Experience Requirements for Florida Contractor Licenses

To obtain your contractor's license, you must pass the examinations, meet specific experience and financial requirements, and complete the application for the state to review.

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

    1. 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.
    2. One year of experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
    3. One year of experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
    4. Two years of experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses.
    5. Four years experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
    6. ”Upgrade Method”. A certified residential or building contractor holding an active current license for a minimum of 4 years in the classification in which he or she is certified.

Areas of Experience for Specific Trades

Below you will find each trade with the areas of experience which need to be satisfied.

General Contractor

  • Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sqft.
  • Masonry walls
  • Steel erection
  • Column erection
  • Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
  • Elevated slabs

Building

  • Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sqft.
  • Masonry walls
  • Steel erection
  • Column erection
  • Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
  • Elevated slabs

Class A Air Conditioning

  • Systems in excess of 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU
  • Heating capacity (one year of experience)
  • Air Conditioning Equipment
  • Heating Equipment
  • Refrigeration Equipment
  • Sheet Metal Ductwork

Class B Air Conditioning

  • Heating and Cooling Systems (one year of experience)
  • Air Conditioning Equipment
  • Heating Equipment
  • Ductwork

Gas Line

  • Installation
  • Modification & Alteration

Glass and Glazing

  • Windows and Glass
  • Glass Holding or Supporting Mullions or Horizontal Bars
  • Cutting and Installation of Glass and Mirrors

Drywall

  • Light Steel Framing
  • Gypsum Board
  • Finishing

Irrigation

  • Piping
  • Solenoid Valves
  • Control Wire Irrigation Controller
  • Rain Shut-off Devices
  • Sprays
  • Micro-irrigation Components

Marine

  • Floatation
  • Framing
  • Decking
  • Anchor
  • Access
  • Mooring
  • Framing
  • Concrete Deck
  • Concrete Footers
  • Structural Pilings

Mechanical

  • Systems in excess of 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 BTU heating capacity
  • Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Equipment

Plumbing

  • Waste Piping
  • Water Distribution Lines/Systems
  • Natural Gas and Liquid Petroleum Piping and Venting Systems
  • Sanitary Drainage
  • Drainage Venting

Pollutant Storage

  • Excavating, Laying Out, Forming, and Placing Concrete Slabs
  • Excavating, Laying Out, Forming, and Placing Pier-type Post Footings
  • Screen Walls
  • Framed Solid Panel Walls
  • Screen and Storm Doors
  • Composite Metal Panel Walls
  • Screen Roofs
  • Vinyl Windows
  • Glass Windows

Commercial Pool and Spa

  • Excavation, Grading, Backfill, Compacting
  • Electrical Components
  • Deck Work
  • Interior Surface Preparation and Finishing
  • Plumbing Components
  • Shell Placement
  • Tile, Coping, and Trim Work

Residential Pool and Spa

  • Excavation, Grading, Backfill, Compacting
  • Shell Placement
  • Interior Surface Preparation and Finishing
  • Plumbing Components
  • Deck work
  • Electrical Components
  • Tile, Coping, and Trim Work

Pool and Spa Service

  • Pool Heaters
  • Pool Deck Repair
  • Tile, Coping, and Trim Work
  • Plumbing Equipment (Pumps, Piping, Fittings, Gauges, Pressure Testing, Valves)
  • Maintenance and Repair of Pool Shells (Leak Detection and Testing, Crack Repair)

Residential

  • Foundation/Slabs/Structural Formwork
  • Masonry walls
  • Structural Demolition
  • Column erection
  • Structural wood framing (including trusses and excluding platform framing)

Roofing

  • Underlayment
  • Insulation (tapered, flat, foam)
  • Roof Penetrations
  • Parapet Walls
  • Flashings
  • Sheathing & Framing Repairs

Sheet Metal

  • Fabrication & Design
  • Installation

Solar

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

Specialty Structure

  • Installation
  • Extension

Underground Utilities

  • Main Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems
  • Excavation and Earthwork
  • Main Water Distribution Systems
  • Trenchless Installations
  • Storm Sewer Collection Systems

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