Month: August 2018

Florida Contractor Licensing Questions: Part 2

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Getting your contractor license can be easy when you work with a contractor licensing company. We do all the work for you! We make sure you have the right requirements and passed the right exams and meet all the deadlines. When applying for a contractor’s license, there’s a lot to know and remember. If you work with us, we’ve got you covered.

Even if you work with us, there’s a lot of questions you will have, and you should! We will answer all your questions every step of the way. However, we are asked certain questions frequently, so we thought we’d share some with you. These questions/answers will help you with information for the pre and post-license process.

Pre-License Questions:

I CURRENTLY HOLD AN ACTIVE CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE IN ANOTHER STATE, WILL THIS LICENSE BE ACCEPTED BY OR RECIPROCATE WITH FLORIDA?

The Construction Industry Licensing Board does not have a reciprocal agreement with any other state, but applicable out-of-state work history will work toward your experience requirements. The Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board will allow reciprocation for the Unlimited License with North Carolina, California, and Georgia. (Restrictions do apply).

DO I HAVE TO HAVE MY EMPLOYER SIGN OFF?

For Construction Licenses, no one needs to sign. For Electrical Licenses, if the individual won’t or can’t sign, then notarized letters and project details are able to be submitted in its place.

DO YOU GET A COPY OF MY BACKGROUND CHECK?

No, we don’t have direct access to your background records. They are only made available to the Construction Industry Licensing Board; however, there are sources for obtaining your background history, especially if you’re unsure if something is in the report. If the incident in question was in Florida, you can purchase a report from FDLE (approx. $25), or if it’s outside Florida, you can obtain a full FBI background report (approx. $50).

Post-License Questions:

MY CREDIT SCORE IS NOW ABOVE THE 660 REQUIREMENT, CAN I LET GO OF MY BOND?

If a new report that meets the state’s requirement of 660 or higher is available, you can submit that to the state and the bond will not need to be renewed.

 

IF I QUALIFY A COMPANY AND IT HAS A FICTITIOUS NAME, DOES MY LICENSE AUTOMATICALLY EXTEND TO THE DBA?

No, you must license the Fictitious Name separately from the owner

 

Need help getting a Florida contractor’s license? Get started with us today! We also help people in other states get their licenses, as well. Whether you’re getting a new license, upgrading your license, or renewing your license, we can help you.

Ask us questions, by contacting us at 239-777-1028 or by clicking our Florida Contractor License page for more information.

 

 

Florida Contractor Licensing Questions : Part 1

On: By: admin

If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, you probably have a lot of questions. Our job as a Florida contractor licensing company is to help contractors get their licenses. The process can be complicated. There’s a lot of deadlines to remember and information to have in order. It can be easy to forget something.

We understand the stress the process can bring, so our team wanted to share with you some frequently asked questions (FAQ) that we get asked often. These questions/answers will help you with information for the pre and post-license process.

Pre-License Questions:

HOW LONG ARE MY CONTRACTOR TEST SCORES VALID?

For construction licenses, test scores are valid for four years. For electrical licenses, test scores are valid for two years.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGISTERED AND A CERTIFIED CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE?

A “certified contractor” is a state-wide contractor licensed at the state level.  A “registered contractor” is a contractor who has a county license (or multiple) who then has to register that license with the state because it was a major trade. Registered contractors can only work in the county in which they have a competency card.

CAN I USE OUT-OF-STATE / OUT-OF-COUNTRY EXPERIENCE?

Yes, if it was legal experience that meets the experience requirements. When it comes to contractor’s licenses, experience is valid no matter where it occurred, because experience is extremely important.

 

IF I HAVE A TROUBLED PAST, CAN I STILL GET A CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE?

It depends. The severity, the number of incidences, and timeline of the incidences will be taken into account. Talk to our team members to get more information on this.

 

Post-License Questions:

HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO RENEW MY LICENSE AND/OR COMPLETE CONTINUING EDUCATION?

In the state of Florida, a certified contractor needs to complete 14 hours of board-approved continuing education every two years by August 31 of an even-numbered year. For registered contractors, they need to renew in odd-numbered years.

