Florida Contractor License Preemption
The Florida Legislature approved House Bill HB735, which preempts local occupational licenses to the State, effective July 1, 2021. HB735 provides that occupational licenses issued by local jurisdictions, including those related to construction-related occupations, will be prohibited after July 1, 2023.
Now through June 30, 2023, applicants seeking a new license or renewal for those construction-related specialty licenses will be issued a license or have their prior license renewed with an expiration date of July 1, 2023. Accordingly, the license fee will be prorated to cover only the licensure period between the date of issuance or renewal and the statutory July 1, 2023, expiration date.
(Source: Miami Dade County)
Contractor License Category Preemption
Frequently Asked Questions:
If my license category is being eliminated July 1, 2023, am I required to obtain another license to perform the same scope of work?
· You will only need to obtain another license if the scope of work requires a building permit.
Are there any other options of licensing and where can I find information?
· Yes. The county and the state continue to require and issue contractor licenses for specific work. More information can be found on the state’s website and the county’s website.
After July 1, 2023, will you need a contractor’s license to obtain a permit?
· Yes. You will need to be licensed by Miami-Dade County or the State of Florida in a category that can obtain the specific permit.
Will permits be needed for work in these categories after July 2023?
· Yes, if the scope of work requires a building permit. HB735 does not affect current building permit requirements. Check with the municipality where the permit is being obtained for more specific requirements.
What is the difference between being licensed or registered with the State?
· License by the state means the state approved and issued a license and no further licensing is required by the county.
· Registered means you have a county issued license that you must register with the state if the county license is substantially equal to the scope of work of a license required by the state as defined in 489.105(3)(a)-(o) and (q) or authorized in s. 489.1455(1).
Who do I contact to register with the State?
· You must contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation online or call 850-487-1395.
For more information visit Miami Dade County site: Contractor License Category Preemption (miamidade.gov)
For reference, after July 1, 2023 the Miami-Dade County Contractor Licensing Section will no longer be able to accept nor renew construction-related (specialty) licenses for the following categories:
BLDG 0009: Caulking
BLDG 0008: Canvas Awning
BLDG 0011: Concrete Finishing
BLDG 0012: Concrete Forming and Placing
BLDG 0013: Concrete Slab Sawing and Core Drilling
BLDG 0027: Decorative Concrete & Masonry Fence
BLDG 0016: Door
BLDG 0018: Fence
BLDG 0053: Finish Carpentry
BLDG 0019: Flagpole
BLDG 0020: Flooring
BLDG 0022: Garage and Industrial Door
BLDG 0098: Gypsum Drywall Installer
BLDG 0099: Gypsum Drywall Finisher
BLDG 0025: Insulation and Acoustical Tile
BLDG 0026: Lathing and Plastering
BLDG 0117: Traditional Thatched Hut Structures (Chickee Hut)
BLDG 0119: Limited Residential Repair
ELEC 0008: Master Electrical Utility
ELEC 0006: Master TV Antenna
PLUM 0005: Master Portable Chemical Toilets
MECH 0005: Master Ammonia Refrigeration
MECH 0009: Master Gasoline Tank and Pump
MECH 0010: Master Heating
MECH 0011: Master Insulation
MECH 0014: Master Pneumatic Control Piping
MECH 0015: Pneumatic Tube Conveyor
MECH 0016: Master Pressure & Process Piping
MECH 0018: Master Refrigeration Limited
MECH 0019: Master Refrigeration Unlimited
MECH 0021: Master Room Air Conditioning
MECH 0024: Master Steam Generator Boiler and Piping
MECH 0025: Master Transporting Assembly Install
MECH 0026: Master Transporting Assembly Maintenance and Service
MECH 0027: Master Warm Air Heating
BLDG 0029: Metal Awning & Storm Shutter
BLDG 0031: Metal Decking & Siding
BLDG 0032: Metal Partition
BLDG 0034: Miscellaneous Metals
BLDG 0035: Ornamental Iron
BLDG 0078: Painting
BLDG 0038: Pneumatic Concrete & Pressure Grouting
BLDG 0039: Pre-stressed Pre-cast Concrete Erection
BLDG 0041: Public Seating
BLDG 0042: Reinforcing Steel Placing
BLDG 0046: Roof Deck
BLDG 0048: Screen Enclosure
BLDG 0049: Sheet Metal Gutter & Downspout
BLDG 0050: Shower and Tub Enclosure
BLDG 0051: Sign – Non-Electric
BLDG 0054: Structural Steel Erection
BLDG 0056: Tennis Courts Surfacing
BLDG 0059: Unit Masonry, Ext. Veneer
BLDG 0109: Waterproofing