintains the required reserves and the required ratio of liquid assets to the required reserves.

(5)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreeme

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. § 725.08 — Design professional contracts; limitation in indemnification

“Professional services contract” means a written or oral agreement relating to the planning, design, construction, administration, study, evaluation, consulting, or other professional and technical support services furnished in connection with any actual or proposed construction, improvement, alteration, repair, maintenance, operation, management, relocation, demolition, excavation, or other facility, land, air, water, or utility development or improvement.

(4)

“Design professional” means an individual or entity licensed by the state who holds a current certificate of registration or is qualified under chapter 481 to practice architecture or landscape architecture, under chapter 472 to practice land surveying and mapping, or under chapter 471 to practice engineering, and who enters into a professional services contract.

(5)

This section does not affect contracts or agreements entered into before the effective date of this section.

History.

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s. 1, ch. 2000-162; s. 11, ch. 2001-211; s. 83, ch. 2020-160.

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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. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

A person must be certified or registered in order to engage in the business of contracting in this state. However, for purposes of complying with the provisions of this chapter, a subcontractor who is not certified or registered may perform construction work under the supervision of a person who is certified or registered, provided that the work is within the scope of the supervising contractor’s license, the supervising contractor is responsible for the work, and the subcontractor being supervised is not engaged in construction work that would require a license as a contractor under any of the categories listed in s. 489.105(3)(d)-(o). This subsection does not affect the application of any local construction licensing ordinances. 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)

Fla. Stat. § 634.041 — Qualifications for license

634.041

Qualifications for license.

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To qualify for and hold a license to issue service agreements in this state, a service agreement company must be in compliance with this part, with applicable rules of the commission, with related sections of the Florida Insurance Code, and with its charter powers and must comply with the following:

(1)

Any service agreement company applying for a license must be a solvent corporation formed under the laws of this state or of another state or district of the United States and must meet minimum requirements under this section.

(2)

The service agreement company must furnish the office with evidence satisfactory to the office that the management of the company is competent and trustworthy and can successfully and lawfully manage its affairs.

(3)

The service agreement company must make the deposit required under s. 634.052.

(4)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreement business in this state unless it maintains the required reserves and the required ratio of liquid assets to the required reserves.

(5)

A service agreement company may not be licensed to transact service agreement business in this state if, during the 3 years immediately preceding its application for a license, it has violated any requirement of this part or a rule adopted thereunder.

(6)

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. § 489.107 — Construction Industry Licensing Board

Two are consumer members who are not, and have never been, members or practitioners of a profession regulated by the board or members of any closely related profession; and

(k)

Two are building officials of a municipality or county.

(3)

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.

(4)

The board shall be divided into two divisions, Division I and Division II.

(a)

Division I is comprised of the general contractor, building contractor, and residential contractor members of the board; one of the members appointed pursuant to paragraph (2)(j); and one of the members appointed pursuant to paragraph (2)(k). Division I has jurisdiction over the regulation of general contractors, building contractors, and residential contractors.

(b)

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.

—

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. § 163.083 — Qualifying improvement contractors

163.083

Qualifying improvement contractors.

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(1)

A county or municipality shall establish a process, or approve a process established by a program administrator, to register contractors for participation in a program authorized by a county or municipality pursuant to s. 163.081. A qualifying improvement contractor may only perform such work that the contractor is appropriately licensed, registered, and permitted to conduct. At the time of application to participate and during participation in the program, contractors must:

(a)

Hold all necessary licenses or registrations for the work to be performed which are in good standing. Good standing includes no outstanding complaints with the state or local government which issues such licenses or registrations.

(b)

Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including obtaining and maintaining any other permits, licenses, or registrations required for engaging in business in the jurisdiction in which it operates and maintaining all state-required bond and insurance coverage.

(c)

File with the program administrator a written statement in a form approved by the county or municipality that the contractor will comply with applicable laws and rules and qualifying improvement program policies and procedures, including those on advertising and marketing.

(2)

Fla. Stat. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

Except as provided in paragraph (b), the board may not issue a new registration after July 1, 1993, based on any certificate of competency or license for a category of contractor defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(o) which is issued by a municipal or county government that does not exercise disciplinary control and oversight over such locally licensed contractors, including forwarding a recommended order in each action to the board as provided in s. 489.131(7). For purposes of this subsection and s. 489.131(10), the board shall determine the adequacy of such disciplinary control by reviewing the local government’s ability to process and investigate complaints and to take disciplinary action against locally licensed contractors.