CAN I QUALIFY A JOINT VENTURE WITH MY EXISTING LICENSE?

No, you would have to apply to qualify the joint venture just like you would any other business.

DO I NEED TO UPDATE THE BOARD IF OWNERSHIP OR OFFICERS CHANGE?

No, the only time this information is provided or updated to the board is when you’re submitting an application.

 

If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, renew your license, or upgrade your license, we can help!  Ask us anything! We are happy to help! Contact us at 239-777-1028 or click our Florida Contractor License page or more information.

 

Upgrade Your Contractor License

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Did you know you can upgrade some contractor’s licenses? Certain licenses are eligible for upgrades, which can lead you to better jobs, more pay, higher pay, and more work. Contractor licenses that are able to upgrade include: HVAC – Class C, HVAC –Class B, Residential, Building, Swimming Pool Servicing, Residential Pool Contractor.

It’s a good idea to work for a higher-level license, so you can expand your horizons with what you do and how much money to bring home. It can be fulfilling to see your career take off and not remain stagnant. With a higher-level license, you will have more opportunities for work and never have to turn down a job and you have less of a chance of being rejected for job bids.

In order to upgrade to the higher license, there are stipulations, including:

However, there are some stipulations that occur for eligibility; these include:

  • Trade tests for the higher-level license must have been passed within four years of submission.
  • The Business and Finance Exam needs to be taken for the original licensure process.
  • The license has to be in active status for a certain amount of time. You can’t upgrade on an inactive or expired license.

With the contractor market booming right now, now is the time to upgrade your license, or get an additional contractor’s license so widen the scope of work you are able to do.

If you don’t know how to upgrade your license or how to get a new one, our team of professionals can help you make it happen. We are a Florida contractor licensing company who will do the application process for you. We analyze your situation and strategically build an application that will get approved. We know what the Contractor Licensing Board is looking for in terms of requirements, experience, and deadlines. We are here to answer all your questions. 95 percent of our clients get their applications accepted the first time.

To upgrade your license or to get your Florida contractor’s licenses, click our Florida contractor’s license page or call us at 239-777-1028. Upgrade your contractor license easy with us!

 

 

Get Your Electrical Contractor License

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An electrician is a great career, especially if you end up working for yourself as your progress. Electricians can make a very good living and it is a rewarding job. In order to be an electrician, you need to be licensed and certified through the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board (ECLB).

There are four different ECLB certificates you can get including: Electrical contractor, Alarm contractor I (includes fire alarms), Alarm contractor II (excludes fire alarms), Specialty: residential, lighting, utility line, etc.

To become certified, you need to do at least one of the four requirements:

  • Operate as a manager in your trade for at least three years that must be within the last six years.
  • Act as a supervisor in your field for at least four years that must be within the last eight years.
  • Show at least six years of education, training and/or experience in electrical work that must be within the last 12 years)
  • Work as a licensed, professional electrical engineer for 3 or more years.

For each specific electrical specialty, there are different requirements needed so you must follow those. After you’ve met all the qualifications and taken the tests, you can apply and submit your application for your Florida electrical contractor’s license. Remember, there are fees with some of the things you will do throughout this process.

Take note that your application may be denied. Your work experience may not be enough, or maybe you missed a deadline or didn’t pass the test with a high enough score. There’s a varied number of reasons why you may have been denied. However, if you work with licensing professionals, we can make sure your electrical license application does not get denied. We know exactly what you need to qualify.  We will help you fix your application and get everything up to the board’s standards.

Getting your Florida electrical license involves a lot of planning. You must know the requirements and deadlines. The contractor licensing application process can be extensive and stressful, but it doesn’t need to be. To get easily approved, it’s best to seek help from a contractor license professional. While Florida rejects 90 percent of contractor applications the first time, our team of contractor licensing professionals has a 95 percent approval rate. To schedule a free consultation and get started on your Florida contractor license application, click our Florida contractor’s license page or call us at 239-777-1028. Let’s get you your electrical contractor license today!

