Construction Industry Licensing Board

Important Information (Hot Topics)

Important Information on Chinese Drywall Complaints & Remediation

JULY MEETING FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LICENSING BOARD CANCELED

Please note the CILB meeting scheduled for July 8, 9, and 10, 2009 in Orlando has been canceled due to technical issues with notice requirements. Matters scheduled for this meeting will be rescheduled at a later date and the parties notified. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.

IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPUTER-BASED TESTING FOR CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS/FINANCE TEST

As of January 1, 2009, the Business/Finance test of the state certification examination for construction contractors will be administered by the Department’s vendor, Pearson Vue. All other construction tests will continue to be administered by the Department. Please continue to register for all construction exams by contacting the Department’s vendor, Professional Testing, Inc. Applicants for licensure who passed any part of the construction examination after January 1, 2009 will pay a different fee when submitting their application. For additional information regarding scheduling the Business/Finance examination, see the Construction Exam FAQ.

FLORIDA HOMEOWNERS’ CONSTRUCTION RECOVERY FUND EXPERIENCING FUNDING SHORTFALL

Due to a shortfall in funding, there are not sufficient funds available to pay claims received by the Florida Homeowners’ Construction Recovery Fund at this time.  The Department will monitor revenues for the Recovery Fund and make payments as funds become available.

The Department will continue to process claims until the claims are complete and ready for review by the Construction Industry Licensing Board.  The Department will then present claims to the Board, in the order they are completed, as funds become available.  The Department will notify claimants by mail when the claims are complete and when they are ready for Board review.  For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions regarding the status of the Recovery Fund or contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.

New Marine Specialty Contractor Licensure Category

On December 25, 2007, the Construction Industry Licensing Board developed a new certified licensure category for Marine Specialty Contractors.  The first examination administration for Marine Specialty Contractors will be held on August 12 – 13, 2008.  Applications for licensure will be accepted after that date.  For more information or to apply for a license, please refer to Rule 61G4-15.033, Florida Administrative Code, or visit the board’s website, at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Direct to Our Divisions > Professions and Professional Boards > Construction Industry.

Deadline for Swimming Pool Specialty Contractor Practical Examination Extended Until 2009

The Construction Industry Licensing Board has amended Rule 61G4-15.032, Florida Administrative Code, to allow those individuals interested in obtaining a swimming pool specialty contractor license to do so by completing three hours of board-approved continuing education along with passing a practical examination administered by a board-approved practical examiner, until January 1, 2009.
Licensing information and application forms are available online, at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Direct to Our Divisions > Construction Industry > Forms.

NEW FINGERPRINTING REQUIREMENT

Beginning November 1, 2007 all applications for initial licensure as construction contractors will be required to have a criminal background check performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This requirement applies to applications for initial licensure, change of status, additional business, and endorsement. Each applicant will be required to submit electronic fingerprints through the department’s vendor Pearson VUE (formerly Promissor). The fingerprint fee is $57.25. You may contact Pearson VUE at www.pearsonvue.com or call at 1-877 238-8232. For additional information regarding this requirement please visit www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/cilb/faq.html.

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.