As a licensed contractor in the state of Florida, it is required that you complete continuing education courses to renew your license every two years. Completing these continuing education hours helps ensure that contractors stay up to date on code changes, industry standards, and regulations. In this article, we will outline the steps you need to take to get your Florida contractor continuing education.
Requirements and Deadlines
The State of Florida requires 14 hours of approved continuing education to renew your contractor license every two years. The renewal deadlines depend on your license type – registered general contractors must renew by August 31st of odd years, while certified general contractors renew by August 31st of even years.
Certain counties and municipalities within Florida may have additional continuing education requirements as well. For example, in Miami-Dade County you need 16 total hours – the 14 hours required by the state plus one additional hour on Miami-Dade building code and one hour on Florida construction lien law. Broward County requires four total hours covering workplace safety, business practices, the Broward County building code, and Florida statutes.
It is important to check the specific requirements for your license type and location, as requirements can vary. You must complete all required continuing education hours before your renewal deadline to renew on time without penalty. Failing to complete continuing education can result in fines or your license becoming invalid.
Approved Course Topics
The 14 hours of state-mandated continuing education must cover specific topics designated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The required topics include:
- 8 hours of general business topics
- 1 hour of advanced module
- 1 hour of workplace safety
- 1 hour of business practices
- 1 hour of Florida laws and rules
- 1 hour of workers’ compensation
- 1 hour of wind mitigation
Some counties have additional requirements. For example, contractors working in Miami-Dade County must complete 16 total hours, which includes the state requirements plus 1 hour on Miami-Dade Code Chapter 10 and 1 hour on Florida Statute 713 (construction lien law). Broward County requires 4 hours covering workplace safety, business practices, Broward County Code Chapter 9, and Florida Statute 489.
It’s important to check your license type and specific county or jurisdiction to confirm all continuing education requirements. Failure to complete the required courses and hours could result in your license lapsing or disciplinary action.
Finding Approved Courses
All continuing education courses must be approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. When searching for courses, look for providers that are pre-approved and will issue certificates of completion immediately upon finishing all requirements.
A good option is RocketCert, an online provider with over 100 approved continuing education courses for multiple industries and states including Florida. They offer all the required topics contractors need in flexible online formats. Their courses are self-paced and accessible anytime from any device with an internet connection. RocketCert will report the completion of courses to the state every business day.
Read More: How to Get Your Florida Contractor Continuing Education
Completing the Courses Online
To complete your continuing education requirements online with RocketCert:
- Browse their catalog of Florida contractor continuing education courses to find options that fit your specific license and location.
- Add the required number of hours to your cart and check out. RocketCert courses are affordable starting at $29 per hour.
- Sign in to your student account and begin taking the selected courses at your convenience. All courses are narrated for easy learning on any schedule.
- Upon finishing all required hours, an instant certificate of completion will be available to print or save. No waiting for approval.
- RocketCert will notify the state within one business day, fulfilling the reporting aspect of continuing education.
- Courses have lifetime access for future reference or if any hours need to be retaken before the next renewal period.
- Payment plans are available if the total is over $100.
The online format through providers like RocketCert offers maximum flexibility to complete continuing education from anywhere. Just an internet-connected device is needed to learn at your own pace and immediately print certificates upon completion.
Renewing Your License
To renew an active Florida contractor license using continuing education credits:
- Confirm requirements for your specific license type have been met.
- Gather completion certificates and payment for the renewal fee, currently $50 plus $10 for each certificate of authorization held.
- Submit renewal applications, fee payments, and continuing education certificates through the DBPR licensing portal before the expiration date printed on your license.
- Licenses expire biennially on August 31 of even or odd years depending on license type. General contractors expire on odd years.
- Plan and submit all paperwork and payment at least 30 days before expiration to avoid delays or extra fees for late renewals.
- You’ll receive a renewed license in the mail within 2-3 weeks as long as everything was submitted correctly before expiration.
Getting your Florida contractor continuing education has never been easier with approved online providers available. Plan, find the right courses, complete them at your own pace, and submit renewal materials promptly to keep your license in good standing. Following these steps will allow you to legally continue operations without lapse.
