During the last few years, Florida was severely impacted with Hurricanes. The damaged caused by these storms increase the need for roofers to repair storm damage. As a result, many people are seeking to become licensed roofers in Florida. Chapter 489, Florida Statutes and 61G4-12 through 23, Florida Administrative Code sets forth the requirements for an applicant to achieve initial licensure. In Florida, an individual is given a construction license rather than a corporation. Therefore, the individual's own experience and qualifications will determine if the license is granted or denied. This blog post will discuss the requirements for initial license of any individual who wants to become a certified roofing contractor in Florida.
If you are applying as an individual, you will be filling out the CILB 5-I. If you would like to also use the roofing license to qualify a company, you will be filling out the CILB 6-I. The endorsement application is the CILB-10 (for out of state roofers with a license for more than 10 years). The application is not the only thing that you must do to be granted a Certified Roofing Contractor license.
Roofing Contractor Examination
Applicants for certified (statewide) licenses must complete the Florida contractors' examination in the corresponding category of the license they seek. Chapter 61G4-16, Florida Administrative Code, contains the provisions adopted by the Construction Industry Licensing Board ("CILB") regarding examination contents, security protocols, and procedures for requesting special accommodations for disabilities. Certified Roofing Contractor is a Division II license in Florida. Division II contractor examinations consist of two parts:
- Trade knowledge.
- Business and finance.
For more information regarding the administration and scheduling of examinations, you can contact the DBPR Construction Examinations page at:
https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/examination-information/construction-examinations/
Experience/Education
An individual who wants to become a Certified Roofing Contractor may enter into a contract for any roofing construction activity in Florida. As such, the applicant must demonstrate that he/she has the requisite ability, knowledge, skill and experience in the following areas:
- Built-up Roofing
- Roll Roofing
- Modified Bitumen
- Cold Process
- Single Ply
- Foam
- Architectural Metal
- Concrete
- Tile
- Shingles and Shakes, and
- Gutters and Downspouts
If you are Certified General Contractor or a Certified Building Contractor and you supervise the work of your roofing subcontractor, that WILL NOT count as experience. Applicants must demonstrate experience in most of the categories above and should understand that the granting of the license will allow them to perform any roofing in the state. The applicant must be directly employed as a W-2 employee of a licensed roofer. Notably, any doubts about an applicant's education and/or experience will require an appearance before the CILB Application Review Committee for an evidentiary hearing on the application. Applicants have three basic options to qualify for licensure:
Experience/Education Option #1: Applicant has received a four-year college bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, or building construction. Also, they have one year of construction experience in the category of licensure they are seeking.
Experience/Education Option #2: Applicant has four years of active experience as a worker in the trade or as a foreman in charge of a group usually responsible to a superintendent. However, at least one year of the four years required experience must have been as a foreman.
Experience/Education Option #3: Applicant has a combination education and experience. All junior college or community college-level courses will be considered accredited college-level courses. Consequently, this works as a sort of sliding scale where the more education the applicant possesses, the less experience they require.
Financial Responsibility and Stability
All applicants for initial licensure to become a certified general contractor must meet the financial responsibility requirements in Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C. Specifically, the applicant must provide the Department with a consumer credit report that does not disclose any unpaid liens or judgments. Additionally, credit reports are required on all businesses which the applicant intends to qualify.
The consumer credit report for each applicant must provide a FICO credit score. An applicant may be denied for lack of financial stability if his or her credit score is below 660. However, applicants may furnish a licensing bond in lieu of the required credit score:
- in the amount of $20,000.00 (Division I Contractors);
- or $10,000.00 (Division II Contractors).
Also, applicants may reduce the required amount of the bond if they take a Board approved 14-hour financial responsibility course. For more information on the financial responsibility and stability requirements and 14-hour course, you may visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/cilb/financial.html.
Good Moral Character/Criminal Background
Pursuant to Section 489.111(3)(a), Florida Statutes, each applicant for licensure to become a certified roofing contractor in Florida must establish that they are of good moral character. Therefore, if the CILB denies an applicant for lack of good moral character, it must furnish a statement containing the Board's findings. Additionally, the CILB must provide a complete record of the evidence on which the denial was based. Also, it must provide a notice of the applicant's rehearing and appellate rights. Lastly, all applicants must submit fingerprints for the purposes of completing a criminal background check.
Criminal history reports are provided through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigations. They are good for a period of six (6) months from date of issuance. Offenses that may result in the denial of an application are (1) Lewd/Lascivious Act against a Child; (2) Possession of Dangerous Drugs; (3) Possession of Firearm by Felon.
Insurance
Applicants must furnish an affidavit attesting that he or she has obtained the following insurance coverage:
- Workers' compensation insurance.
- Public liability insurance.
- Property damage insurance.
You can find the required affidavit in the Department's approved application packages. License holders must maintain current property damage, liability insurance and workers compensation at all times their license is in an active status as required by rule 61G4-15.003, F.A.C.
Are You Ready To Become A Certified Roofing Contractor in Florida?
To conclude, it's important to clearly understand the requirements necessary to achieve initial construction licensure. Undoubtedly, preparing ahead of time will only help in the process. And with proper guidance, your hard work will result in the granting of a state of Florida Certified Roofing Contractor license.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
