Florida Form DBPR PLUMB-1 is the Initial Issuance of Licensure Application for Plumbing Contractors that every applicant must file with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation when seeking a Certified or Registered Plumbing Contractor license through the Construction Industry Licensing Board. The form covers Certified Plumbing Contractors, Registered Plumbing Contractors, Specialty Structure Contractors, and Qualifying Agents for business entities under Florida Statutes Chapter 489 and Rule 61G4 of the Florida Administrative Code.
The form is the gateway between passing your trade exam and legally pulling plumbing permits in Florida, and one missing signature, one unsigned credit report, or one wrong box on the financial responsibility page can push your CILB review back a full meeting cycle. The DBPR processes more than 40,000 construction license applications each year, and internal CILB data shows roughly 1 in 3 plumbing applications get deficiency letters on the first pass, mostly for fixable paperwork errors.
- 🪠 How to choose the right license type (Certified vs. Registered vs. Specialty) before you write a single answer
- 📑 Every document you must gather before opening the form, with reasons each one matters
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every page, box, and signature block on PLUMB-1
- 👷 Three full named-person scenarios showing exactly what real filers enter
- ⚖️ The mistakes that trigger CILB deficiency letters and how to avoid each one
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
DBPR Form PLUMB-1 is the official application packet the Construction Industry Licensing Board uses to issue an initial plumbing contractor license in Florida. The form is published by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and is governed by Section 489.111, Florida Statutes, which sets the experience, exam, and financial responsibility standards for plumbing contractors. Anyone who wants to contract for plumbing work in Florida — whether on residential, commercial, or specialty jobs — must hold the license issued through this form before pulling a permit.
The form is used by four distinct filers: a Certified Plumbing Contractor who can work statewide, a Registered Plumbing Contractor whose authority is limited to the local jurisdiction that licensed them, a Specialty Structure Contractor doing only sewer connections or similar narrow work, and a Qualifying Agent who lends their license to a corporation or LLC under Section 489.119, Florida Statutes. Each filer type checks a different box at the top of the form, and that box drives every downstream requirement.
You must file PLUMB-1 if you have already passed (or qualify for waiver from) the plumbing trade and business exams administered through Pearson VUE for Florida CILB, or if you are seeking licensure by endorsement from another state with substantially equivalent standards. Filing the form is what converts a passing exam score into an active license number, and without it your exam credit eventually expires under Rule 61G4-15.
The current revision date appears in the lower-left footer of the PDF — confirm you are on the latest version posted at the DBPR plumbing forms page before you write anything, because the CILB rejects superseded versions outright.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Plumbing contractor applications fail more often from missing attachments than from wrong answers, so build a complete packet before opening the PDF. The CILB reviews your file as one bundle, and a single missing item triggers a deficiency letter that can delay you 30 to 60 days under the meeting schedule published on the CILB meetings page.
- Government-issued photo ID — your driver license or passport, used to match the name on your fingerprint card and exam record; mismatches stop the file cold.
- Social Security number — required by Section 559.79, Florida Statutes; without it the DBPR cannot run the child-support cross-check.
- Credit report from a nationally recognized credit agency — must be less than 12 months old and pulled by Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, because the CILB scores your FICO under Rule 61G4-15.006.
- Financial Responsibility/Credit Report Affidavit — the sworn statement that accompanies the credit report; without it the credit pull is treated as unverified.
- Proof of general liability insurance — minimum \$100,000 bodily injury and \$25,000 property damage; your carrier must list the DBPR as certificate holder.
- Workers’ compensation coverage or exemption — either a certificate from your carrier or a state-issued exemption under Section 440.05, Florida Statutes.
- Fingerprint Livescan receipt — taken through a Florida-approved Livescan vendor using ORI number FL924020Z; results expire after 12 months.
- Experience affidavits — sworn statements from licensed contractors, architects, or engineers covering at least 4 years of proven plumbing experience under Rule 61G4-15.001.
- Business entity documents — Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, or fictitious-name registration from Sunbiz if you are qualifying a company.
- Exam pass letter — the official Pearson VUE score report showing passing scores on both the Plumbing Trade and Business & Finance exams.
- Application and licensing fees — the combined initial fee currently runs \$249 for odd-year issuance and \$149 for even-year issuance, plus the \$5 unlicensed activity fee under Section 455.2281.
If any item is missing, the CILB will issue a 30-day deficiency letter; ignore that letter and your file is denied without refund.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official PLUMB-1 packet lives on the DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board page under the “Applications & Forms” tab, and the direct PDF is posted under the DBPR plumbing application forms list. Always download a fresh copy each time you start a new file, because the DBPR rolls in new statutory questions whenever the Legislature amends Chapter 489.
You can also file the entire packet electronically through DBPR Online Services, which mirrors the paper PLUMB-1 fields screen by screen and uploads attachments as PDFs. The online portal is the fastest route — most online files reach a CILB analyst within 5 business days, while mailed paper packets average 14 to 21 days for initial intake.
If you prefer paper, you can request a packet by calling the DBPR Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395 or visiting the walk-in counter at 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The walk-in counter time-stamps your file the same day, which can matter if you are racing an exam-credit expiration.
A common misconception is that third-party “license assistance” sites host the real form; they do not. Only the myfloridalicense.com domain and the DBPR Online Services portal carry the legally accepted PLUMB-1, and any other PDF you find can be a stale revision the CILB will reject.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out PLUMB-1 Line by Line
PLUMB-1 is organized into a cover page, eight numbered sections, and a series of sworn affidavits at the back. Walk the form in order — the CILB reviews it page by page, and answers on later pages depend on selections you made earlier.
