Painting License

5638 Views 14 Replies 10 Participants Last post by LisaAdams, Apr 24, 2014

Paint Queen

Discussion Starter · Apr 16, 2014

I am a proffesional who has worked as a Human Resource Leader for over 15 years, and looking to start my own business. The painting market is doing well in my area, and I know plenty of people with painting experience.

Here is my dilema--I cant get a painting licsense since I myself, who wants to own and run the business doesnt have 4 years of painting supervisory experience.

Am I missing something--what is the best way to navigate this issue?

Painting Queen #enteprenuer #goodbusinesswoman

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smalpierre

· #2 · Apr 16, 2014

I'm working on similar issue with Florida licensing. I'm getting mixed signals ... when I get back to a computer I'm going to do some more research...

It seems that there is a state license, and county licenses. you may or may not be required to get a contractors license, and if you do need one the county may not be as strict as state.

if you want to work on pre 1978 houses you better get RRP lead safe...

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Paint Queen

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 16, 2014

Thanks for the reply--I havent looked at the state license but I do see that Pinellas County expects 4 previous years as a Super or Foreman... One site suggested that I go and work for a painting company to get that experience, but I have to belive that there are business owners that hire quality employees to do the work, yet they themselves dont have a license. Queenie...

mrcharles

· #4 · Apr 16, 2014

In Florida you need a state license and then have to get county licenses where you work if they require them. Some cities actually have a license as well, this is typically just an annual form and payment to them. We work in Volusia County a couple times a year.

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Paint Queen

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 16, 2014

Thanks Mr Charles--I am going to start looking at other counties--it appears that Pinellas has the license requirements that you reference.

TAHomeRepairs

· #6 · Apr 16, 2014

All said is mostly accurate , with one exception. FL doesn't have a state license for painting.

Without applicable experience you have one of two options that I can see:

Hire someone with a license as a foreman( or get one of your prospective qualified painters licensed )

Or , have someone in the trades qualify your business. But as a formality, they may be required to be a part of your staff as well. Typically qualifiers need to have direct oversight of the work being completed.

I'm assuming pinellas allows qualifiers, most areas do.

Some entities will allow college experience count towards experience, if that's applicable.

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Paint Queen

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 16, 2014

TA--this was very helpful... Yes, I will look into the qualifiers, and I like the idea of getting an employee licensed. Thank you all so much... BTW, love the forum..

#responsiblebusinessowners

Robinson1

· #8 · Apr 17, 2014

Painting License? Really?

Not making fun I am truly shocked. KY doesn't have any of that nonsense. Heck all you need to work in KY is a business license and insurance.

Reactions: 2

smalpierre

· #9 · Apr 17, 2014

Robinson1 said:
Painting License? Really?

Not making fun I am truly shocked. KY doesn't have any of that nonsense. Heck all you need to work in KY is a business license and insurance.

Florida is a restrictive state, but a lot of that is because of hurricanes, strong winds, flooding. Then there are a lot of retirees that live there for unscrupulous vermin to prey on so I can see where it comes from.

California is worse. Imagine that :laughing:

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D.E.P.S.

· #10 · Apr 17, 2014

Paint Queen said:
I am a proffesional who has worked as a Human Resource Leader for over 15 years, and looking to start my own business. The painting market is doing well in my area, and I know plenty of people with painting experience.

Here is my dilema--I cant get a painting licsense since I myself, who wants to own and run the business doesnt have 4 years of painting supervisory experience.

Am I missing something--what is the best way to navigate this issue?

Painting Queen #enteprenuer #goodbusinesswoman

A friend of mine started a paint and wall covering business in JAX about 5 years ago. She gave 10% ownership to a partner with experince and he applied for the license. They have been rolling along pretty well since. Not bad for a lady who has been a CPA almost her entire adult life.

Reactions: 1

Paint Queen

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 17, 2014

Nice responces everyone and very helpful... Thank you...

Paint Queen

SouthonBeach

· #12 · Apr 18, 2014

FL licensing can be confusing. You have state licensing which is good through out the state. Which only licenses the major trades.
Then you have the county licensing of the major trades (ie. building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC) then they break it down to specialty trades of licensing. Which allows a painter or a pool screen guy to go into business with only the required 4 years of experience doing what they do.
If I remember correctly you only need one year of supervisory experience with 3 other years of work experience. Or collage education can replace the 3 years. Then you need a licensed person in that trade category or higher to sign off for you that you're a good moral person and would be ok in business for yourself. This is of course after you pass all your testing.

Or as others has said, get a person to qualify your new business, get some experience under your belt and the experience qualifications you need, someone lined up to sign for you and take those test.

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RH*carpenter

· #13 · Apr 23, 2014 (Edited)

Paint queen

The best thing to do is read your statutes. I just googled "Florida contractor licensing laws" and had access to the entirety of the law. Your law has primary and secondary qualifying parties. Each is required for on site direct supervision of the project for which his license is used.

Another section states that a homeowner need not hire licensed contractors if the owner acts as contractor and directly supervises his project. There are other exceptions to licensing that you should check out. You do not need 4 years' supervisory experience. The statute allows four years' experience as a mechanic. Paint mechanics are not licensed in Florida. Any number of mechanics can form a partnership or corporation. Making a contract to perform labor is not "contracting".

I also know that in Dasch v. Jackson, 170 Md. 251, 183 A. 534, the court there stated that it is unconstitutional to require regulatory licenses of journeymen painters (mechanics) as well as carpenters, masons, plasterers, and others. It is universally held in the U.S. that plumbers and electricians can be regulated.

But again read the law for yourself.

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License Guru

· #14 · Apr 24, 2014 (Edited)

Paint Queen... contact Licensesetc.com They will help you.

Here is her CT member link: http://www.contractortalk.com/members/lisaadams-92123/

LisaAdams

· #15 · Apr 24, 2014

Yes Hillsborough does require strict experience, credit and background requirements for their license holders. No, there is no specific painting license at the state. Only a Division 1 state license (Residential, Building or General Contractor) can include those services without a separate license. But those allow you to build a structure from the ground up so obviously it would be overkill for a painting service alone.

My suggestion is to find someone who has been working for a painting company that would like to become your lead employee or someone who already has a painting license. This way you can gain experience under them and in four years will be eligible to apply for your own license.

I hope this helps.

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