The final order imposed fines and continuing education against the electrical contractor, and possibly could have been avoided if the contractor had properly responded to the administrative complaint or properly preserved his rights to a final hearing. The case is a cautionary tale to contractors facing licensing complaints to take them seriously and comply with deadlines and instructions relating to the complaint.
The new law goes into effect July 1, 2024, and (1) keeps local licensing in place through July 1, 2024, (2) clarifies when permits can be required, (3) and requires the creation of 12 new state specialty contracting licenses.
The fine and penalties from a complaint filed against a certified general contractor by Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation for (1) performing and act which assisted a person or entity engaging in the prohibited uncertified and unregistered practice of contracting, and (2) obtaining a permit without having entered into a contract to perform the work specified in the permit.
In a concurring opinion, Florida’s First District Court of Appeal recently affirmed disciplinary action taken by Florida’s Board of Architecture against a Venezuelan architect who did not have a Florida architect’s license, but was nonetheless using the term “architect” on his website.
A recent decision from Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal addressed the issue of whether a subcontractor that failed to obtain local licenses required by a county ordinance was allowed to litigate claims for work that required those licenses. The case serves as another cautionary tale about the importance of complying with state licensing, local licensing, and contract requirements, and how all three can combine to make construction projects a complex compliance environment for contractors.
A recent court decision describes how a licensed contractor in Florida can have a punishment imposed without a hearing by the DBPR reversed and re-examined, particularly where the contractor challenges whether he or she received proper notice. The opinion also describes the steps required to establish proper service by the DBPR on a contract.
A new statute that went into effect on July 1, 2021, eliminates nearly all local contractor licenses by 2023 and makes clear that only certain types of contractors are required to have licenses. The new statute is intended to reduce government regulation of certain non-structural types of contractors and opens the door to many trades being able to work without a license in Florida.
In July 2020, Florida changed its contractor licensing statute to make it easier for contractors who have been licensed in other states for at least 10 years to obtain a Florida contractor’s license without having to take a licensing exam. While Florida has not entered into any formal reciprocity agreements with other states, we do finally have guidance on exactly how to apply for a Florida’s contractor’s license using your existing license from another state
A residential contractor was ordered to pay a $5,000.00 fine and $56,731.00 for failing to pull a permit within 30 days as required by Florida statute. While there were other factors involved, the only offense charged by the DBPR was failure to timely pull a permit, showing how quickly and badly things can spiral once licensing issues arise.
In July of this year, Florida enacted the Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act, which included language requiring many of Florida’s professions, including contractors, to stake steps towards advancing reciprocity with other states. Recently, the Construction Industry Licensing Board published a short statement regarding states and licenses that currently meet Florida’s requirements for reciprocity.