Category: Florida Laws
February 2025 – Florida CILB Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes from the Construction Industry Licensing Board ( CILB )
This the the monthly Newsletter for the CILB. (Construction Industry Licensing Board). Here is who attended the meeting, what the results of the meeting and all disciplinary persons. Go to the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board for the ECLB Newsletter and information.
448.112, Florida Statutes, which states:
448.112 Heat illness prevention.—
(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature that this section educates employers and employees who work in extreme heat to prevent illness and death caused by heat exposure.
(2) APPLICABILITY.—
(a) This section applies to employers in industries where employees regularly perform work in an outdoor environment, including, but not limited to, agriculture, construction, and landscaping.
(b) This section does not apply to an employee required to work in an outdoor environment for fewer than 15 minutes per hour for every hour in the employee’s entire workday.
(c) This section is supplemental to all related industry-specific standards.
(3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Acclimatization” means the temporary adaptation of a person to work in the heat which occurs when a person is gradually exposed to heat over a 2-week period at a 20 percent increase in heat exposure per day.
(b) “Drinking water” means potable water. The term includes electrolyte-replenishing beverages that do not contain caffeine.
(c) “Employee” means a person who performs services for and under the control and direction of an employer for wages or other remuneration. The term includes an independent contractor and a farm labor contractor as defined in s. 450.28(1).
(d) “Employer” means an individual, a firm, a partnership, an institution, a corporation, an association, or an entity listed in s. 121.021(10) which employs individuals.
(e) “Environmental risk factors for heat illness” means working conditions that create the possibility of heat illness, including air temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat from the sun and other sources, conductive heat from sources such as the ground, air movement, workload severity and duration, and protective clothing and equipment worn by an employee.
(f) “Heat illness” means a medical condition resulting from the body’s inability to cope with a particular heat level. The term includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat stroke.
(g) “Outdoor environment” means a location where work activities are conducted outside. The term includes indoor locations such as sheds, tents, greenhouses, or other structures where work activities are conducted inside, but the temperature is not managed by devices that reduce heat exposure and aid in cooling, such as air conditioning systems.
(h) “Personal risk factors for heat illness” means factors specific to an individual, including his or her age; health; pregnancy; degree of acclimatization; water, alcohol, or caffeine consumption; use of prescription medications; or other physiological responses to heat.
(i) “Recovery period” means a cool-down period to reduce an employee’s heat exposure which aids the employee in cooling down and avoiding the signs or symptoms of heat illness.
(j) “Shade” means an area that is not in direct sunlight.
(k) “Supervisor” has the same meaning as in s. 448.101.
(4) RESPONSIBILITIES.—An employer of employees who regularly work in an outdoor environment shall implement an outdoor heat exposure safety program that has been approved by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Health and which, at a minimum:
(a) Trains and informs supervisors and employees about heat illness, how to protect themselves and coworkers, how to recognize signs and symptoms of heat illness in themselves and coworkers, and appropriate first-aid measures that can be used before medical attention arrives in the event of a serious heat-related illness event.
(b) Provides preventive and first-aid measures, such as loosening clothing, loosening or removing heat-retaining protective clothing and equipment, accessing shade, applying cool or cold water to the body, and drinking cool or cold water, to address the signs or symptoms of heat illness.
(c) Implements the following high-heat procedures, to the extent practicable, when an employer, a manager, a supervisor, or a contractor determines that the outdoor heat index equals or exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit:
1. Make available an effective voice, observational, or electronic communication system that allows an employee to contact an employer, a manager, a supervisor, a contractor, or an emergency medical services provider if necessary.
2. Provide a sufficient amount of cool or cold drinking water at a location that is quickly and easily accessible from the area where employees work to accommodate all employees throughout the workday.
3. Ensure that each employee takes a 10-minute recovery period within every 2 hours that the employee works in an outdoor environment under high-heat conditions. The recovery period may be concurrent with a meal period required by law if the timing of the recovery period coincides with a required meal period.
