The new statute changes the requirements that an individual must meet to obtain a journeyman’s license for plumbing, pipefitting, mechanical or HVAC, electrical, and alarm systems trades, and makes reciprocity between counties a requirement.
House Bill 917 alters two sections of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, to change the requirements for issuance of local journeyman licenses in Florida.
First, 489.1455, Florida Statutes, allows counties to issue journeyman licenses to plumbing, pipe fitting, mechanical, or HVAC trades to an individual who has completed a registered and state-approved apprenticeship program as defined in 446.021(6), Florida Statutes, or has at least 12,000 hour of on-the-job training in his or her specific trade. This requirement replaces the prior 4-year or 6-year experience requirements that were in the statute. In addition to meeting this new experience requirement, applicants must also have passed a prescribed exam and complete certain building code training.
The following language is also added to the statute:
(2) Counties and municipalities must recognize a person as a journeyman in the plumbing, pipe fitting, mechanical, or HVAC trades if the person was issued a journeyman license in such trade by a county or municipality in the state.
Second, 489,5335, Florida Statutes, which governs electrical contractors, was also similarly modified and also allows counties to issue journeyman licenses to elect4ical and alarm system trades to an individual who has completed a registered and state-approved apprenticeship program as defined in 446.021(6), Florida Statutes, or has at least 12,000 hour of on-the-job training in his or her specific trade. Replaces prior experience requirements of 4 year or 6 year. This requirement replaces the prior 4-year or 6-year experience requirements that were in the statute. In addition to meeting this new experience requirement, applicants must also have passed a prescribed exam and complete certain building code training.
The new law also adds the following language to the statute:
(2) Counties and municipalities must recognize a person as a journeyman in the electrical and alarm system trades if the person was issued a journeyman license in such trade by a county or municipality in the state.
Assuming this bill is signed by the Governor, it would take effect on July 1, 2024.