Construction Industry

Construction Industry

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 rule making to implement the provisions set forth in its statutes and conducts other general business, as necessary.

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.

Getting Started in the Construction Industry

License Types

General Terms In general the term “contractor” means the person who is qualified for, and shall only be responsible for, the project contracted for and means, except as exempted in this part, the person who, for compensation, undertakes to, submits a bid to, or does himself or herself or by others construct, repair, alter, remodel, add to, demolish, subtract from, or improve any building or structure, including related improvements to real estate, for others or for resale to others; and whose job scope is substantially similar to the job scope described in one of the subsequent paragraphs of this subsection. For the purposes of regulation under this part, “demolish” applies only to demolition of steel tanks over 50 feet in height; towers over 50 feet in height; other structures over 50 feet in height, other than buildings or residences over three stories tall; and buildings or residences over three stories tall.

A “certified contractor” means any contractor who possesses a certificate of competency issued by the department and who shall be allowed to contract in any jurisdiction in the state without being required to fulfill the competency requirements of that jurisdiction. Certified contractors are designated by an occupation code which begins with the letter “C“.

A “registered contractor” means any contractor who has registered with the department pursuant to fulfilling the competency requirements in the jurisdiction for which the registration is issued. Registered contractors may contract only in such jurisdictions. Registered contractors are designated by an occupation code which begins with the letter “R“.

A “swimming pool specialty contractor” means a sub-contractor whose scope of work is limited to the scope of work of their particular specialty license. Swimming pool specialty contractor licenses may be issued in the areas of layout, structural, excavation, trim, decking, piping, and finishes. Swimming pool specialty contractors may not contract directly with the public, and must work under contract, under the supervision, and within the scope of work of a contractor licensed pursuant to Sections 489.105(3)(j) – (l), Florida Statutes.

General Contractor

CG and RG – A “general contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited as to the type of work which he or she may do.

Building Contractor

CB and RB– A “building contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to the construction of commercial buildings and single-dwelling or multiple-dwelling residential buildings. These buildings cannot exceed three stories in height. A building contractor may also construct the “accessory use structures” in connection with these buildings. An accessory use structure would be a garage, guest house, garden shed, or other outbuildings. A building contractor is also a contractor whose services are limited to remodeling, repair, or improvement of any size building – if the services do not affect the structural elements of the building.

Residential Contractor

CR and RR – A “residential contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of one-family, two-family, or three-family residences which are not more than two stories and the “accessory use structures” in connection with these buildings. An accessory use structure would be a garage, guest house, garden shed, or other outbuilding.

Sheet Metal Contractor

CS and RS – A “sheet metal contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the sheet metal trade and who has the experience and skill necessary for the manufacture, fabrication, assembling, handling, erection, installation, dismantling, conditioning, adjustment, insulation, alteration, repair, servicing, or design of ferrous or nonferrous metal work of U.S. No. 10 gauge or its equivalent or lighter gauge. A sheet metal contractor may also work with other materials, including, but not limited to, fiberglass.

Roofing Contractor

CC and RC – A “roofing contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the roofing trade. Roofing contractors have the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or design and use materials and items used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and alteration of all kinds of roofing, waterproofing, and coating, except when coating is not represented to protect, repair, waterproof, stop leaks, or extend the life of the roof. The scope of work of a roofing contractor also includes required roof-deck attachments and any repair or replacement of wood roof sheathing or fascia as needed during roof repair or replacement.

Class A Air-Conditioning Contractor

CA and RA – A “class A air-conditioning contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems. Class A Contractors may also execute contracts requiring experience in the installation, maintenance, repair, fabrication, alteration, extension or design of duct work in connection with a complete system but only to the extent that such duct work is performed by the contractor as is necessary to complete an air-distribution system, boiler and unfired pressure vessel systems, and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection with them. A “class A air-conditioning contractor” shall not perform any work such as liquefied petroleum or natural gas fuel lines within buildings, potable water lines or connections, sanitary sewer lines, swimming pool piping and filters, or electrical power wiring.

Class B Air-Conditioning Contractor

CA and RA – A “class B air-conditioning contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU of heating in any one system in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work in connection with a complete system. A “class B air-conditioning contractor” shall not perform any work such as liquefied petroleum or natural gas fuel lines within buildings, potable water lines or connections, sanitary sewer lines, swimming pool piping and filters, or electrical power wiring.

