New License Added: Irrigation Contractor

Big news has been announced regarding a new contractor category for Irrigation Contractors. As to when this license will be active, all we have heard is “in the near future”. What we do know is that the Irrigation Contractor’s exam will be administered via pencil and paper during the April and June 2013 exams. Even better news is that it will be converted to Computer Based format exam in August of 2013. 

This license has been added so that individuals and businesses who work solely with execution of contracts requiring installation, maintenance, repair, alterations, extension, and design of irrigation systems will now be able to legally provide this service without a separate license that is out of the scope of work performed. It is known that this does not include the installation of backflow preventers, which is work that must be performed by a licensed plumber. The Irrigation Contractor’s domain begins at the downstream side of the backflow preventer. Irrigation systems used for agricultural purposes shall not be included within the scope of this license either.

Contractors that would like to take this exam in April or June will be able to register starting in February. The team at Licenses, Etc. will definitely keep you up to date with any new information as it becomes available.

Glass & Glazing and Marine Contractor Test Goes Electronic

Effective November 1, 2012 Glass & Glazing and Marine Specialty Trade Knowledge exams will be offered in Computer Based Testing format (CBT). Business and Finance exams have always been computer based, but this is the first CILB Trade exam to go paperless. We think that this is the first of many that will go this route. No word yet alluding to when any others will follow suit.

If you have any questions regarding your Trade Knowledge, Contract Administration or Project Management registration, call the Bureau of Education and Testing customer service center at 407-264-0562. To schedule the computer based Business and Finance exam, you must wait 7-10 business days after submitting the form to sign up for the exams before calling 888-204-6230.

You can read more information on the state web site at
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/faq.html. Or as always call us for further information or clarification.

New Building Code for Exams

As the state legislature continues modifying building codes and laws, the contractor exams must be revised. A new exam is developed every few years based on the most recent codes. This is one of those years.

Beginning June 19-20, 2012, the 2010 Florida Building Code will be used for the contractor examination. If you have purchased books and taken classes based on the 2007 building codes, April is the last exam for which these books will be good. You will want to take this exam if you still need to test. Otherwise, you will be forced to purchase new books. The registration deadline for the April 17 - 18, 2012 examination is March 18, 2012.

Sign up here: www.floridaexam.com.

CILB

Chrissi and Lisa were able to attend the May Construction Industry Licensing Board meeting which was an eye opening experience.  They were able to hear discussions and comments as well as rulings made during this procedure.  Hopefully you never have to go in front of the board, but if you do then maybe this will help.

The actual statute that exists regarding financial stability reads that any open liens or judgments stop an application.  This will get you sent to the board where you will need to explain what you are doing to rectify these situations.  They can then choose to ask for a certain amount of money in the bank, to ask that the applicant get a separate financially responsible officer or to deny the application immediately.  A rule has been created that an applicant’s credit score be 660 or above, but at this time that rule is not being enforced. 

When you fill out your application, you are asked to answer questions regarding your criminal history and background.  You are also required to submit to a fingerprint scan that the FDLE and FBI cross reference to their databases.  Anything in your past worst than a speeding ticket needs to be disclosed to the DBPR, and may get you sent to the board.  Crimes less than 10 years old—particularly violent crimes or felonies – are most prone to board referral, as well as previous board referrals.  The board has final say over who has good moral character, which is a purely subjective issue.  An applicant that had been convicted of a felony, but had his rights restored, came in front of the board to ask for his license back and was denied because his experience stated a project during the time he was in jail. 

Another major point of contention for the board is the experience verification section.  They discussed in great detail the amount of experience necessary and what makes up the four story requirement for a Certified General Contractor license.  One gentleman in front of the board had experience in a pump station project where one of the stories was underground and housed equipment.  This was deemed unacceptable to be considered a four story project.  The board gave him the option to receive his Certified Building Contractor license instead. 

Qualifying an additional business is a very involved process and is scrutinized heavily by the board.  They want to make sure that a contractor is not selling his or her license, but is actively involved in both companies.  If the license holder owns more than 50% of both businesses, the application should be approved without going to the board (unless background, financial or other areas show instability).  If the license holder does not own more than half of both, then the board will look at two main areas:  Why do you want to qualify this business?  How are you to be paid for this venture?  If you are trying to qualify two companies that compete with each other, the board sees that as a definite sign that you are selling your license.  As for payment, any individual who was not an owner and was paid by 1099 instead of W-2 was denied on the spot.

