How does House Bill 735 Affect me in St. Lucie County?

St. Lucie county contractors are wondering how they will be impacted by the passage of House Bill 735 in Florida. This article has been created to monitor and update St. Lucie county’s response to this new law. If you have any questions or information to contribute, we encourage you to post a comment below. All questions will be promptly answered to the best of our ability.

St. Lucie county will not be requiring contractor licenses for the following trades:

  • Canvas Awning Installation
  • Painting
  • Paver Block (Decorative Stone)
  • Tile, Marble and Terrazzo

Comments

# Nicole 2022-03-18 19:06
What happens to fence contractors? There aren’t any state licenses that correspond with fencing but the building departments still require a permit for a fence. Permits can only be pulled by contractors. So, after 16 years in business I have to close??
Reply
# Idalia S. 2022-03-22 10:50
Hi Nicole! We recommend you obtain the Residential Contractor License to be able to pull the permits necessary to continue to work in fencing.

The link below will provide information on the books, classes, and different requirements needed to get that license.

https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-residential-contractor-license.html
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# Alonso 2022-04-30 20:59
I have been installing concrete driveways /culverts/ patios in St Lucie County/Port St Lucie for 20 years. I have passed the business law and licensure exam that was required locally. The state says they don’t regulate concrete so I can pour a driveway. However, what will I now need July 2023 to obtain a permit for a customer to install a culvert?
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# Aengels G. 2022-05-02 10:08
Hello Alonso, We recommend you obtain the Florida Underground Utility Contractor License to be able to install a culvert.

The link below will provide information on the books, classes, and different requirements needed to get that license.
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-underground-utilities-and-excavation-contractor-license.html
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# Edgard 2022-07-19 18:27
I do trim work like baseboards, crown molding, chair rail in st lucie county what license category is this in?
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# Sharilyn Baez 2022-07-20 09:59
Hello Edgard, the Residential Contractor License would fit best to do trim work like baseboards, crown molding, and chair rails at the State level. If you want to do it at the County level only, it will be Carpentry (Finish Trim) Contractor License. Below are the links for these two licenses.
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-residential-contractor-license.html
https://www.contractorcampus.com/st-lucie-county-florida-carpentry-finish-trim-contractor-gits-license.html
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# Philip Masiello 2022-08-10 20:08
What about Handyman Services and what will i be allowed to do?
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# Aengels G. 2022-08-11 10:32
Hello Philip,

I will add a link below with more information on What a Handyman can legally do in Florida. House bill 735 is only for Registered county licenses.

https://www.contractorcampus.com/what-can-a-handyman-legally-do-in-florida.html
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# James H 2022-09-20 15:06
So if I understand this correctly, as a currently licensed painting contractor in MC through July 2023, I am no longer required to apply for a reciprocity license to do business in Port St Lucie. Please confirm. Thank you.
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# Sharilyn Baez 2022-09-20 16:24
Hey James,
A Painting License will no longer be required in Port St Lucie. We would like to know what you are referring to when you say "MC"
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# Tiffany Bello 2023-01-05 10:52
According to the Florida Contractor Licensing Board- there is no License offered by the state to a fencing contractor-They said no license is required. If the state does not offer a license for this specialty, then the county cannot require a license to pull a permit. Is this correct? Please explain the requirements otherwise.
Reply
# Sharilyn Baez 2023-01-05 14:55
Hello Tiffany,
Fencing is not listed at the state level, but you will be able to complete the work with a General, Building, or Residential contractor license. Since the county is no longer regulating that license, a permit is not going to be needed. We recommend that you get a license at the state level because customers are more interested in contracting a credible contractor. The requirements to be licensed depends on the type of State license you are going to pursue. A Trade and Business exam must be passed for those three licenses. Experience and education requirements can vary, but the most common one is to have 4 Years of experience. Below you can find information for each license.
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-general-contractor-license.html
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-building-contractor-license.html
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-residential-contractor-license.html
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# Franklin Villon 2023-01-16 17:00
Hi, I have a St. Lucie, Martin County drywall contractor's license that was an exam thru Pro, Prometric, will I be able to upgrade this license to a florida drywall state license instead of having to take another test?
Reply
# Sharilyn Baez 2023-01-17 10:08
Hey Franklin,

Since you are licensed at a County level, the state requires you to pass the Trade and Business exams to obtain the Florida Gypsum Drywall Contractor License. You would have to satisfy one of the experience requirements set forth by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB); you can combine the following Experience and Education:

-One year proved experience that applies to the category for which you are applying and a four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to 3 yrs. experience), or
-No less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses, and One year of experience as a foreman, or
-Two years of credits from accredited college-level courses, one year experience as a foreman, and One year experience as a worker, or
-One year of experience as a foreman, one year of credits from accredited college-level courses, and two years of experience as a worker, or
-Four years of experience as a foreman or worker of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.

I have attached a link below with more information about the Florida Gypsum Drywall Contractor License.
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-gypsum-drywall-contractor-license.html
Reply
# Mike Coffey 2023-01-31 14:56
Hey. I was hoping to find out about gutter installation. No luck in the previous questions/Answers. Any help would be greatest appreciated.
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# Sharilyn Baez 2023-01-31 15:32
Hello Mike, Siding, Windows, and Doors Contractor License allows you to do Gutter Installation. Due to HB735, St.Lucie County requires you to obtain a General, Building, Residential, or Specialty contractor license. Below you can find information about each license and St.Lucie County's response to HB735.
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-specialty-structure-contractor-license.html
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-residential-contractor-license.html
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-glass-and-glazing-contractor-license.html
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-building-contractor-license.html
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-general-contractor-license.html
https://www.cityofpsl.com/home/showpublisheddocument/10150/637836226564230000
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# Francis 2023-04-28 11:07
Will a license be required for wood flooring installation?
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# Claudia Soto 2023-04-28 16:27
Hello Francis,
In order to do wood flooring installation, we recommend obtaining the St.Lucie Carpentry Contractor license. The Carpentry Contractor License will allow you to install, repair, maintain, and replace all types of structural wood construction. This license is still being issued by the county, and a Trade & Business exam is part of the requirements needed to obtain the license. I have attached a link with the books and classes to prepare you to pass the exams.

https://www.contractorcampus.com/st-lucie-county-florida-carpentry-contractor-gits-license.html
Reply

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