Florida Plumbing license - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

roullette · 02-28-2008, 06:44 PM

hello guys,

im new to this forum and have a few questions.

I'm a licensed plumber of Massachusetts, I'm 24 yrs old almost 25. ive been doing plumbing heating and A/C for a total of 9 years. I've been in a truck on my own for 2+ years and I do pretty well.

i want to move to Florida this April. I've contacted the plumbing board of Florida 3 times to see if they can tell me im qualified to take the test down there since they dont grant out of state licenses. the only thing they have told me was i need so many years in college and some other stuff. the only thing i can see that would make me able to take the test is. I have been in the field for 4 years and i have had my mass plumbing license for atleast 1 yr (you need 4 years in field experience and 1 year as a foreman overlooking others work. and i think my mass license covers the foreman part, not sure tho).

the only thing the Florida plumbing board told me was i have to apply to see if im eligible which is $300+ never mind the test fee to get it. i dont wanna fork out that money if i cant take the test.

I'm not looking to open my own company i just want my license in Florida so i can get good pay, I skipped out on college an focused hard to earn my mass license. i dont wanna abandon my career by moving to Florida.

so to my questions,

Do you even need a license to do plumbing in Florida and still get good pay?

Will i be able to get my Florida license with what i have under my belt now?

Will a company even look at me without a license?

Does anyone think i will have to work under someone again to get my Florida license or have to take schooling hours or even have to retake a test?

any replies would be great

Thanks guys

threaderman · 02-28-2008, 07:01 PM

I ran a business in Tampa [General Manager] for 6 years,and at the time the requirements were 8 years verifiable time in the field ,and they have a list of specific types /times of work that you must have performed and be signed off on and notarized.Journeyman testing is after 4 years ,and you can make 20.00 an hour if you're good.Oh yeah, they check your credit, your back-ground ,and require you to have 15 or 20 thou. in a bank account as a show of financial responsibility.I have more recently bein lic. in other states so I may have mixed some of the requirements but if someone from Florida joins in I will probably be pretty close.The Plumbing contractors test is not easy.You have to be sharp.

roullette · 02-28-2008, 07:22 PM

thanks for the reply.
i dont think they require a credit check.. i could be wrong but they do require a back ground check and a electronic finger scan.

im not worried about taking the test mass is a tough state to get licensed in thats for damn sure..lol

im just woundering if i will need to retake the test or if i can go infront of the board and they grant me a lic do to my background of plumbing

**Teetorbilt** · 02-28-2008, 08:33 PM

Do you know where you are headed? Maybe you can get a county license without the State license. This is a really crazy place to work, been here most of my life. Also know nothing about plumber's license requirements.

Most of the additional requirements for contractors here are structural due to hurricanes.

roullette · 02-28-2008, 08:46 PM

i was gonna move to port st lucie and got a job off from jupiter plumbing for 21 an hr starting and a raise in 3 weeks to whatever salary i was asking if it worked out. but i told them i was licensed cause i was getting a feel for how much FL plumbers get paid.

**Teetorbilt** · 02-28-2008, 10:03 PM

roullette, I see that you are from MA. $21 is pretty good pay here.

You also have to look at the grand scheme of things, my wifes siblings live in your area and I have a good indication of living costs 'up there'.

A friend just rented a brand new, E home. 4200 sq. ft., 4/3-1/2, w/2 car garage in PSL for $1K/mo. We don't have major ajustments for winter such as for vehicles, clothing, etc.

Don't look at $ as not going far where you are, look at what it can be where you are going.

roullette · 02-29-2008, 04:59 PM

thanks for your replies.

seems like alot of people dont know the questions to the florida license.

i talked to the people at the license application office, they told me the application is a refundable application. i dont see it any where on the website but the lady told me that on the phone.

the reason i want to move to florida is because the rent is cheap. my good friend moved down there and has a 3 bedroom house same thing you posted but for 700 a month an 2 people well thats 350 a month.. i pay 975 a month up here in mass for a 800 sq ft condo which sucks for the money but its the cheapest place around thats not a dumpster.

the thing that i know about florida plumbing is the application requirements are alot more strict then mass but mass has a much much tougher plumbing code.

the florida test is a 2day open book test. mass is a 4 hr closed book test. so i dont see it being much harder..

seems like FL plumbing wants you to be able to find the code questions in the plumbing code book like a fast reference, and MA plumbing wants you to memories the code.

