Construction Law
What Out-Of-State Contractors Need to Know Before Working in Florida Part 2
Florida is currently among the top states for construction. Out-of-state contractors looking to benefit from this boom must stay up to date on the laws that pertain to them. In part one of this two-part series, we discussed the insurance requirements for out-of-state contractors. Below, we discuss the licensing laws that all contractors working in Florida must abide by. For assistance with remaining compliant with Florida law, consult a Broward contractor attorney from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.
Application Requirements
First, anyone contracting in Florida must register with the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). The CILB will be the agency that reviews your application. In addition to the insurance affidavit mentioned in part one, you will need to submit to a background check and provide the CILB with a credit report, fingerprints, and proof of education or experience. Contact a Broward contractor attorney for further details.
Florida’s Licensing Requirements
Florida Statute 489.115 stipulates that you must have passed the Florida licensing exam or “a national, regional, state, or United States territorial licensing examination.” Essentially, you must have passed a licensing exam that’s similar to Florida’s in order to contract in the state. If your state did not require such an exam for you to be licensed, you will still need to take the Florida exam. In addition, you are only permitted to perform the types of work for which you are licensed. The certification requirements for your out-of-state license must be “substantially equivalent” to Florida’s standards.
Severe Penalties
As we’ve covered previously, the penalties for contracting in the State of Florida without a license are severe. Operating without a license is a first-degree misdemeanor. Further offenses are a third-degree felony and can result in a five-year jail sentence and $5,000 penalty. Contracting without a license during a state of emergency is also a third-degree felony. If you are traveling to Florida to capitalize on hurricane damage, don’t do so without first ensuring that you are licensed.
Consult an Attorney
As covered throughout this series, Florida’s insurance, licensing, and application requirements are complex. To ensure that you meet all of these requirements, consult one of our Broward contractor attorneys from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants. Our law firm has offices all across the country, and our team of attorneys is familiar with the hoops that contractors must jump through when working out-of-state. For legal representation located throughout Florida, and many other states for that matter, partner with the experienced attorneys from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.
If you would like to speak with one of our Broward contractor attorneys, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.