(5) DRINKING WATER—An employer shall ensure that a sufficient quantity of cool or cold, clean drinking water is at all times readily accessible and free of charge to employees who work in an outdoor environment. The drinking water must be located as close as practicable to the areas where employees work. If drinking water is not plumbed or otherwise continuously supplied, an employer must supply a sufficient quantity of drinking water at the beginning of the workday so that each employee has at least 1 quart of drinking water per hour for every hour in the employee’s entire workday. An employer may supply a smaller quantity of drinking water at the beginning of the workday if the employer has adequate procedures in place to allow the employee access to drinking water as needed so that the employee has at least 1 quart of drinking water per hour for every hour in the employee’s entire workday.
(6) ACCESS TO SHADE.—
(a) When a supervisor determines that the outdoor heat index equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the employer shall maintain one or more areas with shade which are open to the air or offer ventilation or cooling at all times in the area where employees are working. The amount of available shade must be able to accommodate all of the employees participating in a given recovery period in a manner that does not place them in physical contact with one another.
(b) If an employee exhibits mild to moderate signs or symptoms of heat illness, the employer must relieve the employee from duty, provide him or her with access to shade for at least 15 minutes or until such signs or symptoms of heat illness have abated, and monitor the employee to determine whether medical attention is necessary. If such signs or symptoms do not abate within such time period, the employer must seek medical attention for the employee in a timely manner. If an employee exhibits serious signs or symptoms of heat illness, the employer must immediately seek medical attention for the employee and provide first-aid measures.
(c) If an employer can demonstrate that it is unsafe or not feasible to provide an area with shade, the employer may provide alternative cooling measures as long as the employer can demonstrate that such measures are at least as effective as an area with shade in reducing heat exposure.
(7) TRAINING.—An employer shall provide annual training on heat illness which has been approved by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Health to all employees and supervisors in the languages understood by a majority of the employees and supervisors. Each employee who regularly works in, or who is in the process of acclimatization to, an outdoor environment must participate in the training provided by the employer. Training materials must be written and available in English and in the languages understood by a majority of the employees and supervisors. Supervisors shall make such written materials available upon request.
(a) Training on all of the following topics must be provided to all employees who work in an outdoor environment:
1. The environmental risk factors for heat illness.
2. General awareness of personal risk factors for heat illness and how an employee can monitor his or her own personal risk factors for heat illness.
3. The importance of loosening clothing and loosening or removing heat-retaining protective clothing and equipment, such as nonbreathable chemical-resistant clothing and equipment, during all recovery and rest periods, breaks, and meal periods.
4. The importance of frequent consumption of cool or cold drinking water.
5. The concept, importance, and methods of acclimatization.
6. The common signs and symptoms of heat illness, including, but not limited to, neurological impairment, confusion, or agitation.
7. The importance of an employee immediately reporting to the employer, directly or through a supervisor, if the employee or a coworker exhibits signs or symptoms of heat illness, and the importance of receiving immediate medical attention for those signs or symptoms.
8. The importance of following the employer’s outdoor heat exposure safety program and related high-heat procedures.
(b) Training on all of the following topics must be provided to all supervisors before they are authorized to supervise employees who work in an outdoor environment:
1. Information that must be provided to employees.
2. Procedures that must be followed to implement an outdoor heat exposure safety program.
3. Procedures that must be followed when an employee exhibits or reports any signs or symptoms of heat illness.
4. Procedures that must be followed when transporting an employee who exhibits or reports any signs or symptoms of heat illness to an emergency medical services provider in a timely manner.
(8) RULEMAKING.—The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in conjunction with the Department of Health, shall adopt rules to implement this section, including, but not limited to, approved training programs, approved trainers, and a certification process to acknowledge an employer’s compliance with the training requirements established by this section.
Florida Introduces New Law Overhauling Contractor Licensing
Suppose you’re a contractor and haven’t had time to stay updated on the latest contracting developments in Florida. In that case, you should know that the state has introduced significant changes to contractor licensing regulations.
What’s new, and how does it affect you?
Key Updates
The majority of these changes focus on transferring authority from local jurisdictions to the state. Here’s what you need to know:
- Most contractors will now transition from local to state registration.
- Licensing and registration processes will be centralized at the state level.
- Certain certifications will become voluntary.
For contractors, this centralization could simplify operations, making it easier to work across different areas of the state. However, it also means local governments will have less regulatory oversight.
