You can get your Florida contractor’s license by completing the NASCLA and Business and Finance exam. However, there are other requirements and qualifications you must follow to get your Florida Contractor’s license. To obtain your Florida contractor’s license you must complete the following:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Pay the application fee
- Submit a credit score
- Provide proof of experience
- Submit electronic fingerprints
- Obtain property damage insurance and public liability insurance
- Pass the trades exam (NASCLA Exam)
- Pass the Florida Business and Finance Exam
- Obtain workers compensation insurance within 30 days of receiving your license
You may be beginning your research of how to get your Florida contractor’s license. Or perhaps you have been researching for some time now, but are curious of what the best route to take might be. There are numerous contractor types in Florida (for example general, building, residential etc.), so it is important to know which type might be best for you. However, we strongly recommend General Contractor and will be discussing this option throughout the article. Being a General Contractor in Florida means “a contractor whose services are unlimited as to the type of which work he or she may do” according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. With the Florida General Contractor’s license, you will have more opportunities and the ability to perform all different types of construction.
This article will be discussing some of the requirements that Florida has and some steps to take while preparing to become a licensed general contractor in Florida. It is important to be knowledgeable in the different regulations of your state before applying to avoid any potential mistakes or missed steps along the way. Enjoy!
Take the NASCLA Exam
The NASCLA exam is the best trades exam to take to get a Florida contractor’s license. This exam allows you to become a General Contractor, Building Contractor, or a Residential Contractor. As we mentioned, being a general contractor in Florida gives you the most opportunities. The NASCLA also has amazing reciprocity, giving you the ability to become licensed in 16 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Once you take the NASCLA exam and pass you will be submitting your application to become a licensed contractor in Florida. Note: you must be approved to take the NASCLA exam. Send in your application here. There is about a 7 business day turnaround on applications.
Know the Florida Contractor License Application Requirements
You will be applying for a Florida contractor’s license through the Department of Business & Professional Regulation website. At the current time, Florida gives you the option to apply using a printable application, or using online services. We recommend printing out the application and reading through it before filling it out online or by physical copy.
It is important to review the application requirements ahead of time to get everything in order. There is a $350 fee for Endorsement application. Applicants must submit electronic fingerprints. Applicants must submit a credit report containing a credit score on applicant from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency, which includes a public records statement that records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels (The DBPR website has a link to a list of agencies that provide Board approved Credit reports). Provide proof of satisfaction of liens, judgements and discharge of bankruptcy, if applicable. Applicants must attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by the Board rule. You are required to obtain workers compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from workers compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license. Applicants must be 18 years or older.
If you are applying to qualify a business, you will submit a credit report on the business and qualifications will come from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency.
Get Experience
One very important thing to note is the experience method of qualification. Florida requires a level of experience when applying for your contractor’s license. In this section, you must select what experience level you qualify under. The current qualification methods are as follows. Four-year construction-related degree and one-year proven experience. One year experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses. One year experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses. Two years of experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses. Four years of experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
There are also qualifications that veterans can meet to become qualified applicants for a Florida contractor’s license. These qualifications are as follows. Three years of military service and one year experience as a foreman. Two years of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and one year experience as a worker or foreman. One year of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and two years of experience as a worker or foreman.
Take the Florida Business and Finance Exam
You are required to pass the Florida Business and Finance exam to obtain your contractor’s license in Florida. This exam will be taken after passing the NASCLA exam. The Florida Business and Finance exam requires pre-approval by Pearson Vue. The Florida Business and Finance exam is 120 questions and is a 6.5-hour exam. You must pass all parts (NASCLA and Business and Finance) within 4 years, with an unlimited number of attempts on the Business and Finance exam. The book reference list can be found on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Completed applications and appropriate fees must be received by Professional Testing, Inc. no later than 30 days prior to the examination date.
Know the Florida Contractor’s License Reciprocity
The CILB (Construction Industry Licensing Board) has reciprocal licensing agreements with the following states: Louisiana, North Carolina, and Mississippi. While this is helpful information, it is more important to point out that the NASCLA covers all of these states for the trades exam and more. The NASCLA exam covers Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Louisiana, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and U.S. Virgin Islands. The NASCLA is a smart option in that it gives you the ability to more easily become licensed in several states at one time, or become licensed in a new state if you were to move.
Conclusion
It is important to understand what is required before diving into obtaining your Florida contractor license. Having a good knowledge and background of the application can help you avoid any errors throughout your application process. The NASCLA exam is a great choice for completing your trades exam as mentioned above. So, focus on the NASCLA exam first and foremost! But along with the trades exam most states require completion of a Business and Law or Business and Finance exam, as well as an application process. We hope this article gave you a better understanding of how to get your contractor’s license in Florida. Good luck!