Tag: how to get a contractor license

Certified Contractor License vs Registered Contractor License

On: By: admin

Which Option is Best For You and Your Business

 

If you are considering opening up your own Florida contracting business, it might be a bit hard to figure out which contractor license is best for you.

 

No matter what your trade is, whether you’re a carpenter, HVAC, electrician, etc., it is very important for you and your business to make the right choice when it comes to licensure.

 

It goes without saying that it is important that you have real and legitimate experience in your chosen field in which you are seeking licensure. And in the case of a Certified Contractor License, you must have legitimate proof that you have experience in the field to which you lay ownership.

Certified Contractor License

With a Certified Contractor License, you will have the ability to take work anywhere in the state of Florida without having to be registered at any specific municipality or county in which the work is to be performed.

 

The requirements are a bit more difficult, such as: you must have at least four years of experience in the field, and this experience needs to be proven and verified with the contractor you worked for. Also, at least one of the four years, you must have had a supervisor role.

 

You must also successfully complete the Florida Certified Contractor Examination. Both of these requirements are unique to the Florida Certified Contractor License.

Registered Contractor License

In contrast with the Certified Contractor License, a Registered Contractor License will only permit you to take and perform work in the county to which your Competency Card is registered.

 

You still have to obtain insurance and provide a credit report for both licenses.

Which License is Better?

It all comes down to your end goal. If you just want and have a small business, you will do fine with just a Registered Contractor License. You don’t have to jump through so many hoops to get this licensure, though you will have only a small area to seek out and perform work.

 

If you want a big booming conglomerate business, a Certified Contractor License is the better choice. This will help you spread your business across the entire state of Florida, and take work anywhere in the whole state.

 

All in all, what contractor license you decided to get is entirely your preference, and how much work you want to have available to you at any given time. Both options are great for different people and purposes.

 

If you are looking to get your Florida contractor’s license, certified or registered, and are looking to get into this industry, contact us today and let us help you. We are a Florida contractor licensing company. Click here or call 239-777-1028 to contact us.

What is an Irrigation Contractor?

On: By: admin

Contracting is a huge industry. When a person things of contracting, often times, construction or electrical industries, come to mind. However, there are so many specialties in the world of contracting. Whether you like working with pipes or wood or windows, there is a type of contracting out there to suit a person’s interests and skill set. For this particular article, we wanted to focus on: a irrigation contractor.

A Florida Irrigation contractor maintains, repairs, alters, extends, manages, monitors, audits and designs irrigation systems, including excavation work. Irrigation systems including piping, fittings, sprinklers, drip irrigation products, valves, irrigation controllers, control wiring, water pumps, rain sensors, water conservation devices, water harvesting systems, irrigation main lines, utility alternative water supply distribution lines, and dedicated backflow prevention devices.

To become an irrigation contractor in the state of Florida, a person must take and pass two state certification exams. The Irrigation exam and the Business & Law exam. The Irrigation exam is an open-book test consisting of 80 questions and people are tested on the topics of: pre-construction, construction, maintenance and repair, scheduling and water conservation, rules, laws, and codes. The Business and Finance exam last 6.5 hours and is 120 questions. Topics on the test include: establishing the contracting business, managing administrative duties, managing trade operations, conducting accounting functions, managing HR, and complying with government regulations.

People can take classes to prepare and pass for the two exams. If a person does not take the exams, he or she cannot apply for a license.  In-person classes for these exams are not mandatory; there are also online classes. There are also a variety of books available that can prepare a person for these exams.

Thinking about getting a Florida contractor’s license? In irrigation? Or any other contracting specialty? Our team of professionals can help you. We work with our clients to help them get through the contracting process fast and easy. We do in-depth reviews of licenses packages to ensure everything is exactly right and everything is included. Contact us today. To learn more or start the process, click here or call 239-777-1028.

What is an Iron Worker?

On: By: admin

Enjoy welding things? It might be time for you to consider a career as an iron worker. An ironworker is always taking on new challenges, works as part of a team, works outdoors, performs physically demanding work, performs mentally challenging work, and much more. Ironworkers install structural iron and steel that forms and supports buildings, bridges, and roads.

As an ironworker, a person will read and follow blueprints, unload and stack iron and steel onto slings, signal crane operators, use shears, use rod-bending machines, use welding equipment, align structural and reinforcing iron, weld equipment, connect iron and steel with bolts, wires, or welds.

