Plumbing

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. § 489.105 — Definitions

“Plumbing contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the plumbing trade and includes contracting business consisting of the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or, if not prohibited by law, design plumbing. A plumbing contractor may install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or, if not prohibited by law, design the following without obtaining an additional local regulatory license, certificate, or registration: sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, water and sewer plants and substations, venting systems, public or private water supply systems, septic tanks, drainage and supply wells, swimming pool piping, irrigation systems, and solar heating water systems and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, including boilers and pressure process piping and including the installation of water, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and related venting, and storm and sanitary sewer lines. The scope of work of the plumbing contractor also includes the design, if not prohibited by law, and installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of air-piping, vacuum line piping, oxygen line piping, nitrous oxide piping, and all related medical gas systems; fire line standpipes and fire sprinklers if authorized by law; ink and chemical lines; fuel oil and gasoline piping and tank and pump installation, except bulk storage plants; and pneumatic control piping systems, all in a manner that complies with all plans, specifications, codes, laws, and regulations applicable. The scope of work of the plumbing contractor applies to private property and public property, including any excavation work incidental thereto, and includes the work of the specialty plumbing contractor. Such contractor shall subcontract, with a qualified contractor in the field concerned, all other work incidental to the work but which is specified as being the work of a trade other than that of a plumbing contractor. This definition does not limit the scope of work of any specialty contractor certified pursuant to s. 489.113(6) and does not require certification or registration under this part as a category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer, or category V LP gas installer, as defined in s. 527.01, who is licensed under chapter 527 or an authorized employee of a public natural gas utility or of a private natural gas utility regulated by the Public Service Commission when disconnecting and reconnecting water lines in the servicing or replacement of an existing water heater. A plumbing contractor may perform drain cleaning and clearing and install or repair rainwater catchment systems; however, a mandatory licensing requirement is not established for the performance of these specific services.

Fla. Stat. § 633.318 — Certificate application and issuance; permit issuance; examination and investigation of applicant

As a prerequisite to taking the examination for certification as a Contractor IV, the applicant must be at least 18 years old, be of good moral character, be licensed as a certified plumbing contractor under chapter 489, and successfully complete a training program acceptable to the State Fire Marshal of not less than 40 contact hours regarding the applicable installation standard used by the Contractor IV as described in NFPA 13D. The State Fire Marshal may adopt rules to administer this subsection.

(f)

As a prerequisite to taking the examination for certification as a Contractor V, the applicant must be at least 18 years old, be of good moral character, and have been licensed as a certified underground utility and excavation contractor or certified plumbing contractor pursuant to chapter 489, have verification by an individual who is licensed as a certified utility contractor or certified plumbing contractor pursuant to chapter 489 that the applicant has 4 years’ proven experience in the employ of a certified underground utility and excavation contractor or certified plumbing contractor, or have a combination of education and experience equivalent to 4 years’ proven experience in the employ of a certified underground utility and excavation contractor or certified plumbing contractor.

(g)

Fla. Stat. § 373.323 — Licensure of water well contractors; application, qualifications, and examinations; equipment identification

The water management district shall issue a water well contracting license to any applicant who receives a passing grade on the examination, has paid the initial application fee, takes and completes, to the satisfaction of the department, a minimum of 12 hours of approved coursework, and has complied with the requirements of this section. A passing grade on the examination shall be as established by the department by rule. A license issued by any water management district shall be valid in every water management district in the state.

(6)

An employee of a political subdivision or of a governmental entity engaged in water well drilling shall be licensed pursuant to this part but shall be exempt from paying fees required pursuant to this part.

(7)

Fla. Stat. § 489.553 — Administration of part; registration qualifications; examination

Have a total of at least 3 years of active experience serving an apprenticeship as a skilled worker under the supervision and control of a registered septic tank contractor or a plumbing contractor as defined in s. 489.105 who has provided septic tank contracting services. Related work experience or educational experience may be substituted for no more than 2 years of active contracting experience. Each 30 hours of coursework approved by the department will substitute for 6 months of work experience. Out-of-state work experience shall be accepted on a year-for-year basis for any applicant who demonstrates that he or she holds a current license issued by another state for septic tank contracting which was issued upon satisfactory completion of an examination and continuing education courses that are equivalent to the requirements in this state. For purposes of this section, an equivalent examination must include the topics of system location and installation, site evaluation, system size determinations, disposal of septage, construction standards for drainfield systems, and the soil-texture classification system of the United States Department of Agriculture. A person employed by and under the supervision of a licensed contractor shall be granted up to 2 years of related work experience.

