The Construction Industry Licensing Board is responsible for licensing and regulating the construction industry. The board meets regularly to consider applications for licensure, to review disciplinary cases, and to conduct informal hearings relating to licensure and discipline. The board engages in rulemaking to implement the provisions set forth in its statutes and conducts other general business, as necessary.
Important Information (Hot Topics)
The Florida Legislature has delayed the effective date of certain sections of the Florida Building Code, 5th edition until June 30, 2016. (http://laws.flrules.org/2015/222)
The included sections are:
a. R402.4.1.2 of the Energy Volume relating to mandatory blower door testing for residential buildings;
b. 403.6.1 of the Building Volume requiring a second fire service access elevator; and
c. R303.4 of the Residential Volume requiring mechanical ventilation for residential buildings.
Residential Pool/Spa Servicing Specialty Contractors
The Construction Industry Licensing Board has developed a new specialty license for the repair and servicing of residential swimming pools, hot tubs or spas. The scope of work permitted to be performed by a residential pool/spa servicing specialty contractor can be found in Rule 61G4-15.040, Florida Administrative Code.
Previously, most contractors providing such services were required to obtain a certified pool/spa servicing contractor’s license under s. 489.105(3)(l), F.S., which required experience in servicing and repair of both residential and commercial pools. Many contractors who specialized in the repair and servicing of only residential pools, spas and hot tubes were unable to obtain licensure or were required to obtain local competency cards in each local jurisdiction. The CILB developed the certified residential pool/spa servicing specialty contractor category to permit licensure of these contractors on a state wide basis.
Certified residential pool/spa servicing specialty applicants may use their experience pool and spa repair and servicing to qualify for licensure, but are required to pass the state certified pool/spa servicing contractors’ examination administered by the Department. For more information on scheduling to take the state examination please visit the Department’s Bureau of Education and Testing website or call 850.488.5952.
Limitation of Liability for Design Professionals
Senate Bill 286 (2013), was approved by Governor Rick Scott on April 24, 2013. This bill specifies conditions under which design professionals who are employed by a business entity or acts an agent of a business entity may not be held individually liable for damages resulting from negligence occurring within the course and scope of a professional services. A Design professional is defined as a licensed architect, interior designer, landscape architect, engineer, surveyor, or geologist. This bill became effective on July 1, 2013.
Please see the full language of Senate Bill 286 for additional information.
Irrigation Specialty Contractors
The Construction Industry Licensing Board has developed a new specialty license for the installation, repair, maintenance, and design of irrigation systems. The scope of work permitted to be performed by a certified irrigation specialty contractor can be found inRule 61G4-15.035, Florida Administrative Code.
Previously, most contractors providing such services were required to obtain an appropriate local competency card in irrigation contracting or obtain a full state certified plumbing contractor’s license. Most contractors who specialized in the construction of irrigation systems lacked the substantive experience required for a full plumbing contractor’s license. In addition, locally licensed contractors working in multiple jurisdictions were required to maintain certificates of competency in each separate jurisdiction.
Certified irrigation specialty applicants may use their experience in irrigation system construction to qualify for licensure, but are required to pass the state certified irrigation specialty contractors’ examination. The first state irrigation specialty examination will be administered April 16th and 17th, 2013. For more information on scheduling to take the state examination please visit the Department’s Bureau of Education and Testing website or call 850.488.5952.
Board Information
The Construction Industry Licensing Board consists of 18 members: 4 general contractors, 3 building or residential contractors (with at least 1 building contractor and 1 residential contractor), 1 sheet metal contractor, 1 pool contractor, 1 plumbing contractor, 2 building officials of a municipality or county, 1 roofing contractor, 1 air conditioning contractor, 1 mechanical contractor, 1 underground utility and excavation contractor and 2 consumer members.
License Information
License Categories:
• Air Conditioning
• Class A
• Class B
• Class C – Service
• Building
• General
• Internal Pollutant StorageTank Lining Applicator
• Mechanical
• Plumbing
• Pollutant Storage Systems
• Pool/Spa
• Class A – Commercial
• Class B – Residential
• Class C – Service
• Precision Tank Tester
• Residential
• Roofing
• Sheet Metal
• Solar
• Specialty
• Drywall
• Demolition
• Gas Line
• Glass and Glazing
• Industrial Facilities
• Irrigation
• Marine
• Residential Pool/Spa Servicing
• Solar Water Heating
• Structure
• Swimming Pool Decking
• Swimming Pool Excavation
• Swimming Pool Finishes
• Swimming Pool Layout
• Swimming Pool Piping
• Swimming Pool Structural
• Swimming Pool Trim
• Tower
• Underground Utility and Excavation
Methods of Licensure:
By Endorsement – Yes
By Examination – Yes
By Reciprocity – No
Licenses may be issued by registration or certification:
Registration – The applicant has taken and passed a local competency examination and can practice only within that locale.
Certification – The applicant has taken and passed an examination and can practice throughout Florida.
Swimming Pool Licensed Examiners
For the most current list, go to the department’s Licensee Download Files page.
Applicant Information
Application/Licensure Fees
A breakdown of application and licensure fees is provided with application packets.
Examination Information
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for examination development, administration, review and grades.
Information for Licensees
Biennial License Renewal Fee
Certified Contractor = $209 *
Registered Contractor = $209 *
* Includes $5 Unlicensed Activity fee and a fee of $4 which must be transferred to the Department of Community Affairs to fund projects relating to the building construction industry or continuing education programs offered to persons engaged in the building construction industry in Florida.
Continuing Education Requirement
14 hours board-approved continuing education is required each biennium prior to the renewal period for both certified and registered contractors. At least 1 hour must deal with workplace safety, 1 hour on the subject of worker’s compensation, 1 hour on the subject of business practices, 1 hour on the subject of laws and rules and 1 hour on Florida Building Code advanced modules.
A person who holds more than one certificate or registration issued by the board is required to complete the continuing education requirements only once during each biennial certification renewal period and only once during each biennial registration period.
Any course approved for the education requirements for persons certified under Chapter 468, Part XII, Florida Statutes, shall be accepted for continuing education for renewal for persons who are certified under Part XII and who are certified or registered contractors under Chapter 489, Part I, Florida Statutes.
Continuing Education Information
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for the management of continuing education providers and courses. Below are shortcuts to their continuing education pages.
Continuing education main page
Continuing education policy
List of continuing education providers and courses, and hours required
Workers’ Compensation
The Construction Policy Tracking Database provides information regarding the coverage status of contractors. This system will send contractors automatic electronic notification of any changes to their contractor’s coverage status. Source: Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Reporting requirement for criminal convictions
As of October 1, 2009, Section 455.227(1)(t), Florida Statutes requires all professional licensees to report to the department within 30 days of being convicted or found guilty of, or having plead nolo contendere or guilty to a crime in any jurisdiction. The statute also requires the reporting of any convictions that occurred prior to October 1, 2009. A licensee who fails to report that information may be subject to disciplinary action, including fines, suspension or license revocation. To report this information, complete the criminal self-reporting document and mail it to the department.
Information for Continuing Education Providers
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for the management of continuing education providers and courses. Here is a shortcut to their education provider/instructor page.
Enforcement
The Division of Regulation is responsible for enforcement of professions and related businesses licensed by DBPR under the Division of Professions to ensure that the laws, rules and standards set by the legislature are followed. To file a complaint visitMyFloridaLicense.com.