In this field, ironworkers are often working at high heights. They often work in safety harnesses to prevent falls. Many ironworkers work in all kinds of weather. In this position, injuries and illnesses are common from people experiencing cuts from metal and equipment. Also each years, several people die due to falls and contact with equipment and objects.

Most ironworkers go through an apprenticeship, but many learn the career on the job. As of 2015, the average salary for an ironworker was $49,970. The job outlook for an ironworker is projected to grow nine percent from 2014 to 2024. Ironworkers made up 80,100 jobs in 2014. With more buildings and population increases occurring, there is a demand for ironworkers. Ironworkers are also often called upon to help restore and maintain bridges and other buildings.

Unless other contractors, ironworkers usually are not self-employed. To become an ironworker, a certification in welding, rigging and crane signaling can increase a person’s usefulness on the job. Depending on the state, you may need a general contractor’s license to legally conduct work.

Thinking about getting your contractor’s license? In the state of Florida, you’ll need to get a Florida contractor’s license to work; otherwise, you will be working illegally. Let us help you get your license no matter what specialty of contracting work you’d like to pursue. We do all the work for you. Start the process with us today by clicking here.

What is the NASCLA Exam?

On: By: admin

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  .

Hurricane Preparedness with Contracting

On: By: admin

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.

What is a Carpenter?

On: By: admin

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.

How to Renew a Contractor License

On: By: admin

 

contractor license

Is it time to renew your Florida contractor license? Unsure of what to do? You’ve come to the right place. This post will simplify the steps and information you need to successfully renew your contractor license to keep your business going.

 

There are two parts of renewing a Florida contractor license: paying the renewal fee, and completing continuing education (CEU) courses. But before we talk about these parts, let’s talk about where to go to renew your license and how to do it.

 

Being a licensed contractor, you are most likely registered online with Florida’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).  Click here for DBPR’s website. As a returning user, you can enter your login information. The DBPR’s online services allow you to: link you license with your profile, attach any necessary documents, check your application status, renew licenses, make payments, update an address, view CEU history, maintain license relationship, and work on incomplete submissions.

If you are not registered with the DBPR online or you need a new account, click here for a tutorial on how to create your account and how to link your license to the online account.

 

Once you’re logged in, here are the steps to renew:

  1. Click on the license that you like to renew from those listed on the right.
  2. Select “Renew” from the options shown.
  3. A disclaimer screen explaining CEU information will pop up. Read it, then select “Next.”
  4. A screen with your name, birthday and SSN will pop up. Select “Next.”
  5. A screen with your main address will pop up. If you need to change the address, click the “Main Address” button, and you can update it. If you’d like to add an additional address (license location, license mailing) or add a new phone number, click “Add.” Otherwise, click “Next.”
  6. A summary page will pop up to conform any changes. It will provide the information about to be saved into the system. Read this page. If it looks good, select “Next.” Otherwise, select “Previous” to go back and make any changes.
  7. Complete the Attest Statement by selecting “Yes,” followed by “Submit.”
  8. A payment screen will pop up showing the price of your renewal. Click “Pay Now” to complete the transaction or click “Submit Additional Applications” if you have more than one license that needs to be renewed.
    1. You can pay by credit card or electronic check. Once you have entered the proper information, select “Next.” Your card will be process and a confirmation number will be provided for you to save for your own records.

Parts of the License Renewal

 

Paying Renewal Fees – In 2016, the current two-year license renewal fee is $209 for both certified and registered contractors. A $5 unlicensed activity fee and $4 fee, that will go to the Department of Community Affairs to fund projects related to building construction or continuing education in the building construction industry in Florida, are added to this amount

 

CEU Requirement – Florida requires contractors to complete 14 hours of board-approved CEU hours for each two-year renewal cycle. A contractor 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.  Seven course hours will come from the specific type of technical contracting work you do (electrical, construction, home inspector, mold). Any remaining hours are considered general credit.

 

There are many places where you can take CEU course. You can choose to take courses online or straight in the classroom. You can decide which course provider and their options best suit your needs based on your schedule, location, and learning preferences. Here are a few places that offer CEU courses for contractor licenses:

 

Gold Coast Schools: www.goldcoastschools.com
Red Vector: www.redvector.com

Need More Assistance with Your Florida Contractor License?

 

The above steps and information should be able to help you easily get through the contractor license renewal process. If you’re having any difficulty, our experts here can help you with the process. If you’re looking to apply for a license for the first time, we can help you get a better chance of approval. To schedule a free consultation or for help, contact us at 239-777-1028.