Florida Plumbing Contractor License
A Florida Plumbing Contractor(CFC) is a contractor whose services are unlimited in the plumbing trade and includes contracting business consisting of the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or, if not prohibited by law, design plumbing. A Plumbing Contractor may install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, or, if not prohibited by law, design the following without obtaining an additional local regulatory license, certificate, or registration: sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, water and sewer plants and substations, venting systems, public or private water supply systems, septic tanks, drainage and supply wells, swimming pool piping, irrigation systems, and solar heating water systems and all appurtenances, apparatus, or equipment used in connection therewith, including boilers and pressure process piping and including the installation of water, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and related venting, and storm and sanitary sewer lines. The scope of work of the Plumbing Contractor also includes the design, if not prohibited by law, and installation, maintenance, repair, alteration, or extension of air-piping, vacuum line piping, oxygen line piping, nitrous oxide piping, and all related medical gas systems; fire line standpipes and fire sprinklers if authorized by law; ink and chemical lines; fuel oil and gasoline piping and tank and pump installation, except bulk storage plants; and pneumatic control piping systems, all in a manner that complies with all plans, specifications, codes, laws, and regulations applicable. The scope of work of the Plumbing Contractor applies to private property and public property, including any excavation work incidental thereto, and includes the work of the specialty plumbing contractor. A Plumbing Contractor shall subcontract, with a qualified contractor in the field concerned, all other work incidental to the work but which is specified as being the work of a trade other than that of a plumbing contractor. This definition does not limit the scope of work of any specialty contractor certified pursuant to s. 489.113(6) and does not require certification or registration under this part as a category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer, or category V LP gas installer, as defined in s.527.01, who is licensed under chapter 527 or an authorized employee of a public natural gas utility or of a private natural gas utility regulated by the Public Service Commission when disconnecting and reconnecting water lines in the servicing or replacement of an existing water heater. A Plumbing Contractor may perform drain cleaning and clearing and install or repair rainwater catchment systems; however, a mandatory licensing requirement is not established for the performance of these specific services.
Licensing Requirements
Below are some of the requirements needed to become a licensed Plumbing Contractor in the State of Florida:
- Age: Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Examination: Must take and pass the state certification examinations (Plumbing Trade Knowledge, and Business & Finance). Please note that the application process cannot be started until the exams are taken and passing scores are obtained.
- Experience / Education: A person will qualify for a Certified Plumbing Contractor's license by meeting one of the following requirements.
- Four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to three years' experience) and one year proven experience applicable to the category for which you are applying.
- One year experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- One year experience as a worker, one-year experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- Two years' experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- Four years' experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
- Military Veterans
- A veteran will qualify for a certified license by meeting on of the following:
- Three years of military service and one year experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
- Two years of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and one year experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
- One year of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and two years' experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
- Applicants for the Certified Plumbing License must demonstrate substantial experience in the installation of the following:
- Roof and Storm Drainage
- Sanitary Drainage
- Drainage Venting
- Waste Piping
- Water Distribution Systems and Lines
- Backflow Prevention Devices
- Natural Gas and Liquid Petroleum Piping and Venting Systems
- Additionally, applicants for the Certified Plumbing License may demonstrate substantial experience in:
- Medical Gas Piping (Oxygen, Helium, Nitrous Oxide, Compressed Air)
- Medical Gas Vacuum Piping
- Industrial Gas Piping
- Industrial Gas Vacuum Piping
- Steam Distribution
- Oil and Gasoline Storage and Distribution
- Sewage Disposal Systems (Septic Tanks, Pumps, Lift Stations and Interceptors)
- Solar Water Heating Systems
- Water Wells and Irrigation Systems
- Swimming Pool Piping systems
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And the maintenance and repair of the following
- Roof and Storm Drainage
- Sanitary Drainage
- Drainage Venting
- Waste Piping
- Water Distribution Systems and Lines
- Backflow Prevention Devices
- Chemical Waste Drainage
- Industrial Water Drainage
- Natural Gas and Liquid Petroleum Piping and Venting Systems
- Financial / Credit: Applicants will need to provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting personal credit reports. Credit reports must include a FICO derived credit score and indicate that local, state and federal records have been searched. Credit report containing a credit score (FICO derived) on applicant from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency, which includes a public records statement that records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels. If credit score is below 660 (FICO derived) applicant must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit. Note that Fifty percent (50%) of the bond or letter of credit requirement may be met by completion of a 14-hour financial responsibility course.
- Fingerprints: An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.
- Insurance: Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by Board rule. Applicants are also required to obtain worker's compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from worker's compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license.
To download the Plumbing contractor application for initial licensure, click here.
Cam Tech School of Construction cannot confirm that your practical experience will meet the minimum requirements as set forth by the CILB. For questions regarding your experience, please contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395.
Florida Plumbing Exams
The Florida Plumbing Contractor Examination in Florida consists of a Business and Finance and Trade Knowledge exam. You have to pass BOTH parts of the Plumbing Contractors exam and meet the minimum experience requirements to activate the Plumbing Contractor license. The Business and Finance exam is administrated as computer-based exam. The Plumbing Trade Knowledge exam is administrated as a paper and pencil exam that is administrated every other month (on the even month) in the Orlando/Kissimmee area. The total examination fee for first time licensees is $295.
Plumbing Trade Knowledge Exam
This 7 hour and 30 minute, 130 question open book examination covers topics such as Drainage, Water Distribution, Natural Gas Piping, Medical Gas Piping, Industrial Piping, Swimming Pools, Wells, and Irrigation, Solar, and Fire Protection. For detailed Class A Air Conditioning examination content, click here.
Business and Finance Exam
This 6 hour and 30 minute, 120 question open book examination covers topics such as Establishing the Contracting Business, Managing Administrative Duties, Managing Trade Operations, Conducting Accounting Functions, Managing Human Resources, and complying with Government Regulations. For detailed Business & Finance examination content, click here.
NOTE: Prior to beginning your computer-based exams, there is a 15 minute tutorial on how to use the computer system that DOES NOT count against your allotted time. To register for your examination, click here.
