FAQ About Contractor’s License

In our business, it’s our job to help people get their contractor’s license fast and easy. We do the work for you. We take pride in our high quality, efficient survey. Getting a Florida contractor’s license can be a tough, complex process; many contractors end up getting denied when the application isn’t properly filled out or things are missing. Since the process can be complicated, we wanted to share some frequently asked questions that we get during the pre and post-license process.

FAQ

Pre-License

HOW LONG ARE MY TEST SCORES VALID?

For construction, it’s four years. For electrical, it’s two years.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGISTERED AND A CERTIFIED 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 had 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.

AM I ABLE TO USE OUT-OF-STATE / OUT-OF-COUNTRY EXPERIENCE?

When it comes to contractor’s licenses, experience is important and valid no matter where it occurred, as long as it was legal experience and the projects meet requirements.

I HAVE A TROUBLED PAST, CAN I STILL GET A LICENSE?

It depends on the severity and number of incidences and how recent these incidences are. Click the link below to contact us and learn more.

Post-License

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

In 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.

If you’re looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, renew your license, or upgrade your license, we can help! Contact us at 239-777-1028 or click here for more information.

Want to be a Solar Contractor?

Did you know you could have a career as a solar contractor? Yes, it’s its own job! A solar contractor, according to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, is 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.”

There are two different solar contractor categories: a certified solar contractor (CV) and a residential solar water; and a heating specialty contractor (CW). In the state of Florida, solar contractors are required to have a Florida contractor’s license. If the person is installing, altering, repairing, maintaining, relocating or replacing any type of solar thermal or PV system, he or she needs a state certification/licensure. If a person is working under a licensed contractor, they are not required to be licensed.

If a solar water or pool heater needs to be installed, it must be installed by a CV or CW license holder or a plumbing contractor. Also, a photovoltaic system must be installed by a CV license holder or an electrical contractor, but not a CW license holder. If one of these systems is not installed by the listed contractors, people are not eligible for Florida’s established rebate program for residential and commercial solar water heaters, solar electric systems, and residential solar pool heaters.

Some jurisdictions have a solar contractor certificate of competency that is considered an RX license; these contractors are limited to the installation of solar water or pool heaters.

A solar photovoltaic installer receives a salary anywhere from $32K to $48K per year, depending on experience and knowledge.

If you’re thinking about a career as a solar contractor and looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, let us help you. We are a license contracting company and we do the application process for you; we make it easy and fast. To start the process of getting your Florida contractor’s license, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

What is A Pollutant Storage Systems Contractor?

Thought about a career in contracting? You’ve probably heard of general contractors, building contractors, and roofing contractors, but have you ever heard of a pollutant storage systems contractor? Below, we will share some details about this specific type of contracting.

According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, a pollutant storage systems contractor is 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.”

In Florida, a pollutant storage systems contractor needs to be licensed. With the license, this contractor can install, remove, maintain, extend, and alter underground fuel oil, chemical, and gasoline pollutant storage tanks, piping and pump installations.

To be a pollutant storage systems contractor, a person must be over the age of 18 and have a good moral character. Experience required includes:

  • Four years of experience in the trade with at least one year of having been supervisory work.
  • Or, a four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college and one year of applicable experience.
  • Or, one year as a foreman and not having less than three years of credits from any accredited college.
  • Or, one year as a workman, one year proven applicable experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from any accredited college.
  • Or, two years’ experience as a workman, one-year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from any accredited college.

Does this contracting career sound appealing to you? If so, you’ll need to get a Florida contractor’s license, and we can help you get one. We are a contractor licensing company and we are professionals in helping contractors receive their license fast. We make the process easy for you. Ninety-five percent of our applicants get through the process the first time with no issues. To start the process, click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

Learn About Excavation Contractors

There are so many different types of contracting jobs out there. If you’ve thought about becoming a construction or electrical contractor, it’s a great, fulfilling career to go into, but have you thought what specific field you’d want to focus on within contracting? Have you heard of an underground utility and excavation contractor? This is a contractor whose services fall into the construction, installation and repair of main sanitary sewer collection systems, main water distribution systems, and storm sewer collection systems. No worried about going underground or getting a little dirty? If this career sounds intriguing to you, read below for more information about what an underground utility contractor and excavation contractor does for a living.

An underground utility contractor and excavation contractor also deals with the continuation of utility limes from main systems to the point of termination and including the meter location for individual occupancy facilities, sewer collection systems at property lines on residential or single occupancy properties, or on multiple occupancy properties. He or she also installs emplty underground conduits in easements, platted rights-of-wat in new site developments, sleeves for parking lots crossings and rights-of-way.

They are not allowed to install any piping that is a major part of a fire protection system.

When working in construction, excavation contractors prepare sites, do grading, trenching, and other tasks with the soil. They also operate heavy equipment and machinery. The contractor removes soil in order to place a new foundation and makes sure the soil is firm through different compaction tests. He also backfills around the new foundation after the footers and stem wall have been placed.