(e)

Have not had a registration revoked, the effective date of which was less than 5 years before the application.

(5)

Fla. Stat. § 403.868 — Requirements by a utility

403.868

Requirements by a utility.

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A utility may have more stringent requirements than set by law, including certification requirements for water distribution systems and domestic wastewater collection systems operations, except that a utility may not require a licensed contractor, as defined in s. 489.105(3) to have any additional license for work in water distribution systems or domestic wastewater collection systems.

History.

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s. 8, ch. 97-236.

Construction of chapter

492.1165

Construction of chapter.

—

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.

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Fla. Stat. § 489.117 — Registration; specialty contractors

Any person who is not certified or registered may perform the work of a specialty contractor whose scope of practice is limited to the type of work specified under s. 489.105(3)(j), (k), or (l) for the construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of commercial or residential swimming pools, interactive water features as defined in the Florida Building Code, hot tubs, and spas without obtaining a local license or certification as a specialty contractor if he or she is supervised by a contractor who is certified or registered under s. 489.105(3)(j), (k), or (l); the work is within the scope of the supervising contractor’s license; the supervising contractor is responsible for the work; and the work does not require certification or registration under s. 489.105(3)(d)-(i), (m)-(o), or s. 489.505. Such supervision does not require a direct contract between the contractor certified or registered under s. 489.105(3)(j), (k), or (l) and the person performing the work, or for the person performing the work to be an employee of the contractor certified or registered under s. 489.105(3)(j), (k), or (l). This paragraph does not limit the exemptions provided in s. 489.103 and may not be construed to expand the scope of a contractor certified or registered under s. 489.105(3)(j), (k), or (l) to provide plumbing or electrical services for which certification or registration is required by this part or part II.

(5)

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. § 489.117 — 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. § 489.553 — Administration of part; registration qualifications; examination

To be eligible for registration by the department as a master septic tank contractor, the applicant must:

(a)

Have been a registered septic tank contractor in Florida for at least 3 years or a plumbing contractor certified under part I of this chapter who has provided septic tank contracting services for at least 3 years. The 3 years must immediately precede the date of application and may not be interrupted by any probation, suspension, or revocation imposed by the licensing agency.

(b)

Take and complete, to the satisfaction of the department, a minimum of 30 hours of approved coursework.

(c)

Pass an examination approved by the department which demonstrates that the applicant has advanced knowledge relating to the installation and maintenance of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, including, but not limited to, the fundamental knowledge required to close residential repair jobs, design systems, and perform soil evaluations, when determined to meet site-evaluation expertise established by rule.

(d)

Be reviewed by the department for any major infractions of this chapter or other law relating to onsite sewage treatment and disposal.

(6)

The department shall provide each applicant for registration pursuant to this part with a copy of this part and any rules adopted under this part. The department may also prepare and disseminate such other material and questionnaires as it deems necessary to effectuate the registration provisions of this part.

Fla. Stat. § 373.323 — Licensure of water well contractors; application, qualifications, and examinations; equipment identification

Each piece of drilling equipment owned, leased, or operated by a water well contractor shall have the water well contractor’s license number prominently displayed thereon.

(10)

Water well contractors licensed under this section may install, repair, and modify pumps and tanks in accordance with the Florida Building Code, Plumbing; Section 614 — Wells Pumps And Tanks Used For Private Potable Water Systems. In addition, licensed water well contractors may install pumps, tanks, and water conditioning equipment for all water systems.

(11)

A licensed well water contractor may facilitate the performance of additional work by an appropriately licensed contractor which is incidental to the construction, repair, or abandonment of a water well. For purposes of this subsection, incidental work is limited to the electrical connection of a pump, connecting a well to a residential dwelling, constructing a pump house or pump vault of 100 square feet or less, constructing a nonstructural well slab of 100 square feet or less, constructing fencing, and landscaping. This part does not authorize a licensed water well contractor to perform any services or work for which a license under chapter 489 is required.

History.

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Fla. Stat. § 561.15 — Licenses; qualifications required

(4)

Fla. Stat. § 489.553 — Administration of part; registration qualifications; examination

489.553

Administration of part; registration qualifications; examination.

