Restoration

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. § 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. § 489.103 — Exemptions

Contracting for repair, maintenance, remodeling, or improvement by any person licensed under part I of chapter 475 while acting as the owner’s agent pursuant to that license, where all work requiring a contractor is performed by a contractor who has a current, valid certificate or registration issued under this part to perform such work, and where the aggregate contract for labor, materials, and all other items is less than $5,000; however, this exemption does not apply:

(a)

If the maintenance, repair, remodeling, or improvement is a part of a larger or major operation, whether undertaken by the same or a different contractor, or in which a division of the operation is made in contracts of amounts less than $5,000 for the purpose of evading this part or otherwise.

(b)

To a person who advertises that he or she is qualified to engage in contracting.

(18)

Any one-family, two-family, or three-family residence constructed or rehabilitated by Habitat for Humanity International, Inc., or its local affiliates. Habitat for Humanity International, Inc., or its local affiliates, must:

(a)

Obtain all necessary building permits.

(b)

Obtain all required building code inspections.

(c)

Provide for supervision of all work by an individual with construction experience.

(19)

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.

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.

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

Holds a valid, current license to practice contracting issued by another state or territory of the United States, if the state or territory has entered into a reciprocal agreement with the board for the recognition of contractor licenses issued in that state, based on criteria for the issuance of such licenses that are substantially equivalent to the criteria for certification in this state; or

(d)

Has held a valid, current license to practice 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 subsections (5)-(9). The board may consider an applicant’s technical competence to ensure the applicant is able to meet the requirements of this state’s codes and standards for wind mitigation and water intrusion. The board may also consider whether such applicant has had a license to practice contracting revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against by the licensing authority of another state, territory, or country. 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. Division I contractors and roofing contractors must complete a 2-hour course on the Florida Building Code which includes information on wind mitigation techniques. The required courses may be completed online.

(4)(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. § 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. § 489.514 — Certification for registered contractors; grandfathering provisions

Has, for that category, passed a written, proctored examination that the board finds to be substantially similar to the examination required to be licensed as a certified contractor under this part. For purposes of this subsection, a written, proctored examination such as that produced by the National Assessment Institute, Block and Associates, NAI/Block, Experior Assessments, Professional Testing, Inc., or Assessment Systems, Inc., shall be considered to be substantially similar to the examination required to be licensed as a certified contractor. The board may not impose or make any requirements regarding the nature or content of these cited examinations.

(c)

Has at least 5 years of experience as a contractor in that contracting category, or as an inspector or building administrator with oversight over that category, at the time of application. For contractors, only time periods in which the contractor license is active and the contractor is not on probation shall count toward the 5 years required under this subsection.

(d)

Has not had his or her contractor’s license revoked at any time, had his or her contractor’s license suspended in the last 5 years, or been assessed a fine in excess of $500 in the last 5 years.

(e)

Is in compliance with the insurance and financial responsibility requirements in s. 489.515(1)(b).

History.

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s. 4, ch. 99-254; s. 39, ch. 2000-372; s. 11, ch. 2013-193; s. 1, ch. 2019-84; s. 3, ch. 2023-211.

Fla. Stat. § 468.8414 — Licensure

468.8414

Licensure.

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(1)

The department shall license any applicant who the department certifies is qualified to practice mold assessment or mold remediation.

(2)

The department shall certify for licensure any applicant who satisfies the requirements of s. 468.8413, who has passed the licensing examination, and who has documented training in water, mold, and respiratory protection. The department may refuse to certify any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of this part.

(3)

The department shall certify as qualified for a license by endorsement an applicant who is of good moral character, who has the insurance coverage required under s. 468.8421, and who meets at least one of the following requirements:

(a)

Is qualified to take the examination as set forth in s. 468.8413 and has passed a certification examination offered by a nationally recognized organization that certifies persons in the specialty of mold assessment or mold remediation and that has been approved by the department as substantially equivalent to the requirements of this part and s. 455.217.

(b)

Holds a valid license to practice mold assessment or mold remediation issued by another state or territory of the United States if the criteria for issuance of the license were substantially the same as the licensure criteria established by this part as determined by the department.

(c)

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)

Exemptions

468.602

Exemptions.

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This part does not apply to:

(1)

Persons who possess a valid certificate, issued pursuant to s. 633.216, for conducting firesafety inspections, when conducting firesafety inspections.

(2)

Persons currently licensed or certified to practice as an architect pursuant to chapter 481, an engineer pursuant to chapter 471, or a contractor pursuant to chapter 489, when performing any services authorized by such license or certificate.

(3)

Persons acting as special inspectors for code enforcement jurisdictions while conducting special inspections not required as minimum inspections by the Florida Building Code.

History.

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s. 24, ch. 93-166; s. 49, ch. 94-119; s. 7, ch. 98-287; s. 117, ch. 2000-141; s. 35, ch. 2001-186; s. 4, ch. 2001-372; s. 141, ch. 2013-183.

Fla. Stat. § 633.344 — Application of law regulating contracting and contractors

633.344

Application of law regulating contracting and contractors.