In the state of Florida, an underground utility and excavation contractor needs a Florida contractor’s license in order to practice legally. They will receive the licensed after they take an exam and apply. He or she must be at least 18 years of age to be qualified, along with being the recipient of a baccalaureate degree from a four-year college in the field of engineering, architecture or building construction and has one year of experience in the business. Or, they must have a total of four years of active experience as an apprentice. Or, they must have a combination of no less than one year of experience as a foreman and no less than three years of credits from college.

If this type of contracting interests you, it’s time to apply for your contractor’s license today! We can help you! We make getting a contractor’s license simple. To start the process, call 239-777-1028 or click here to learn more.

 

What is an AC Contractor?

From plumbing and swimming pools to mechanical and air conditioning, there are all kinds of contractors. The trade of contracting is important and hard work. These jobs require a lot of skill, and often put people in potentially dangerous situations, because work sites, machinery and tools can all cause harm.  In this article, we will focus on a class A air-conditioning contractor.

What is a class A air-conditioning contractor? According to the Florida Department of Business & Regulation, a specialty contractor is 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 can 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.”

This class cannot perform work such on liquefied petroleum or natural gas lines within buildings, potable water lines/connections, sanitary sewer lines, swimming pool piping/filters, or electrical power wiring.

They are often referred to as HVAR technicians because they work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems. These individuals work in homes, schools, office builds, hospitals, factories, and other buildings. Because they work with broken or dysfunctional heating and cooling systems, their worksites may be very warm or cold; they often work in cramped spaces and have irregular hours. These machines can break at any time!

To become an HVACR technician/contractor, a person needs a state license and a postsecondary education. The median pay for this career in 2015 was $36,630 per year. From 2004-2014, the job outlook for this position is at a 14 percent growth with is much faster than the average.

If you think this career is right for you, it’s time to look into getting your Florida contractor’s license. Let us do the application for you. We may the process very simple and streamlined. We get your application approved fast. To contact us, click here or call 239-777-1028.

What Is Masonry?

Thought about going into masonry? Maybe you know some masonry workers or have had some experience in building masonry structures before? There’s a lot to know about being a masonry worker that you may not know and should consider before diving into the profession. Below, we will share some basic information with you about what masonry workers do. From there, you can decide whether a profession in masonry is right for you after all.

A mason worker is usually referred to as a “mason.” Masons use bricks, concrete blocks, concrete, and natural or manmade stones in order to build walls, walkways, fences, and other masonry-based structures.

In 2015, the median pay for a mason was $39,640 a year or $19.06 per hour. In 2014, there were 252,900 masonry jobs in the United States. It’s projected that from 2014 to 2024 the number of jobs in the field will increase 15 percent, which is much faster than the average job growth numbers in America. Since the country’s population continues to grow, there will be more construction (schools, hospitals, homes, etc). There are many job openings to be had for a mason going forward in America.

To become a mason, a person needs a high school diploma or equivalent. After one of these are completed, a person usually completes an apprenticeship program or learns the profession on the job from a professional.

Masonry is a physically demanding job. Masons are expected to lift heavy materials (stones, rocks, bricks, equipment), and they must often stand, kneel, and bend for long periods of time. A mason’s job is also weather dependent. Since most masonry jobs are outdoors, inclement weather can stall a project’s progress.

On average, most masons work full time.

If you’re looking to become a mason or get your Florida contractor’s license, we can help you through the license process. Although licenses aren’t always required for all contracting-based jobs, people tend to trust workers more that have certifications and licenses.We make getting your Florida contractor’s license simple, fast and easy. We streamline the process. To start with us, reach out to us today to get your contractor’s license! Click here or call us at 239-777-1028.

What is a Pool Contractor?

Enjoy working with your hands and being out by the pool? Maybe you should consider a career as a swimming pool contractor! Swimming pool contractors build and repair pools, as well as other larger water equipment. These contractors are responsible for the pool, the equipment necessary to maintain it, and installing safety devices that help protect the people who use the pool.

A residential pool/spa contractor focuses on residential work and deals with the construction, repair and servicing of pools or hot tubs or spas. He or she deals with the layout, excavation, installation of light niches, construction of floors, installation of tile and coping, installation of housing for pool equipment and more. This contractor does not deal with connections to a sanitary sewer system or potable water lines.

For a swimming pool spa serving contractor, he or she is not required to have licensure when dealing with water treatment or cleaning unless the usage involves construction, modification, disassembly, or replacement of equipment.

There are no formal education requirements for this career. It does not require a college degree. A degree in construction management or science, civil engineering or a construction-related field can be very beneficial though.

Licensure requirements vary state by state for a pool contractor. Some states require an exam and fees. In Florida, swimming pool specialty contractor licenses may be issued: layout, structural, excavation, trim, decking, piping, and finishes. These contractors may not contract directly with the public; they must work under contract and supervision within the scope of work of a contractor licensed under certain Florida statutes.

In 2013, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said the average salary of a construction manager was $92,700.  From 2012 to 2022, it is expected that contracting jobs and construction managers will have a 16 percent job growth rate.

