Are you considering establishing a construction business in Florida? If so, you must satisfy a number of administrative and statutory criteria before you may become certified. Getting your general contractor’s license is the first step. As you develop your strategy to become a licensed Florida contractor right away, keep reading to learn more about the licensing procedure for general contractors in Florida.
Even though the licensing procedure might be difficult, anyone with persistence and ambition can complete all the prerequisites and finally obtain a license as a contractor. Upon registration, you can start a general contractor firm in the Sunshine State and accept well-paying projects. Here’s a handy little advice on how to get started as soon as possible in Florida as a general contractor.
License Requirement
The Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board is in charge of overseeing all general contractor licenses. To make sure applicants fulfill all state standards to carry out the functions and obligations of general contractors in Florida, these government representatives examine and approve applications.
- The first step in applying to become a contractor in Florida is to register with a business organization. For conventional entities, you must register with the Florida Divisions of Corporations (LLC, corporation, or partnership). The Department of Revenue requires small enterprises to register.
- To carry out your responsibilities as a general contractor, your company must provide evidence of its financial health. To confirm your ability to pay for your services, you must submit a personal and company credit score as part of this financial standing verification. You must submit an application for a surety bond if your GPA is lower than 660.
- Earning a job is a crucial prerequisite for getting a license. In order to obtain a license in Florida, you must demonstrate that you have at least four years of professional experience in the field.
- The remaining three years may be used as an apprentice year or college credit, but only one of the four years may be supervisory experience. You must confirm the rules for the particular license you want to earn because certain licenses call for more experience.
- You must then take and pass the Florida Licensing examination. There are many different questions on the exam concerning what it takes to be a trustworthy general contractor. Even though the test might be challenging, you can pass it if you read the instructional materials.
Businesses that conduct business in Florida must register for one or more tax-specific identification numbers, licenses, or permits, such as the seller’s permit for sales and use tax, unemployment insurance tax, and sales tax withholding.
To learn more about company registration requirements and your tax obligations, get in touch with the Florida Department of Revenue. Businesses with employees must have workers’ compensation insurance through a commercial carrier, on a self-insured basis, or through the Florida Workers’ Compensation Insurance system.
If you are interested in more articles like this, here’s one about the steps involved in building a ground-up commercial structure.
