Florida Solar Contractor License

A Florida Solar Contractor 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 therewith, whether public, private or otherwise, regardless of use. A contractor, certified or registered pursuant to this chapter, is not required to become a certified or registered solar contractor or to contract with a solar contractor in order to provide services enumerated in this paragraph that are within the scope of the services such contractors may render under this part.

Licensing Requirements

Below are some of the requirements needed to become a licensed Solar Contractor in the State of Florida:

Age

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Examination

Must take and pass the state certification examinations (Solar and Business & Finance). Please note that the application process cannot be started until the exams are taken and passing scores are obtained.

Experience / Education

A person will qualify for a Certified Solar Contractor’s license by meeting one of the following requirements:

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.

Military Veterans

A veteran will qualify for a certified license by meeting one of the following:

Three years of military service and one year experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
Two years of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and one year experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
One year of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and two years experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.

Florida Solar Contractor installs solar panels after obtaining a Contractor's License — *Solar Contractor in Florida Installing Photovoltaic Panels on a Residential Roof*

Applicants for the Certified Solar Contractor License must have experience in the installation and repair/maintenance of:

Photovoltaic Systems
Swimming Pool/Spa Solar Heating Systems
Domestic Water Solar Heating Systems

Financial / Credit

Applicants will need to provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting personal credit reports. Credit reports must include a FICO derived credit score and indicate that local, state and federal records have been searched. Credit report containing a credit score (FICO derived) on an applicant from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency, which includes a public records statement that records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels. If the credit score is below 660 (FICO derived) applicant must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit. Note that Fifty percent (50%) of the bond or letter of credit requirement may be met by completion of a 14-hour financial responsibility course.

Fingerprints

An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.

Insurance

Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by Board rule. Applicants are also required to obtain worker's compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from worker’s compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license. To download the different application forms related to the Solar Contractor’s License, you may visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site.

Florida Solar Contractor Exams

Florida Solar Contractors must pass two exams prior to obtaining their license. Do not sign up to take your exams until you obtain your books and begin studying for them!

Solar Exam

This open-book test consists of 80 questions and covers the following subjects: Swimming Pools, Domestic Hot Water, and Photovoltaics.

Business and Finance Exam

This is a separate test that lasts 6.5 hours and contains 120 questions. Some of the subjects included in this test are: Establishing the Contracting Business, Managing Administrative Duties, Managing Trade Operations, Conducting Accounting Functions, Managing Human Resources, and complying with Government Regulations.

Florida Solar Contractor Classes

You can take Solar Contractor Classes in Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Miami, or Online. You can sign up for your classes at any time and receive access to lecture videos, practice questions, tabbing and highlighting instructions, as well as to step-by-step explanations on how to solve typical Solar Contractor Exam Problems. The Solar Contractor Classes prepare you for the trade and business exams. Florida Solar Contractor Testing Schedule. You must pass all exams before applying for the Solar Contractor’s License in Florida. To sign up for the Florida Solar Contractor classes, simply click on the "enroll" button below and checkout; this will allow you to receive immediate access to the Florida Solar Contractor Classes online, and will also enable you to attend in-person Exam Prep classes. All students have access to both online and in-person classes for an unlimited amount of time (until passing all the Florida Solar Contractor exams needed to get the Solar license!). The in-person classes are not mandatory and can be taken at the student's discretion. For a list of upcoming classes for the Florida Solar Contractor Exams click on the link within the course description below.

Florida Solar Contractor Books

The set of books includes all required references for both the Solar and Business and Finance exams. Orders placed before 2 PM are shipped the same day via UPS and a tracking number is emailed before 3 PM.