Sarasota County Contractor Licenses
Select a license to view its requirements, definition, exams, books, and classes. If your license is not listed as Sarasota County License, please select a Florida License.
Sarasota County specialty licenses that do not match the scope of work for the defined contractor categories in the Florida Statutes( 489.105 (3) (a)-(o) and (q) or in s. 489.1455(1) ) will expire on July 1st, 2023, and applicants will no longer be able to apply. To view each county response, visit our Blog on the Preemption local occupational licensing in Florida.
Sarasota County Contractor Licenses
Class A General
Services are unlimited as to the type of work which he or she may do, who may contract for any activity requiring licensure under this part, and who may perform any work requiring licensure under this part, except as otherwise expressly provided in s. 489.113.
Class B Building
Services are limited to the construction of commercial buildings and single-dwelling or multiple-dwelling residential buildings, which do not exceed three stories in height, and accessory use structures in connection therewith or a contractor whose services are limited to remodeling, repair, or improvement of any size building if the services do not affect the structural members of the building.
Class C Residential
Services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of one-family, two-family, or three-family residences not exceeding two habitable stories above no more than one uninhabitable story and accessory use structures in connection therewith.
Master Electrical
A person who conducts business in the electrical trade field and who has the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, repair, alter, add to, or design, in compliance with the law, electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, conduit, or any part thereof,which generates, transmits, transforms, or utilizes electrical energy in any form, including the electrical installations and systems within plants and substations, all in compliance with applicable plans, specifications, codes, laws, and regulations. The term means any person, firm, or corporation that engages in the business of electrical contracting under an express or implied contract; or that undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to have the capacity to undertake, or submits a bid to engage in the business of electrical contracting; or that does itself or by or through others engage in the business of electrical contracting.
Master Plumbing
A contractor whose services are unlimited in the plumbing trade and includes contracting business consisting of the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or, if not prohibited by law, design plumbing.A plumbing contractor may install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or, if not prohibited by law, design the following without obtaining an additional local regulatory license, certificate, or registration: sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, water and sewer plants and substations, venting systems, public or private water supply systems, septic tanks, drainage, and supply wells, swimming pool piping, irrigation systems, and solar heating water systems and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, including boilers and pressure process piping and including the installation of water, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and related venting, and storm and sanitary sewer lines. The scope of work of the plumbing contractor also includes the design, if not prohibited by law, and installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of air-piping, vacuum line piping, oxygen line piping, nitrous oxide piping, and all related medical gas systems; fire line standpipes and fire sprinklers if authorized by law; ink and chemical lines; fuel oil and gasoline piping and tank and pump installation, except bulk storage plants; and pneumatic control piping systems, all in a manner that complies with all plans, specifications, codes, laws, and regulations applicable. The scope of work of the plumbing contractor applies to private property and public property, including any excavation work incidental thereto, and includes the work of the specialty plumbing contractor. Such contractor shall subcontract, with a qualified contractor in the field concerned, all other work incidental to the work but which is specified as being the work of a trade other than that of a plumbing contractor.
Class A Air Conditioning
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, if not prohibited by law, central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work in connection with a complete system if such duct work is performed by the contractor as necessary to complete an air-distribution system, boiler and unfired pressure vessel systems, and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, and any duct cleaning and equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling of the system; to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, piping, insulation of pipes, vessels and ducts, pressure and process piping, and pneumatic control piping; to replace, disconnect, or reconnect power wiring on the load side of the dedicated existing electrical disconnect switch; to install, disconnect, and reconnect low voltage heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning control wiring; and to install a condensate drain from an air-conditioning unit to an existing safe waste or other approved disposal other than a direct connection to a sanitary system. The scope of work for such contractor also includes any excavation work incidental thereto, but does not include any work such as liquefied petroleum or natural gas fuel lines within buildings, except for disconnecting or reconnecting changeouts of liquefied petroleum or natural gas appliances within buildings; potable water lines or connections thereto; sanitary sewer lines; swimming pool piping and filters; or electrical power wiring. A Class A air conditioning contractor may test and evaluate central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including ductwork; however, a mandatory licensing requirement is not established for the performance of these specific services.