does anyone think that if i fill out my application an request to meet witht he board i could get my license in florida by just paying the license fee?

or would i have to retake the test?

i rather not have to take the test again just due to the fact that its 4 1/2 hr test 2 days in a row 9 hrs total. thats kinda stupid. they should make it a 4 hr closed book make people actually know there code and not know there code book.

thanks again for your replies

Kingfisher · 03-02-2008, 10:36 AM

The test is 4 X 4 1/2 hours test just like the GC. You have 1 part law, 1 part buissness, and 2 parts plumbling. I had a lic. in SC as a GC and still retested here. I think you could show the out of state for past exp. but not sure I had worked here for 3 years and had a FL GC sign off on my form. This could be the main hold up I see for you. They will except out of state sign off's from archetics and engineers, I think. Other wise yes you may have to work under someone to get them to sign for you

The whole system is a pain and full of cr$%& so be ready for it to take half a year atleast to get a lic.

Here are two links to help

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/...489/PART01.HTM

http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/cilb/faq.html

You can get a job without a lic., but some areas here are very slow right now and you may have a hard time get hired. Good Luck

roullette · 03-03-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingfisher

The test is 4 X 4 1/2 hours test just like the GC. You have 1 part law, 1 part buissness, and 2 parts plumbling. I had a lic. in SC as a GC and still retested here. I think you could show the out of state for past exp. but not sure I had worked here for 3 years and had a FL GC sign off on my form. This could be the main hold up I see for you. They will except out of state sign off's from archetics and engineers, I think. Other wise yes you may have to work under someone to get them to sign for you

The whole system is a pain and full of cr$%& so be ready for it to take half a year atleast to get a lic.

Here are two links to help

You can get a job without a lic., but some areas here are very slow right now and you may have a hard time get hired. Good Luck

i think your right about them excepting out of state sign off's from architects and engineers. but the thing is i dont work with any of those people here in MA. so there for i would have to call an engineer/architects an ask them to do it maybe for a fee or something.

I'm not looking to become a GC i just want to have a Plumbing Lic just like the one i posted. not one just for a town or county for the whole state.. no offense to the wood knockers but i dont care about building with wood or any thing like that... sh** i drill through there stuff anyways..lol

And you said it might take 6moths/1 year to get my lic? did u mean for a company to sign me off to make sure i know what im doing? or thats how long it takes to get my lic testing wise?

i dont wanna take a 9 hr test. My MA test was 4 hrs closed book which is in my eyes equal to a 9 hour open book test.. if anything MA teaches you to know your code not your code book.
i saw theres a few ways to get my lic acourding to the DBPR.. " Method of licensure: Endorsed-Yes. Reciprocity-No. Exam-Yes. Business Entity-Yes"

now what does endorsement mean for a lic? that if i get my MA lic signed over to FL? and lose my MA lic?
and what does Business Entity? that if i work for a plumber in FL they can sign me off saying i can get a lic?

theres not one word of help on those questions and i think the people that answer the phones at the DBPR are either snapping lines or wearing a helmets year round... they need to take a test to be able talk to people.. not one bit of customer skills in those offices...

KCLicenses · 03-07-2008, 08:30 AM

Hi, Roulette,

Here is the scoop on a FL plumber license. The reason you aren't getting a straight answer about whether you qualify to take the test is because there is no qualification to take the exam. You just apply to take the exam, a simple, straight-forward application, and pay a fee. It's not until after you pass the exam, when you apply for the license, that you have to show that you're qualified for a license.

If you have at least 4 years of experience with at least 1 supervising other people, you have the necessary experience and it sounds like you do. The key is to find someone who can verify that you have that experience. You DO NOT have to have directly worked for them. They are saying that they know you have the experience.

Other requirements do include a credit check on you and the business you'll be qualifying, electronic fingerprinting, a bank letter worded specifically for their needs, a balance sheet for the company and a fee of $359-$468, depending on the situation.

If you are just looking to work for someone else and they do not require a license, then you do not need to be licensed. The company should already have someone who is licensed and they cover the entire company. However, you may be more valuable to a company if you have your license. And if you're going to have your own company, you should be the license holder. If you decide to go for this, I'd recommend you take the test and decide if you want to work for someone else or for yourself. If you choose to work for someone else, don't apply for the license yet. Find out if they require it, then let them know that you've passed the exam but have not yet applied. You have 3 years from the time you pass the exam to apply for the license without having to re-test.

