Asbestos Contractors and Consultants – FAQs

Basic qualifications for asbestos licensure by examination are as follows:

Asbestos contractor license applicants must show satisfactory completion of both:

• A five-day contractor/supervisor course
• A three-day respiratory protection course
• At least 10 asbestos projects within the last five years
• State Asbestos Contractors’ examination

Asbestos consultants

1. Must meet one of the following:

• Hold a current, active Florida license as a professional engineer, architect or geologist
• Be a diplomat of the American Board of Industrial Hygiene
• Be designated as a certified safety professional by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals

And

2. Must show satisfactory completion of all the following:

• A three-day inspector course
• A two-day management planning course
• A three-day project designer course
• A three-day respiratory protection course
• State Asbestos Consultants’ examination

Both contractor and consultant applicants must demonstrate satisfactory completion of at least 10 asbestos projects within the last five years including:

• Two asbestos surveys;
• Two development of operation and maintenance plans;
• Two abatement and supervision projects; and
• Two designing abatement projects.
• Two additional projects from any of the above categories

Notes:

• The required training courses must be verified by the Florida-approved training provider on the course verification forms provided with the application.
• All courses taken after July 1, 1995, must be approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
• The 10 completed projects required for qualification must be verified by the owner of the project, including notarized certification, and be submitted on the project verification forms provided with the application.

You may obtain an application on the Board’s main page, Apply For A License.

Applications may take up to 30 days to process.

No. You must receive a passing score on the Florida examination and obtain a license in order to contract in the State of Florida.

The computer-based examination is offered daily in 15 Pearson VUE locations statewide. Pearson VUE, the examination provider, may be contacted at 1.800.274.8920 or www.pearsonvue.com. For additional information, you may also review the Candidate Information Booklet.

There are two parts to the asbestos contractor examination: technical knowledge (two and one-half hours) and business knowledge (one and one-half hours).

Pearson VUE provides on-site scoring. Candidates will receive results immediately after taking the examination. You must pass all parts of the examination with a minimum score of 70 percent.

No. Asbestos contractors and consultants must qualify a licensed asbestos business in order to contract in the State of Florida.

No. You must receive a passing score on the Florida examination and obtain a license in order to practice asbestos contracting or asbestos consulting in the State of Florida.

If you wish to engage in asbestos consulting or contracting as a partnership, corporation, business trust or other legal entity or if you wish to engage in asbestos consulting or contracting as an individual you must:

• Submit, at the time of application, a list of three completed jobs, a credit report and a financial statement showing a positive net worth and a statement of bonding or letter of credit in the amount of $10,000.
• Have a licensed primary qualifier.
• Show evidence of workers’ compensation insurance or an appropriate exemption.
• Show evidence of public liability insurance of at least $100,000/$300,000.
• Show evidence of public property damage insurance of at least $100,000/$300,000.
• Submit a copy of the certificate of status showing registration with the Florida Department of State.

An asbestos business license authorizes a business to contract only within the scope of work of the qualifying consultant or contractor license.

Yes. However, you must demonstrate that you have both the capacity and intent to adequately supervise each business organization.

Yes, we have licensure by Endorsement if you have been licensed for 10 years in another state or territory of the United States with a license which has a scope similar to the Florida license you are applying for and the license has been active within the last 2 years. If you meet these criteria apply using the Form ALU 11.

During a renewal cycle, you must submit to the department a copy of your license and indicate that you wish to place your license in an inactive status. Outside the renewal cycle, you must submit a change of status application. The application may be found on the Board’s main page, Manage My License. Business licenses cannot be placed in an inactive status.

Yes.

Yes. Visit our website at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Online Services. You can also change your telephone number and email address here.

Three types of addresses have been established to support your needs: main, license mailing, and license location. Main Address – This address is the primary address on file. License Mailing Address – This is the address where the mail associated with a particular license will be sent (if different from the main or license location addresses). License Location Address – This is the address where the place of business is physically located. An example of the use of different addresses: If Jane Doe is a contractor that works for ACME Builders, she may have 3 different addresses listed in her profile. Her main address would be the address of ACME Builders’ corporate headquarters. Her license mailing may be her home so she doesn’t have to visit the office to pick up her mail. Finally, her License Location would be the address of the ACME Builders’ local office where she works. If Jane Doe worked independently, she might have only one address on file (Main Address) as her office is the same place she wishes to receive her mail.