If you’re thinking about becoming a swimming pool contractor or spa servicing contractor in the state of Florida, we can help get you your Florida contractor’s license. We can do the application process for you so there will be no errors along the way. We make the process painless and easy. To start your licensure process, call us at 239-777-1028 or click here.

What is a Carpenter?

Took a carpentry class in high school and got hooked? We don’t blame you. Carpentry is very rewarding. It requires a lot of skill and the projects you create are beautiful, practical masterpieces. After high school, carpentry is a legitimate career to pursue. There will always be a need for carpenters in the world we live in. Below, we will share some basics about the profession of carpentry.

 

Carpenters construct and repair building structures including stairways, partitions, bridge supports, door frames, that are made from wood and other materials. Carpenters also taken on jobs where they install kitchen cabinets, siding, and drywall.

 

In 2015, the median pay for a carpenter $42,090 per year and $20.24 per hour. In 2014, there were 945,400 carpentry jobs in the United States. It is projected that from 2014 to 2024 to be a 6 percent increase in carpentry jobs available which is average. New homes and remodeling will require carpentry to come in future years with a bigger population.

 

Carpentry is a job that is done both indoors and outdoors. Carpentry jobs are available in so many different construction zones, including jobs like building highways, building bridges, installing kitchen cabinets, etc. Work can be strenuous. Overall, carpenters have a higher rate of illnesses and injuries than the national average.

 

Most carpenters complete an apprenticeship before become a carpenter, while others learn on the job after they started out being just a helper.

 

If you’re still thinking about pursing a job in carpentry, that’s great. Each state varies, so you may want to check and see what is required for you to become a carpenter. If you’re looking about getting a Florida’s contractor’s license on your path, we can help. We make the contracting license process easy and streamlined. Less stress for you. To start the licensing applying process, contact us today. Call us at 239-777-1028 or click here.

Basic Definitions of Contractors

We help Florida contractors get their license. We streamline the contractor licensing process so contractors can focus more on their business at hand. There’s a lot of details in the licensing process in Florida, and we know all the ins and outs.

 

We also love sharing contractor information and news with our clients. Below, we decided to just do a standard round up and summary of contracting occupations according to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).

 

Contractors – Overall, this word defines a person who is qualified and responsible for a 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.”

 

Certified Contractor – This is any contractor that has a certificate of competency issued from the DBPR. These contractors are allowed to work in the state without being required to fulfill competency requirements of any particular jurisdiction.

 

Registered Contractor – This is any contractor who has registered with the DBPR and must fulfill the competency requirements in the jurisdiction where their registration is listed and issued. They can only contract in such jurisdictions.

 

General Contractor – This is a contractor who can perform unlimited services in terms of what type of work he or she does.

 

Building Contractor – A building contractor’s services who are limited to the construction of commercial, single-dwelling, and multiple dwelling buildings. These buildings cannot be more than three stories in height.

 

Residential Contractor – This is a contractor whose services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair and improvement of residential homes (no more than two stories) and “accessory use structures” in connection to these buildings.

 

There are many more types of contractors, but the titles listed above as the most common, basic definitions of contracting work. If you’re looking to become a contractor yourself, let us help you get your Florida contractor’s license fast. Click here or contact us at 239-777-1028.

 

What is A Sheet Metal Contractor?

Interested in becoming a contractor? Have you thought about what kind? There are lots of specialized types of contracting jobs to choose from. In this article, we will talk about one specific kind of contractor: a sheet metal contractor. This article will give a brief overview of this particular contracting field and position.

According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations, a sheet metal contractor is defined as a contractor whose services are unlimited in the sheet metal trade. This contractor “has the experience, knowledge, and skills necessary for the manufacture, fabrication, assembling, handling, erection, installation, dismantling, conditioning, adjustment, insulation, alteration, repair, servicing, or design (if not prohibited by the law) of ferrous or nonferrous metal work of U.S. No. 10 gauge of its equivalent or lighter gauge and of other materials, including, but not limited to, fiberglass, used in lieu thereof and of air-handling systems, including the setting of air-handling equipment and reinforcement of same, the balancing of air-handling systems, and any duct cleaning and equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling of the system.”

In order to be this type of contractor, a person must have a high school diploma or equivalent and an apprenticeship.  Apprenticeships, time at a technical school, or just learning on the job is how sheet metal workers gain their skills. The number of sheet metal workers as of 2014 was 141,000 in America. As of May 2015, the average pay for a sheet metal worker was $45,750. It is projected

In this position, workers often lift heavy materials and stand for long periods of time; this position requires a lot of bending, climbing, and squatting. Most positions are full time. This career is considered extremely varied and diversified in all of the skilled trades. Things sheet metal workers deal with also include the development of restaurant equipment, automobiles, precision equipment, outdoor signs, handrails, column wraps, and more. They also work with plastic and fiber glass. They utilizing math, pattern layout development methods, create #D drawings, work with power tools, and are involved in heating ventilation and air condition of commercial buildings and private residences.

If this sounds like a promising career path for you, it’s time for you to get your contractor’s license. We specialize in helping people with the contractor licensing process. We make it easy and simple. To learn more or get started, click here of call 239-777-1028.