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 Changes with Florida Senate Bill 1142
The Florida Senate has passed and the Florida State Governor signed Senate Bill 1142 which will extend the preemption deadline within House Bill 735 to July 1, 2025. House Bill 735 states that specific "Certificate of Competency" licenses issued by local jurisdictions, including those related to construction occupations, will be prohibited after July 1, 2023. House Bill 1383 had extended the expiration date to July 1, 2024 and Senate Bill 1142 will now extend it one more year to July 1, 2025.
For more information, please visit the Preemptive Licenses (HB735) page.
NOTE: You will need to renew your expiring Certificate of Competency affected by Senate Bill 1142 before June 30, 2024. This includes all contractor Certificate of Competency licenses scheduled to be preempted in House Bill 1383 including Tree Trimmers. Certificate of Competency licenses not affected by House Bill 735 continue to be on the normal two year renewal schedule. To verify if you license is up for renewal, please reach out to 954-765-4400 x9876 or email bcsdcl@broward.org.
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
