When comparing Florida contractors to other professions in the state, only medical professionals are more heavily regulated. General contractors are more regulated than most professions, from architects to veterinarians, and the industry should recognize this and adapt.
Many professions in Florida are regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (“DBPR”). Members of the professions regulated by the DBPR are licensed and are expected to comply with Chapter 455, Florida Statutes, plus their own professional licensing statute (such as Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, for contractors), plus their professional administrative code regulations (such as those set forth by the Construction Industry Licensing Board).
When you compare the number of pages of regulations governing general contractors to other professions in the construction industry and other professions in Florida, the only group more heavily regulated are those in the medical profession. And this is primarily because in addition to the DBPR, medical professionals are also regulated by the Florida Department of Health.
*Graph based strictly on number of pages of statutes and administrative codes governing a profession. Does not include additional code books (i.e. The Florida Building Code), practice manuals, or educational requirements.
While the graph above does not take into account education requirements or extensive code books, it is one measure of how seriously the State of Florida wants to ensure that people engaged in these professions are performing their work properly, safely, and with the correct licenses. And though a four-year degree is not a requirement to engage in contracting in Florida, contractors are just as regulated as those who are required to have such educational backgrounds.
The point of this comparison is to illustrate to those in the industry that contractors should take their businesses and licenses seriously. And those hiring contractors should as well. Use well put together contracts and estimates. Make sure the proper insurance is in place. Insist that people treat you with a level of professionalism that they would treat other licensed professionals. Treat the privilege of having a license with respect. Comply with the regulations governing your license by pulling proper permits and hiring licensed subcontractors. By doing so, you will ensure that you never run into the enforcement provisions of any of these regulations.
Here is the raw data making up the graph above:
Dentistry - 833 pages
Pharmacists - 833 pages
General Medical - 827 pages
Nursing - 781 pages
General Contracting - 486 pages
Veterinarian - 394 pages
Engineering - 367 pages
Electrical Contracting - 363 pages
Architecture / Interior Design - 331 pages
Accounting - 326 pages
Surveying & Mapping - 321 pages
Cosmetology - 315 pages
Barbers - 310 pages