Florida Building Contractor License Requirements: What You Need to Know
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a building contractor in Florida, you will need to obtain a Florida building contractor license. This license is required to legally operate as a contractor in the state of Florida. In this article, we’ll discuss the various requirements you must meet to obtain this license.
Educational Requirements
To obtain a Florida building contractor license, you must meet certain educational and experiential requirements. You must have a high school diploma or equivalent, and you must complete a minimum of four years of experience in the construction industry. This experience can be in any field related to construction, such as architecture, engineering, or construction management.
Testing Requirements
In addition to meeting educational and experiential requirements, you must also take and pass two exams to obtain a Florida building contractor license. The first exam is a business and finance exam, which covers topics like accounting, financial management, and project management. The second exam is a trade exam, which covers the specific trade you want to work in, such as carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work.
Financial Requirements
To obtain a Florida building contractor license, you must also meet certain financial requirements. You must obtain a surety bond of at least $10,000, and you must provide proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. Additionally, you must pay an application fee and a license fee.
Continuing Education Requirements
Once you obtain a Florida building contractor license, you must continue to meet certain requirements in order to maintain it. You must complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years, which includes one hour of workplace safety and one hour of business practices.
Conclusion
In summary, obtaining a Florida building contractor license requires educational, experiential, testing, and financial requirements. And once you obtain the license, you must continue to meet certain requirements to maintain it. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a building contractor in Florida, be sure to carefully review all of the requirements and prepare thoroughly for the exams.