Reinstatement of a license after it has become Null and Void is also done by a board review.  Several individuals were at the meeting requesting their licenses be reinstated, but only one was granted.  A hardship endured must be proven to the board’s satisfaction for them to reissue their license.  The two who discussed their divorces did not meet that standard, nor did the gentleman who just had no idea how his license was never renewed.  The contractor who had been wrongly imprisoned in Cuba for a period of time before finally being allowed a liaison from the embassy was the only one to receive his license back.

After seeing all of this, we have several points of wisdom to share with you:

·       You have the right to an attorney.  This can help you know your rights and be able to communicate more effectively with the members of the board.

·       You will be drilled about all of your application, not just the part for which you were sent board.  Be sure that you know your application forwards and backwards.

·       If you ever find yourself in front of the board hearing the words “motion to deny”, immediately stand up and either ask for a continuance or completely withdraw the application.  This will save you from having a record of being denied by the board.

The gals at Licenses, Etc. are constantly on top of the newest rules and regulations to help our clients avoid a board referral if at all possible.  Call us today to find out how we can be of assistance with your next application.  www.LicensesEtc.com

Less Than a Week Left to Grandfather

We are down to the final week.  Anyone who wants to apply for the Home Inspection or Mold Remediation or Assessor License has very little time left.

The DBPR requires that they receive your application by the end of the day on Monday, February 28^th. 

If you are looking to submit your application in the Grandfathering timeframe, the gals at Licenses, Etc will take care of you.  Please contact us immediately to get this process started.  This will be a rush situation because we are into the countdown, so for $400 for the first application and $200 for each additional we can assure a thorough job that will ensure you won’t miss out on the chance of a lifetime. 

Congratulations, January licensees!

Congratulations to the following Licenses, Etc. clients who were approved in January:

· Khamir Patel at KHP Developers, Inc. of Tampa, FL

· Michael Armstrong at Armstrong Woodworking, Inc. of Indiatlantic, FL

· Isabelo Rodriguez at Accutilities, LLC of Miramar, FL

· Bryan Meklir at BBMK Contracting and Blue Team Restoration, LLC of Fort Lauderdale, FL

· Mino Campobasso at Bell'Aqua Pool Service, Inc. of Naples, FL

· Joy Iurato at Kemo Jama Enterprises, Inc dba Tampa Bay Construction Group of Tampa, FL

· Roger Frakes at Ecoswitch, LLC of Valrico, FL

· Scott Kish at Kish Enterprises, Inc. of Naples, FL

· Matthew Lyons at Expedited Development Services, LLC of Pompano Beach, FL

· Travis Carter at Granite Construction Limited of Naples, FL

· Joe Miceli at Construction Brokers, Inc. of Kansas City, MO

· Kevin Barry at Orion Home Inspections, Inc. of Bonita Springs, FL

· Braddon Cornish at Technology West Group, Inc. of Las Vegas, NV

· Dan Sheffield at J and L Electric Group, LLC of Seville, FL

We're also pleased to share the newly created or revamped Social Media Networking pages for these fine businesses we get to call clients:

· The Lykos Group

o    Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/LykosGroup

o    Twitter:  www.Twitter.com/TheLykosGroup

Be sure to connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Would you like to be set up on Social Media Networking sites, too? Call Lisa at 239.963.5369 for more information.

Time Is Almost Up to Grandfather for Home Inspection and Mold Licenses

Our phones have been ringing with questions about Mold and Home Inspection licenses.  These new licenses came into existence in July of 2010.  The DBPR has provided a short window of time to get licensed via Grandfathering—a process with dramatically fewer requirements than the normal licensing procedure.  The deadline to Grandfather for these licenses is March 1, 2011.  It is important to note that having a State Certified Contractor license has NOTHING at all to do with getting any of these licenses; however having these new licenses may be a nice compliment to the licenses that you may already hold.  Grandfathering is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the DBPR.  Future requirements will be as stringent as the requirements to become a Certified Contractor!!