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(1)(a)

This chapter applies to any contractor performing work for the state or any county or municipality, as well as to contractors performing work pursuant to private contracts or agreements. Officers of the state or any county or municipality are required to determine compliance with this chapter before awarding any contracts for construction, improvement, remodeling, or repair.

(b)

The state or any county or municipality may require that bids submitted for construction, improvement, remodeling, or repair of public buildings be accompanied by evidence that the bidder holds a current certificate.

(2)

The provisions of this chapter relating to certification and contracting as a fire protection systems contractor shall apply to those so engaged in the business of contracting for fire protection systems.

History.

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ss. 5, 16, ch. 75-240; s. 3, ch. 76-168; s. 1, ch. 77-457; s. 8, ch. 78-141; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 1, 2, ch. 85-128; s. 16, ch. 87-287; s. 35, ch. 89-233; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 51, ch. 2013-183.

Note.

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Former s. 633.554.

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. § 520.63 — Licensees

An application for a license under this part must be submitted to the office in such form as the commission may prescribe by rule. The commission may require each applicant to provide any information reasonably necessary to determine the applicant’s eligibility for licensure. The applicant shall also provide information that the office requires concerning any officer, director, control person, member, partner, or joint venturer of the applicant or any person having the same or substantially similar status or performing substantially similar functions or any individual who is the ultimate equitable owner of a 10-percent or greater interest in the applicant. The office may require information concerning any such applicant or person, including, but not limited to, his or her full name and any other names by which he or she may have been known, age, social security number, residential history, qualifications, educational and business history, and disciplinary and criminal history. If the office determines that an application should be granted, it shall issue the license for a period not to exceed 2 years. A nonrefundable application fee of $175 shall accompany an initial application for the principal place of business and each application for a branch location of a home improvement finance seller. An application is considered received for purposes of s. 120.60 upon receipt of a completed application form as prescribed by commission rule, a nonrefundable application fee of $175, and any other fee prescribed by law.

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. § 456.036 — Licenses; active and inactive status; delinquency

A person who has been denied renewal of licensure, certification, or registration under s. 456.0635(3) may regain licensure, certification, or registration only by meeting the qualifications and completing the application process for initial licensure as defined by the board, or the department if there is no board. However, a person who was denied renewal of licensure, certification, or registration under s. 24, chapter 2009-223, Laws of Florida, between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2012, is not required to retake and pass examinations applicable for initial licensure, certification, or registration.

(15)

This section does not apply to a business establishment registered, permitted, or licensed by the department to do business.

(16)

The board, or the department when there is no board, may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 as necessary to implement this section.

History.

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s. 95, ch. 97-261; s. 63, ch. 2000-160; s. 31, ch. 2000-318; s. 3, ch. 2005-62; s. 2, ch. 2012-64.

Note.

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Former s. 455.711.

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. § 473.311 — Renewal of license

473.311

Renewal of license.

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(1)(a)

The department shall renew a license issued under s. 473.308 upon receipt of the renewal application and fee and upon certification by the board that the Florida certified public accountant has satisfactorily completed the continuing education requirements of s. 473.312.

(b)

A nonresident licensee seeking renewal of a license in this state shall be determined to have met the continuing education requirements in s. 473.312, except for the requirements in s. 473.312(1)(c), if the licensee has complied with the continuing education requirements applicable in the state in which his or her office is located. If the state in which the nonresident licensee’s office is located has no continuing education requirements for license renewals, the nonresident licensee must comply with the continuing education requirements in s. 473.312.

(2)

The department shall adopt rules establishing a procedure for the biennial renewal of licenses issued pursuant to this section.

History.

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ss. 11, 25, ch. 79-202; ss. 2, 3, ch. 81-318; ss. 5, 10, 11, ch. 85-9; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 220, ch. 94-119; s. 116, ch. 98-166; s. 177, ch. 2000-160; s. 2, ch. 2004-87; s. 10, ch. 2009-54; s. 3, ch. 2009-69; s. 14, ch. 2009-195; s. 2, ch. 2013-167; s. 2, ch. 2021-98.

Fla. Stat. § 489.118 — Certification of registered contractors; grandfathering provisions

489.118

Certification of registered contractors; grandfathering provisions.

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The board shall, upon receipt of a completed application and appropriate fee, issue a certificate in the appropriate category to any contractor registered under this part who makes application to the board and can show that he or she meets each of the following requirements:

(1)

Currently holds a valid registered local license in one of the contractor categories defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(p).

(2)

Has, for that category, passed a written examination that the board finds to be substantially similar to the examination required to be licensed as a certified contractor under this part. For purposes of this subsection, a written, proctored examination such as that produced by the National Assessment Institute, Block and Associates, NAI/Block, Experior Assessments, Professional Testing, Inc., or Assessment Systems, Inc., shall be considered to be substantially similar to the examination required to be licensed as a certified contractor. The board may not impose or make any requirements regarding the nature or content of these cited examinations.

(3)