Getting your contractor license lets you take your career to the next level.
At a Florida contractors license school, you learn who needs to be licensed, what types of licenses are available, the qualifications you need, and trade knowledge. Here is a more in-depth look into 5 of the skills you’ll learn.
1. Workplace Safety
You’ll learn a variety of worksite safety hazards and things you can do to minimize them. Some of the topics will include lead safety, personal protective equipment, nail gun safety, and working around stairways and ladders. Falls, which are the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry, according to OSHA, are also covered. This includes how to identify areas that pose a risk of falling and how to select and use the appropriate protection equipment for those areas. Some of the fall protection systems may also be covered including personal fall arrest systems, safety nets, covers, and guardrails.
2. Building Code
At a Florida contractor license school, you will learn the importance of building codes and the consequences of violating them. The building codes covered will depend on your trade and the license you are obtaining. They’ll also include codes on wind mitigation since Florida is frequently susceptible to high-speed hurricane winds. It’s important to understand the proper ways to strengthen a structure, roof, and all exterior openings using only approved materials for high-speed winds.
3. Workers Compensation
The course will cover who needs workers compensation insurance, how to obtain coverage, and how to properly classify employees. You’ll receive detailed steps to take if someone is involved in an accident while at work. These include how many days you have to report the accident, information that you must provide to the employee, and how long you must retain accident records. You’ll be provided with detailed information on what happens once a claim is filed and also what happens when a decision from a claim is appealed.
PDH offers construction courses with easy online access so you can fit studying in any time.
4. Business Practices
A Florida contractors license school will show you how to operate a small construction business including an overview of the legal structures, such as sole proprietor and LLC and how to choose the right legal structure for your business. You’ll learn all about the accounting and financial responsibility, reporting that you need to perform, as well as receive a detailed list of operating expenses and costs of goods sold that are allowable deductions. Another important point that is covered is how to tell the difference between a subcontractor and an employee and why it is important to get this right.
5. Laws and Rules
Construction laws, as well as statues and rules will be covered. You’ll gain knowledge about Florida’s lien law and if you have a right to place a lien on a customer’s property for failure of payment as well as, the rights of property owners and the steps they can take to protect themselves. If you do need to place a property lien, you’ll receive information on how to notify the owner, how long it’s valid for, and who handles releasing the lien.
Florida requires contractors to obtain 14 hours of continuing education in order to renew their license. PDH Contractors Academy offers an affordable course with easy online access to fulfill this requirement. You can access the course material here and get your certificate in three easy steps. Just purchase the course, pass the exam, and then immediately print out your new certificate.