Are you looking to soar to new heights as a licensed roofer in the Sunshine State?
Obtaining your Florida roofing license can open doors to endless possibilities.
In this guide, we’ll navigate you through the necessary steps to achieve your dream of becoming a licensed roofing professional.
Step 1: Meeting the Prerequisites
Before you can embark on your journey to becoming a licensed roofer in Florida, you must ensure that you meet the prerequisites. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid social security number.
Applicants also need a combined amount of education or experience, which can be met with either:
- Four year construction-related degree + one year roofing experience;
- Three years of college credit + one year experience as a foreman;
- Two years of college credit + one year as roofing worker + one year as foreman
- One year of college credit + two years as a worker + one year as a foreman
- Four years of experience (with at least one year as a foreman)
* Military veterans can apply their years of service in the military.
Step 2: Fix Your Credit
Licensed roofers are required to have a credit score of 660 or higher, as determined by a nationally recognized reporting agency. If you do not meet the credit requirements, you can still qualify by completing a 14-hour financial responsibility course.
If you need to complete a course, you can find the list of eligible courses here: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/pro/cilb/documents/cilb_approved_financial_responsibility_courses.pdf
Step 3: Gather the Required Documents
The next step involves ensuring that you have all the necessary paperwork and documentation in order. For example, if you have an adverse criminal or credit history, you may need to have documentation ready to show the criminal/credit matter has been satisfactorily resolved.
Similarly, you will need to make sure you have the correct application form to apply with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
DBPR publishes a variety of forms on its website, depending on: (1) which kind of license you are applying for, and (2) whether you will be adding your license to a company: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp?chBoard=true&SID=&boardid=06&professionid=0603
Step 4: Passing the Licensing Exam
Licensed roofers are also required to pass a written exam. This exam is designed to evaluate your understanding of roofing principles, safety practices, and state regulations. The exam is split into two sections: a business and finance section and a trade knowledge section. You must demonstrate your proficiency in both areas to achieve success.
You can learn more about testing here: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/documents/exam_applic_pack.pdf
The roofing portion of the exam is 5 hours long with 80 question in an open book format. It covers topics such as the application of different types of roofing systems.
The business and finance exam is six and a half hours and has 120 questions covering various topics relevant to managing a roofing business.
Step 5: Insurance and Bonding
Before you embark on your roofing career, you must ensure that you are adequately insured. Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) requires applicants to obtain both public liability and property damage insurance within 30 days of receiving their license.
Step 6: Application Submission
The final phase of your licensing journey is submitting your application. Ensure that you complete all of the requirements contained in the DBPR form, such as submitting fingerprints and credit report. Also, you should triple-check the application form for errors, as any error can delay your application for weeks or months.
Some applicants may be required to attend a board hearing before the CILB if there is adverse information in their application. For example, if you have been charged with a serious crime, you may need to appear for a board hearing so the board can evaluate your character and fitness.
Step 7: Embarking on Your Roofing Journey
Obtaining your roofing license in Florida opens a world of opportunities to take your career to new heights. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to conquering the Florida roofing industry with confidence and competence. Happy roofing!
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