Voluntary Licensure for Specialty Contractors
Starting July 1, 2025, licensure for the following specialty categories will become voluntary:
- Structural work: Carpentry, masonry, screen enclosures, aluminum structures, precast or prestressed concrete, and steel.
- Marine work: Seawalls, bulkheads, docks, and pile driving.
- Installations: Doors, windows, garage doors, solar heating rooftops.
- Hurricane protection, plaster, and lath work.
This change, originally set for July 2024, has been delayed to July 2025 but does not impact the primary licensing requirements.
What Does This Mean for Contractors?
The goal of these updates is to streamline the industry, improve efficiency, and make it easier for contractors to work statewide. However, the true impact of the new regulations will depend on how the state implements and enforces them.
Stay informed and ensure your business is prepared for these changes as they take effect.
Florida Roofers – new laws
A proposed statute, House Bill 939, is set to modify Florida Statute 489.147, which governs roofing and contractor practices, particularly in areas affected by emergencies or insurance-funded projects. If enacted, homeowners will have the right to cancel roofing repair or replacement contracts within 10 days of signing without penalty, under certain conditions, such as during a state of emergency declared by the Governor.
The bill introduces the definition of a “residential property owner” and specifies that cancellation rights apply if the contract was signed during an emergency. Contractors will be required to include a clear disclosure in the contract, notifying homeowners of their right to cancel. Cancellations must be in writing and sent by certified mail or equivalent.
If signed by the Governor, the statute will take effect on July 1, 2024.
Grandfather to Certified Status
61G4-15.100 Certified Specialty Contractors – call 727-862-8862 Contractors Business Service for more info
(1) The purpose of this rule is to provide for the certification of the following specialty contractors licensure types:
(a) A “structural aluminum or screen enclosures contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to perform any work involving aluminum screened porches, screened enclosures, pool enclosures, pre-formed panel-post and beam roofs, mobile home panel roof-overs, residential glass and window door enclosures, vinyl panel window enclosures and single-story self-contained aluminum utility storage structures not exceeding seven hundred twenty (720) square feet. The scope of the work shall include woodwork incidental to the aluminum and allied materials construction work. It shall be limited to the construction of wood framing for walls of uninhabitable utility storage structures, raised wood decks for enclosures, and the rescreening, repair and/or replacement of wood incidental to the installation of glass windows and doors, installation of siding, soffit, fascia, gutters, and preformed panel-post and beam roofs. The scope of such work shall include masonry concrete work and be limited to foundations, slabs and block knee walls incidental to the aluminum and allied materials construction work. The aluminum contractor, whose services are limited, shall not perform any work that alters the structural integrity of the building including but not limited to roof trusses, lintels, load bearing walls and foundations. The aluminum contractor shall subcontract, with a licensed qualified contractor in the field concerned, all work incidental to that which is defined herein but which is the work of a trade other than that of an aluminum contractor. The scope of licensure for an aluminum contractor includes and is limited to the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge and skill necessary for the fabrication, assembling, handling, erection, installation, dismantling, adjustment, alteration, repair, servicing and design work when not prohibited by law, in accordance with accepted engineering data and/or according to manufacturer’s specification in the aluminum metal, vinyl and fiberglass screening and allied construction materials.
(b) A “marine specialty contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to perform any work involving the construction, repair, alteration, extension and excavation for fixed docks, floating docks, boathouses, mooring devices, mooring fields, seawalls, bulkheads, piers, wharfs, boatlifts, boat ramps, revetments, cofferdams, wave attenuators, dune crossovers and other marine structures and activities, including pile driving, framing, concrete, masonry, dredge and fill, and wood shingle, wood shakes, or asphalt or fiberglass shingle roofing on a new structure of his or her own construction.
(c) A “marine seawall work contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to install, alter, repair, maintain, relocate, and replace supporting members of piers and docks, e.g., piles or pilings, columns, posts, stanchions. The scope of work of such contractor shall include all construction below, above, or beyond, the mean low water line, for the sole purpose of constructing, erecting or dismantling of piers, docks and seawalls.
