Last updated: February 20, 2007
Electrical Codes
Florida Building Commission
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
(850)-487-1824
http://www.dca.state.fl.us/FBC/commission/1_commission_meetings.htm
- 2005 National Electrical Code, effective December 8, 2006. The proposed adoption of the 2008 NEC is 6 months following the adoption of the 2007 Florida Building Code on December 1, 2008.
- Adoption type: State-wide. The 2004 Florida Building Code (2005 supplement) references the 2005 NEC, which must be enforced uniformly across the state with no local amendments. The only exceptions are a few special districts that have their own code enforcement and licensing rules, such as Broward County Board of Rules and Appeals, Miami/Dade County, and the Reedy Creek Improvement District (Disney). All jurisdictions will have to enforce the 2007 FBC on December 1, 2008.
Licensing Requirements
- Electrical Inspectors? Yes
- Electricians? Yes
- Contractors? Yes
Licensing: Electrical Inspectors/Services
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Division of Professions
Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1039
Phone: 850.487.1395
http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/buildc/bc_index.shtml
Licensing requirements:
Three types of licenses – Standard, Limited and Provisional – can be obtained in the following categories
| Building Code Administrator |
| Building code administrator or building official refers to any of those employees of municipal or county governments with building construction regulation responsibilities who are charged with responsibility for direct regulatory administration or supervision of plan review, enforcement, or inspection of building construction, erection, repair, addition, remodeling, demolition, or alteration projects that require permitting indicating compliance with building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, energy, accessibility, and other construction codes as required by state law or municipal or county ordinance. |
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| Requirements: |
Be at least 18 years of age Be of good moral character
Demonstrate 10 years combined experience as an architect, engineer, plans examiner, building code inspector, registered or certified contractor, or construction superintendent, with a least 5 years of such experience in supervisory positions; or
Demonstrate a combination of post secondary education in the field of construction or related field, no more than 5 years of which may be applied, and experience as an architect, engineer, plans examiner, building code inspector, registered or certified contractor, or construction superintendent which totals 10 years, with at least 5 years of such total being experience in supervisory positions.
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| Fees: |
There are no application/examination/renewal fees for government employees; however, a $5 unlicensed activity fee is required per certification. Non-government employees must pay a $25 application fee, a $50 examination fee, a $25 certification fee and a $5 unlicensed activity fee. The reexamination fee is $25. |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial; Licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years with the exception of provisional licenses, which expire three years after the original issuance date. The renewal fee for government or non-government employees is $5 per biennial renewal period. |
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| Building Inspector (Standard Inspector) |
| A standard inspector is an individual who holds a standard inspector’s license in the respective category (building, mechanical, coastal construction, plumbing, electrical and 1&2 family dwelling). It is the responsibility of the inspector to conduct inspections of construction, alterations, repair, remodeling or demolition of structures and the installation of building systems, when permits are required to ensure compliance with the Florida Building Code and public safety. The inspector must perform their task and/or duties under the direction of a building code administrator/official. |
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| Requirements: |
Be at least 18 years of age Be of good moral character
Demonstrate 5 years combined experience in the field of construction or related field, inspection, or plans review corresponding to the certification category sought; or
Demonstrate a combination of post-secondary education in the field of construction or related field and experience which totals 4 years, with at least 1 year of such total being experience in construction, building inspection, or plans review; or
Currently hold a standard certificate as issued by the board and satisfactorily complete an inspector or plans examiner training program of not less than 200 hours in the certification category sought that has been approved by the board.
Plans Examiner and Building Inspector pen and paper, technical examinations are administered four times each year by the International Code Council (ICC).Applicants are also required to pass a technical portion for the respective professional category in which they are applying for licensure. |
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| Fees: |
There are no application/examination/renewal fees for government employees; however, a $5 unlicensed activity fee is required per certification. Non-government employees must pay a $25 application fee, a $50 examination fee, a $25 certification fee and a $5 unlicensed activity fee. The reexamination fee is $25. |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial; Licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years with the exception of provisional licenses, which expire three years after the original issuance date. The renewal fee for government or non-government employees is $5 per biennial renewal period. |
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| Plans Examiner |
| A standard plans examiner refers to a person who is qualified to determine that plans submitted for purposes of obtaining building and other permits comply with the applicable building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, energy, accessibility and other construction codes. |
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| Requirements: |
Be at least 18 years of age Be of good moral character
Demonstrate 5 years combined experience in the field of construction or related field, inspection, or plans review corresponding to the certification category sought; or
Demonstrate a combination of post-secondary education in the field of construction or related field and experience which totals 4 years, with at least 1 year of such total being experience in construction, building inspection, or plans review; or
Currently hold a standard certificate as issued by the board and satisfactorily complete an inspector or plans examiner training program of not less than 200 hours in the certification category sought that has been approved by the board.
