Good morning JohnDMiami,
Florida does not reciprocate any construction licenses if that is what you are referring to by help, but you CAN use your building experience from MA to apply for a FL license.
To help you better understand what type of license you qualify for based on your experience I’ve provided requirements on all three Division I License types:
For all three license categories you must:
• Show 48 months on jobs with at least 12 months as a foreman.
–or-
• A combination of college and experience totaling at least 48 months with at least 12 of those months as a foreman.
“General contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited as to the type of work which he or she may do, who may contract for any activity requiring licensure under this part, and who may perform any work requiring licensure under this part, except as otherwise expressly provided in s. 489.113.
For the GC License only, we must show at least 1 year (12 full months) or more on habitable structures 4+ stories. Show substantial responsibility in at least 4 of the following areas of commercial construction including active and proven experience with:
o Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sqft
o Masonry Walls
o Steel Erection
o Elevated Slabs
o Precast Concrete Structures
o Column Erection
o Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
“Building contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to construction of commercial buildings and single-dwelling or multiple-dwelling residential buildings, which do not exceed three stories in height, and accessory use structures in connection therewith or a contractor whose services are limited to remodeling, repair, or improvement of any size building if the services do not affect the structural members of the building.
Show substantial responsibility in at least 4 of the following areas of commercial construction including active and proven experience with:
o Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sqft
o Masonry Walls
o Steel Erection
o Elevated Slabs
o Precast Concrete Structures
o Column Erection
o Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
“Residential contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of one-family, two-family, or three-family residences not exceeding two habitable stories above no more than one uninhabitable story and accessory use structures in connection therewith.
Show substantial responsibility in at least 4 of the following areas of residential construction including active and proven experience with:
o Foundation/Slabs
o Masonry walls
o Trusses
o Structural wood framing
o Column erection
o Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
There are upgrade statutes too, so if you only qualify for the CRC, you can upgrade to CBC in 3 years or CGC in 4 with no additional work experience to show. If you qualify for the CBC, you can upgrade to CGC in 4 with no additional work experience to show. The CRC to CBC is the only one you can upgrade to without having to take any additional tests. Test scores are good for 4 years so there is a year window that you can upgrade while they are still valid if you play your cards right.
There are three exams for all Division I Licenses. The Business and Finance Exam can be done at any time at a computer center in your area. The two Trade portions are given six times per year in three locations in Florida. You must register for the Trade portions at least 30 days in advance. You will find all of the details and how to register within these links:
• Here is a link to the DBPR site with general information on testing: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/ConstructionExamInformation.html
• Here is a link to the application package: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/documents/exam_applic_pack.pdf
• Here is a link to register for your exams: http://www.floridaexam.com/
You will need to be fingerprinted and they do run an FBI background check. Disclose anything ever in your past that is worse than a speeding ticket. Also, Credit Reports must be submitted. If an applicant does not have a 660 credit score at the time of application, the applicant must establish financial stability by obtaining a licensing bond or letter of credit. The amount of the bond or letter of credit is $20,000 for Division I contractors. This amount may be reduced to $10,000 by completing a board-approved financial responsibility course.
Of course when you submit, you will be telling them what company you want to qualify with your license. Either you will file with the Secretary of State registering your business from MA with FL or you will start a new business here in Florida.
I never recommend individual licensing for a couple of reasons. Some are that you will use your social security number to run all the money and there is no protection of an FEIN. Even bigger reason that that is that here in Florida, if you license is in an active status, then you have to have general liability and worker’s comp. If you want to be WC Exempt, you have to show 10% ownership in a company. Obviously if there is no company than you are not able to show ownership and have to get a policy. An individual policy can get really pricy.
I hope this helps a bit!
Good luck and welcome to Florida!
Lisa
Florida does not reciprocate any construction licenses if that is what you are referring to by help, but you CAN use your building experience from MA to apply for a FL license.
To help you better understand what type of license you qualify for based on your experience I’ve provided requirements on all three Division I License types:
For all three license categories you must:
• Show 48 months on jobs with at least 12 months as a foreman.
–or-
• A combination of college and experience totaling at least 48 months with at least 12 of those months as a foreman.
“General contractor” means a contractor whose services are unlimited as to the type of work which he or she may do, who may contract for any activity requiring licensure under this part, and who may perform any work requiring licensure under this part, except as otherwise expressly provided in s. 489.113.
For the GC License only, we must show at least 1 year (12 full months) or more on habitable structures 4+ stories. Show substantial responsibility in at least 4 of the following areas of commercial construction including active and proven experience with:
o Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sqft
o Masonry Walls
o Steel Erection
o Elevated Slabs
o Precast Concrete Structures
o Column Erection
o Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
“Building contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to construction of commercial buildings and single-dwelling or multiple-dwelling residential buildings, which do not exceed three stories in height, and accessory use structures in connection therewith or a contractor whose services are limited to remodeling, repair, or improvement of any size building if the services do not affect the structural members of the building.
Show substantial responsibility in at least 4 of the following areas of commercial construction including active and proven experience with:
o Foundation/Slabs greater than 20,000 sqft
o Masonry Walls
o Steel Erection
o Elevated Slabs
o Precast Concrete Structures
o Column Erection
o Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
“Residential contractor” means a contractor whose services are limited to construction, remodeling, repair, or improvement of one-family, two-family, or three-family residences not exceeding two habitable stories above no more than one uninhabitable story and accessory use structures in connection therewith.
Show substantial responsibility in at least 4 of the following areas of residential construction including active and proven experience with:
o Foundation/Slabs
o Masonry walls
o Trusses
o Structural wood framing
o Column erection
o Formwork for structural reinforced concrete
There are upgrade statutes too, so if you only qualify for the CRC, you can upgrade to CBC in 3 years or CGC in 4 with no additional work experience to show. If you qualify for the CBC, you can upgrade to CGC in 4 with no additional work experience to show. The CRC to CBC is the only one you can upgrade to without having to take any additional tests. Test scores are good for 4 years so there is a year window that you can upgrade while they are still valid if you play your cards right.
There are three exams for all Division I Licenses. The Business and Finance Exam can be done at any time at a computer center in your area. The two Trade portions are given six times per year in three locations in Florida. You must register for the Trade portions at least 30 days in advance. You will find all of the details and how to register within these links:
• Here is a link to the DBPR site with general information on testing: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/ConstructionExamInformation.html
• Here is a link to the application package: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/documents/exam_applic_pack.pdf
• Here is a link to register for your exams: http://www.floridaexam.com/
You will need to be fingerprinted and they do run an FBI background check. Disclose anything ever in your past that is worse than a speeding ticket. Also, Credit Reports must be submitted. If an applicant does not have a 660 credit score at the time of application, the applicant must establish financial stability by obtaining a licensing bond or letter of credit. The amount of the bond or letter of credit is $20,000 for Division I contractors. This amount may be reduced to $10,000 by completing a board-approved financial responsibility course.
Of course when you submit, you will be telling them what company you want to qualify with your license. Either you will file with the Secretary of State registering your business from MA with FL or you will start a new business here in Florida.
I never recommend individual licensing for a couple of reasons. Some are that you will use your social security number to run all the money and there is no protection of an FEIN. Even bigger reason that that is that here in Florida, if you license is in an active status, then you have to have general liability and worker’s comp. If you want to be WC Exempt, you have to show 10% ownership in a company. Obviously if there is no company than you are not able to show ownership and have to get a policy. An individual policy can get really pricy.
I hope this helps a bit!
Good luck and welcome to Florida!
Lisa