The main address and license mailing address can be changed online for all license types. License location addresses can also be changed online, except for Barbershops, Cosmetology Salons, Veterinary Establishments, and Talent Agencies. The location for these license types is tied to the license, so a location change will require submission of a new application.

You may submit the change in writing or by fax to:

Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Central Intake Unit – License Maintenance
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
Fax: 850.488.8040

If you have any questions or need assistance completing the application, please contact the department’s Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.

Once your application is approved you are authorized to take the exam 3 times. If you fail the exam you can contact PearsonVue to schedule a retake. If you fail the exam 3 times you must submit the retake application with a fee of $316 before you will be able to schedule to retake the exam.

Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Central Intake Unit
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0783

Asbestos Examination Application Fees for Initial Applications
$316.00 for Consultants (Both Parts)
$316.00 for Contractors (Both Parts)

Fees for Re-Examinations
$316.00 for Consultants
$316.00 for Contractors – Both Parts
$316.00 for Contractors – Part I – Technical Only
$316.00 for Contractors – Part II – Business Only

In addition to the fees listed above, Consultants and Contractors will be required to pay a fee of $16.50 per hour directly to the testing vendor at the time of reservation.

Yes, rule 61E1-4001(C)1., F.A.C., states that the credit report be from a recognized credit bureau which includes information obtained from county, state and federal records. Not all credit reporting bureaus have this statement on their reports. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that this statement is included on the credit report.

The 10 projects that are required for an asbestos consultant /contractor license can be completed as an asbestos worker, asbestos inspector, onsite supervisor, project designer or project monitor. To attain these designations only requires training not a license. However one of the designations must be attained before you can begin work in any asbestos related activity.

Consultant and contractor licenses expire November 30th of every even-numbered year. Asbestos business (ZA) licenses expire November 30th of every odd-numbered year. If your license is void, it cannot be renewed. You must reapply for licensure. The application may be found on the Board’s main page, Apply For A License.

If your license is null and void, it cannot be renewed. You must reapply for licensure. The application may be found on the Board’s main page, Apply For A License.

The department will mail a renewal notice to your address of record 90 days prior to the expiration of your license.

• Activate a personal account with the department by going online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com and renew your license by paying the required renewal fee.
• Make an electronic renewal payment by calling the Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395
• Return the renewal notice along with a check made payable to:
  Department of Business and Professional Regulation
  2601 Blair Stone Road
  Tallahassee, Florida
  32399-0783.

Please note that the license renewal will not be processed until your continuing education hours have been completed.

• Asbestos contractors must complete a one-day contractor/supervisor refresher course for each year of the license biennium. Asbestos consultants must complete a two-day refresher course for each year of the license biennium. After completing the course, return the renewal form along with the required fee. Even if you do not receive the renewal notification in the mail, you are still required to renew the license by the deadline date.

You may renew your license online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Online Services, or by calling the Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.

Asbestos Consultants and Contractors (Active) – $155.00 (fee includes $150 renewal fee + $5 Unlicensed Activity Fee)
Asbestos Consultants and Contractors (Inactive) – $105.00 (fee includes $100 renewal fee + $5 Unlicensed Activity Fee)
Asbestos Businesses – $255.00 (fee includes $250 renewal fee + $5 Unlicensed Activity Fee)

If the license is renewed after the expiration date, the delinquent fee is $25.00, in addition to the renewal fee.

Yes. You must submit a reactivation application. The application may be found on the Board’s main page, Manage My License.

To reactivate your license you must:

• Complete the DBPR ALU 4 – Change of Status for Qualifying Agent Application
• Complete the required continuing education. You now only have to complete one renewal cycle of continuing education instead of completing continuing education for all the renewal cycles your license was in an inactive status. Applicants will need to provide proof of completing the continuing education requirements in effect at the last renewal date immediately prior to their application. Those requirements are included in Chapter 61-31.504, F.A.C.
• Submit a credit report, from any recognized credit bureau, not older than six months.
• Submit a financial statement, not older than 12 months, showing a positive net worth and containing information indicating the current assets, current liabilities, total assets, total liabilities and total net worth of your business.
• Submit a statement of bonding limits, an irrevocable letter of credit or a compliance bond made payable to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in the amount of $10,000.
• Submit evidence of workers’ compensation insurance or an exemption.
• Submit evidence of public liability insurance in the amount of at least $100,000/$300,000 and property damage insurance in the amount of at least $100,000/$300,000. All insurance certificates must list the Department of Business and Professional Regulation as the certificate holder.
• Submit proof of Registration with the Florida Secretary of State’s Office.
• Submit the appropriate fee.

