Florida Underground Utility Contractor License
A Florida Underground Utilityand Excavation Contractor (CUC) is a contractor whose services limited to the construction, installation, and repair, on public or private property, whether accomplished through open excavations or through other means, including, but not limited to, directional drilling, auger boring, jacking and boring, trenchless technologies, wet and dry taps, grouting, and slip lining, of main sanitary sewer collection systems, main water distribution systems, storm sewer collection systems, and the continuation of utility lines from the main systems to a point of termination up to and including the meter location for the individual occupancy, sewer collection systems at property line on residential or single-occupancy commercial properties, or on multi-occupancy properties at manhole or wye lateral extended to an invert elevation as engineered to accommodate future building sewers, water distribution systems, or storm sewer collection systems at storm sewer structures. However, an Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor may install empty underground conduits in rights-of-way, easements, platted rights-of-way in new site development, and sleeves for parking lot crossings no smaller than 2 inches in diameter if each conduit system installed is designed by a licensed professional engineer or an authorized employee of a municipality, county, or public utility and the installation of such conduit does not include installation of any conductor wiring or connection to an energized electrical system. An Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor may not install piping that is an integral part of a fire protection system as defined in s. 633.102 beginning at the point where the piping is used exclusively for such system.
Licensing Requirements
Below are some of the requirements needed to become a licensed Underground Utility Contractor in the State of Florida:
- Age: Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Examination: Must take and pass the state certification examinations (Underground Utility 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 Underground Utility 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 Underground Utility Contractor License must demonstrate substantial experience with the installation of:
- Main Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems
- Main Water Distribution Systems
- Storm Sewer Collection Systems
- Additionally, applicants for the Certified Underground Utility Contractor License may demonstrate substantial experience in:
- Repair of Main Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems
- Repair of Main Water Distribution Systems
- Repair of Storm Sewer Collection Systems
- Installation/Repair of Conventional (Open Pipe) Trench
- Trenchless Technologies
- Directional Boring/Auger, Boring/Jacking and Boring
- Meter Installation/Flow Regulation
- Installation of Wet and Dry Taps
- Grouting and Pipeline Abandonment/Removal
- Empty Conduit Installation
- Installation of Reclaimed Water Systems
- Construction/Installation of Pump Stations, Lift Stations and Wet Wells
- 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 Underground Utility 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 Underground Utility Contractor Exams
The Florida Underground Utility Contractor Examination in Florida consists of a Business and Finance and Trade Knowledge exam. You have to pass BOTH parts of the Underground Utility Contractors exam and meet the minimum experience requirements to activate the Underground Utility Contractor license. Both parts of the Underground Utility Contractor exam are administrated as computer-based exams. The total examination fee for first time licensees is $295.
Underground Utilities Trade Knowledge Exam
This 5 hour, 80 question open book examination covers topics as such Pre-installation, Traffic Control, Excavating, Backfill, and Compaction, Pipe Installation and Repair, Piping, Valves, and Fittings, Testing, Disinfecting, and Job Close Out, Drainage System, Equipment. For detailed Underground Utility examination content, click here.
Business and Finance Exam
This 6 hour and 30 minute, 120 question open book examination covers topics as such 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.
