Contractors in Florida are required to obtain continuing education credits every two years in order to renew their licenses. While traditionally these credits had to be obtained in-person, online options have become increasingly available and popular. This article discusses how Florida contractors can conveniently fulfill their Florida construction continuing education online entirely.
Requirements
In Florida, contractors must complete 14 hours of approved continuing education courses every two years to renew their license. The required topics include general contractor topics, an advanced building code module, workplace safety, business practices, laws and rules, workers’ compensation, and wind mitigation.
Contractors in Miami-Dade County must complete 16 total hours, which includes the 14 hours required by the state plus one additional hour each on chapter 10 of the Miami-Dade County code and Florida construction lien law.
Those in Broward County need four total hours covering workplace safety, business practices, chapter 9 of the Broward County code, and Florida statute 489.
The state verifies approved providers and course offerings on a regular basis to ensure contractors receive up-to-date and relevant training. Only courses from approved providers can be used toward license renewal.
Choosing an Online Provider
When choosing an online continuing education provider, contractors should select one that is approved by the applicable regulatory bodies for the required number of credits. Reputable providers like RocketCert have been approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation as well as county authorities.
Contractors should also consider other important factors like course quality, customer service, and accessibility when choosing a provider. Nationally recognized providers tend to have expertly-written, engaging content tailored specifically for contractors. Their online platforms are typically easy to navigate on any device and allow pausing and resuming courses as needed.
Reputable providers also offer outstanding customer support to assist with registrations, technical issues, and certifications. Being able to get help from a live person is important since online learning is relatively new for some contractors used to in-person classes. Prompt response times indicate the provider truly cares about its students’ needs.
Course Options
Once contractors select a provider, they’ll have a variety of online course options from which to choose that meet the required topics. Providers like RocketCert break courses into individual 1-2 hour modules focusing on subjects like general construction topics, business practices, codes, and more.
This allows contractors maximum flexibility to take exactly what they need. Those renewing active licenses can opt for shorter continuation courses rather than retaking a full 14-hour program. Those with specific county requirements can select targeted courses.
Many providers even offer pre-made course bundles addressing all state or local needs in one place. For example, RocketCert has 16-hour and 4-hour packages for Miami-Dade and Broward contractors, respectively. Such bundles streamline the process.
Completing Courses Online
Contractors to access courses anytime from any internet-connected device like a computer, tablet or phone. This makes fitting education into busy schedules much easier than rigid in-person classes.
Courses are self-paced, with users able to start and stop as needed, revisiting material as many times as required until fully understanding the content. Knowledge is assessed through online quizzes completed on the user’s own timetable.
Upon passing a course, the provider automatically issues an approval certificate for the student. The selected regulatory agencies are then notified within a few business days that the credits have been earned, completing the license renewal requirement. The entire process can be handled remotely.
Benefits of Online Learning
For contractors balancing work and personal obligations, online continuing education provides a host of conveniences over physical classes. Users save time and money on commuting as courses are accessible 24/7 from anywhere.
Scheduling is much more flexible, allowing education to fit into small breaks throughout busy days rather than large dedicated class blocks. Material can be revisited at an individualized pace until fully mastered.
Online learning also removes geographical barriers that previously required traveling outside a local area. As long as internet is available, contractors anywhere in the state with an approved provider can satisfy renewal needs without leaving home or job sites.
Customer support from providers is always just a quick phone or email away to address any technical issues. With reputable online programs, contractors get the same high-quality instruction as in-person alternatives through a more practical medium.
Read More: How to Get Your Florida Contractor Continuing Education
Conclusion
By choosing approved online providers, contractors can conveniently fulfill all continuing education requirements for license renewal. This allows fitting valuable skills training into hectic schedules while saving traveling time and costs. Reputable companies offer engaging, expert-led content and outstanding support. With the many flexibility and practicality benefits, Florida construction continuing education online learning continues growing in popularity for construction continuing education.
