Florida’s CILB to Issue Registered Licenses to Some Phased Out Local License Holders. Maybe?

The proposed statute is a response to the discontinuation of specific contractor licenses issued by cities and counties. It mandates the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board to grant registered licenses to contractors who held particular local licenses between 2021 and 2023 in areas where those local licenses are no longer valid.

House Bill 1579 establishes a route for contractors with a local contractor’s license that corresponds to an existing state-issued license but is being phased out by the local government, to obtain that license for use within a specific county. This process doesn’t necessitate an exam as long as the contractor fulfills certain criteria. This addition to 489.117, Florida Statutes, facilitates the aforementioned provision.

1. The applicant held, in any local jurisdiction in this state during 2021, 2022, or 2023, a certificate of registration issued by the state or a local license issued by a local jurisdiction to perform work in a category of contractor defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(o).

2. The applicant submits all of the following to the board:

(b) The board shall issue a registration to an eligible applicant to engage in the business of a contractor in a specified local jurisdiction, provided each of the following conditions are satisfied:

a. Evidence of the certificate of registration or local license held by the applicant as required by subparagraph 1.

b. Evidence that the specified local jurisdiction does not have a license type available for the category of work for which the applicant was issued a certification of registration or local license during 2021, 2022, or 2023, such as a notification on the website of the local jurisdiction or an email or letter from the office of the local building official or local building department stating that such license type is not available in that local jurisdiction.

c. Evidence that the applicant has submitted the required fee.

d. Evidence of compliance with the insurance and financial responsibility requirements of s. 489.115(5).

(An examination is not required for an applicant seeking a registration under this paragraph.)

(c) The board is responsible for disciplining licensees issued a registration under paragraph (b). The board shall make such licensure and disciplinary information available through the automated information system provided under s. 455.2286.

(d) The fees for an applicant seeking a registration under paragraph (b) and renewal of such registration every 2 years are the same as the fees established by the board for applications, registration and renewal, and record making and recordkeeping, as outlined in s. 489.109. The department shall provide license, renewal, and cancelation notices under ss. 455.273 and 455.275.