Florida General Contractor Licensing

dc4502334

At last i passed the exam nigthmare, now i have to deal with the application. I was told by a consultant that you need to include in your work experience: Steel erection, precast structures for concrete, masonry walls, foundation greater than 20000sf, elevated slabs. Could some some help me with this, or at least direct me where i could find more information on such. I have experience on such...but i don't know what kind of details they are looking for.

Jess

2 of my former superintendents (residential) just passed their Certified General Contractors Exam - not the Certified Building Contractors Exam, or Residential Contractors Exam. They both lied on the exam application re: their experience - the closest they've come to running a high-rise project was visiting their divorce lawyer on the 5th floor. Now they can't find a CGC or Architect who will risk his license to lie for them on the application. I advised them to apply for the CBC and be honest about their experience. I try to stay away from felony crimes.

wackman

Wow! It sounds really tough to get a, all structures GC license, in Florida. I knew we had it easy here in Oregon but I didn't realize just how easy. Here, all guys need to do is get proof of insurance ($500,000) and bond ($15,000), complete about 20 hours of contractor education classes and take a 2 hour exam that has nothing to do with actual construction experience. It's all on contractor law, osha, workers comp, taxes and withholding, prevailing wage law, ect.... The only time actual experience comes into play is getting your insurance. It can be a little difficult if you don't have much, but they only need about 4 years to make it work and do absolutely no verifying, so these jokers just make stuff up.
What all is required to get a full all structures license in Florida and other states?
On a positive note, at least you have less of the guys who don't know jack, and thought because they built a fence and a dog house that they'll be a contractor, to deal with. Haha!

FlaHomeBldr

They did not have to lie to take the Exam as anyone can take the Test the application for Licence is a totally different matter.

Cole

Moved to Licensing.

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FWConstGrp

Still need help with this?

Take it for what it's worth but I just passed the General Contractor exam myself. I decided to use and expiditing company recommended by CamTech. The company is at -- camtechschool[dot]com[slash]resources -- Professional Licensure Services Inc.

They charge $550 for there services and based on what I've been told by other contractors [friends of mine] it's more than worth the money.

D.

FWConstGrp

I find it weird that because they don't need any experience to sit for the exam. I realize this was already but it brings up my next thought.

In applying for my license I meet the requirements for time as a supervisor and workman for all of the choices on the list. I also happen to have a college degree [Not in building construction].

So I asked the licensure expediting company which choice I should use. I was told to go ahead and just select using my college experience to fullfill the experience requirement up to 3 years. I was then told it doesn't really matter because the state doesn't even ask for a transcript.

What is that, they don't even verify the experience. What's the point then?

scec

My situation with the FL license has created a sort-of similar dillema. All my work experience is in Illinois, where we didnt need a license to do work of any kind ( except roofing ). Now I am applying to get a license in FL ( residential ).
How do I get a GC that I have worked with in the past in IL to sign off on my experience with his License number when he doesnt even have a license?
Thoughts?

FWConstGrp

Scec, you are in a sort of a tight spot but not one that you can't resolve without some effort.

First, you don't need a GC that you worked with previously to sign-off on your paperwork however that would be the easiest. You just need to prove your experience and ANY Residential, Builder, or General Contractor can sign off on your experience and this includes Architects, Engineers, and Building Dept. Inspectors.

Where your trouble begins is proving your experience to one of these guys. You have done work in Illinois and can prove that I am assuming. If you can prove it and they can verify your work then you should be fine. It will just take a bit more coordination on your part.

The problem with the system in Florida is that the person signing off on your paperwork is then "responsible" for your work some-how, which I still don't get. Basically, he is saying that he/she has verified your work is of good quality. Because of this responsibility to you and your work is why it will be hard to find someone that you don't know to sign off for you.

Good Luck.
Donny

AnnMarie

I first would like to say hello, I am new here and this looked like the right place to ask questions, and to get information. Maybe along the way I can answer a few questions for someone. If anyone here knows the answer to this question of mine please feel very free to answer.....I own a business, we have branched off from what we are used to we have stepped into the concrete work: SLABS, CURB, TIE ENDS, ETC...( NOT HOUSE SLABS NOTHING RESIDENTIAL) Well now the wonderful licensing department says the county I live in requires me to have a contractors license even if I am a sub......The othere counties I do work in are not that way. Mercy me I have looked and asked and I am now pullin my hair out to know this....To do concrete work in florida do you have to have a contractors license????? If so would it be such as a general contractors license? Or a specialty license? Well if anyone can help with this question I would greatly appreciate it. I had no idea doing concrete work was gonna get me into this......LOL!
Thanks,
Ann Marie