Upgrading license

[Melody]

I'm not sure if this is the place, but maybe you can help navigate the muddy waters of bureaucracy for me. :-)

My husband/business partner currently has an ET license for low-voltage. He has the work history to try and get an alarm license - however, when he applied to take that test the first time he discovered the person he worked directly under was not officially licensed! They were using a registrar.

So - is this something he can appeal? I haven't had much time to actually research this issue. We would love to be doing alarm work, as we've had requests for it. It is my understanding we cannot even legally repair a contact or something without an alarm license? This is a problem.

[Steve Dale]

"My husband/business partner currently has an ET license for low-voltage." So your locally licensed in the State of Florida, what is your class code, is it 069?

"My husband/business partner currently has an ET license for low-voltage. He has the work history to try and get an alarm license - however, when he applied to take that test the first time he discovered the person he worked directly under was not officially licensed! They were using a registrar." the issue is that he never worked for a legally licensed contractor and the State of Florida requirements require the applicant to have worked for a licensed contractor for a specific period of time in order to receive licensure.

"So - is this something he can appeal?" Unfortunately for the Alarm's category of licensure, you have no recourse. Your only option is to hire a licensed contractor (must be on payroll W-2, NOT paid as subcontractor 1099)

"I haven't had much time to actually research this issue. We would love to be doing alarm work, as we've had requests for it. It is my understanding we cannot even legally repair a contact or something without an alarm license?" That is correct.

"This is a problem. " Yes I am sorry for you, but it is the law in the State of Florida. Your only option at this time is to hire thus employing a legally licensed contractor (EF, EG or EC) and then you can get your company registered legally. If you have another family member or employee who has worked for a licensed contractor for the required number of years as indicated in the Florida licensing statutes, then he/she could take the test for licensure and then qualify your company. Those are the only options you have.

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Click her to view the qualifications for the Alarm System Contractor 1 (All low voltage including Fire alarm systems) category of licensure in the State of Florida: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/CheckListDetail.asp?SID=&xactCode=1010&clientCode=0802&XACT_DEFN_ID=3753

Click her to view the qualifications for the Alarm System Contractor 2 (NO Fire Alarm but all other low voltage systems) category of licensure in the State of Florida: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/CheckListDetail.asp?SID=&xactCode=1010&clientCode=0803&XACT_DEFN_ID=3719

Click here to view the State of Florida licensing statutes: http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/pro/elboard/statutes.html

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NOTE: ET - A "registered electrical specialty contractor" elevator specialist (class code 066), utility line electrical specialist (class code 068), low voltage system specialist (class code 069), residential electrical contracting (class code 043), maintenance of electrical fixtures (class code 065), and fabrication, erection, installation, and maintenance of electrical advertising signs (class code 067). A "registered electrical specialty contractor" may contract only in the cities and/or counties for which his or her registration is issued.

[Melody]

Yes, we are 069, low voltage system specialist.

This is definately something to be aware of! We were obviously not, and then when he left because of disagreements in business philosophy (how's that for being politically correct!?!) he wanted to be able to do the same kind of work, since customers were sticking with him.

Just one more reason to stick with licensed contractors, no matter who you are.