Licensing Guides
Florida Plumbing License: How to Become a Plumber in Florida
Plumbing, FL
Table of Contents
Becoming a licensed plumber in the state of Florida is a long, complicated, challenging process. But it is a skill that will always be in demand. If you’re considering taking this career path, you’ll need to understand the licensing regulations and how to navigate the terrain. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there are 482,700 plumbers nationwide and Florida employs 28,750 of them. The national number is projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032 adding more than 10,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. In Florida, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is more than triple that at 15% for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Contractors are struggling to find skilled tradesmen like plumbers, electricians, and HVACR professionals. In fact, 60% of firms in the United States and 50% of firms in Florida had unfilled hourly craft positions, according to the Associated General Contractors of America, 2020 AGC-Autodesk Workforce Survey. So, if you get the training you need you should have a variety of jobs to choose from when you’re ready.
Licensing requirements for plumbers vary from state to state and in some cases, from municipality to municipality. Florida has strict, statewide standards for working in the plumbing business beginning at the apprentice level.
Licensing Requirements for Plumbing Contractors in Florida
Is a license required for Plumbing Contractors in Florida? Yes.
To legally perform plumbing work in the state of Florida, you must be a licensed contractor or a technician apprentice working under a licensed contractor.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, a division of Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board, issues the licenses.
Doing almost any plumbing work in Florida without a contractor’s license is against the law. The FDBPR website references a couple of simple tasks you can do without a license. Literally, the only tasks they condone without a license are adding a water filter to a faucet and installing or repairing irrigation systems that have a back-flow preventer, but you CANNOT connect those lines to potable (drinking) water to make the system functional.
Types of Plumbing Licenses in Florida
What are the different types of Plumbing licenses in Florida?
There are two plumbing licenses available in Florida.
Certified Plumbing Contractor
Registered Plumbing Contractor
A State Certified License allows you to work anywhere in the state of Florida. You must pass the State of Florida’s licensing examination to earn a Certified License.
A State Registered License only allows you to work in the locality where you passed that locality’s competency exam. Each county will have their own licensure requirements.
Steps to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Florida
Both certified and registered contractor licenses require you to:
Be 18 years of age.
Earn a high school diploma or GED.
Complete a training program — either on the job working under the supervision of a licensed contractor or classroom training at a vocational school or college or a combination of the two.
Get verified experience in the plumbing industry.
Pass a trade knowledge exam and a business and finance knowledge exam.
Acquire general liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 with $25,000 property damage coverage.
Demonstrate financial responsibility based on your submitted FICO credit score of 660 or higher.
Complete a Criminal Background check.
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Benefits of Getting a Plumbing Contractor License In Florida
There are many benefits you’ll see from getting your Plumbing Contractor License.
First and most important, it is required by law in Florida to be licensed through the state to legally perform plumbing work.
A trade license is proof of your experience and skill.
Only licensed plumbing contractors can: operate a business and advertise services, obtain commercial insurance, pull building permits and pass inspections, bid on public and government projects.
Having a license protects your company and customers.
A license gives you a competitive advantage in the job market
It also increases your earning potential.
What Is the Mean Wage for a Plumber in Florida?
The annual mean wage for a plumber in Florida is $51,830 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The salary for a plumber in Florida increases as you acquire more experience, according to Indeed.com.
Apprentice: The average wage for an apprentice plumber is $18.92 per hour in Florida and $5,500 overtime per year.
Journeyman: The average wage for a journeyman plumber is $25.62 per hour in Florida and $6,750 overtime per year.
Salary can vary widely depending on the city where you work and other factors like education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a plumbing technician, no matter where they are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan’s cloud-based, all-in-one plumbing software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
ServiceTitan features:
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Florida?
The fees for licenses are based on whether you are using the certification or registration process and when you file for the license:
Registered Plumbing Contractor Fee – $309 if applying between May 1 of an odd year and Aug. 31 of an even year; $209 if applying between Sept. 1 of an even year and April 30 of an odd year.
Certified Plumbing Contractor Fee – $249 if applying between May 1 of an even year and Aug. 31 of an odd year; $149 if applying between Sept. 1 of an odd year and April 30 of an even year.
Renewals are due every two years, on Aug. 31. Certified licenses expire in even-numbered years, while registered licenses expire in odd-numbered years.
The renewal fee for both types of license is $209.
You will also have to pay fees for the examinations. The statewide exam is administered by Professional Testing Inc. The registration fee is $135. The Business and Finance test is $80. The Trade Knowledge test is $80.
How to Get a Plumbing Contractor License in Florida
According to the state website, to become a state certified plumbing contractor in Florida, you must:
Be at least 18 years of age.
Meet the educational/experience requirements.
Obtain a passing score on all parts of the Florida State Construction examination.
Be of good moral character.
Pay all applicable fees.
Obtain workers’ compensation coverage.
Demonstrate financial responsibility.
WORK EXPERIENCE: Work experience can be any combination of the following:
Four year construction-related degree from an accredited college (equivalent to three years experience) and one year proven experience applicable to the category for which you are applying; OR
One year of experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses; OR
One year of experience as a worker, one year as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses; OR
Two years of experience as a worker, one year as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses; OR
Four years of experience as a worker or foreman, of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
Note: One year is equal to 2,000 hours of experience.
TAKE LICENSING EXAM: After getting the education and training you need, you must pass the exam or exams. You need to earn at least a 70% to pass each—the General Trade Knowledge Examination and the Business & Financial Management Examination.
The Business and Financial Management Examination is composed of 120 questions, administered in one session via computer at a testing center.
The Plumbing Contractors General Trade Knowledge examination will be administered in two sessions. The morning session will consist of 45 equally weighted questions and five isometric drawings. The isometric drawings will be worth 10 points each. The afternoon session will consist of 65 equally weighted questions. Your scores for the morning and afternoon sessions will be combined to determine your total score.
