Plumbers working in Florida can either work with a general contractor license or obtain a specific plumbing license. The general contractor license allows them to work throughout the state.
However, the plumbing licenses come from each city or county rather than the state itself. Which one of these licenses is the better option is something that each plumber must decide.
Every state within the US has different licensing requirements. In Florida, the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board conducts these licensing tasks.
Like most other states, plumbers in Florida must also go through three levels of plumbing licenses. These include the apprentice, journeyman and master plumbing licenses.
Can licensed plumbers from other states work in Florida?
Florida does not have any license reciprocity agreements. It means that licensed plumbers from other states cannot work in Florida without obtaining a license from the state first. Even though some plumbers may have higher-level plumbing licenses in other states, they must reapply in Florida.
What are the various types of licenses in Florida?
Contractor licenses are approved at a state level and operate under the FDBDR. There are two categorizations for licenses in Florida. The first type of license is a registered license.
These licenses allow contractors to work throughout Florida. On the other hand, the next type is certified licenses. These limit the work of contractors to local jurisdictions.
Similarly, there is a further classification for contractors. Every contractor must decide on which type of license they want. Firstly, they can get a general contractor license. It allows them to work in the construction, repair, remodeling or improvement of any building.
Secondly, they can get a building contractor license. However, it limits their work to buildings that are under four stories. Lastly, the residential contractor license restricts contractors’ work to buildings two stories or less.
How to get a plumbing license in Florida?
There are various levels of plumbing licenses in Florida. Plumbers must go through each stage to get the next level license. First, plumbers must obtain an apprentice plumbing license.
Apprentice plumbing license
The apprentice plumbing license is for plumbers without any prior work experience. Prospective plumbers need to have a high school degree or GED to obtain the license.
Similarly, Florida requires them to be at least 18 years old or more. Apprentices can work independently or join a program through an independent agency.
Plumbers must work as an apprentice for five years. They must spend these years under the supervision of a journeyman or a master plumber.
Likewise, apprentices get paid for their work throughout the state. In some cases, they don’t need to pay tuition fee or get books. Similarly, they must obtain a combination of on-the-job and classroom training.
There are various categories that Florida apprentice plumbers must train in and know through classroom training. Usually, their training involves 1,800 hours over five years.
Similarly, they must spend a total of 10,000 years over their 5-year work period obtaining on-the-job training. Through a mixture of both, apprentice plumbers can maximize their learning.
There are various apprentice-level jobs available throughout Florida. These jobs vary according to the local requirements that apprentices must satisfy.
Apprentices should find a regional representative and cooperate with their work with them.
Journeyman Plumbing License
Apprentice plumbers, after their apprenticeship, can obtain a journeyman plumbing license. The journeyman license requirements differ according to each city’s local regulations. However, each requires at least four years of relevant work experience.
After plumbers get the journeyman license, they can earn higher and be more independent in their work. However, they must still work under a master plumber.
All the requirements for the journeyman license differ according to the licensed city. However, they must pass a journeyman exam.
The exam is either online or paper-based, depending on preference. There are 100 questions in the exam and it takes 2-5 hours to finish. The exam fee also differs according to each city.
Contractor License
Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board also controls various types of contractor licenses. Through these licenses, plumbers can obtain independent contracts and work independently.
However, there are some requirements that they must fulfill first. These include the following.
- Be 18 years old or more.
- Prove that current assets exceed current liabilities.
- Obtain at least a 660 FICO credit score.
- Submit electronic fingerprints.
- Pass the Florida State Construction Exam.
- Complete the related application.
- Pay the application and licensing fee.
Summary
Below is a summary of the requirements for each level of plumbing license in Florida.
Journeyman
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Pass the licensing exam.
- Pay the license fee according to the city’s requirements.
- Have at least four years of experience as a plumber.
Master
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Pass the licensing exam.
- Demonstrate capabilities in the examination for a master plumber license.
- Pay the license fee according to the city’s requirements.
- Have at least seven years of experience as a plumber, including two years of work as a journeyman.