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People outside of the construction industry might think that all buildings are the same. But for those of us with experience, we know this is not really the case. You may need one set of skills to build a home but an entirely different set to build a pool, warehouse, or school. 

Construction licenses in Florida reflect this bit of knowledge. In some states, licenses are defined by the specialty of the contractor. But in Florida, licenses are defined by the type of task a contractor wants to do. 

Some tasks do not require a license. For example, if you want to paint walls or install countertops, you won’t need any kind of permit—at least not at the state level. (We do recommend that you check with your city and county to see if there are special requirements to be aware of.)

If you’re ready to jump into obtaining your Florida Contractor license, you’ve come to the right place. But first, you need to understand exactly what type of license you need. This post will cover what a residential basic contractor license allows you to do in Florida. Before we finish, we’ll tell you what steps to follow so you can become a licensed contractor.

What Kind of Work Does a Basic License Cover?

A residential basic contractor license is a great choice in Florida. It allows you to perform a wide range of construction work. It will enable you to repair, remodel, or build any kind of residential space — regardless of size. You will also be able to:

• Excavate a lot
• Clear, grub, or grade a site
• Perform roofing services
• Build or remodel swimming pools
• Build sewer systems, storm collection systems, and water distribution systems

That’s a lot of work you can add to your services page! Unfortunately, you won’t be able to do any work that involves utility lines or electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems. You’ll need to hire a subcontractor or obtain a Florida specialty license to do any of these tasks. 

How Do I Get My License?

To obtain your residential basic contractor license, you will need to provide proof of your experience. Specifically, the board will need evidence that you have two years of experience in the field of residential construction. You must also:

• Pass two exams
• Obtain general liability insurance (a minimum of $300,000)
• Submit a Qualifying Agents application

To obtain your license, you’ll want to study and prepare for the exams mentioned above. To do that, we recommend you invest in an online course, like the one offered by RocketCert. If you fail the exam, you could be subject to substantial delays. So the preparatory work is an extremely important step. 

Once you have passed the exams, the rest of the process is pretty easy. You’ll need to get in touch with the PLB to submit a request for your license. If you have questions about how to do that, let us know. RocketCert can help you through every step.