Florida’s Ten-Year Licensing Option for Out-of-State Electrical Contractors
Since July 2020, electrical contractors who have been licensed in another state for at least 10 years can apply to obtain the same or similar license in Florida, without having to take an exam. The applicable portion of the statute was passed as part of Florida’s Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act (the “Act”) that deregulated over a dozen different professionals governed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, including building, trade, and electrical contractors. The law is and was intended to allow an applicant to qualify for a license for endorsement if they have held a valid license to practice electrical or alarm system contracting in another state or territory for at least 10 years before the date of application. While this article discusses the section of the statute that applies to electrical contractors, you can click here to read about a similar 10 year rule that applies to most other types of contractors.
Who the 10 Year Option Applies to
The statute, located at 489.511(4)(c), Florida Statutes, applies to an applicant for a license in Florida who has has held a valid, current license to practice electrical or alarm system contracting issued by another state or territory of the United States for at least 10 years before the date of application and is applying for the same or similar license in this state.
Florida Electrical Contractor Licenses the 10 Year Option Applies to
This version of the rule applies to the following contractor licenses in Florida:
Electrical Contractor
Alarm System Contractor I
Alarm System Contractor II
Lighting Maintenance Specialty Electrical Contractor
Sign Specialty Electrical Contractor
Residential Electrical Contractor
Limited Energy Systems Specialty
Utility Line Electrical Contractor
Two-Way Radio Communications Enhancement Systems Specialty
There is also a version that applies to other contractors and their sub-specialty licenses as well. You can learn more about that by clicking here.
Minimum Requirements for the 10 Year Rule.
Here are the minimum requirements to apply for licensure under the 10 year rule. Notably, no exam is required if you meet these qualifications.
Have been licensed in another state for 10 years with a license that is the same or similar to the license you will be applying for in Florida
Your existing license must be active or have been active within the last two years.
Take a 2-hour DBPR approved continuing education course on the Florida Building Code
Pay the applicable filing fee
Submit personal and business credit reports
If you plan to operate in Florida through a business, have that business already setup and provide a financial statement showing at least a $10,000.00 net worth
Have commercial general liability insurance with limits ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 (minimum) depending on the license type
Pass a background check
Obtain worker’s’ compensation insurance or be exempt.
Since this statute was first enacted, we have helped electrical contractors from all of the United States successfully obtain licenses using this method. You can click here to view some of my results. Interested in learning more about the application process and seeing if your existing contractor’s license can help you obtain a Florida contractor’s license, without having to take an exam? We can assist you with the entire application process to make sure that it goes smoothly and to answer any questions you may have. Many times we can do this for a flat fee. To learn more, please fill out the form below, or please contact me at jason.lambert@hwhlaw.com or (813) 227-8495.
Jason Lambert is a Florida Board Certified Construction Attorney and Partner in the Construction Industry Practice Group at Hill Ward Henderson, in Tampa, Florida. He is also the founder and chief contributor to the Hammer & Gavel construction law blog. Jason focuses his practice on representing contractors, subcontractors, and materials suppliers throughout the state of Florida. Before law school, Jason spent a decade working in the construction industry, primarily as a project manager and operations director for both new construction and remodeling. He can be reached at jason.lambert@hwhlaw.com or 813-227-8495.