Class “B” Air Conditioning
A contractor whose services are limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system in the execution of contracts requiring the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law,central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including duct work in connection with a complete system only to the extent such duct work is performed by the contractor as necessary to complete an air-distribution system being installed under this classification, and any duct cleaning and equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling of the system; to install, maintain, repair, fabricate, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, piping and insulation of pipes, vessels, and ducts; to replace, disconnect, or reconnect power wiring on the load side of the dedicated existing electrical disconnect switch; to install, disconnect, and reconnect low voltage heating, ventilating, and air conditioning control wiring; and to install a condensate drain from an air-conditioning unit to an existing safe waste or other approved disposal other than a direct connection to a sanitary system. The scope of work for such contractor also includes any excavation work incidental thereto, but does not include any work such as liquefied petroleum or natural gas fuel lines within buildings, except for disconnecting or reconnecting changeouts of liquefied petroleum or natural gas appliances within buildings; potable water lines or connections thereto; sanitary sewer lines; swimming pool piping and filters; or electrical power wiring. A Class B air-conditioning contractor may test and evaluate central air-conditioning, refrigeration, heating, and ventilating systems, including ductwork; however, a mandatory licensing requirement is not established for the performance of these specific services.
Roofing
a contractor whose services are unlimited in the roofing trade and who has the experience, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or design, if not prohibited by law, and use materials and items used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and alteration of all kinds of roofing, waterproofing, and coating, except when coating is not represented to protect, repair, waterproof, stop leaks or extend the life of the roof. The scope of work of a roofing contractor also includes skylights and any related work, required roof-deck attachments, and any repair or replacement of wood roof sheathing or fascia as needed during roof repair or replacement and any related work.
Commercial Pool/Spa
A contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to, the construction, repair, and servicing of any swimming pool, or hot tub or spa, whether public, private or otherwise, regardless of use.The scope of work includes the installation, repair, or replacement of existing equipment, any cleaning or equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling, excluding filter changes, and the installation of new pool/spa equipment, interior finishes, the installation of package pool heaters, the installation of all perimeter piping and filter piping, and the construction of equipment rooms or housing for pool/spa equipment, and also includes the scope of work of a swimming pool/spa servicing contractor. The scope of such work does not include direct connections to a sanitary sewer system or to potable water lines. The installation, construction, modification, or replacement of equipment permanently attached to and associated with the pool or spa for the purpose of water treatment or cleaning of the pool or spa requires licensure; however, the usage of such equipment for the purposes of water treatment or cleaning does not require licensure unless the usage involves construction, A-LIC-02 REQUIREMENT BOOKLET REVISED 02/25/20 Page 19 modification or replacement of such equipment. Water treatment that does not require such equipment does not require a license. In addition, a license is not required for the cleaning of the pool or spa in a way that does not affect the structural integrity of the pool or spa or its associated equipment.
Residential Pool/Spa
A contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to, the construction, repair, and servicing of a residential swimming pool, or hot tub or spa, regardless of use.The scope of work includes the installation, repair, or replacement of existing equipment, any cleaning or equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling, excluding filter changes, and the installation of new pool/spa equipment, interior finishes, the installation of package pool heaters, the installation of all perimeter piping and filter piping, and the construction of equipment rooms or housing for pool/spa equipment, and also includes the scope of work of a swimming pool/spa servicing contractor. The scope of such work does not include direct connections to a sanitary sewer system or to potable water lines. The installation, construction, modification, or replacement of equipment permanently attached to and associated with the pool or spa for the purpose of water treatment or cleaning of the pool or spa requires licensure; however, the usage of such equipment for the purposes of water treatment or cleaning does not require licensure unless the usage involves construction, modification, or replacement of such equipment. Water treatment that does not require such equipment does not require a license. In addition, a license is not required for the cleaning of the pool or spa in a way that does not affect the structural integrity of the pool or spa or its associated equipment.