Mold Remediation and Mold Assessment are two separate licenses.  Each can be grandfathered in one of two different ways.  By far the easiest is by belonging to a state or national mold-related association, completing 30 hours of CEUs for Mold Remediation and 60 hours of CEUs for Mold Assessment on mold related services, and applying with the DBPR.   The other option is to Grandfather via Experience.  To do this you must establish at least 3 years of experience by submitting at least 40 invoices for mold assessment or mold remediation (as applicable to the license desired). The DBPR may investigate the validity of a mold invoice and, if the applicant submits a false invoice, may take disciplinary action.  
There are also two ways to grandfather into a home inspector license.  The easiest way is to belong to a state or national home inspection association, complete 14 hours of home inspection CEUs, and then apply with the DBPR.  The other option is to Grandfather via Experience.  To do this you must establish at least 3 years of experience as a home inspector and complete at least 14 hours of verifiable education on home inspection services. To establish the 3 years of experience, you must submit a list of at least 120 home inspection reports. The DBRP may investigate the validity of a home inspection report submitted and, if the applicant submits a false report, may take disciplinary action. 

Please note that these licenses are individual licenses—they do not qualify a business.  This means that there must be a licensee on site at each project that is being worked on.  So there will need to be a licensed mold remediator on each project while work is being performed.  You cannot have staff working on a project without having a licensee present.  Assessment work can only be performed by a licensed assessor.  Reconstruction can only be performed by an appropriately licensed contractor.

How can Licenses Etc. help you get licensed quickly and easily? 

As always, we make preparing the application forms as easy as possible for our clients.  We have created a special discounted fee structure for people who are trying to beat the grandfathering deadline.  Because we know that many of you will be applying for two or maybe even three of these licenses, we’ve developed a package deal. 

Initial Licensing:  Grandfathering (via certification and education only)

Mold Remediator, Mold Assessor or Home Inspector:

1^st application per applicant:  $300—additional concurrent applications $150 each

This charge includes the following:

§   Typed, easy-to-read forms (with the exact information required to get your application approved the first time!)

§   In-depth, 2-time review of the entire application package to ensure everything is exactly right and all necessary supporting documents are included

§   Overnight shipping to the DBPR

§   Monitoring of DBPR’s approval process and immediate response to any issues that arise

§   Unlimited time from us to provide assistance and answer any questions you have related to the license and application process

§   A copy of your entire license package sent to you once we send it to DBPR

You will need to provide proof of certification by a state or national association for the requested license type(s) through proof of a proctored examination and also proof of completing the required number of hours of education per license type(s).  We can provide information on different courses that are available…just let us know if you need details.

The other costs for you are the class/membership fees, the DBPR application fee, and the fingerprinting fee. The application fees must be separate checks made out directly to the DBPR for $330 for each license that you’re going to acquire. The fingerprinting costs are $57.25.

This pricing is valid for deposits received no later than February 15^th 2011.  Applications must be RECEIVED at the DBPR no later than February 28^th, 2011. 

Call us now and you can have the paperwork in hand when you complete the class.  What could be easier than walking out of class with everything together and ready to mail?  Contact us NOW…we’ll make things easy for you!

’Tis the season for Scammers!

Do you ever feel like everyone is out to get you?  Well, don’t dismiss that feeling all the time.

There’s a new scam out that is aimed at business owners.  The email you receive will start out with this:

Do not disregard this message. Your email address was provided by the
Florida Division of Corporations regarding YOUR COMPANY’S NAME.

NOTICE

ANNUAL REPORT ORDER NOW DUE:

Then the email will go on to list your federal tax ID number and lots of other personal information.

It even goes so far as to say that, “Your email address was supplied to us by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.”  This is not true!

When one of our clients called this morning to ask what this was, we immediately took action and called the Department of State.  They have NOTHING to do with this company.  Another clue was the fact that it’s too early to even file annual reports.

This is a SCAM and should be disregarded.

The real truth?  You DO need to file annual reports after the 1st of the year, but not through Arvitas.  Annual reports can only be filed through SUNBIZ.ORG.

Ever have a question about something like this, call us.  We are here for you.

Good Luck!

Good luck to everyone taking contractors' licensing tests this week! Once you pass, let Licenses, Etc. take care of the rest for you. As usual, we'll be at the Miami and Orlando test sites handing out business cards. If you see us, don't be afraid to say "hi"!

If you need to sign up for the December exams, you can do so here: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/documents/exam_applic_pack.pdf The deadline is November 13.