Can I use Experience from another State for my Florida License?
An individual can be experienced from anywhere in the U.S. All your experience needs to be documented as it would need to satisfy the requirements of the board. F.S. 489 does not require experience to be acquired within the geographical limits of the State of Florida.
Experience
Below you will see the differences between the experience for the State Construction, Electrical and Fire Protection Contractor licenses.
State Electrical Contractor
- Four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to three years’ experience) and one year proved experience applicable to the category for which you are applying.
- One year of experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- One year of experience as a worker, one-year experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- Two years’ experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- Four years’ experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
- Be a certified residential or building contractor holding an active current license for a minimum of 4 years.
State Construction Contractor
- Must have three (3) years of management experience in the trade of electrical contracting within the last six (6) years immediately preceding the filing of the application
- Must have four (4) years of experience as a foreman, supervisor or contractor in the trade within the last eight (8) years immediately preceding the filing of the application
- Must have six (6) years of comprehensive training, technical education or supervisory experience associated with an electrical or alarm contracting business within the last 12 years immediately preceding the filing of the application
- Must have at least six (6) years technical experience in related work with the Armed Forces or a governmental entity within the last 12 years immediately preceding the filing of the application
- Must be licensed as an electrical professional engineer for three (3) years within the last 12 years. Provide a copy of current electrical professional engineer license and transcripts showing electrical engineering work
- Must have a combination of experience listed in first three items above totaling 6 years within the last 12 years
Florida Fire Protection Contractor License
Fire Protection I-IV
- 4 years of verifiable experience in the full time employment of a Fire Protection System Contractor I.
- An individual may combine equivalent education and experience as Prescribed in Section 633.318, Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code 69A-46.010.
- In lieu of submitting verification of employment, a Contractor I applicant may submit a copy of a current NICET Level III or IV certification as a Fire Protection Engineering Technician in the appropriate subfield as prescribed in Section 69A-46.010, Florida Administrative Code.
Fire Protection V
- Must provide evidence of licensing as a Certified Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor licensed pursuant to Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, or provide 4 years of verifiable experience in the full time employment of a Certified Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor.
Experience Verification
- State Electrical Contractor
Applicants are required to submit copies of W2’s to verify employment with the qualified business. - State Construction Contractor
Applicants are required to provide contact information to the individual or companies on where they have obtained all their experience. When the State Licensing Board reviews your application, they may ask for extra documentation to verify the information. The documentations you would provide is either a notarized letter or W-2s and pay-stubs. - State Fire Protection V Contractor
Applicants for Fire Protection System Contractor must have four years of verifiable, lawfully gained experience as provided in Section 633.318, Florida Statutes, and Florida Administrative Code 69A-46.