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(1)

Each person desiring to be registered pursuant to this part shall apply to the department in writing upon forms prepared and furnished by the department.

(2)

The department shall administer, coordinate, and enforce the provisions of this part, provide qualifications for applicants, administer the examination for applicants, and be responsible for the granting of certificates of registration to qualified persons.

(3)

The department shall adopt reasonable rules, including, but not limited to, rules that establish ethical standards of practice, requirements for registering as a contractor, requirements for obtaining an initial or renewal certificate of registration, disciplinary guidelines, and requirements for the certification of partnerships and corporations. The department may amend or repeal the rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

(4)

To be eligible for registration by the department as a septic tank contractor, the applicant must:

(a)

Fla. Stat. § 489.552 — Registration required

489.552

Registration required.

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A person shall not hold himself or herself out as a septic tank contractor or a master septic tank contractor in this state unless he or she is registered by the department in accordance with the provisions of this part. However, nothing in this part prohibits any person licensed pursuant to s. 489.105(3)(m) in this state from engaging in the profession for which he or she is licensed.

History.

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ss. 2, 10, ch. 87-310; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 6, ch. 96-303.

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. § 373.323 — Licensure of water well contractors; application, qualifications, and examinations; equipment identification

373.323

Licensure of water well contractors; application, qualifications, and examinations; equipment identification.

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(1)

Every person who wishes to engage in business as a water well contractor shall obtain from the water management district a license to conduct such business. Licensure under this part by a water management district shall be the only water well contractor license required for the construction, repair, or abandonment of water wells in the state or any political subdivision thereof.

(2)

Each person desiring to be licensed as a water well contractor shall apply to take the licensure examination. Application shall be made to the water management district in which the applicant resides or in which his or her principal place of business is located. A resident of another state shall apply to the water management district in which most of the business of the applicant will take place. Application shall be made on forms provided by the water management district.

(3)

An applicant who meets all of the following requirements is eligible to take the water well contractor licensure examination:

(a)

Is at least 18 years of age.

(b)

Has at least 2 years of experience in constructing, repairing, or abandoning water wells permitted in this state. The applicant must demonstrate satisfactory proof of such experience by providing:

1.

Fla. Stat. § 489.538 — Authority of licensed job scope

489.538

Authority of licensed job scope.

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A licensee under this part need not have a license under part I to perform work within the scope of his or her license under this part.

History.

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s. 37, ch. 90-228; s. 12, ch. 91-201; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 501, ch. 97-103.

PART III

SEPTIC TANK CONTRACTING

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 — Exemptions

Any person who sells, services, or installs heating or air-conditioning units which have a capacity no greater than 3 tons or 36,000 Btu, which have no ducts, and which have a factory-installed electrical cord and plug.

(15)

The installation and maintenance of water conditioning units for domestic, commercial, or industrial purposes by operators of water conditioning services. No municipality or county may adopt an ordinance, rule, or regulation which requires such an operator to become licensed, certified, or registered as a plumber or which otherwise prevents the installation and maintenance of such water conditioning units by an operator.

(16)

An architect or landscape architect licensed pursuant to chapter 481 or an engineer licensed pursuant to chapter 471 who offers or renders design-build services which may require the services of a contractor certified or registered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, as long as the contractor services to be performed under the terms of the design-build contract are offered and rendered by a certified or registered general contractor in accordance with this chapter.

(17)

Fla. Stat. § 403.872 — Requirements for licensure

403.872

Requirements for licensure.

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(1)

Any person desiring to be licensed as a water treatment plant operator, a water distribution system operator, or a domestic wastewater treatment plant operator must apply to the department to take the licensure examination.

(2)

The department shall examine the qualifications of any applicant who meets the criteria established by the department for licensure, submits a completed application, and remits the required fee.

(3)

The department shall license as an operator any applicant who has passed the examination and meets the other criteria established under this section.

(4)

The department shall establish, by rule, the criteria for licensure, including, but not limited to, a requirement of a high school diploma or its equivalent, a training course approved by the department, and onsite operational experience.

(5)

The department may also include a requirement that an operator must not be the subject of a disciplinary or enforcement action in another state at the time of application for licensure in this state.

History.

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s. 12, ch. 97-236; s. 11, ch. 2001-270.