The Purpose of a Contractor License
Home improvements and repairs can pose many difficult problems and potentially lead to complaints for consumers. We regulate all trades and occupations associated with the installation, repair, alteration, design or modification of electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems; building construction industry; and engineered construction, as mandated by the Florida Statutes and Chapter 9 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances. We issue Certificates of Competency to over 12,000 tradespeople who contract with individuals for construction projects throughout Broward County.
The purpose of contractor licensing regulations is to protect the life, health, safety, property and public welfare of Broward County residents. These regulations promote a marketplace where construction activities are performed by qualified and licensed contractors according to current laws and Florida Building Codes. The Ordinance provides for a uniform central process for examination, certification and regulation of all individuals or business organizations who engage in these trades.
New Changed to Contractor Licensing With Florida House Bill HB1383 on HB735
The Florida Legislature approved House Bill HB1383 which extends the time for the preemptive deadline House Bill HB735, which preempts local occupational licenses to the State of Florida, effective July 1, 2021. House Bill HB735 states that occupational licenses issued by local jurisdictions, including those related to construction occupations, will be prohibited after July 1, 2023. House Bill1383 extends the deadline for the expiration of the occupational licenses to July 1, 2024 and includes additional categories to be added at the State.
As of June 20, 2023, a jurisdiction having construction-related licensing requirements before January 1, 2021, can continue to license construction-related occupations until July 1, 2024; however, such licensing requirements cannot be modified, and no additional requirements can be added.
Therefore, between now and June 30, 2024, applicants seeking a new license or renewal for those construction-related specialty licenses will be issued a license or have their prior license renewed with an expiration date of June 30, 2024. Accordingly, the license fee will be prorated to cover only the licensure period between the date of issuance or renewal and the statutory July 1, 2023, expiration date.
For more information about this regulation and a list of preempted and remaining licenses (certificate of competency) please visit the Contractors section or the Broward County HB735 page of this website.
Liquid Petroleum Gas - Class "CLPG", "CLPP", "CLPS", "CLPSI"
Broward County will no longer offer the Liquid Petroleum Gas Certificate of Competency to contractors with the State of Florida changes in HB735. All cities and municipalities in Broward County will no longer require contractors to carry or show proof of the Broward County Certificate of Competency (license) as of July 1, 2023. LPG Contractors will be required to carry and show the State of Florida Liquid Petroleum Gas Certificate of Competency (license) only.
Broward County Central Examining Board Meetings
If you are applying to become a contractor and are denied, you can request to appear before the Board for review. You may also receive a request to appear before the Board if you have a received a violation or have failed any requirement of the Certificate of Competency. Please reference your trade field and the Central Examining Board schedule.
Permitting Questions due to HB735
For permitting questions and licensing requirements, please use the corresponding links below:
Notice to Members of the Public
If you wish to appeal any decision made by the board, agency, or commission, as applicable, with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, you will need a record of the proceedings . You may thus need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
Resources
Broward County Code of Ordinances: Chapter 9: Contractors