Plans Examiner and Building Inspector pen and paper, technical examinations are administered four times each year by the International Code Council (ICC).Applicants are also required to pass a technical portion for the respective professional category in which they are applying for licensure. |
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| Fees: |
There are no application/examination/renewal fees for government employees; however, a $5 unlicensed activity fee is required per certification. Non-government employees must pay a $25 application fee, a $50 examination fee, a $25 certification fee and a $5 unlicensed activity fee. The reexamination fee is $25. |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial; Licenses expire November 30 of even-numbered years with the exception of provisional licenses, which expire three years after the original issuance date. The renewal fee for government or non-government employees is $5 per biennial renewal period. |
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CE Requirements
Fourteen hours of approved continuing education are required every time a license is renewed. Of the 14 hours, two hours must be in the area of accessibility and two hours must be in the area of Florida laws and rules. For individuals who are licensed with less than one-half of their initial biennial licensure period remaining, they are not required to complete any continuing education for their initial licensure period.
For individuals who are licensed with more than one-half of their initial biennial licensure period remaining, they are only required to complete seven hours of continuing education which shall include a minimum of one hour in the area of accessibility. All continuing education courses must be approved by the Board of Building Code Administrators and Inspectors, the Construction Industry Licensing Board, the Electrical Contractors Licensing Board, or the Board of Architecture and Interior Design.
Reciprocates
None
Licensing: Contractors
Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Electrical Contractors Licensing Board
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1039
(850) 487-1395
Fax: (850) 921-4216
http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/
Licensing requirements:
| Electrical or “Unlimited” Electrical Contractor |
License Code:
EC |
An "electrical contractor" means a person who conducts business in the electrical trade field and who has the experience and knowledge install, repair, alter, add to, or design electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, apparatus, raceways, and conduit, including the electrical installations and systems within plants and substations and ALL alarm systems and specialty categories. |
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| Fees: |
Registration fee: n/a
Certification fee: $255 |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial renewal: $255 certified, $105 registered
Renewal date: 8/31 of even years |
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| Registered Electrical Contractor |
License Code:
ER |
A "registered electrical contractor" means an electrical contractor who has registered with the department pursuant to fulfilling the competency requirements in the jurisdiction for which the registration is issued. A "registered electrical contractor" may contract for electrical systems, including all specialty categories, only in the cities and/or counties for which his or her registration is issued. A "registered electrical contractor" MAY NOT contract for any alarm system. |
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| Fees: |
Registration fee: $105
Certification fee: $n/a |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial renewal: ?
Renewal date: 8/31 of even years |
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| Alarm System Contractor I |
License Code:
EF |
An "alarm system contractor I" means an alarm system contractor whose business includes all types of alarm systems for all purposes. |
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| Fees: |
Registration fee: n/a
Certification fee: $255 |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial renewal: $255 certified, $105 registered
Renewal date: 8/31 of even years |
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| Alarm System Contractor II |
License Code:
EG |
An "alarm system contractor II" means an alarm system contractor whose business includes all types of alarm systems other than fire, for all purposes. |
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| Fees: |
Registration fee: n/a
Certification fee: $255 |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial renewal: $255 certified, $105 registered
Renewal date: 8/31 of even years |
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| Registered Alarm System Contractor I |
License Code:
EH or EY |
A "registered alarm system contractor I" means an alarm system contractor whose business includes all types of alarm systems for all purposes. A registered "alarm system contractor I" may contract only in the cities and/or counties for which his or her registration is issued. |
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| Fees: |
Registration fee: $105
Certification fee: $n/a |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial renewal: ?
Renewal date: 8/31 of even years |
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| Registered Alarm System Contractor II |
License Code:
EI or EZ |
A "registered alarm system contractor II" means an alarm system contractor whose business includes all types of alarm systems, other than fire, for all purposes. A "registered alarm system contractor II" may contract only in the cities and/or counties for which his or her registration is issued. |
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| Fees: |
Registration fee: $105
Certification fee: $n/a |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial renewal: ?
Renewal date: 8/31 of even years |
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| Registered Residential Alarm System Contractor |
License Code:
EJ |
A "registered residential alarm system contractor" means an alarm system contractor whose business is limited to burglar alarm systems in single-family residential, quadruplex housing, and mobile homes of a residential occupancy class. A "registered residential alarm system contractor" may contract only in the cities and/or counties for which his or her registration is issued. |
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| Fees: |
Registration fee: $105
Certification fee: $n/a |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial renewal: ?
