​​​​​​Broward County requires contractors in certain construction trades to have a "Certificate of Competency" commonly known as an Occupational Trade License.  Depending upon the trade, this license allows the holder to perform the work or operate a business within all of the municipalities in Broward County and obtain permits required to perform the project. Operating a business without a proper qualified person holding a Certificate of Competency or acting as an unlicensed independent contractor is a violation of Broward County Code of Ordinances​.  Fines can and will be imposed on both businesses and contractors operating without a properly licensed supervisor, manager or an individual contractor performing the work. 

New Changes with Florida Senate Bill SB1142 on Occupational Licensing

The Florida Senate is in its final stages with Senate Bill SB1142 which will extend the preemption deadline within House Bill HB735 to July 1, 2025.  House Bill HB735 states that occupational licenses issued by local jurisdictions, including those related to construction occupations, will be prohibited after July 1, 2023.  House Bill HB1383 extended the date to July 1, 2024 and Senate Bill SB1142 is written to extend it one more year to July 1, 2025 upon approval. 

NOTE:  You will need to renew your expiring Certificate of Competency (a.k.a. contractor or occupational license) affected by Senate Bill SB1142 before June 30, 2024.  This includes all occupational and contractor licenses scheduled to be preempted in House Bill HB1383 including Tree Trimmers.  Certificate of Competency (a.k.a. contractor or occupational licenses) not affected by House Bill HB735 would be on the normal two year renewal schedule for contractors with a last names starting between A thru K.  To verify if you license is up for renewal, please reach out to 954-765-4400 x9876 or email bcsdcl@broward.org.​

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Changes made to Florida House Bill HB735 with HB1383

​The Florida Legislature approved House Bill HB1383 and signed by the Governor on June 20, 2023, which extends the deadline of occupational licenses that were to be preempted with House Bill HB735 on July 1, 2023, are to be extended until July 1, 2024. 

​NOTE: The Contractor Licensing section of Building Code has mailed renewals on June 23, 2023 for those ​who were to expire on June 30, 2023.  Certificates of Competency (Licenses) that are listed to be eliminated in HB735 are receiving the new expiration date of June 30, 2024 and are prorated to one year. The reduced renewal fee is stated on the renewal form. 

NOTE:  You will need to renew your expired June 30, 2023 or August 31, 2023 Certificate of Competency (aka contractor license), including Tree Trimmer licenses with Broward County Contractor Licensing.  We will be waving all late fees until August 31, 2023.  Tree Trimmer's with an expired training certification will be allowed to renew if the issued date is after August 31, 2021.  If your training certification issue ​date is before August 31, 2021, you will need to take the training class.​

Change made ​to Contractor Licensing with Florida House Bill HB735

The Florida Legislature approved House Bill HB735, which preempts local occupational licenses to the State of Florida, effective July 1, 2021. House Bill HB735 states that occupational licenses issued by local jurisdictions, including those related to construction occupations, will be prohibited after July 1, 2023. 

Note: House Bill HB1383 extends the deadline for the preemption of occupational licenses until July 1, 2024.

A jurisdiction having construction-related licensing requirements before January 1, 2021, can continue to license construction-related occupations until July 1, 2023 (extended to July 1, 2024); however, such licensing requirements cannot be modified, and no additional requirements can be added.

​Q​uestion: If my license categ​ory is being eliminated on July 1, 2023, am I required to obtain another license to perform the same scope of work?

​Answer: You will only need to obtain another license if the scope of work requires a building permit. 

​Question: Are there any other options for licensing and where can I find information?

​Answer: Yes. Broward County and the State of Florida will continue to require and issue contractor licenses for specific scopes of service.  More information can be found on the State of Florida's, Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website and Broward County's, Building Code, Contractor Licensing website.

​Question: Will license renewals be prorated and how?

​Answer: Yes. Renewal fees in 2022 will be prorated for the nine months the license will be in effect.

​Question: After July 1, 2023, will you need a contractor’s license to obtain a permit?

​Answer: Yes. You will need to have a license issued by Broward County or the State of Florida specific to the category for which a permit is required.

​Question: Does this change mean that all specialty licenses will no longer exist after July 2023? If so, will all specialty contractors go out of business?

​Answer: No. There will still be a limited number of specialty licenses issued by Broward County and the State of Florida. View the list of remaining specialty licenses on our webpage. 

​Question: Will permits be needed for work in these categories after July 2023?

​Answer: Yes, if the scope of work requires a building permit. House Bill HB735 does not affect building permit requirements. Check with your local municipality where the permit is to be obtained for more information.

​Question: What does it mean to be licensed with the State of Florida?

​Answer: License by the state means the state approved and issued that license. 

​Question: What does it mean to be registered with the State of Florida?

​Answer: Registered means you have a county-issued license that is substantially equal to the scope of work of a license issued by the state, therefore you must register this license with the state as defined in 489.105(3)(a) - (o) and (q) or authorized in s. 489.1455(1).

​Question: Who should I contact to register my license with the State of Florida?

​Answer: You should contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) online at myfloridalicense.com or call 850-487-1395.

​​Question: What happens if my permit does not obtain a final inspection approval and expires after July 1, 2023?

​Answer: The permit must be reissued and can only be reissued to licensed contractors. Check with the municipality where the permit was obtained for specific requirements.

​Question: How will I know which municipality requires permits for projects using affected specialty licenses and which does not?

​Answer: You must contact the municipality’s / building department where the work is being performed for their permit requirements.​​