W-2 vs. 1099

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The business of W-2 forms and 1099 forms can be confusing. If things aren’t made clear, legal issues can ensue for a contractor or contractor applicant.  There is a difference between W-2 employment and a 1099 paid worker.

If you are being paid by a W-2, the employee is legally employed by the company, so he or she has taxes taken out of his or her pay. Most likely, a W-2 employee is also covered by a worker’s compensation insurance held by his or her employer. However, the previous items to not apply to a 1099 worker or independent contractor.

For employers, a W-2 employee can legally work under their license, since the employer is the license holder responsible for the job and work at hand. A 1099 independent contractor must have his or her own license, and carry his or her own worker’s compensation insurance. Whether a W-2 employee or a 1099 contractor, insurance and licenses must be held. If not, penalties and fines can occur to both the worker and employer. Employers should double check to make sure all workers and independent contractors have proper licenses and insurances before any work begins.

If you’re looking to get a Florida contractor’s license, the state accept experience towards the contractor’s license from a person working as a W-2 employee under a licensed contractor, who is properly insured. Any experience, even if it’s several years, cannot go towards the experience needed for a Florida contractor’s license, if the experience came from 1099 work.

Without proper knowledge, many employers and workers, unknowingly, violate the rules above.

If you’re looking to get you Florida Contractor’s license, let us help you. We have been helping people get their contractor’s licenses since 2007. 95 percent of our Florida contractors’ licensing packages get approved the first time. We make getting a license easy, and we do it fat. Click here or call 239-777-1028 to learn more or reach us.

Maximum Workers’ Compensation Rate Goes into Effect January 1

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At Licenses Etc., we believe in sharing important information with our clients and others in the contracting community. Below, wanted to share an announcement from the Florida Department of Financial Services about Florida Workers’ Compensation.

 

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has decided that the statewide average weekly wage paid by employers subject to the Florida Reemployment Assistance Program Law to be $886.46 for the calendar quarters ending June 30, 2016.

 

Subsection 440.12(2), Florida Statutes (2016), expressly provides that, for injuries occurring on or after August 1, 1979, the weekly compensation rate shall be equal to 100 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, adjusted to the nearest dollar, and that the average weekly wage determined by the Department of Economic Opportunity for the four calendar quarters ending each June 30 shall be used in determining the maximum weekly compensation rate with respect to injuries occurring in the calendar year immediately following.

 

Accordingly, the maximum weekly compensation rate for work-related injuries and illnesses occurring on or after January 1, 2017 shall be $886.00.

 

If you have any questions about this rate information or worker’s compensation in general, contact us here at Licenses Etc. We are happy to help. If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, our team can make the license application process simple and fast. To contact us and get the process started, click here or 239-777-1028.

Zika is an Occupational Hazard

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Zika, the virus, is an occupational hazard. This virus received a lot of attention back in 2016. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika a public health emergency. This was a pretty big deal, considering it was only the fourth time in the organization’s existence that it declared this type of emergency.

Mosquitos with the Zika virus were found in Florida. As a contractor, a lot of jobs are outside; unfortunately, so are mosquitos. Since there is a risk of exposure to these virus-infected insects, contractors need to alert and protect their workers. First, employers need to informer their employees and contractors of the Zika threat, and offer suggestions and training so they can protect themselves. Such suggestions can include what appropriate clothing should be worn on the job; this clothing should cover legs, arms, and all exposed areas of the body. The employer should supply insect repellents to keep mosquitos at bay. If there is standing water at or near the job site, employers need to try and get rid of what they can. Mosquitos breed in still, standing water.

Even though the media has calmed down with their reporting on the virus, it is still out there, and people can still be infected. The level of concern for the virus should not go away until the virus is out of the United States or there is a vaccine or medication that can combat it. More than 100 people in Florida have contracted the virus, and that number will only go higher. Especially in the rainy season, mosquitos will always be more prevalent around people.

Zika gives people flu-like symptoms and it also may cause a birth defect that creates serious developmental problems in babies and even temporary paralysis in adults.

If you’re a contractor in Florida looking to renew or upgrade your license, or if you want to get your Florida contractor’s license for the first time around, call use today. We are a contractor licensing company that offers clients a fast and simple (and streamlined) license application process. Click here or call 239-777-1028 to learn more or start the process today.

Appyling for a Joint Venture

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Are you looking to apply to qualify for a joint venture? We’ve gathered up some information that can help you with this. We will share information from the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board, who is responsible for all licensing and regulating within the construction industry. This Board regulates both construction contractors and their businesses. On the Board’s website, they share some frequently asked questions with answers on all topics in the contractor community. For this article, we will pull out and share the portion about applying to qualify to a joint venture.

Q: Can you qualify a joint venture with your existing license?

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

Q: Can your company form a joint venture with an unlicensed company?

A: Yes. You would have to apply to qualify the joint venture just like you would any other business.

Q: Can the joint venture bid a project prior to you becoming approved as a qualifying agent?