Contractors must complete a one-day contractor/supervisor refresher course for each year of the license biennium for a total of 16 hours. Consultants must complete two days of refresher courses for each year of the license biennium for a total of 32 hours. All continuing education must be completed before licenses may be renewed.

The course breakdown is as follows:

• One-half day surveys and mechanical systems (inspector) course
• One-half day management planning course
• One day project designer course

A list of all approved course providers and courses is available on the Board’s main page, CE Requirements.

Only refresher courses are offered on line. A list of all approved course providers and courses is available on the Board’s main page, CE Requirements.

You must apply with the department’s Bureau of Education and Testing for approval as a provider. Applications are available on the Board’s main page, Apply For A License.

Courses must be submitted to the department’s Bureau of Education and Testing at least 90 days prior to the course offering. Your request must include an application and all supporting documents.

You are required to notify the department of the location address of any Department of Business and Professional Regulation approved training course at least 10 days prior to offering the course.

Pursuant to Section 455.2178, Florida Statutes, refresher courses offered to Florida licensed asbestos consultants and contractors must be electronically submitted to the department within 30 days of the course completion date or by the license renewal deadline, whichever comes first. Reporting guidelines are available on the department’s web site at www.MyFloridaLicense.com.

Contact the department’s Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395 or file a complaint online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > File a Complaint.

Contact the department’s toll-free unlicensed activity complaint line at 1.866.532.1440 or file a complaint online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > File a Complaint.

An asbestos consultant may conduct surveys for asbestos-containing materials; develop operation and maintenance plans; monitor and evaluate asbestos abatement; and prepare asbestos abatement specifications.

An asbestos contractor may remove, encapsulate or enclose asbestos-containing materials and dispose of asbestos-containing waste.

An onsite supervisor works under the direction of a licensed contractor and provides supervision of abatement activities while they are being performed. Onsite supervisors must complete a five-day contractor/supervisor course.

A management planner works under the direction of a licensed consultant and engages in the development of asbestos abatement schedules or operation and maintenance plans. Management planners must complete a two-day management planning course and a three-day project designer course.

A project designer works under the direction of a licensed consultant and engages in the design of project specifications for asbestos abatement projects. Project designers must complete a three-day project designer course.

A project monitor ensures an asbestos abatement project’s compliance with project specifications, applicable safety and health regulations, and other contract requirements under the direction of a licensed consultant. Project monitors must complete a five-day contractor supervisor course and an asbestos sampling course (NIOSH Course 582).

Asbestos workers must complete a four-day asbestos worker course

Asbestos inspectors must complete a three-day surveys and mechanical systems (inspector) course.

Pursuant to section 469.002(3), Florida Statutes, the removal of floor tile is not subject to asbestos licensing or accreditation requirements under federal National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) asbestos regulations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency as long as:

(a) the resilient floor covering is a Category I no friable material as defined in NESHAP and remains a Category I no friable material during removal activity; and

(b) all such activities are performed in accordance with all applicable asbestos standards of the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration under 20 C.F.R. part 1926.

You must complete and submit a “Notice of Removal of Resilient Floor Covering” at least 3 days prior to such removal, to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Asbestos Licensing Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2214. You may also fax it to
850.922.2918. The form is available on the Board’s main page, Forms and Publications.

No. A certified project monitor under the supervision of a licensed asbestos consultant can collect air samples.

No. Licensure as an asbestos contractor is not required for the moving, removal or disposal of asbestos-containing roofing material by a roofing contractor certified or registered under Part I of Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, if all such activities are performed under the direction of an onsite roofing supervisor trained as provided in section 469.012, Florida Statutes.

Please review the Licensure and Training Chart for detailed requirements.

You can verify your license to another state by using DBPR’s Online Services. Create an online account or logon to your existing account at www.myfloridalicense.com. Select “Request License Certification” from the License Menu. Complete the online application and pay the $25 fee by credit card or electronic check. A copy of your license record will be created and mailed by U.S. mail directly to the address you provide during the transaction. Please allow 10 business days for the other state to receive the document. You will also receive an email copy of the certification for your records.
If you need to send certification of your license to multiple states you will repeat the instructions above and pay the required $25 application fee for each request.