The examination will have questions relating to the following systems and necessary knowledge for each system includes:
Reading and interpreting plans and specifications
Reading and interpreting codes
Basic mathematics (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, decimals, square roots, calculations of area and volumes, calculating the sides of a triangle, and solving simple algebraic equations for unknown variables)
Required components and installation techniques
Maintenance techniques and analysis
OSHA regulations
Isometric drawing and interpretation
Use of tools and equipment
Effective July 1, 2020, exam candidates who have received a baccalaureate degree in building construction from an accredited four-year college or a related degree as approved by board rule, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher are exempt from taking the trade knowledge portion of the exam. You will only be required to register for the Business and Finance exam.
APPLY FOR LICENSE: After you have passed the exam, you may apply for your Certified Plumbing Contractors License or your Registered Plumbing Contractor’s License.
On your application you will be asked to provide proof of experience in the installation of:
Waste Piping
Water Distribution Lines/Systems
Natural Gas and Liquid Petroleum Piping and Venting Systems
Sanitary Drainage
Drainage Venting
Additional experience that may be used includes the maintenance and repair of:
Waste Piping
Water Distribution Lines/Systems
Industrial Water Drainage
Sanitary Drainage
Chemical Waste Drainage
Drainage Venting
Medical Gas Piping (Oxygen, Helium, Nitrous Oxide, Compressed Air, Vacuum)
Industrial Piping:
Industrial Gas Piping
Industrial Vacuum Piping
Steam Distribution
Oil and Gasoline Storage and Distribution
Sewage Disposal Systems(Septic Tanks, Pumps, Lift Stations, and Interceptors)
Solar Water Heating Systems
Water Wells
Swimming Pool Piping Systems
PROVIDE PROOF OF:
INSURANCE: You will need to provide proof of general liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 with $25,000 property damage coverage.
SOLID FINANCES: You will need to submit your FICO credit score of 660 or better. According to the state website, “If an applicant does not have a 660 credit score at the time of application, the applicant may still establish financial responsibility by obtaining a licensing bond or letter of credit. The amount of the bond or letter of credit depends on the type of license sought: $20,000 for Division I contractors or $10,000 for Division II contractors. These amounts may be reduced to $10,000 for Division I contractors and $5,000 for Division II contractors by completing a board-approved financial responsibility course.”
CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK: You must have a background check as part of the application process, and it will require you to submit your fingerprints.
Training programs and schools
There are many programs to get the training you need to become a plumbing professional in Florida. Some certification programs require only one or two semesters before you can begin serving as an assistant and begin accruing the work experience you need. Other programs can be two- or four-year college degree programs in plumbing and heating.
Here are two great lists to the best plumbing schools in Florida:
Niche: 2024 Best Colleges with Plumbing Degrees in Florida
Prepler: Best Plumbing Colleges & Universities in Florida
Tuition: The cost of tuition depends on the program you choose and varies widely. The good news is you could be earning while you’re learning. A technical certificate program can be completed in as little as one to two semesters at a cost of $800, and then you’d gain the majority of your required on-the-job training. An associate’s degree can be earned in two years for about $4,500; a four-year degree runs about $15,000 a year.
Program Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED (General Educational Development) degree.
On-the-Job Experience: While on the job you will need good customer service skills, be detail-oriented, have some mechanical capability, and be physically fit because the job can include some heavy lifting and hours of walking, standing and working in tight spaces.
Florida Plumbing Licensing Exam Details
More detail is given about what to expect on the exam on the FDBPR website’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
The Plumbing General Trade Knowledge examination has a total of 160 possible points. To pass this examination, a candidate must have a score of 112 out of 160 possible points. A score of 111 out of 160 comes to 69.38%.
The Business and Finance examination consists of 120 questions. To pass this examination a candidate must answer 84 questions correctly to receive a passing grade of 70%.
The isometric drawings are graded by teams of three licensed plumbing contractors who serve as examiners (Subject Matter Experts). Teams of examiners will score the isometric drawings. Each examiner independently scores every drawing as pass or fail on eight criteria (legibility, orientation, flow, angles, piping, labeling, vents, and fixtures.) At least two out of the three examiners must agree that the criteria have been met in order for points to be awarded. The points awarded for all correct criteria are added together and converted to a 10-point scale to determine the score for each drawing. The number of points awarded for each drawing is then added to the total number of correct answers obtained on the multiple-choice questions during the morning and afternoon sessions. This figure is then divided by the total number of possible points (160) to obtain the percentage correct score.
Who Issues Plumbing Licenses in Florida?
The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation is the state agency responsible for licensing plumbers in Florida.
Does My Florida Plumbers License Work in Any Other State?
The Construction Industry Licensing Board, which oversees FDBPR does not have reciprocal licensing agreements with any other state. The website lists exams “previously found to be substantially similar to Florida’s exam.”
California General Contractor
California Building Contractor
Georgia Pollutant Storage Contractor*
The NASCLA General Contractors Exam (2009 forward) is accepted by many states and is substantially similar to all Florida Division 1 license trade knowledge exams (GC, BC, RC and related specialties). Applicants should refer to the NASCLA Endorsement application requirements, which include passing the Florida Business & Finance exam.
Plumbing Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. National Inspection Testing and Certification (NITC), International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (ASSE Certifications) and other professional certifications are not required but may make you a more attractive hire to prospective employers or can increase your marketability to customers.
Other Requirements Unique to Florida
Certified contractors must perform 14 hours of continuing education during each license period. The credits must come from a state-approved provider.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all plumbing industry news several ways:
Check top plumbing blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog
Read about the latest industry trends
Listen to top plumbing podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