A: Yes, but the joint venture must obtain approval of the Construction Industry Licensing Board’s Executive Director prior to submitting the bid on a construction project. The joint venture must provide the Executive Director a copy of the written joint venture agreement and a statement of authority signed by an officer of each company giving the proposed qualifying agent full authority to conduct the contracting business of the joint venture.

For the full list of the questions and answers, you can visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s official website.

Are you looking to get your contracting license in Florida or Georgia? We are here to help. We are a contractor licensing company and we pride ourselves on giving the best service in our industry. We get contractors licensed fast and painlessly. About 95 percent of our Florida contractor licensing packages are approved the first time, and our contractors are usually licensed within 10 days of the submission of the package. If you’re looking for a new business, we help incorporate new businesses and form LLCs within a day or two. To start the contractor license application process, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

What is the NASCLA Exam?

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If you’re a contractor, and want to be licensed in multiple states, we want to give you some on information on how to go about doing this. The NASCLA accredited examination (The National Association of State Contractor Licensing Agencies) hold the Commercial General Building Contractor exam in September 2009. The purpose of this exam is so a contractor does not have to take a trade exam every time he or she applies for a new license through a different state agency. This exam is considered very beneficial to contractors who want to be licensed across several states, because the regular trades exams can be redundant.

For the states that hold the NASCLA exam, it comes in two ways: administered or accepted. For those states that administer this exam, they will use it as their trade exam. Georgia is one of the starts, so if you want to apply for a contractor’s license in Georgia and take the trade exam, you thus have taken the NASCLA Commercial General Building Contractor exam. Because you have taken the NASCLA exam, you are now able to apply for another license in another state that accepts this exam. The state would then have the trade exam waived for you.

With states that accept this NASCLA exam, this means a person has taken the exam either through a proctored session or through a state that administers the NASCLA exam. Remember, the NASCLA exam only waives the trade portion of an exam, you’ll still be required to take the state’s business and law exam.

If you’re looking for more information on the NASCLA exam or you’re looking to take the exam or want to get your Florida contractor’s license, we are here to help. We are a contractor licensing company who is dedicated to getting contractors their licenses fast and easy. We do it all for you! Let us help you today! Contact our office at 239-777-1028 or click  .

Pool Contractor Work Defined

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If you’re a pool contractor or deal with pools on the job, we wanted to share some important information with you from the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA). On October 28, 2016, there was a joint meeting of the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board and Construction Industry Licensing Board. In this meeting, the topic of discussion was a proposal by the FSPA to define installation and repairs or pool and spa equipment as it pertains to electrical work.

Prior to the meeting, the FSPA addressed their position on what electrical work can be done by each type of pool contractors; there are three types of pool contractor licenses. After doing their research, the FSPA said it found it normal for pool contractors to address the electrical termination to all pool appliances. However, the FSPA did not want to and could not make an official position. Before the meeting, the FSPA was asking the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board for help in clarifying this issue.

The pool licenses included that were mentioned about include: These pool appliances include: Pool motors/pumps. Time clocks, Control boxes (air switches, controllers), Heat pumps/low voltage gas heaters/solar systems, Transformers, LED lighting/laminar jets, Bonding grid, Pool lights with bond and ground, Chlorinating systems/ozone systems/sanitizing systems, Automated backwash valves, Ladder and handrail bond.

The FSPA did acknowledge that they do not have authority to make a real official position on this topic, so they assisted the Board and did research on the topic to help instead. From their research, they requested that a new definition be added under 61G4-12.011, F.A.C.. This would define the installation or repair of pool/spa equipment with electrical work as: “the term “installation or repair” of pool/spa equipment is defined as inclusive of installation and connection of electrical equipment on the load side of the disconnect for that equipment. This suggested change has the support of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals and the United Pool & Spa Association.

Are you looking to become a pool contractor? We can help you get your Florida contractor’s license. Our team will work hard to get you licensed fast. In under two weeks! Start the process today by clicking here or calling 239-777-1028.

Veteran Contractor License Information

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On July 1 2016, new provisions went into effect when it comes to a contractor’s license for United States military veterans. When applying for a contractor’s license a veterans’ military service can be used toward the licensure experience requirements. To receive credit for relevant military training and education, the following three points must be met to receive credit.

  1. Up to three years of active duty service in the military can be applied to the contractor license requirements; the type of duty or training does not matter.
  2. At least one additional year of active experience as a foreman in the trade, either civilian or military, is required to fulfill the experience requirement of Chapter 489.111(2)(c) of the regulations.
  3. Credit toward the requirements for licensure for military experience, training, and education received and completed during service in the U.S. Armed Forces, if it all is related to what is required for the licensure.

Looking forward, on October 1, 2017, the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation together with the Construction Industry Licensing Board will prepare and submit the report “Construction and Electrical Contracting Veteran Applicant Statistics;” this will be given to the Governor of Florida, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Inside the report, they will find the number of applicants who identify as a veteran; the number of approved veterans for a contractor’s license; the number of denied veterans and why they were, information regarding how long it took to processing these applications for the veterans; and lastly, recommendation on how the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation can better meet the needs of veterans applying to a contractor’s license.

