Underground Utilities

Welcome… I’ve been teaching students to Pass their Underground Utilities Exam for the first time for 28 years.

I’m an instructor for the Contractors Institute here in Florida. I’ve developed the underground utility course and our students are passing their exams for the first time. With the internet, I can now train you to pass your exam without ever leaving you home. We have Webinars and Online Highlighting of your books, both for technical and business and finance. 

Florida Underground Utility Contractor License

A Florida Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor is a contractor whose services are limited to the construction, installation, and repair of main sanitary sewer collection systems, main water distribution systems, storm sewer collection systems, the continuation of utility lines from the main systems to point of termination up to including the meter location for individual occupancy, sewer collection systems at property line on residential or single-occupancy commercial properties, or on multi-occupancy properties at manhole or wye lateral extended to an invert elevation as engineered to accommodate future building sewers, water distribution systems, or storm sewer collection systems at storm sewer structures; and install empty underground conduits in rights-of-way, easements, platted rights-of-way in new site development, and sleeves for parking lot crossings no smaller than 2″ in diameter, provided that each conduit system installed is designed by a licensed professional engineer or an authorized employee of a municipality, county, or public utility and not including conductor wiring or connection to energized electrical systems. Does NOT install any piping integral to the fire protection system beginning at the point where piping is used exclusively for such a system.

Licensing Requirements

Below are some of the requirements needed to become a licensed Underground Utility Contractor in the State of Florida:

Age

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Examination

Must take and pass the state certification examinations (Underground Utility and Business & Finance). Please note that the application process cannot be started until the exams are taken and passing scores are obtained.

Experience / Education

A person will qualify for a Certified Underground Utility Contractor’s license by meeting one of the following requirements:

  • A four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to three years’ experience) and one year has proven experience applicable to the category for which you are applying.
  • One year experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
  • One year experience as a worker, one-year experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
  • Two years’ experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses.
  • Four years’ experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.

Military Veterans

A veteran will qualify for a certified license by meeting one of the following:

  • Three years of military service and one year of experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
  • Two years of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and one year experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
  • One year of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and two years experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.

Applicants for the Certified Underground Utility Contractor License must have experience in the installation of:

  • Main Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems
  • Main Water Distribution Systems
  • Storm Sewer Collection Systems
  • Additional experience in the areas below can also be used:
    • Repair of Main Sanitary Sewer
    • Collection Systems
    • Repair of Main Water Distribution Systems
    • Repair of Storm Sewer Collection Systems
    • Installation/Repair of Conventional (Open Trench) Pipe
    • Trenchless Technologies
    • Directional Boring/Auger, Boring/Jacking, and Boring
    • Meter Installation/Flow Regulator
    • Installation of Wet and Dry Taps
    • Grouting and Pipeline Abandonment/Removal
    • Empty Conduit Installation
    • Installation of Reclaimed Water Systems
    • Construction/Installation of Pump Stations, Lift Stations, and Wet Wells

Financial / Credit

Applicants will need to provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting personal credit reports. Credit reports must include a FICO-derived credit score and indicate that local, state, and federal records have been searched. Credit report containing a credit score (FICO derived) on the applicant from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency, which includes a public records statement that records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels. If the credit score is below 660 (FICO derived) applicant must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit. Note that Fifty percent (50%) of the bond or letter of credit requirement may be met by completion of a 14-hour financial responsibility course.

Fingerprints

An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.

Insurance

Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by the Board rule. Applicants are also required to obtain worker’s compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from worker’s compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license. To download the different application forms related to the Underground Utility Contractor’s License, you may visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site.

Florida Underground Utility Contractor Exams

Florida Underground Utility Contractors must pass two exams prior to obtaining their license. Do not sign up to take your exams until you obtain your books and begin studying for them!

Underground Utility Exam

This open-book test consists of 85 questions involving the following subjects: Pre-Installation; Traffic Control; Excavating, Backfill, and Compaction; Pipe Installation and Repairs; Piping, Valves and Fittings; Testing and Disinfecting; Drainage Systems; and Equipment.

Business and Finance Exam

This is a separate test that lasts 6.5 hours and contains 125 questions. Some of the subjects included in this test are: Establishing the Contracting Business, Managing Administrative Duties, Managing Trade Operations, Conducting Accounting Functions, Managing Human Resources, and complying with Government Regulations.