Contractor License Category Preemption

The Florida Legislature passed House Bill HB735 in 2021, preempting local governments from issuing local specialty licenses and then in 2023 approved House Bill HB1383 to require the State Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) to establish certified specialty contractor categories for voluntary licensure.

HB 1383 also:

• Provided that a local government may not require a license issued by the local government or CILB to perform a job scope that does not substantially correspond to one of the state contractor or specialty contractor categories.
• Prohibited local governments from requiring a license to obtain a permit for a job scope outside of the practice of contracting
• Allowed a local government to continue to offer a license for veneer work, including gutters, siding, soffit, or fascia; rooftop painting, coating, and cleaning above three stories; and fence installation and erection, if such a licensing requirement existed before Jan. 1, 2021
• Provided that a local government may not require a license as a prerequisite to submitting a bid for public works projects if the work to be performed does not require a license under general law

A jurisdiction having construction-related licensing requirements prior to Jan. 1, 2021 could continue to license construction-related occupations until July 1, 2025. However, such licensing requirements could be modified and no additional requirements can be added. The local license category preemptions took effect on July 1, 2025.