(b)

The board shall issue a registration to an eligible applicant to engage in the business of a contractor in a specified local jurisdiction, provided each of the following conditions are satisfied:

1.

The applicant held, in any local jurisdiction in this state during 2021, 2022, or 2023, a certificate of registration issued by the state or a local license issued by a local jurisdiction to perform work in a category of contractor defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(o).

2.

The applicant submits all of the following to the board:

a.

Evidence of the certificate of registration or local license held by the applicant as required by subparagraph 1.

b.

Fla. Stat. § 489.115 — Certification and registration; endorsement; reciprocity; renewals; continuing education

489.115

Certification and registration; endorsement; reciprocity; renewals; continuing education.

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(1)

No person may engage in the business of contracting in this state without first being certified or registered in the proper classification.

(2)(a)

The department shall issue a certificate or registration to each person qualified by the board and upon receipt of the original license fee.

(b)

Certification allows the certificateholder to engage in contracting only for the type of work covered by the certificate and only while the certificate is on active status.

(3)

The board shall certify as qualified for certification by endorsement any applicant 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. 489.111;

(b)

Holds a valid license to practice contracting issued by another state or territory of the United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to Florida’s current certification criteria;

(c)

Fla. Stat. § 627.952 — Risk retention and purchasing group agents

627.952

Risk retention and purchasing group agents.

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(1)

Any person offering, soliciting, selling, purchasing, administering, or otherwise servicing insurance contracts, certificates, or agreements for any purchasing group or risk retention group to any resident of this state, either directly or indirectly, by the use of mail, advertising, or other means of communication, shall obtain a license and appointment to act as a resident general lines agent, if a resident of this state, or a nonresident general lines agent if not a resident. Any such person shall be subject to all requirements of the Florida Insurance Code.

(a)

All books, records, statements, and accounts required to be established and maintained with respect to activities described in this subsection shall be established and maintained on a segregated basis, separate and apart from all other books, records, statements, and accounts regarding the agent’s other transactions.

(b)

Any person required to be licensed and appointed under this subsection, in order to place business through Florida eligible surplus lines carriers, must, if a resident of this state, be licensed and appointed as a surplus lines agent. If not a resident of this state, such person must be licensed and appointed as a surplus lines agent in her or his state of residence and be licensed and appointed as a nonresident surplus lines agent in this state.

(2)

Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions

(5)

The certificate is not transferable.

(6)(a)

The board shall, by rule, designate those types of specialty contractors which may be certified under this part. The limit of the scope of work and responsibility of a specialty contractor shall be established by the board by rule. However, a certified specialty contractor category established by board rule exists as a voluntary statewide licensing category and does not create a mandatory licensing requirement. Any mandatory statewide construction contracting licensure requirement may only be established through specific statutory provision.

(b)

By July 1, 2025, the board shall, by rule, establish certified specialty contractor categories for voluntary licensure for all of the following:

1.

Structural aluminum or screen enclosures.

2.

Marine seawall work.

3.

Marine bulkhead work.

4.

Marine dock work.

5.

Marine pile driving.

6.

Structural masonry.

7.

Structural prestressed, precast concrete work.

8.

Rooftop solar heating installation.

9.

Structural steel.

10.

Window and door installation, including garage door installation and hurricane or windstorm protection.

11.

Plaster and lath.

12.

Structural carpentry.

(7)

Fla. Stat. § 489.131 — Applicability

To collect business taxes, subject to s. 205.065, and inspection fees for engaging in contracting or examination fees from persons who are registered with the board pursuant to local examination requirements and issue business tax receipts. However, nothing in this part shall be construed to require general contractors, building contractors, or residential contractors to obtain additional business tax receipts for specialty work when such specialty work is performed by employees of such contractors on projects for which they have substantially full responsibility and such contractors do not hold themselves out to the public as being specialty contractors.

(d)

To adopt any system of permits requiring submission to and approval by the municipality or county of plans and specifications for work to be performed by contractors before commencement of the work.

(e)