Construction Industry Licensing Board

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APPLICATIONS AND LICENSURE: Streamlined Applications Released

In an effort to assist applicants through the licensure process and to reduce the number of deficient applications, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Construction Industry Licensing Board conducted a complete review and revision of construction applications.The new application forms provide clearer instructions, reduce paperwork and provide clear criteria to establish financial stability/responsibility and work experience.

The Construction Industry Licensing Board will begin accepting the Department’s new streamlined applications beginning April 13th, 2012.There will be a ninety (90) day transition period during which the Department will continue to accept submission of the old applications; this period will end on July 16, 2012.

If you would like more information on the new bonding form or the required credit score, please visit the Department’s financial responsibility and stability website by clicking the following link: Contractor Financial Responsibility and Stability.

Cash for Clunkers Program for Air-conditioning Units

The State of Florida has initiated the Florida ENERGY STAR® Residential HVAC Rebate Program, which is designed to encourage existing homeowners to replace their old heating and cooling system with a properly-sized energy efficient system and to ensure that their heating and cooling duct system has minimal leakage. On Tuesday November 16, 2010, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 15A approving funding for all qualified applications for the Florida Energy Star Residential HVAC Rebate program subject to certain conditions. Specific details regarding the Florida ENERGY STAR® Residential HVAC Rebate Program are available at www.rebates.com/floridahvac.

Please remember that the installation of any air-conditioning unit must be performed by a state-licensed mechanical or air-conditioning contractor.  Information regarding license requirements is available at www.MyFloridaLicense.com by clicking on “Doing Business with Us” and then clicking on “Construction Industry.”  If you have reason to believe that someone is performing unlicensed contracting, we encourage you to contact the department at 1.866.532.1440, or you can download a complaint form by visiting the department’s “For Consumers” page.

For more information about the elimination of the qualified business license, view the Qualified Business License Elimination (HB 425) FAQ on our website.

Renewal of Qualified Business Licenses (Certificates of Authority)

House Bill 425 eliminates the qualified business license effective October 1, 2009, however licensees must still renew their qualified business licenses by August 31, 2009. Elimination of the qualified business license means that the department will no longer be issuing a separate license to your construction companies after the effective date of October 1, 2009. However, construction companies must still retain licensed qualifying agents, and the name of the company will still appear on the qualifying agent’s license. House Bill 425 still provides for a fee to process applications to qualify a business and their renewals. As such, you will still need to renew your qualified business licenses by August 31, 2009.

Important Information on Chinese Drywall Complaints & Remediation

New Continuing Education Requirements for Certified and Registered Contractors

Laws and Rules Continuing Education

House Bill 7163 (2007 Legislative Session) revised the continuing education requirements for certified and registered contractors licensed by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. All certified and registered contractors must now complete one hour of laws and rules-related continuing education as part of the 14 hours that is currently required during each licensure cycle.

Wind Mitigation Methodologies Continuing Education

Senate Bill 1864 further revised the continuing education requirements for certain contractors licensed by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. Based on this statutory change, the Board filed a notice of proposed rule development which would affect Rule 61G4-18.001, Florida Administrative Code. The proposed rule language is currently set for adoption and will become effective on November 15, 2007.

The new rule requires all general, building, residential, roofing, specialty structure and glass and glazing contractors to complete one hour of continuing education related to wind mitigation methodologies as part of the 14 hours that is currently required. Wind mitigation methodology courses are defined as those topics listed in Section 553.844(2)(b)1.-5., Florida Statutes.

Enforcement of these new one hour requirements will begin with the expiration of certified licenses on August 31, 2008, and the expiration of registered licenses on August 31, 2009. Those licensees not in compliance with all continuing education requirements by the expiration date of their licenses may face non-renewal or disciplinary action.

Continuing Education Providers

Continuing education providers that desire to obtain approval to offer laws and rules-related courses must apply to the department. All new courses, and existing courses, must be evaluated by the Board and approved as laws and rules-related courses before credit will be offered. Applications for wind mitigation methodology continuing education courses will be accepted beginning on November 15, 2007. Application information for course providers is available on the Board’s website, at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Direct to Our Divisions > Professions and Professional Boards > Construction Industry.