Swimming Pool/Spa Servicing
a contractor whose scope of work involves, but is not limited to, the repair and servicing of a swimming pool, or hot tub or spa, whether public or private or otherwise, regardless of use.The scope of work includes the repair or replacement of existing equipment, any cleaning or equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling, excluding filter changes, and the installation of new pool/spa equipment, interior refinishing, the reinstallation or addition of pool heaters, the repair or replacement of all perimeter piping and filter piping, the repair of equipment rooms or housing for pool/spa equipment, and the substantial or complete draining of a swimming pool, or hot tub or spa, for the purpose of repair or renovation. The scope of such work does not include direct connections to a sanitary sewer system or to potable water lines. The installation, construction, modification, substantial or complete disassembly, or replacement of equipment permanently attached to and associated with the pool or spa for the purpose of water treatment or cleaning of the pool or spa requires licensure; however, the usage of such equipment for the purposes of water treatment or cleaning does not require licensure unless the usage involves construction, modification, substantial or complete disassembly, or replacement of such equipment. Water treatment that does not require such equipment does not require a license. In addition, a license is not required for the cleaning of the pool or spa in a way that does not affect the structural integrity of the pool or spa or its associated equipment.
Aluminum/Concrete
Limited to erection, repair, and alterations of aluminum one (1) story structures, including masonry, floors, and foundations as parts thereof, for use as carports, screened areas, Florida rooms, utility rooms, and accessory buildings only; however, this will not include additional stories to buildings under construction, or to existing structures. They may re-roof an all-aluminum structure.
Marine
Limited to construction or repair of docks, seawalls, and their allied components, but excluding electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work, which shall be performed by subcontractors holding the required Operating Certificates.
Masonry/Concrete
Limited to the construction or repair of concrete footers, slabs and floors, and masonry walls not to exceed one (1) story in height, and shall be responsible for all required reinforcing steel placement and proper filling of masonry block cells or forms as required by this code.
Sign – Nonelectrical
limited to the erection, repair, and alteration of out-of-door signs, including ground, wall or roof supported signs but excluding electrical work which shall be performed by a subcontractor holding the required Operating Certificate
Structural Steel Erection
Limited to the erection of structural steel shapes and plates, including such minor field fabrication as may be necessary, of any profile, perimeter or cross-section that are or may be used as structural members for buildings and structures, including riveting, welding, and rigging, only in connection therewith.
Irrigation
limited to the installation, maintenance, alteration, and/or repair, and design, when not prohibited by law, of residential and commercial irrigation systems for turf or landscaped areas by means of above-ground or surface mounted equipment with above or below ground permanently installed piping and controls, in compliance with the Sarasota County Building Code, including connection to a water pump, but excluding the installation of required backflow prevention devices, connections to or extensions of potable water lines, or connections to or extensions of electric lines and service panels, which work shall be performed by contractors holding the required applicable operating certificates.
Landscape
limited to the selection, planting, and maintenance of trees, shrubs, bushes, lawns and other decorative vegetation, ornamental pools, fountains, planters, and related walls. Walkways and fencing incidental to the landscaping and retaining walls not more than four feet in height. This scope does not include work on load-bearing structural walls or perimeter fencing.
Wall Erection
limited to the construction, installation, maintenance, or repair of precast concrete, masonry, and structurally engineered foam walls, in accordance with all life safety, zoning, and building codes.
Demolition
Demolition and removal of structures and foundations, residential and commercial, and incidental grubbing and clearing. (This license type is Sarasota County “specialty contractor” and considered, “local only”.)
Window/Door Installer
Limited to the installation of exterior doors and windows for existing residential structures three (3) stories or less. (This license type is Sarasota County “specialty contractor” and considered, “local only”.)
Hurricane Shutter Installer
limited to the installation and repair of storm shutters, including both manually and mechanically operated shutters for existing residential structures three (3) stories or less. No electrical work may be performed under this scope. Only nonstructural adjustments to existing openings may be performed as part of the work. (This license type is Sarasota County “specialty contractor” and considered, “local only”.)
Garage Door Installer
Limited to the installation and repair of replacement garage doors in existing residential structures and the hardware as is necessary to connecting, closing, and locking of such doors. (This license type is Sarasota County “specialty contractor” and considered, “local only”.)
Journeyman Plumber
One who is qualified to perform work in the plumbing trade and for the installation of plumbing materials and equipment while employed and supervised by a Sarasota County Licensed Master Plumber Contractor. THEY CANNOT PULL PERMITS (This license type is Sarasota County “specialty contractor” and considered, “local only”.)
Journeyman Electrician
One who is qualified to perform work in the electrical trade and for the installation of electrical materials and equipment while employed and supervised by a Sarasota County Licensed Master Electrical Contractor. THEY CANNOT PULL PERMITS (This license type is Sarasota County “specialty contractor” and considered, “local only”.)
