Florida is a beautiful state that many folks are happy to call home. With incredible natural surroundings, rich culture, and sunshine galore, it’s no wonder more people are flocking south year after year. But with the incredible weather comes the significant risk of damage to property during hurricane season. That’s where the need for Certified Roofing Contractors in the state of Florida comes in.
Because Florida is prone to inclement weather during the summer and autumn months, the state needs professionals in the Florida construction industry who focus on property restoration, especially roofing. If you want to seek a fulfilling career in construction, consider getting your roofing license in Florida. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
Pick your Florida Roofing License Path
Before you become a construction contractor of any kind in Florida, you’ll need to make sure that you have 4 years of experience in the roofing trade with 1 year as a supervisor. Then you'll need to determine the best path forward for your future business goals. For roofing professionals, this means deciding between becoming a Registered Contractor or a Certified Contractor.
In Florida, Certified Roofing Contractors can work anywhere in the state. Alternatively, you could opt to become a Registered Roofing Contractor. Registration is restricted to working within an individual county or city, meaning you can only work on projects in a specific jurisdiction.
The route you choose is totally up to you, and your ultimate goals should inform the decision. If you plan to run a small roofing construction business in your city, registration may be enough. But if you’d like to grow a larger construction company that can work throughout the state, you’ll want to seek full certification. As a certified contractor you do not have to comply with each county’s individual registration requirements. For example, if severe weather hits and you have your Roofing Contractor license, you will be able to mobilize your crew to the hard-hit areas in ANY county in the state!
A Certified Roofing Contractor License requirements are a bit more lengthy than those of a Registered Roofing Contractor because Certification gives greater freedom to practice on a broader scale. For the purpose of our discussion today, we’ll focus on the requirements for becoming a Certified Roofing Contractor.
Take the Examinations
Before you can apply for your contractor license, one of the critical requirements is successfully completing the necessary examinations. Exams are required for everyone seeking a contractor license in the Florida construction industry, and the specific examinations differ depending on Division.
A Division 1 License is for General, Residential, and Building contracting, while a Division 2 License deals with more specialty trades, including Roofing. Unless you have the specific structural experience to get a General Contractor License, you’ll want to take the Division 2 exams. It is also important to explain that even General Contractors have to subcontract any roofing repairs and installation of most types of roofing systems to Roofing Contractors.
There are two exams that you must take to get your Florida Roofing license, the Florida Business and Finance Exam and Florida Roofing Exam. The Florida Business and Finance Exam is 120 questions over the course of 6.5 hours, and you will be tested on 6 books. We offer exam preparation and reference materials to help you prepare for the exam, you can find our offerings here. The other exam is the Florida Roofing Exam which is 80 questions over the course of 5 hours and you will be tested on 11 books.
Exams are conducted each month, so you’ll want to schedule an examination slot that gives you ample time to prepare and study. Luckily, Contractor Training Center has an incredible set of resources to help you in the process! With license exam prep materials for the Florida Business and Finance exam, which is one of the two required exams for certification, you’ll be well equipped to confidently take your exams.
Collect Evidence of Experience and Education
Once you’ve successfully completed your examinations, you’ll need to acquire all Florida roofing license requirements for the application process. First up, you’ll need to collect and submit evidence of extensive roofing experience or formal education.
Some of the skills you’ll need to submit proof of for your license include:
- New Installations and Repairs of:
- Built-up and Roll Roofing Systems
- Modified Bitumen including Hot-mopped & Torch-down Systems
- Architectural Metals including Flashing, Drip edge & Valley metal
- Cold Process & Thermoplastic Roofing
- Single Ply Membranes
- Foam & Roof Insulation
- Gutters and Downspouts
- Tile and Concrete Roofing systems
- Asphalt & Wood Shingles and Shakes
There are a few different ways that you can qualify for your roofing license in Florida.
Option 1:
You have received a relevant 4-year degree from an accredited university or college, such as a degree in Engineering or Building Construction. You have also completed at least one year of roofing construction experience.
Option 2:
You have four years of experience in the trade as a worker or a foreman. At least one year of the four must be in a foreman or supervisory position to qualify for a license.
Option 3:
You have completed some relevant courses at an accredited community or junior college and also have relevant work experience in roofing. The breakdown of the two components is assessed on a case-by-case basis, as no two experiences are the same.
Prove Fiscal Responsibility
Rule 61G4-15.006, F.A.C. supports requirements that all applicants must meet a certain level of experience with financial responsibility and stability. This decision is based primarily on the applicant’s consumer credit report, including their credit score. Applicants are required to have a credit score of 660 or above. If they do not, they will have to acquire a licensing bond in the amount of $10,000.
To get licensed, you must also provide the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) with a clean consumer credit report, meaning there is no record of unpaid liens, suits, or judgments.
History of Good Moral Character
While it may seem like an unusual requirement, the state of Florida requires all applicants for Florida roofing contractor licenses to show that they are of good moral character. As part of applying, this will include a Level 2 background check. You will need to be fingerprinted, and there will be a search for any criminal history.
If your license is denied based on a lack of good moral character, they must provide clear and full reasoning through a written statement. The Board must provide a record of the evidence that shows how they came to that decision. You have a right to a rehearing if you disagree with the decision about your license.
Obtain Insurance
Insurance is also a key component of preparing your application for a roofing contractor license in Florida. You will have to purchase and show evidence of the required types of insurance coverage.
To get your license in Florida, you will need Public Liability Insurance totaling $100,000 in coverage and Property Damage Insurance totaling $25,000 in coverage. You will also need to submit evidence of Worker’s Compensation Insurance, but you don’t need to do this before approval for a license.
Apply for Roofing License
Once all your ducks are in a row with these license requirements, it’s finally time to apply!
Fill out your application and prepare to include the following materials.
- Test scores
- Proof of insurance
- Evidence of experience or education
- Credit score
- Background check information
It is important to note that, while you do not need to submit proof of Worker’s Compensation Insurance with your initial packet, you will need to obtain it and provide evidence within 30 days after being licensed.
Paper applications are also an option and will need to be posted to the State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations.
Are you thinking of starting your own company? Then you’ll also want to look into getting your Business License in Florida. This will give you the freedom to not only work as a roofing contractor but operate your own roofing construction company. More info can be found here.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, the process of obtaining your roofing contractor’s license in Florida is no walk in the park. You’ve already put in so much hard work to attain the essential education and experience needed to excel in your career, and the process of getting licensed can feel like a lot of extra hassle, even if you know the result will be worthwhile.
Why not lessen the burden on yourself by working with The Contractor Training Center? We have all the study and reference materials you need to ace your Florida contractor examinations and put the hardest parts of the process behind you.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards your dream career of becoming a roofing construction contractor in the great Sunshine State, Florida, reach out to The Contractor Training Center today!