I suggest this course of action because it will save you tons of time and money. If you get your license first and then are hired by someone else, you'd have to do a Change of Status to qualify that company, if that's what they want you to do.

Finally (I know this is long, but I want to give you good, helpful information), I DO NOT recommend getting a county license. When you do this, you first have to prove to the county that you qualify for the license. Every county is different, but this usually requires an exam and then multiple letters verifying your experience. Once the county decides that you are qualified and "compentent", then you have to apply to the state for a Registered Plumbing Contractor's license and it's almost the same application as the Certified Plumbing Contractor's license. The difference, at the end of the day, is that you've spent a lot more time and money on a license that only allows you to work in one county. A state license allows you to work in ANY county throughout the state.

I hope this answers all of your questions and has been helpful information.

Best wishes to you!
Kristie Cook

KCLicenses · 03-07-2008, 08:45 AM

"And you said it might take 6moths/1 year to get my lic? did u mean for a company to sign me off to make sure i know what im doing? or thats how long it takes to get my lic testing wise?"

It may take 6 months from the time you apply to take the test and the time you get your license number, but that depends on a lot of factors. It should not take a year, if your application is done right. That's the biggest cause of delays -- a poorly prepared application.

Also, FL says they'll do certification by endorsement but it's very difficult to do and requires a Board review. We've never heard of anyone being able to do this. This is because FL's codes are more stringent than any other state so they do not consider any other state's license equivalent to theirs. Even if you think you can prove that MA is equivalent, just going this route will add months to the process, taking it to AT LEAST 9 mos to a year.

OK, so maybe now I've answered all of your questions.

If not, I am happy to. Ask away.

Kristie Cook

roullette · 03-09-2008, 09:44 PM

wow thank you so much thats what i have been looking for. i do have a couple of other questions if you know.

does a non licensed plumber get paid less then a licensed? im sure they do and if so is it by alot?
i worked hard to get my MA lic code is strick here but im sure in different ways then FL (special heights for vents for snow an more, im pretty sure FL doesnt allow wet venting either).

why am i trying to take and apply for a GC lic? is that the lic for plumbing in florida?
i just had to take a 4 hr closed book test in MA for plumbing, business, and some osha laws to get my lic. i cant see why you would need a CG lic to be a plumber.
but i do want to get my lic there reguardless makes you that much better then the next guy and gives you alot of pull at you company in my opinion.

again ty so much for you answers

Agent Ezzard · 03-12-2008, 09:15 AM

You would want to take the plumbing test. However, if you are wanting to work under a Plumbing Contractor then you want to get your journeymans, master, backflow, or medical gas certs and leave the business end of it to the Plumbing Contractor.

KCLicenses · 03-24-2008, 07:26 AM

Sorry I didn't get on sooner to reply...You don't need a GC license to be a plumber. I'm not sure where you got that from...you can be a Certified Plumbing Contractor and take the Plumbing exam. You can't even do plumbing as a GC.

Glad my posts answered your questions! Good luck!

Kristie

roullette · 03-29-2008, 07:48 PM

then im very lost.. i was told that you need a GC license in Plumbing.. or maybe its people saying like the GC test thats making me think theres a GCP license.. i dont know.. all i wanted to know is since i have my MA plumbing license. Do I get to have my license once i pass my test in FL? the people on the phone from myfloridalicense.com told me i need to have MA engineers sign me off once i pass to prove that i have done my time in the field... i dont even talk to engineers ever... unless im on a huge job.. then an engineer tells every trade what goes where... this is so confusing. why cant i just get straight answers from the people on the phones

Pener · 03-29-2008, 11:23 PM

KC is right, I hope I can clear it out further.

plumbing is one of specialty licenses in Florida, like electric, mechanical, roofing, pool, etc.
that means that even GC, BC or RC can not do any work that those specialty contractors can.

the requirments to be State certified contractor should be posted on FDPR (florida dept of prof regulations) site. to be state cert, I'm sure there are some strict requirments regardless of the trade. it includes PROVEN experience and/or education, financial resposibility etc.

any trade from RC and up (RC, BC and GC) plus all specialty trades (incl plumbing) need to be AT LEAST State Registered. state registered means that you passed all county requrments and licensing, and just need to be registered by the state (fingerprinting and fee). you will only be licensed to work in your county though, but it shouldn't be that big of a deal IMO.

to meet local (county) requirments check county's website. I'm pretty sure PROMETRIC does testing throughout entire State of Florida (these are for local lic only, FDPR does State (cert) Lic). basic rule is that local licensing is easier as it is based more on the examination (open book) than State cert Lic which requires a lot of experience and state exam.

