The scope of certification includes the structural fabrication including concrete foundation, erection, installation, alteration, repair, service and wiring of electrical signs and outline lighting. The scope of certification shall not include the provision of, or any electrical work beyond, the last disconnect mean or terminal points. However, a contractor certified under this section may provide the electrical entrance requirements for metering and main disconnect of remote billboards or signs which are independent of any structure or building and which require no more than twenty-five (25) kilowatts at two hundred fifty (250) volts maximum.

Licensing Requirements

• Age: Must be at least 18 years of age.

  Testing: Candidates must obtain a passing score on the Sign and Business tests before applying for licensure. Passing exam scores must be less than 2 years old.

  Application Fee: If applying for active status, the applicant must submit a check for $300 USD payable to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. If applicant wishes to be inactive instead, the check must be in the amount of $55 USD only.

  Net Worth: The minimum business net worth requirement is $5,000 USD.

  Credit Reports: Applicant must submit a report from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency, which includes a public records statement that records have been checked at local, state, and federal levels. Those applicants wishing to qualify a business must also submit a business report.

  Insurance: The minimum liability insurance requirements are$100,000/per person for public liability and $300,000/per occurrence; and $500,000 for property damage, ora minimum combined single limit policy of $800,000. Applicant must also attest to obtain worker’s comp coverage or an exemption within 30 days after license is issued

  Experience: A person will qualify for a certified Sign license by meeting one of the following requirements:

  (1) Must have three (3) years of management experience in the trade of specialty contracting within the last six (6) years immediately preceding the filing of the application; or

  (2) Must have four (4) years of experience as a foreman, supervisor or contractor in the trade within the last eight (8) years immediately preceding the filing of the application; or

  (3) Must have six (6) years of comprehensive training, technical education or supervisory experience associated with an electrical or alarm contracting business within the last 12 years immediately preceding the filing of the application; or must have at least six (6) years technical experience in related work with the Armed Forces or a governmental entity within the last 12 years immediately preceding the filing of the application; or have a combination of these qualifications totaling six (6) years of experience; or

  (4) Must be licensed as an electrical professional engineer for three (3) years within the last 12 years. Provide a copy of current electrical professional engineer license and transcripts showing electrical engineering work; or

  (5) Must have a combination of experience listed in 1-3 above totaling 6 years within the last 12 years.

  Applicants are required to submit copies of W2’s to verify employment with the qualified business.

  Submitting the Application Form

  The applicant must submit complete application form along with supporting documentation and applicable fees to the

  Department of Business and Professional Regulation at

  1940 North Monroe Street

  Tallahassee, FL32399-0783

Electrical Contractor Exams

Obtaining the SIGN SPECIALTY Contractor’s License in Florida, requires obtaining passing scores on both the Electrical and the Business and Law Exams. Below is a detailed description of each one of the two exams.

Electrical Exam

This 5-hour exam contains 100 questions and covers the following subjects:

• Subjects Involved:
  – General Theory and Electrical Principles
  – Plan and Specification Reading and Interpretation
  – Wiring and Protection
  – Wiring Methods and Materials
  – OSHA, Safety, Procedures for Testing and Use of Tools and Equipment
  – Electrical Signs, Outline Lighting and Structural Considerations
  – Signs-Neon
  – Demand Loads

Business Exams

This 2.5-hour exam contains 50 questions and covers the following subjects:

• Maintaining Cash Flow
• Estimating and Bidding a Job
• Interpretation of Contracts and Agreements
• Purchasing Control
• Contract Scheduling
• Obtaining Insurance and Bonding
• Complying with Contracting Laws and Rules
• Personnel Management
• Complying with Payroll and Sales Tax Laws
• Interpretation of Financial Statements and Reports
• Management Accounting