It is Now MUCH EASIER to Qualify an Additional Business Entity!

The Qualifying an Additional Business Entity application has been streamlined and we are finding that it has helped a lot of individuals be able to realize their goals. The CILB no longer requires CPA prepared financials or letter of capitalization which means that they are not checking for positive equity any longer if it does not go to the board for review. They also do not require 3-months of bank statements, bank verification letter, a list of projects completed by each company, information about vendors or who can pull permits, or a signature from a “responsible party” of each company.

What they do still require is that you own at least 50% of each business independent of each other to have the application processed and approved at the DBPR.  Officially they have 30 days to do this review, but typically things are getting completed in 2 weeks or so. If the qualifier does not own at least 50% of each of the business entities, then the application will have a mandated review by the CILB.  This review will bump the approval process from the 2 weeks to about 3 months.  This is all because of scheduling for the board meeting.  The qualifier would need to attend the meeting and answer any and all questions posed by the board. 

Things to keep in mind:

• The qualifier must either be an equity owner of BOTH companies OR a W2 employee of BOTH companies, or a combination thereof.  If they are not, there is a VERY slim chance that they will approve the application, and it is not recommended to proceed.
• Ideally, the two business entities should be geographically convenient to each other, as the qualifier will need to be able to explain how they will be able to properly supervise the projects being undertaken by both companies.
• The board can ask any other questions that they deem relevant to this process.

In addition to this, they are still looking for open bankruptcies/liens/judgments, but now also look at CREDIT SCORES.  Any applicant with a credit score below 660 is required to get a financial stability bond.  For Division-1 licenses (CRC, CBC and CGC), the bond is $20,000. For Division-2 licenses (everything else), the bond is $10,000.  Bond amounts can be cut in half ($10,000 D-1, $5,000 D-2) by taking a 14-hour financial responsibility course.

We know this is a lot to take in… trust us… WE KNOW. No one likes change, but this could be just the change you have been looking for. The one thing that can be counted on, we are here to help you.

2012 Grandfathering Does Not Apply to Electrical Contractors

There appears to be some confusion over which registered licenses can now submit applications to become certified through the new Grandfathering statute. There were no changes to the Florida Statutes to allow for grandfathering of registered electrical contractors’ licenses. Only registered licensees under the purview of the Construction Industry Licensing Board can grandfather.

The DBPR has stated that some licensees have received letters from county building departments that they can grandfather their registered electrical contractor’s license. These letters are incorrect and there is no grandfathering for registered electrical contractors at this time.

If you are interested in becoming certified, we can help you file an application for the initial issuance of your Certified Electrical license. Or, if you do have a registered license governed by the CILB, you can find more information here:  http://licensesetc.blogspot.com/2012/09/registered-contractors-grandfathering.html

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.

IMPORTANT NEWS... ID Theft Scam

The DBPR has issued a warning that identity thieves are posing as the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to gain personal information from license holders. They claim your license is being disciplined and want you to call an 800 number. Then they ask for your personal information. Please be aware that this is in no way connected with the Department or its regulatory authority.

DO NOT respond to the email or call the listed number. Instead, contact the Department directly at 850-487-1395. You can also log into your online account to view any public disciplinary actions.

The Department will investigate the matter and will work with law enforcement to determine whether any criminal action has occurred. If you have any specific questions, as always you can give us a call. The Licenses, Etc. Team is always available to help!

Congratulations, September licensees!

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

• Theresa Cleary at Four Seas Enterprises, Inc. of Lake Park, FL
• Miralys Gonzalez at JMG Building Contractors, Inc. of Tampa, FL
• Gregg Tremblay of Naples, FL
• William Minnielli at Tampa Pavement Constructors, Inc. of Winter Park, FL
• Leslie Hope at Hydra Engineering & Construction, LLC of Crawfordville, FL
• James Petri at Friends of The Carpenter, LLC of Lehigh Acres, FL
• Thomas White Jr. at Tom White, Inc. DBA Tom White Painting and Restoration of St. Petersburg, FL
• Ben Judd at Tom White, Inc. DBA Tom White Painting and Restoration of St. Petersburg, FL
• Robert Ainslie at Cambi, Inc. of Jasper, AL
• Stewart Scott at Extensys, Inc. of Oldsmar, FL
• Bradford Keller at We Are Techknowledgey LLC of Bonita Springs, FL
• David Dunshee at Coastline Construction Services, Inc. of Hollywood, FL
• James Caldwell of Winter Park, FL

 And remember if you would like to be set up on Social Media Networking sites, call Lisa at 239.963.5369 for more information.

Avoid Administrative Dissolution or Revocation

Yes we have called and emailed and shouted about this for months, but there are still a few business owners who have not filed your annual report. The original deadline of May 1st has obviously passed and the very final deadline is quickly approaching.  If you do not file by this final deadline of Friday, September 28th, your business will be dissolved or revoked. To reinstate a business is expensive and time consuming.

Avoid having your business administratively dissolved or revoked by filing your annual report by 5pm this Friday, September 28th, if you have not yet done so. Filings can be submitted directly on the Sunbiz website. Access to this website will not be available from 5 pm Friday, September 28th, until 8 am Monday, October 1st, for any electronic activity.

If you file between now and Friday, there will be a $400 penalty fee. It gets worse after Friday at 5pm. Any businesses that fail to submit annual reports by this deadline must file for reinstatement in order to continue doing any business.  The fee to file for reinstatement can be up to $750 or more. The longer you are inactive, the more it will cost.

If you took care of this by May 1st this post does not apply to you. We never want our clients to pay unnecessary fees or be caught working without being properly setup with the state. Feel free to contact us if we can assist you in any way with annual report filing or reinstatement. 

Registered Contractors Grandfathering Starts October 1st

We have some amazing news for anyone who holds a Registered Contractor’s license that is under the purview of the CILB. If you have held an active state-registered license for a minimum of 5 years, you can submit an application to receive an equivalent Certified License as of October 1, 2012. This means that you can then be licensed to do work in any county throughout Florida without having to get multiple county licenses! All you would need to do is register your one license in the county you wish to do business!

House Bill 897, which passed during the 2012 legislative session, was approved by Governor Rick Scott on May 4, 2012. This bill will re-open and extend the time period for contractors to request that their registered contractor’s license be grandfathered to a state wide certified contractor’s license. This grandfathering time period will take effect on October 1, 2012 and applications will be accepted until November 1, 2015.

The basics:

• Currently hold a valid state-registered construction license. (Specialty Licenses are not included in this grandfathering provision.)
• Have, for that category, passed a written examination that the board finds to be substantially similar to the examination required to be licensed as a certified contractor under this part.
• Have held an active state-registered license for a minimum of 5 years.
• Have not had your contractor's license revoked at any time, nor have had your license suspended or been assessed a fine in excess of $500 within the last 5 years.
• Hold the correct minimum insurances.
• Meet the minimum 660 credit score, or obtain a bond if you do not.
• Supply the application fee of $309.00.

This could be the perfect opportunity to expand your territory. Start getting those jobs that have always been just outside your reach…  Call the Team at Licenses, Etc. today to find out more.