Class C Air-conditioning Contractor

CA and RA – A “class C air-conditioning contractor” means a contractor whose business is limited to the servicing of air-conditioning, heating, or refrigeration systems, including any duct cleaning and equipment sanitizing which requires at least a partial disassembling of the system, and whose certification or registration, issued pursuant to this part, was valid on October 1, 1988. NOTE: No person not previously registered or certified as a “class C air-conditioning contractor” as of October 1, 1988, shall be so registered or certified after October 1, 1988.

Mechanical Contractor

CM and RM – A “mechanical contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work in connection with a complete system. A “mechanical contractor” shall not perform work that involves potable water lines or connections, sanitary sewer lines, swimming pool piping and filters or electrical power wiring.

Commercial Pool/Spa Contractor

CP and RP – A “commercial pool/spa contractor” means a contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to:

Residential Pool/Spa Contractor

CP and RP – A “residential pool/spa contractor” means a contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to:

Swimming Pool/Spa Servicing Contractor

CP and RP – A “swimming pool/spa servicing contractor” means a contractor whose scope of work involves the servicing and repair of any swimming pool or hot tub or spa. The scope of such work may include any necessary piping and repairs, replacement and repair of existing equipment, or installation of new additional equipment as necessary. The scope of such work includes:

Plumbing Contractor

CF and RF – A “plumbing contractor” means a contractor whose contracting business consists of the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or, when not prohibited by law, design plumbing. A plumbing contractor may install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or design the following without obtaining any additional local regulatory license, certificate, or registration:

Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor

CU and RU – An “underground utility and excavation contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to the construction, installation, and repair of:

Solar Contractor

CV – A “solar contractor” means a contractor whose services consist of the installation, alteration, repair, maintenance, relocation, or replacement of solar panels for potable solar water heating systems, swimming pool solar heating systems, and photovoltaic systems and any appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection with these systems.

Pollutant Storage Systems Contractor

PC – A “pollutant storage systems contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to the installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, extension, or design and use of materials and items used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and alteration of, pollutant storage tanks.

Specialty Contractor

SCC, RX – A “specialty contractor” means a contractor whose scope of work and responsibility is limited to a particular phase of construction and whose scope is limited to a subset of the activities described in the categories established in s. 489.105, F.S.

Apply For A License

Certified Contractor Licenses
A “certified contractor” means any contractor who possesses a certificate of competency issued by the department and who shall be allowed to contract in any jurisdiction in the state without being required to fulfill the competency requirements of that jurisdiction. Certified contractors are designated by an occupation code which begins with the letter “C“.

Air Conditioning

Certified Air Conditioning Contractor – Class-A

Certified Air Conditioning Contractor – Class-B

Grandfathering

Building
General
Mechanical
Plumbing
Pollutant Storage Systems
Pool / Spa

Commercial Pool Contractor

Residential Pool Contractor

Pool Servicing Contractor

Grandfathering

Residential
Roofing
Sheet Metal
Solar
Specialty

Forms Applicable to All

Building Demolition

Drywall

Gas Line

Glass & Glazing

Industrial Facilities

Irrigation

Marine

Residential Pool/Spa Servicing

Structure

Swimming Pool Layout

Swimming Pool Structural

Swimming Pool Excavation

Swimming Pool Trim

Swimming Pool Decking

Swimming Pool Piping

Swimming Pool Finishes

Tower

Rooftop Solar Heating Installation

Structural Aluminum or Screen Enclosures

Marine Seawall Work

Marine Bulkhead Work

Marine Dock Work

Marine Pile Driving

Structural Masonry

Structural Pre-stressed, Precast Concrete Work

Structural Steel Work

Window and Door Installation

Garage Door Installation

Plaster and Lath

Structural Carpentry

Underground Utility and Excavation
Registration for Certified Swimming Pool Specialty Practical Examiner

Registered Contractor Licenses
A “registered contractor” means any contractor who has registered with the department pursuant to fulfilling the competency requirements in the jurisdiction for which the registration is issued. Registered contractors may contract only in such jurisdictions. Registered contractors are designated by an occupation code which begins with the letter “R“.

Air Conditioning
Building
General
Mechanical
Plumbing
Pool / Spa
Precision Tank Tester
Residential
Roofing
Sheet Metal
Tank Lining Applicator
Underground Utility and Excavation
Limited Non-Renewable Registration
Registration for Registered Swimming Pool Specialty Practical Examiner