Do you want your irrigation and sprinkler system installed property with a warranty? Then make sure you look for a quality irrigation and sprinkler company in Tampa Bay who is licensed and insured?
An Irrigation Contractor’s License is required if you plan to install lawn sprinkler systems as a for-profit business in the state of Florida, or if you wish to install a new system on your own property without the help of outside contractors.
To receive a Florida Irrigation Contractor License, there are some strict licensing requirements including you need to be insured with public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by Board rule. You need to take courses and pass exams. See the requirements and steps below:
Florida Irrigation Contractor License
A Florida Irrigation Contractor is a contractor whose contracting business consists of the execution of contracts requiring the experience, financial means, knowledge, and skill to install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, manage, monitor, audit, or, if not prohibited by law, design irrigation systems. An irrigation specialty contractor may install, maintain, repair, alter, extend, manage, monitor, audit, or, if not prohibited by law, design irrigation systems, including any excavation work incidental thereto. An irrigation system includes all: piping; fittings; sprinklers; drip irrigation products; valves; irrigation controllers; control wiring; rain sensors; water pumps; water conservation devices; water harvesting systems; irrigation main lines downstream of a utility potable water meter or utility alternative water supply distribution line and dedicated backflow prevention device; and associated components installed for the delivery and application of water for the purpose of irrigation.
Licensing Requirements
Below are some of the requirements needed to become a licensed Irrigation Contractor in the State of Florida:
Age
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Examination
Must take and pass the state certification examinations (Irrigation and Business & Law). Please note that the application process cannot be started until the exams are taken and passing scores are obtained.
Experience / Education
A person will qualify for a Certified Irrigation Contractor’s license by meeting one of the following requirements:
- 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.
- One year experience as a foreman and not less than three years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- One year experience as a worker, one-year experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- Two years’ experience as a worker, one year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from accredited college-level courses.
- Four years’ experience as a worker or foreman of which at least one year must have been as a foreman.
Military Veterans
A veteran will qualify for a certified license by meeting on of the following:
- Three years of military service and one year experience as a foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
- Two years of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and one year experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
- One year of military service, one year experience as a foreman, and two years experience as a worker or foreman applicable to the category for which you are applying.
Florida Irrigation Contractor
Applicants for the Certified Irrigation Contractor License must have experience in the installation (commercial/residential) of:
- Piping
- Solenoid Valves
- Control Wire Irrigation
- Rain Shut-off Devices
- Sprays
- Micro-irrigation Components
- Experience can also be obtained in the areas of:
- Installation of Two-wire or Decoder Based Controllers
- Plot Plan and Site Preparation
- Locating Underground Utility
- Trenching, Excavation and Compaction
- Cross Connection Control
- Site Restoration
- Material Take Off/Plot Plan
- Additional Experience could also derive from the areas of:
- Use of Reclaimed Water
- Use of Water Saving Technologies & Products
- Installation of Central Control Systems (numerous site systems managed through central interface like a website or computer)
Financial / Credit
Applicants will need to provide proof of financial stability and responsibility by submitting personal credit reports. Credit reports must include a FICO derived credit score and indicate that local, state and federal records have been searched. Credit report containing a credit score (FICO derived) on applicant from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency, which includes a public records statement that records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels. If credit score is below 660 (FICO derived) applicant must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit. Note that Fifty percent (50%) of the bond or letter of credit requirement may be met by completion of a 14-hour financial responsibility course.
Fingerprints
An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process.
Insurance
Applicants are required to attest that they have obtained public liability and property damage insurance in the amounts determined by Board rule. Applicants are also required to obtain workers compensation insurance or obtain an exemption from worker’s compensation insurance within 30 days of issuance of their license. To download the different application forms related to the Irrigation Contractor’s License, you may visit the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board’s site.
Florida Irrigation Contractor Exams
Florida Irrigation Contractors must pass two exams prior to obtaining their license. Do not sign up to take your exams until you obtain your books and begin studying for them!
Irrigation Exam
This is an open-book test consisting of 80 questions and covers the following subjects: Pre-Construction, Construction, Maintenance & Repair; Scheduling & Water Conservation; and Rules, Laws & Codes.
Business and Finance Exam
This is a separate test which lasts 6.5 hours, and contains 120 questions. Some of the subjects included in this test are: Establishing the Contracting Business, Managing Administrative Duties, Managing Trade Operations, Conducting Accounting Functions, Managing Human Resources, and complying with Government Regulations.
Florida Irrigation Contractor Classes
Below are the classes you can take to prepare for the Florida Irrigation and Florida Business and Finance exams. You must pass both exams in order to obtain the Irrigation Contractor’s License in Florida. To sign up for the Florida Irrigation classes, simply click on the “enroll” button below and checkout; this will allow you to receive immediate access to the Florida Irrigation Classes online, and will also enable you to attend in-person Exam Prep classes. All students have access to both online and in-person classes for an unlimited amount of time (until you pass all the Florida Licensing exams needed to get the Florida Irrigation license!). The in-person classes are not mandatory and can be taken at the student’s discretion. For a list of upcoming classes for the Florida Irrigation Contractor Exams click on the link within the course description below. You can take Irrigation Contractor Classes in Tampa, Fort Myers, Orlando, Miami, or Online. You can sign up for your classes at any time and receive access to lecture videos, practice questions, tabbing and highlighting instructions, as well as to step-by-step explanations on how to solve typical Irrigation Contractor Exam Problems. The Irrigation Contractor Classes prepare you for the trade and business exams. Florida Irrigation Contractor Testing Schedule. You must pass all exams before applying for the Irrigation Contractor’s License in Florida. To sign up for the Florida Irrigation Contractor classes, simply click on the “enroll” button below and checkout; this will allow you to receive immediate access to the Florida Irrigation Contractor Classes online, and will also enable you to attend in-person Exam Prep classes. All students have access to both online and in-person classes for an unlimited amount of time (until passing all the Florida Irrigation Contractor exams needed to get the Irrigation license!). The in-person classes are not mandatory and can be taken at the student’s discretion. For a list of upcoming classes for the Florida Irrigation Contractor Exams click on the link within the course description below. Source: ContractorCampus.com
Make sure you do your homework about who will be installing or repairing your system so it is done correctly the first time.
At Sunrise Irrigation & Sprinklers, we know sprinkler installation and repair, landscape lighting and all-natural mosquito control and more. Our highly qualified, fully licensed and insured specialists have been beautifying residential and commercial landscapes in Palm Harbor and the Tampa Bay area for more than 20 years. As an established, family-owned irrigation management business, we believe that keeping Florida homes and businesses looking their best begins with a healthy lawn. Give us a call at 727-275-2204 or schedule an initial consultation to discuss how we can help your lawn become lusher, greener, and healthier.
