Construction Industry – Hot Topics/Important Information

LOCAL SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXTENSION ENDING

SB 1142 (2024) extended all local specialty contractor licensing until June 30, 2025. However, effective July 1, 2025, local governments may only license specialty contractor license types that substantially correspond to the specialty contractor license types offered by the State of Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) or those which local governments are statutorily authorized to continue to provide pursuant to section (s.) 489.117, Florida Statutes (F.S.). The contractor license types offered by the CILB can be found in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(q), F.S., Rule 61G4-15.100, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), Rule 61G4-15.032, F.A.C., Rule 61G4-15.027, F.A.C., Rule 61G4-15.015, F.A.C., and Rule 61G4-15.012, F.A.C.

Pursuant to s. 489.117(4), F.S., local governments may only require a local or state license to obtain a permit for work that substantially corresponds to the scope of a license type issued by the CILB.  Local governments may not require either a local or state license to obtain a permit for work if the work does not substantially correspond to the job scope of a license type issued by the CILB.

If a local government fails to adhere to this statutory requirement, its local ordinances and decisions may be challenged both judicially and through the local government’s established appeal process. Additionally, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will investigate and prosecute complaints related to building officials failing to adhere to the requirements of s.489.117(4), F.S.

Complaints may be filed against building officials using the department’s uniform complaint form.

IF YOUR LICENSE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED BY A LOCAL JURISDICTION

If your local specialty contractor license type has already been, or will be, eliminated effective July 1, 2025, and you would like to pursue licensure as a state certified contractor, options and department resources are available as provided below:

• Individuals may apply to obtain a state certified contractor license needed to perform the scope of work authorized by your previously held local specialty license. Information regarding the state licensure process, including scope of licensure and examination exemption requirements, can be found by visiting the CILB’s homepage or contacting the department here.
• Individuals may petition the CILB to create a new certified specialty license category. To begin this process, please email CILB@myfloridalicense.com. CILB staff will respond to your email and provide information regarding the steps required to properly petition the CILB for a new certified specialty license category.

On May 19, 2025, Governor DeSantis signed HB 715 into law.  The bill provides for the following, which are now effective upon becoming law:

• The definition of “roofing contractor” is revised to include evaluation and enhancement of roof-to-wall connections for structures with wood roof decking.
• A residential property owner is able to cancel a contract to replace or repair a roof without penalty or obligation within 10 days after the execution of the contract or by the official start date, whichever comes first, if the contract was entered into within 180 days of an event that was subject to a declaration of state emergency and the residential property is located within the geographic area for which the declaration of the state emergency applies.
• The font size and language that must be included, either in a contract or as an attachment, when a contractor is executing a contract during a declaration of a state of emergency to replace or repair a roof of a residential property is revised.
  • The language must read as follows and must be not less than 14-point bold font:
    • “You, the residential property owner, may cancel this contract without penalty or obligation within 10 days after the execution of the contract or by the official start date, whichever comes first, because this contract was entered into within 180 days of events resulting in the declaration of a state of emergency by the Governor. The official start date is the date on which work that includes the installation that will be included in the final work on the roof commences, a permit has been issued, or a temporary repair to the roof covering or roof system has been made in compliance with the Florida Building Code.”
• Contractors are required to include in the contract, or add as an attachment to the contract, language on the page reserved for the signature of the residential property owner when executing a contract to replace or repair a roof of a residential property.
  • The language must read as follows and must be not less than 14-point bold font:
    • “If the proposed work is related to an insurance claim, you, the residential property owner, should contact your insurance company to verify coverage for the proposed roofing work, including any claims, deductibles, and policy terms, before signing this contract. By signing this contract, you acknowledge that you have been advised to contact your insurance provider regarding coverage and reimbursement of the proposed work.”

For more information regarding this bill, please see the full bill text.

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