(d) A “marine bulkhead work contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to install, alter, repair, maintain, relocate, and replace bulkheads and its supporting members. The scope of work of such contractor shall include all construction below, above or beyond, the mean low water line, for the sole purpose of constructing, erecting, or dismantling of bulkheads.
(e) A “marine dock work contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to install, repair, maintain, or alter docks, piers, and decks of marine nature, and may perform pile driving as well as other operations necessary for the safe construction of these structures.
(f) A “marine pile driving contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to drive concrete, wood, or steel piles in a marine environment to provide the foundations for fixed docks, floating docks, boathouses, mooring devices, mooring fields, seawalls, bulkheads, piers, wharfs, boatlifts, boat ramps, revetments, cofferdams, wave attenuators, dune crossovers and other marine structures.
(g) A “structural masonry specialty contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to form, place, finish, install, repair, maintain, and replace any concrete or masonry products including: batching and mixing of aggregates, cement, and water to specifications, laying of block, brick, and other masonry units, the construction of forms and framework for the casting and shaping of concrete, the placing and erection of reinforcing steel and the pouring, placement, injecting and finishing of concrete. The scope of such work shall include all types of foundations, slabs, footers, curbs, walls, columns, beams and other structures, and terrazzo and other finishes.
(h) A “structural pre-stressed, precast concrete work specialty contractor” is qualified and certified to erect structural precast concrete units such as decks, beams, girders, walls, columns and stairs that are or may be used as structural members for buildings and structures, including welding and rigging in connection therewith and to erect precast concrete units for guard rails and decorative panels above the ground floor, including such minor field fabrication as may be necessary.
(i) A “structural steel work contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to install, repair, maintain, and replace steel framework, columns, sheathing, beams, and fabrication of metal buildings.
(j) A “window and door installation contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to install, replace, adjust, repair, and service, when not prohibited by law, in accordance with accepted engineering data and or according to manufacturers’ specification of exterior windows and doors, hurricane protection devices, shutters, and hardware in connection therewith which do not affect structural changes, except the replacement of window bucks in retrofit.
(k) A “garage door installation contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to fabricate, assemble, handle, erect, install, dismantle, adjust, alter, repair, and service garage doors. The scope of such work shall include all types of garage doors, including the related hardware and operating devices. Such contractor shall be allowed to install low voltage wiring for safety features and cord and cap connected to the devices, motors, and equipment; any other electrical work related to the installation of a garage door shall be subcontracted to a licensed electrical contractor, including wire removal and/or rewiring, installation of receptacles, lights, and switches. Such contractor shall be allowed to subcontract with other licensed contractors for work directly related to the installation of the garage door.
(l) A “plaster and lath specialty contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to coat surfaces with a mixture of sand or other aggregate gypsum plaster, Portland cement or quicklime and water, or any combination of such material as to create a permanent coating. The contractor may perform lathing work.
(m) A “structural carpentry specialty contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to install any wood products or metal framing in a structure of a building including rough framing, door, window (including metal), and structural trusses.
(n) A “residential swimming pool/spa servicing specialty contractor” means a contractor whose scope of work involves the repair and servicing of residential swimming pools, hot tubs or spas. The scope of work includes the repair or replacement of existing equipment, any cleaning or equipment sanitizing that requires at least a partial disassembling, filter changes, and the installation of new pool/spa equipment, interior refinishing, the reinstallation or addition of pool heaters, the repair or replacement of all perimeter piping and filter piping, the repair of equipment rooms or housing for pool/spa equipment, and the substantial or complete draining, for the purpose of repair or renovation of residential swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas. The scope of such work does not include direct connections to a sanitary sewer system or to potable water lines.
(o) An “industrial facility specialty contractor” is a contractor who is qualified and certified by the board to perform any work involving the construction, repair, demolition, modification, and alteration of uninhabitable industrial structures housing manufactured industrial equipment being installed therein by the contractor of specialized equipment used to produce or move goods or materials including but not limited to energy production, gas production, chemical production, installation of fixed equipment, above ground storage tanks and related accessory piping; and construction of habitable or uninhabitable attached accessory use structures not exceeding 1,500 square feet used solely to house related operating and controlling equipment. An industrial facility specialty contractor shall be unlimited in his or her ability to enter contracts for the scopes of work described herein and who may perform such work permitted under this rule, except as otherwise expressly provided in section 489.113, F.S. An industrial facility specialty contractor shall be required to subcontract all work above that falls within the scopes of work set forth in sections 489.105(3)(b)-(p) or 489.505, F.S., or for fire protection systems under section 633.318, F.S., to a licensee who holds a state certification or registration in the respective category of work.
