Moving to Florida as a master electrician: every state's rule

1. 1Application fee. Pay the application fee ($263.25). Certified Electrical Contractor exam application (Form ECLB 8), filed with DBPR before testing; a retake exam application (Form ECLB 9) costs $67.25.
2. 2Trade exam. Pass the destination's trade exam. Unlimited Electrical Contractor technical/safety exam: 100 scored questions, 5 hours, open book, 75% to pass.
3. 3Law / code exam. Pass a law, rules, or code exam. Business exam required of all electrical contractor categories: 50 scored questions, 2.5 hours, open book, 75% to pass; covers Florida contracting law (Chapter 489, Part II and Chapter 61G6, F.A.C.), lien law, workers' compensation, insurance and bonding, estimating, payroll and tax law, and financial management.
4. 4Exam fee. Pay the exam fee ($123.75). Computer-based exam fee paid to Pearson VUE when you schedule, after DBPR approves the exam application.
5. 5License fee. Pay the license or certificate fee ($296). Initial certification by examination, active status (Form ECLB 1); an inactive certificate, which cannot be used for contracting, costs $51.
6. 6Background check. Complete a background check. The license application asks about criminal history, bankruptcies, liens and judgments, and prior license discipline; each 'yes' answer needs a full explanation and court or payment documentation. The board decides whether a criminal record relates to electrical contracting, and applicants must be of good moral character..
7. 7Other. Experience documentation: W-2s (or 1099s, Schedule C or K-1s if self-employed) for each year claimed, plus employer verification from the licensed contractor or, where that is not available, job lists of 5 jobs per year and three verification letters from building officials, licensing agencies or licensed contractors.
8. 8Other. Personal credit report, and for an active license a business credit report, from a nationally recognized agency, dated within 12 months and stating that public records were searched at the county, state and federal levels.
9. 9Financial responsibility. Show financial responsibility. Business financial statement prepared within 12 months showing a net worth of at least $10,000 for the business to be qualified.
10. 10Insurance. Carry the required insurance. Before contracting: public liability insurance of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence with $500,000 property damage, or an $800,000 combined single limit, plus workers' compensation coverage or an exemption.

Published fees on this path total $683, excluding exam-vendor fees, bonds, and insurance.