Renewal date: 8/31 of even years |
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| Specialty Contractor |
License Code:
EG |
A "specialty contractor" means a contractor whose scope of practice is limited to a specific segment of electrical or alarm system contracting, including, but not limited to: elevator specialist (class code 066), utility line electrical specialist (class code 068), low voltage system specialist (class code 069), residential electrical contracting (class code 043), maintenance of electrical fixtures (class code 065), and fabrication, erection, installation, and maintenance of electrical advertising signs (class code 067). |
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| Types of specialty contractors: |
Lighting Maintenance Specialty
Sign Specialty
Limited Energy
Residential
Utility Line |
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| Fees: |
Registration fee: n/a
Certification fee: $255 |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial renewal: $255 certified, $105 registered
Renewal date: 8/31 of even years |
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| Registered Electrical Specialty Contractor |
License Code:
ET |
A "registered electrical specialty contractor" elevator specialist (class code 066), utility line electrical specialist (class code 068), low voltage system specialist (class code 069), residential electrical contracting (class code 043), maintenance of electrical fixtures (class code 065), and fabrication, erection, installation, and maintenance of electrical advertising signs (class code 067). A "registered electrical specialty contractor" may contract only in the cities and/or counties for which his or her registration is issued. |
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| Types of specialty contractors: |
Lighting Maintenance Specialty
Sign Specialty
Limited Energy
Residential
Utility Line
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| Fees: |
Registration fee: $105
Certification fee: n/a |
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| Renewal: |
Biennial renewal: $255 certified, $105 registered
Renewal date: 8/31 of even years |
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Certification by Endorsement
Currently, only California (EC Only), Georgia, and North Carolina meet the requirements for certification by endorsement. Florida allows certification by endorsement if:
- Has passed national, regional, state, or US territorial exam equivalent to the one required here, or
- Holds a valid license (electrical or alarm system) issued by another state or territory if the criteria must Florida criteria at time of issuance.
- Applicant must apply on ‘Certified Electrical … application package’ following requirements for Certification by Endorsement. The application requires that you submit the following information:
a. Credit report on the business entity.
b. Letter of License Verification and Good Standing from Endorsing State – This is like the certification of license history that Florida provides.
c. Certificate of Status from the Division of Corporations for a corporation, partnership or fictitious name filing.
d. Financial Statement – All applicants must submit a comprehensive financial statement, not over 12 months old. If applying to do business as an individual, the statement shall include a balance sheet. If applying to do business as a business entity, the statement shall include a balance sheet, income statement, capital statement, and statement of cash flow. If the financial statement is not prepared by a CPA, it shall be notarized.
e. Letter of financial responsibility - A primary qualifying agent must submit a notarized letter from the bank official concerning the applicant’s check writing authority or from the chief financial officer to demonstrate the applicant has authority for approving checks, payments, drafts, and contracts on behalf of the business.
f. Verification of officer/supervisor status (Statement of Authority) – A statement that the applicant is legally qualified to act for the business organization in all matters connected with its contracting business and/or that the applicant has authority to supervise construction undertaken by the business organization. Signatures include: Partnership – all partners must sign statement; Corporation – submit copy of official minutes attested by corporation secretary; Trust – signed by trustees or other as can legally bind the business.
For States other than the three listed above, the applicant must provide such proof of examination for the Board to determine equivalency. This includes submission of a completed Examination Evaluation Questonnaire available from the Bureau of Education and Testing.
Florida endorses certain licenses from California, Georgia, and North Carolina ONLY. The license holder must have taken the state examination to get a license in that state. The following is an endorsement matrix listing the license categories:
- Florida license category = GA or NC license category (exams passed)
- Unlimited Electrical (EC) NC Unlimited
- Unlimited Electrical (EC) GA Class II plus LV-U(low v unl)
- Unlimited Electrical (EC) CALIF (C-10 License)
- Alarm I (EF) GA LV-U (low voltage unlimited)
- Alarm II (EG) GA LV-A (low voltage alarm)
- Residential Specialty (ES) GA Class I (EN)
- (Low Voltage)Limited Energy(ES)GA LV-T or LV-G
Registered vs. Certified
A registered licensee has registered a local county or municipal license with the state to become a state registered contractor. Registered licensees can work only in the counties or municipalities where a local license is held.
A certified licensee has passed the state exam to become licensed (except in cases of Grandfathering). Certified licensees can work anywhere within the State of Florida.
At the issuance of a certified license, the contractor must return the registered license in that category. If the contractor is qualifying a second business, he/she must apply to qualify the second business as a certified contractor.
CE Requirements
Fourteen hours of board approved continuing education is required each biennium prior to the renewal period for both certified and registered contractors; at least seven hours of which are on technical subjects; one hour on workers’ compensation; one hour on workplace safety; and one hour on business practices, and one hour of Advanced Course. Multiple license holders are required to complete the continuing education requirements only once each biennium. Contractors who are engaged in alarm system contracting, must take a two-hour False alarm prevention course, as a part of their Continuing Education.
Reciprocates
None
State Websites
Here is a list of governmental websites to find the latest licensing and code information.
Submit Alteration
Use the Alteration form to request changes, updates, and other corrections to this page. You can also use this form if you wish to add a new jurisdiction. Requests must include source of information so that IAEI can verify it. You can also contact IAEI directly at directCONNECT@iaei.org.
 Submit Alteration Form
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