(p) A “building demolition specialty contractor” is a contractor whose contracting business consists of the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge, and skill to demolish, if not prohibited by law, steel tanks 50 feet or less in height; towers 50 feet or less in height; other structures 50 feet or less in height, other than buildings or residences over three stories tall; and buildings or residences three stories or less in height. Nothing in this rule shall be deemed to restrict or limit in any manner the scope of work authorized by law of other contractor classifications.
(q) An “irrigation specialty contractor” is a contractor whose contracting business consists of the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, manage, monitor, audit, or, if not prohibited by law, design irrigation systems. An irrigation specialty contractor may install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, manage, monitor, audit, or, if not prohibited by law, design irrigation systems, including any excavation work incidental thereto. An irrigation system includes all: piping; fittings; sprinklers; drip irrigation products; valves; irrigation controllers; control wiring; rain sensors; water pumps, water conservation devices; water harvesting systems; irrigation main lines downstream of a utility potable water meter or utility alternative water supply distribution line and dedicated backflow prevention device; and associated components installed for the delivery and application of water for the purpose of irrigation. Irrigation systems used for agricultural purposes shall not be included within the scope of this rule. An irrigation specialty contractor is precluded from conducting work on water wells or pumps per Florida Plumbing Code and Section 373.323(10), Florida Statutes.
(r) A “tower specialty contractor” is qualified and certified by the board to perform any work involving the construction, repair and alteration of uninhabitable towers for purposes of communications, energy, water, or utilities; including construction of accessory use structures not exceeding three stories in height which house related equipment. An applicant for a tower specialty contractor certification shall pass the general contractor examination and shall demonstrate experience in the construction, repair and alteration of towers and accessory use structures.
(s) A “glass and glazing contractor” is a specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the installation and attachment of all types of windows and glass, on residential and commercial applications without any height restriction, whether fixed or movable; the installation of swinging or sliding glass doors to existing walls, floors, columns or other structural members of the building; the installation of glass holding or supporting mullions or horizontal bars; the installation of structurally anchored impact-resistant opening protection attached to existing building walls, floors, columns or other structural members of the building; and the cutting and installation of glass and mirrors. A glass and glazing specialty contractor may also install prefabricated glass, metal or plastic curtain walls, storefront frames or panels, caulking incidental to such work and assembly, and installation of shower & tub enclosures and metal fascias.
(t) A “gypsum drywall contractor” is a specialty contractor whose scope of work is limited to the installation of all necessary and incidental metal accessories, including non-load bearing metal studs, runners, hangers, channels, drywall metal suspension accessories and prefabricated ceiling materials; and the preparation of the surface over which drywall product is to be applied. This includes the application of base and finish coats specifically designed for the gypsum drywall products of their own erection. This category shall not include plastering, block, or wood partitions.
(u) A “gas line specialty contractor” is a contractor whose scope of work is limited to installation, modification, alteration, testing, repair and maintenance of natural gas transmission systems and natural gas distribution systems with all appurtenances within rights-of-way, easements, or terminating at meter.
(2) Certification procedures and fees for certified specialty contractors shall be the same as those provided for the certification of other contractors as required by and set forth in sections 489.109, 489.111, 489.113, 489.114, 489.115, 489.116, F.S., and related rules.
(3) Nothing in this rule shall be deemed to restrict or limit in any manner the scope of work authorized by law of other contractor classifications.
(4) Certified specialty contractors must maintain applicable worker’s compensation and general liability insurance as required by state and federal laws, including but not limited to the provisions of the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act, 33 U.S.C.A. §901 et seq. and Title 46 U.S.C.A. for marine specialty contractors.
Rulemaking Authority 455.213, 489.108, 489.113(6) FS. Law Implemented 489.105(3)(q), 489.113(6) FS. History‒New 5-5-24.