§ 7-30. Building contractors; license required; examination; reciprocity.

(a) It shall be the duty of the building official to issue to competent building contractors of all construction trades who qualify as hereinafter set forth a proper license, and it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation not thus licensed to engage in the trade or business of a general contractor in this city.

(b) The city does hereby enter into the membership of the Board of Examiners of Polk County and Municipalities, Inc., for the express purpose of allowing said board to handle competency examinations for the certification of all construction trades and for the issuance of certificates of competency for those who engage in general contracting within the city. The city manager will promulgate rules and regulations for the purpose of setting up a system of reciprocity for the examination of all construction contractors and for the various participating municipalities in Polk County. The rules and regulations shall provide for a joint board of examiners by all participating municipalities in Polk County, and may provide a method for the qualifications of persons desiring to engage in the trade of general contracting in the city, and may provide that those who pass such examination are entitled to the issuance of a certificate of competency by the building official to each such successful applicant. No business tax receipt shall be issued to any person for the purpose of engaging in or working at or carrying on the business of general contracting unless such person is in possession of a proper and valid certificate of competency or state license as required under this chapter.

(c) The Board of Examiners of Polk County and Municipalities, Inc., may use any recognized testing agency or testing method that is available.

(d) The city does hereby establish, with other municipalities, a contractors' disciplinary board in accordance with F.S. § 489.131(7)(a), to discipline violations as set forth in F.S. § 489.129. The city shall appoint one (1) or more members to this board. Each appointee shall be a licensed contractor either registered or certified as a contractor with the state. The building official may submit to the board the name of any contractor who violates the building codes as adopted by the city code of ordinances.

(Code 1962, § 8-5; Ord. No. 90-12, § 1, 7-17-90; Ord. No. 92-12, §§ 1, 2, 9-22-92; Ord. No. 92-22, § 1, 1-5-93; Ord. No. 96-12, § 1, 6-4-96; Ord. No. 2006-47, § 3, 12-5-06)

Cross reference

Licenses and business regulations, Ch. 14; local occupational licenses tax, § 14-26 et seq.