Newly Enacted HB 683 (2025) Expands Scope of Work That Can Be Performed by Certified Alarm System Contractors Under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes
While HB 683 (2025) modifies several statutes that apply to the construction industry, from a licensing perspective, it updates the definition of a Certified Alarm System Contractor to expand the scope of work that can be performed by those contractors. While the full text of the amended statute is below, in short, the modification to the statute adds low voltage wiring to support surveillance cameras into the scope of work covered by Florida’s Certified Alarm System Contractor license.
Text of Changes
The new law first modifies the definition of a “Certified Alarm System Contractor” found in 489.505(7), Florida Statutes, as follows (additions to the statute are underlined, removed text is stricken through):
(7) "Certified alarm system contractor" means an alarm system contractor who possesses a certificate of competency issued by the department. The scope of certification is limited to alarm circuits originating in the alarm control panel and equipment governed by the applicable provisions of Articles 722, 150 725, 760, 770, 800, and 810 of the National Electrical Code, Current Edition, and National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, Current Edition. The scope of certification for alarm system contractors also includes the installation, repair, fabrication, erection, alteration, addition, or design of electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, thermostats, apparatus, raceways, and conduit, or any part thereof not to exceed 98 volts (RMS), when those items are for the purpose of transmitting data or proprietary video (satellite systems that are not part of a community antenna television or radio distribution system) or providing central vacuum capability, surveillance cameras, or electric locks; however, this provision governing the scope of certification does not create any mandatory licensure requirement.
The new statute takes effect on July 1, 2025.
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.
