Examinations

Examinations for certificates of competency and eligibility are offered once a month. The exams are open book and the required books for each exam category can be found on the licensing requirements for each license.

Exams are offered in English or Spanish and special accommodations can be made for those who have disabilities.

Licenses

More than 100 different types of licenses are issued within these six major license categories (click to see the license types):

1. Maintenance
2. Electrical
3. Mechanical
4. Plumbing
5. Building
6. Building Specialties

Miami-Dade County issues personal and business licenses.

To obtain a new personal license from Permitting, Environment and Regulatory Affairs you must first meet certain experience requirements as well as maintaining a level of financial responsibility. You must submit an application to include proof of experience through letters from employers stating the dates of employment and description of work performed and submittal of W-2 tax documents covering the employment period.

If the category you are applying for is an exam category, you must take the exam and pass with at least a grade of 70% (with the exception of Journeyman license). Journeyman must at least obtain a passing grade of 75% or better to pass. Once you submit your application it will take no longer than 30 days before your application is reviewed for approval.

Once you have obtained a personal certificate of eligibility or competence, you are eligible to obtain a business license. This does not apply to Journeymen or Maintenance personnel.

To obtain a business license you must complete an application, as a sole proprietor, partnership, or a corporation. As a Qualifying Agent for a business you must have a significant interest or financial interest in the entity you qualify as evidenced by the position as an officer or partner or principal stockholder in accordance with Section 10-6 (E) 5 of the Code of Miami Dade County.

Veterans Fee Waiver

The Construction Trades Qualifying Board will waive the initial application fee for a military veteran who applies for a license in the format prescribed by the Board, within 24 months after discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces. To qualify for this waiver, the veteran must have been honorably discharged and provide appropriate service documentation.

State Registration of Miami-Dade County Certificates

Miami-Dade County Certificate holders, if required by Chapter 10 of the Code of Miami-Dade County and Florida Statute 489 must be registered with the State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Failure to comply will result in a restriction of your permitting privileges.

A significant number of State Registrations expired as of August 31, 2010. Please ensure that your State Registration is updated and provide Permitting, Environment and Regulatory Affairs Contractor Licensing Section with your current and active registration number.

Building and Building Specialty Licenses

Requires from one to four years of proven field experience in the trade. The number of yearsexperience is dependent on the license you are applying for.

Requires submittal of an application to include proof of experience through letters from employers stating the dates of employment and description of work performed or submittal of W-2 tax documents covering the employment period.

Requires successfully passing an examination with a grade of 70% or above. Exam is open book and a list of the books is provided to you at the time you request an application.

Requires payment of $315.

After completing the application to obtain your personal license, you must complete a business application to obtain your business license. You will be required to pay an additional $315.  Proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance is required after Board approval.

If you conduct business without meeting the minimum requirements you will be subject to citations for violating chapter 10 of the Miami-Dade County Code.

Maintenance License

Requires one year of proven field experience in the trade.

Requires submittal of an application to include proof of experience through letters from employers stating the dates of employment and description of work performed and submittal of W-2 tax documents covering the employment period.

Requires successfully passing an examination with a grade of 70% or above. Exam is open book and a list of the books is provided to you at the time you request an application.

Requires payment of $240.

This license only allows you to work for an owner who has a premise permit.

Journeyman Certificate of Competency

Requires three years of proven field experience in the trade or, education equivalent or a combination of the two, but not more than one-half consisting of education equivalent.

Requires submittal of an application to include proof of experience through letters from employers stating the dates of employment and description of work performed and submittal of W-2 tax documents covering the employment period.

Requires successfully passing an examination with a grade of 75% or above. Exam is open book and a list of the books is provided to you at the time you request an application.

Requires payment of $240.

This license does not entitle you to perform as a contractor; you may only work under the direction of a Master in your respective trade.

Masters Certificate of Competency

Requires an applicant to have held for two years a Certificate of Competency as a journeyman issued by the CTQB and have at least two years of prior field experience or at least six years of specialized training or registration as a professional engineer in the discipline concerned.

Requires submittal of an application to include proof of experience through letters from employers stating the dates of employment and description of work performed and submittal of W-2 tax documents covering the employment period.

Requires successfully passing an examination with a grade of 70% or above. Exam is open book and a list of the books is provided to you at the time you request an application.

Requires payment of $315.00

After completing the application to obtain your personal license, you must complete a business application to obtain your business license. You will be required to pay an additional $315.00. Proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance is required after Board approval.

If you conduct business without meeting the minimum requirements, you will be subject to citations for violating chapter 10 of the Miami-Dade County Code.

Renewals

If you are a tradesman or a contractor you must renew your license generally every two years. You will receive a renewal notice 2 months before the expiration of your active license.

You can return the notice by mail or you may drop it off at our office located at 11805 SW 26th Street, Room 207, Miami, Florida 33175, between the hours of Monday thru Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The notice should be submitted with the requested fee in the form of a personal check or money order payable to Miami-Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources Department.

In addition to the aforementioned requirements, each licensed holder is required to have 16 hours of continuing education credit hours. A certificate holder is not required to complete any continuing education requirements for the term in which a certificate is initially issued pursuant to Chapter 10 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Section 10-13.1(3). Individuals holding a business license must present a certificate of liability insurance and proof of worker’s compensation coverage.

Military Personnel

Military personnel who request to make their license inactive while on active duty, and agree not to perform business during that time, will have their renewal fee waived up until six months after discharge. Continuing education requirements are also waived.

• See the Military Personnel License Renewal Waiver
• Read guidelines on military contractor license waivers

Registrations

Registering as a swimming pool cleaner

A contractor’s license is not required for individuals who are solely engaged in the cleaning and treatment of water in existing swimming pools. However, all such individuals are required to complete and submit a registration form  to the Department’s Contractor Licensing Section.

All registrations shall be valid for one year and expire on the last day of September. Annual renewal shall include verification of continued qualification for the registration.

Veterans Fee Waiver

A military veteran who was honorably discharged shall have their initial contractor license application fee waived, within 24 months of the discharge.

• Read guidelines on military contractor license waivers

Other Services

In addition to the above-mentioned services, we also process applications for Change of Affiliations, Inactive Status, and issue reciprocal licenses with other counties. For a Change of Affiliation, a Business Application, Outgoing Affidavit (Change of Affiliation) and Applicant Financial History form must be completed.

In regards to Reciprocity, Miami-Dade County only reciprocates with Broward County in the Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical categories; and Palm Beach County in the Electrical categories and certain Building and Building Specialty categories.

To reciprocate to Miami-Dade County you must have passed and exam and obtained a score of 75% or higher in the journeyman level and 70% or higher in all other reciprocal categories.

To place a certificate on inactive status, an Outgoing Affidavit (Inactive Status) and Applicant Financial History form must be completed.