Becoming a licensed contractor could be the gateway to a rewarding career, serving other people and earning a living while being your own boss. Building trades are struggling to find good workers at all levels, which is creating great job security for those entering the field in recent years.
Even more importantly, consumers need efficient and trustworthy contractors to help them meet their construction needs. If you have a love for construction trades and are thinking of becoming a contractor, specifically in the state of Florida, here's what you need to know about getting your Contractor's License.

Contractor licenses are classified between Division I and Division II licenses, and the kind of work you want to be doing will decide the type of license you need to pursue. Division I Contractors include General Contractors, Building Contractors, and Residential Contractors.
General Contractors are allowed an unlimited scope of construction work, such as building, repairing, altering, and remodeling the structure of any type of building. Building Contractors are permitted to work in buildings that are three stories or less. Residential Contractors are permitted to work in buildings of residence that are two stories in height or less.
Division II Contractors are further specialized in fields such as air conditioning, mechanical, plumbing, roofing, solar and more.
There are two different license levels according to the jurisdiction or area in which you can actively work under your Contractor License. The first type, a certified license, is valid state-wide. This type of license allows you to work anywhere in the state. The second type, a registered license, will allow you to work as a contractor within specified local jurisdictions.

Different specialties in contracting will have varying requirements, but these are generally the minimum for most of them:

* You must be 18 or older.
* You need to prove you have a credit score greater than or equal to 660. If it's lower, purchasing a surety bond is another option. Why this step? To prove you are financially responsible.
* Provide an electronic fingerprint.
* You must provide proof of insurance for both liability and worker's compensation. The minimum amount for General Liability insurance coverage is $300,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage for general and building contractors. The minimums for all other contracting specialties are $100,000 and $25,000 in coverage, respectively.
* Pass the Florida State Construction Examination, administered by Professional Testing (visit www.floridaexam.com for more information on testing).
* Complete a contractor license application (for either a certified license or a registered license) and pay fees attached to both the application and your licensing.

If you want to specialize your contractor's license further, you can do so after applying for either the state-wide or local license. You can then differentiate into residential, building, electrical, HVAC, general contracting, and more.

Obtaining your Contractor's License in Florida can be a bit of a tedious process, but if you know the kind of work you want to do and the type of license you need to get, the hardest part is already over. People are looking for quality contractors to handle their construction needs in their homes and businesses. Earning your Contractor's License can help validate to potential clients that you have what it takes to provide quality services.

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