Congratulations on deciding to become a contractor!
It’s certainly a lucrative field, with a mean salary of $93,300. However, it’s definitely what you make of it.
For every general contractor that makes 90k, there’s another whose business collapses because they didn’t take proper precautions and hustle.
You need to be a motivated self-starter to succeed.
Does that sound like you?
Great, then let me show you how to get your General Contractor License in Florida.
Certified vs Registered General Contractor License
Before you start – where do you want to work? In order to be a general contractor in Florida, you need to be accepted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. They separate contractor licenses into two categories:
A general contractor registered license limits you to working within specific counties. In addition to the license, you have to get a certificate of competency from those counties.
Can’t have people clowning around in the name of general contractors, right?
The second license is more versatile. A general contractor certified license allows you to work anywhere in Florida.
You do have to take the Florida State Construction Examination, which you might find more difficult than a competency test from the county.
General Contractor License Financial Requirements
Before you get ahead of yourself, there are certain financial requirements you have to meet.
- You have to take a 14-hour Financial Responsibility Course. It sounds tiring (and, well, it is), but it’ll prepare you for the unpredictable cash flow inherent to contracting.
- You can’t have any outstanding liens against you or your company.
- Your credit score must be of 660 or higher.
If you’re afraid you might have trouble meeting those requirements or would like to consult an expert, try Express Capital Funding. They’ve prepared an excellent guide to get contractors started.
Additional General Contractor License Requirements
Most of these things you would need to complete anyway in order to do business legally, but it pays to be prepared.
- Have to be at least 18 years old
- You will have to submit to a background check (including fingerprinting)
- You have to be able to prove you have general liability and property damage insurance (to the amounts determined by the Board)
- You’ll also need workers’ compensation insurance within 30 days of getting your license.
Further Licensing
Remember that many specialized jobs like electrical work, pool construction, etc. require more licensing.
There are lots of opportunities for contractors to find work, but be sure that you’re properly registered to complete it.
If the process of getting the correct licenses and staying within legal parameters is daunting, consider using a service that walks you through it. While they can be a bit pricey, you’ll never have to worry about legitimacy.
Start Working on your General Contractor License Today!
I started this article by stating that you had to be a motivated self-starter to succeed as a general contractor.
I’m ending it the same way.
Tackle your licensing and registration with the same zeal that will impress your customers and ensure a healthy, prosperous career.
I gave you the resources, go get started!
