Working as a certified or registered contractor in Florida comes with lots of amazing perks, from flexible working schedules to great potential for growth. What’s more, the Florida construction space is expanding at an amazing rate, thus you will always have access to projects that enhance your income.
There are some important factors to keep in mind, however. As a registered contractor, you won’t be required to take the state exam, but will only be allowed to work in the counties or municipalities where you hold a local licence. A certified contractor, on the other hand, can work throughout the state.
The most important factor you should remain aware of, however, is that you’re required to renew your licence, regardless of the type. Here are some tips to help you with that.
1. Understand the Renewal Requirements
Before you can plan your renewal schedule and all that, the first thing you want to do is understand the renewal requirements as outlined by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) in Florida. All contractors should renew their licences every two years. If you’re a registered contractor, your renewal will be due every odd-numbered year, by August 31. Certified contractors, on the other hand, should renew their licences every even-numbered year, by the same date.
Don’t forget that you also need to complete 14 hours of continuing education (CE) each renewal period, regardless of the type of licence you hold. Your course must have at least one hour on each of the following topics:
- Laws and rules
- Workplace safety
- Workers’ compensation
- Business practices
- Specialised/advanced module
Building or general contractors must also take one hour on wind mitigation. You can fill the remaining hours with any other relevant topics. Just be sure to enrol in a highly-rated Florida Contractor License Renewal
CE course from a DBPR-approved education provider. The DBPR has an online tool that helps you find out whether a course provider is approved, so make good use of that.
2. Start Early
It’s usually advisable to start the renewal process as early as you can. So, create a schedule and prepare everything you need, even if you feel like it’s too early to do that. Doing this will save you a lot of stressful moments as the renewal deadline closes in. For instance, gathering your documents is a lot easier when you have enough time (months, preferably) until the deadline.
This should also be the time when you create your CE course study schedule to ensure you complete all 14 hours early enough. As a result, you will enjoy a rather effortless licence renewal process.
3. Update Your Information Where Necessary
As you prepare to renew your licence, it’s also crucial to ensure all your details are as you’d like them to be. You don’t want a situation where your renewed licence contains inaccurate information, such as your contact details.
In this regard, it will be a good idea to update your information to reflect any updates, such as changes in contact information or physical address.
Doing this early enough also makes it much easier to respond with additional information if required by the DBPR.
4. Stay Informed and Submit Your Application Early
Make sure to follow the DBPR so you’re always up to date about the renewal process. Though rare, and also acknowledging the fact that changes in the renewal process will always be communicated in advance, there’s always the chance that the regulatory board may decide to make changes if, for instance, there’s an emergency event that affects the renewal process.
Also, ensure to submit your application early enough since this makes it easier to rectify any oversights and submit any additional documents while remaining within the renewal window.
Simplify Your Renewal With RocketCert
Renewing your contractor licence is the non-negotiable requirement you must meet to keep offering your services in Florida legally. Though you might not like this idea, it’s crucial for ensuring you keep delivering high-quality services, since it helps you update your knowledge and learn even more about this industry.
RocketCert can help you navigate this process smoothly through their simplified courses. Thanks to their expertly written and fully narrated courses, you won’t have to spend countless hours just trying to reach the minimum CE hours. Visit rocketcert.com today to get started.
Aisha Noreen is an owner of a small business with more than 9 years of experience in the marketing industry. With the wisdom of an old soul, she always seeks innovation and mind-blowing ROI techniques. Her unique approach helped many small businesses thrive and she can surprise you in many ways as well. Believe it or not, her energy, passion, and creativity are contagious enough to transform your business and take it to another level.