 

Florida Contractors Must Continue Their Education

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In Florida, as a contractor, you have to keep up with your education and further your education. Every two years, you must complete 14 hours of Construction Industry Licensing Board approved education courses (CEU) before you renew your license. This is true for both certified and registered contractors.

 

Why is this necessary? These courses help keep you abreast the latest in the field and help keep you competitive against people who are just entering the industry with the newest knowledge.

 

According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), your courses have to be specific. As a contractor, you must complete at least one hour about workplace safety, one hour on worker’s compensation, one hour on business practices, one hour on Florida laws and rules, two hours of false alarm prevention (for alarm contractors and electrical contractors who perform alarm work), and one hour on Florida Building Code advanced modules.

 

Your other seven course hours will be about the specific type of technical contracting work you do (electrical, construction, home inspector, mold).

If you have remaining hours, these are general credit hours. It’s great to receive courses in a bunch of different subjects, so you become a more valuable and knowledgeable worker.

 

In the state of Florida, you have a choice to either take these courses in the classroom or online – it’s up to you. Here are some places for you to take classes:

Gold Coast Schools –  This school offers classes for many fields, including contractor education. Whether you’re getting your license for the first time or looking to renew, this school has courses for both. You can go to this school in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Tamarac, North Miami, and South Dade, but they also offer online courses.

 

Red Vector – If you prefer the online route, Red Vector offers online education and training for contractors, and other industries. Red Vector has been helping contractors renew their licenses for more than a decade.

 

Get Your Florida Contractor’s License

Knowledge is power. If you decide to not further your education, you’re only hurting yourself. Be the best contractor you can be by learning as much as you can. You’ll be more sought out. If you are up to date on the latest trends, technology, laws, and more, you will have a higher success rate at the job with more referrals and positive customer feedback.

Looking to get your Florida contractor’s license but don’t know what to do? Need help renewing your license?  We can help you with that! We are a Florida contractor licensing company and we’ve helped thousands of contractors get their license.

If you have any questions about getting your Florida contractor license, continuing your education or renewing your license, click Florida contractor’s license or call us at 239-777-1028.

 

2018 Florida Contractor Exams

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If you want to be a contractor, you must do it the right way. You’ve got to take courses, get experience, take exams, and apply for a license. If you want to be a licensed contractor in the state of Florida, you must pass the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s contractor exam. You need to score a 70 percent or higher to pass. This test is a 2-day exam that is offered a few times throughout the year across the state.

Starting in August 2018, general, building and residential exams are computer-based, while plumbing exams are still paper/pencil format in Orlando.

Test dates are: August 14-15, October 16-17, and December 11-12.

For testing, tower specialty, demolition specialty, and industrial facilities specialty need to pass the general exam of contract administration, project management, and business and finance.

You are allowed to have reference materials, but you only have 6.5 hours to complete the test. You should definitely prepare and study before this exam.

All other state licenses (i.e. Mechanical, Class A Air Conditioning, Class B Air Conditioning,Commercial Pool, Gas Line,Glass and Glazing, Gypsum Drywall, Irrigation, Marine, Pollutant Storage, Residential Pool, Roofing, Service Pool, Sheet Metal, Solar, Specialty Structure, Underground Utilities, and electrical trades) use a different testing company and do not follow schedule, so you can test whenever you are ready.

If you fail, you must wait 21 days before you take the test again. It costs at least $215 to take the test, so you don’t want to keep retaking it.

Once you past the test, you’re still not a licensed contractor. You must apply with the state to get your contractor’s license. There’s a lot of forms to fill out and deadlines to meet. If you miss anything or fill out something wrong, your application can be easily rejected. You can avoid this by having a professional contractor licensing company do all the paperwork for you. You don’t want to be part of the 90 percent of people whose application gets rejected the first time.

As a Florida contractor licensing company, we have been helping contractors get their licenses for years. We make the process simple, and we know what the contractor licensing board is looking for. If you have need help getting your Florida contractor license, continuing, click our Florida contractor’s license page or call us at 239-777-1028. Let’s get you licensed today!