As a contractor licensing company, we can work with U.S. veterans apply and receive their Florida contractor’s license. We take pride in making the process easy and as stress-free as possible. When you work with us, you just simply provide us with some information and we do the work for you. This can all be done over the phone. To learn more about getting at Florida contractor’s license, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

Want to Update your Contractor’s License?

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Wishing you could get better contracting jobs? You can! Did you know you can upgrade some contractor’s licenses out there? After a period of time, certain certified licenses are eligible to be upgraded. Licenses that are able to upgrade include: HVAC – Class C, HVAC –Class B, Residential, Building, Swimming Pool Servicing, Residential Pool Contractor.

If you’re a contracting with one of the above licenses, you may be eligible to upgrade your license. When you upgrade your license, you will have access to more jobs, better jobs, and higher-pay. With a higher-level license, you are beginning to work your way up the contracting world ladder. You will never have to miss out on another work opportunity again due to lack of proper license.

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.
  • Business and Finance Exam needs to be taken for the original licensure process.
  • License has to be in active status for a certain amount of time.

The market has improved, so you should think about upgrading your license.

At our company, we are a team of professionals that help people get their contractor’s licenses, as well as renew and upgrade their licenses. We don’t just fill out forms for people, but rather we analyze each and every individual situation and use a person’s information strategically to build an application that will be easily approved. We give unlimited time to our clients by answering any and all questions. With us, clients have no forms to fill out. Ninety-five percent of our clients work with us through email or fax.

To start with us to upgrade your license or to get your contractor’s licenses, click here or call us at 239-777-1028  for a quick and easy way to get your license.

The Risk of Unlicensed Activity

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As a contractor licensing company, we believe in sharing information and resources with the contracting community so people are as informed and knowledgeable as possible on the latest news.  For this post, we want to discuss the topic of unlicensed activity. Unlicensed contractor activity is illegal; in fact, it’s a criminal offense. For this topic, the information we will share comes directly from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

If you want to be a contractor, it is in your best interest to get a contractor’s license. If you don’t, not only will you be eligible for fewer jobs, but you run the risk of getting caught in the act, and being charged with a misdemeanor or felony. Besides having an offense against you, you can also be subject to court-ordered monetary restitution. As a homeowner, they don’t even have to end up paying an unlicensed contractor even if the work was well done. Now, not all contracting work requires a license, and there are exemptions. In order to fall under an exemption, you have to make sure you are working legally and properly (licensed required or not) so you will not get in trouble with the homeowner, state, or DBPR.

Currently, the DBPR has a hotline and a mobile app that allows people to report unlicensed activity on the go. This makes it very easy for people to report unlicensed work and workers. The DBPR also has a Division of Regulation hosts events to spread awareness to perform stings and sweeps in the communities to stop and educate on unlicensed activity.  In the past year, the organization has conducted more than 921 unlicensed activity outreach events, 49 stings, and 828 sweeps.

Don’t risk your future or career by practicing unlicensed activity illegally. If you’re looking to get a contractor’s license, we can make it easy for you. We are a group of trained professionals that will help you get your Florida contractor’s license fast. To start the process, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

Hurricane Preparedness with Contracting

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With Hurricane Matthew behind us, we can now all reflect on our hurricane preparedness. In Florida, we’re at the end of hurricane season, but it’s always good to know how to properly prepare. We wanted to share some information that the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) released in September to remind Floridians, residents and businesses, to create a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan. When a hurricane, or any type of natural disaster is on the way or does occur, it’s important to access the needs of one’s family, love ones, business. You want to prevent as many problems, wreckage, and disasters as possible.

In Florida, the DBPR has shared the following DBPR and state resources for people to use to assist them in the event a natural disaster occurs. The list includes:

 

  • com – One this site, people are able to create a specialized disaster plan for their family and/or business.
  • org – Here, businesses can register to access information and updates, and report damage that a storm is causing.
  • org/publicmapping – On this site, people can find which evacuation zone they are in.
  • org – The Florida Division of Emergency Management’s webpages gives access to tips, storm updates, and other resources.
  • com – Florida Gov. Rick Scott releases his updates on any storm on this site.
  • 2016 Natural Disaster Guide – This guide shares steps to protect consumers from becoming victims of unlicensed activity after a natural disaster.
  • Unlicensed Activity Resources – This link includes unlicensed activity FAQs, tips for hiring licensed professionals, printable materials, and more.
  • com – If a contractor’s licenses needs to be verified with the DBPR, a person can visit this site, call 850-487-1395, or download the DBPR mobile app.
  • If a person sees any suspected unlicensed activity in Florida, he or she can contact the DBPR and report the incident. To report, email the DBPR at ULA@myfloridalicense.com, call the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1-866-532-1440, or using the DBPR mobile app.

Bookmark these links; they will come in handy before, during, and after the next major storm hits.

If you want to help rebuild after a storm, you’ll need to acquire a contractor’s license in Florida. We are here to help; we can help get you licensed fast. To get started on your license today, call us at 239-777-1028 or click here.