I said basic rule because I don't know how many years of experience is still needed for plumbers to apply in your county. but the requirments should be less that the state.

word about the reciprocating. entire Florida, since 2003, bases it's code on ICC, that's mandatory. counties can only make the local codes more strict. because of that, it's not that hard to reciprocate local licences as long as you had min score on the test (75% most) and two given counties "cooperate" together. on the paper, it may look much harder than it is, including "County Review Board" approval, but it's BS most of the time.

there is no license reciprocating from other States. but I'm sure the experience (work) counts toward the requirments, as long as you can prove it.

if you're employed, then you don't need the license. if you get local license, then you can be subcontractor only unless you take Business and Law exam (or local B&L exemption course if your county accepts such).
if you go for the state, then you do B&L during the state exam so obviously you can contract to the general public.

once again, I don't know what the local requirments might be for the plumbers lic, but it should be much easier than State. Even being local (state registered) means that you should be able to reciprocate easily in the rare case that you need it.

Sir Mixalot · 03-30-2008, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roullette

i dont wanna take a 9 hr test. My MA test was 4 hrs closed book which is in my eyes equal to a 9 hour open book test.. if anything MA teaches you to know your code not your code book.

I wouldn't under estimate how difficult the Florida open book tests are.

Best thing to do right now is to fill out the application and send them the fee to get the ball rolling. Alot of people move here thinking that's not how they did it back home. Not the attitude to start out with. Try and keep an open mind and expect Florida to be alot different than Back HOME.

roullette · 04-15-2008, 06:52 PM

thanx for the replys guys. sorry i havent been responding back any sooner.

well ready to move to FL in less than 1 month. as soon as i get there im gonna try to find a plumbing company and become a 9 yr apprentice

but i hope i can atleast get $16-18 an hr with the experience. i know here in MA 2 companies that i worked for so far pay a friend of mine 22 hr and hes only an apprentice and he does his own calls. ballsy for the company i know but im hoping theres companies like that there in FL.

i have a feeling that the FDPR will give me the hucklebuck trying to get my " qualifications " approved from MA once i take the test.

i also do HVAC here in ma does anyone know if theres a Lic for that in FL or is a EPA freon recovery certificate good enough?

and again thank you for your responds. made my move decision a little easier.

airborneSGT · 04-16-2008, 11:14 AM

There is a Mechanical A and B license for HVAC down here. Checkout myflorida.com and look under construction contractors. FL loves to give out all sorts of licenses to make that money.

FWIW when you take your state contractors test the 1st day of testing for all contractors is the same. Essentially if you go for more than one license, you will only have a one day test AFTER you have taken and passed the first half. I will be going for my roofers license soon and its only a one day test for me now.

Regardless of what test you take you will need to find someone to sign off on your experience when you go to activate your license. You will also need to have GL coverage and either W. Comp. coverage or an exemption.

ChrissiJackson · 05-27-2008, 05:02 PM

Hi there! I'm KC's business partner. We've been really busy lately, so I apologize that we haven't updated this more recently.

As Kristie mentioned, your MA experience is totally acceptable in Florida. The only kicker is that you will need either a licensed engineer, licensed architect or licensed building official from MA (or anywhere in the country, actually) to verify your experience. You could also have a Florida Certified Plumber, Residential, Building or General contractor verify your experience--but the person doing the verifying should have actually witnessed your work. If you have that, you've got what you need to show your experience. Florida CANNOT argue with out-of-state experience as long as you have the appropriate verification.

There are three state-levels of HVAC licensing here. The highest is a Mechanical contractor, followed by HVAC-A and HVAC-B. The licensing process is identical to that of plumbing.

There is one bit of good news, once you get your first state certified license, you will not have to take the first day of testing again. Since the business portion of the test is the same for all licenses, you only have to pass it once. Each subsequent test is strictly trade knowledge.

Please feel free to contact us directly if you'd like to discuss your situation. We're happy to help!