Section 1, Box 1: License Type Selected
This box asks which plumbing license you are applying for, and it is the single most important answer on the form. Check exactly one box: Certified Plumbing Contractor, Registered Plumbing Contractor, Specialty Structure Contractor (Sewer Connection / Plumbing Communication), or Pipeline Specialty Contractor.
To answer, look at where you intend to work. If you want to pull permits anywhere in Florida, choose Certified. If you only hold a competency card from one county or city, choose Registered. Maria Lopez, who passed the state exam and wants statewide authority, marks the box next to “Certified Plumbing Contractor.”
A common nuance is the dual-license question: if you hold an out-of-state license seeking endorsement, you still mark Certified and then complete the endorsement attachment. The most frequent mistake here is checking both Certified and Registered “to keep options open” — the CILB rejects dual-checked forms outright and you forfeit the application fee. The misconception many filers carry is that Registered is “easier”; in practice, Registered limits you to the local jurisdiction that issued your competency card and cannot be upgraded without re-examination.
Section 1, Box 2: Method of Qualifying
This field asks how you became eligible to apply — by examination, by endorsement from another state, or by reactivation of a null and void license. Mark only one box, because the supporting documents differ for each.
Use Examination if you sat for and passed the Florida plumbing trade and business exams through Pearson VUE. Use Endorsement if another state issued you a substantially equivalent license under Section 489.115(5), Florida Statutes. Carlos Mendez, who passed both Pearson VUE exams in March, checks “Examination” and attaches his score letter.
A nuance: applicants from states like Georgia, North Carolina, or Louisiana may qualify for endorsement, but you must still sit for the Florida Business & Finance exam unless your home state’s exam was deemed equivalent by the CILB. The most common mistake is checking Endorsement without attaching the certified license history from the originating state, which earns an automatic deficiency. The misconception is that endorsement skips fees — it does not, and the fee schedule is identical to examination filers.
Section 2: Applicant Personal Information
Section 2 collects your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, residential address, mailing address, phone, and email. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card, in the order First, Middle, Last, with any suffix in the suffix box.
Use the format MM/DD/YYYY for date of birth and write the SSN with no dashes. Janet Williams enters “WILLIAMS, JANET MARIE” and “07/12/1982” with SSN “123456789” left-aligned. If your residential and mailing addresses differ, fill both — the CILB mails your wall license to the mailing address and your wallet card to the residential address.
A nuance is the P.O. Box rule: the residential address must be a physical street address, never a P.O. Box, because the DBPR uses it for service of process. The most common mistake is using a nickname (e.g., “Jan” instead of “Janet”), which causes a name mismatch with your fingerprint Livescan and stalls the background check. The misconception is that you can withhold the SSN under privacy law; you cannot, because Section 559.79, Florida Statutes requires it for child-support enforcement screening.
Section 3: Qualifying Business Information
Section 3 asks whether you are qualifying a business entity and, if so, the legal name, FEIN, Florida document number, and principal address of that entity. Check Yes or No at the top, and if Yes, complete every field; if No, skip to Section 4.
Pull the legal name and document number directly from your Sunbiz record so they match character-for-character. Aisha Brown, qualifying her LLC, enters “BROWN PLUMBING SOLUTIONS LLC” and document number “L23000045678”.
A nuance is sole proprietors: if you operate under a fictitious name (DBA), you must register that name with Sunbiz fictitious name registration before filing PLUMB-1. The most frequent mistake is listing a “doing business as” name without the underlying legal entity, which invalidates the qualification. The misconception is that you can qualify multiple entities on one form — you cannot, and each additional entity requires a separate DBPR Form CILB 4359 qualifying-agent application.
Section 4: Financial Responsibility and Credit Report
Section 4 is where the CILB measures whether you can responsibly manage a contracting business. You must attach a credit report from a nationally recognized credit reporting agency (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) showing a FICO of 660 or higher, or post a bond under Rule 61G4-15.006.
Enter your FICO score in the box and check the agency that issued the report. Marcus Reed, with a 712 FICO from Experian, enters “712” and checks “Experian,” then attaches the full report. If your score is below 660, you must check the bond box and attach a \$20,000 surety bond for Certified applicants or a \$10,000 bond for Registered applicants.
A nuance is medical-debt exclusion: under recent CILB policy, medical collections are excluded from the FICO calculation, but only if you submit a written request and the underlying credit report. The most common mistake is attaching a “credit score only” printout instead of the full tri-merge report — the CILB rejects score-only printouts. The misconception is that bankruptcies disqualify you forever; they do not, but a bankruptcy within the last 5 years requires a written explanation under Rule 61G4-15.006(2).
Section 5: Insurance and Workers’ Compensation
Section 5 asks for your general liability insurance carrier, policy number, effective and expiration dates, and your workers’ compensation status. Attach a Certificate of Liability Insurance (ACORD 25) listing the DBPR as certificate holder.
Enter the carrier name exactly as it appears on the ACORD form, the 10-digit policy number, and the effective date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Carlos Mendez writes “STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY” with policy “FL-9988776” and effective date “01/15/2026.” For workers’ comp, check Coverage, Exemption, or Not Applicable (no employees).
A nuance is the exemption box: corporate officers and LLC members can file a workers’ comp exemption under Section 440.05, but sole proprietors with no employees check “Not Applicable.” The most common mistake is leaving the workers’ comp box blank, which the CILB treats as a failure to disclose under Section 489.129(1)(i). The misconception is that “any insurance” qualifies; only general liability with the specific minimums under Section 489.115 is accepted.
Section 6: Background and Disciplinary History
Section 6 asks whether you have ever been convicted of a crime, had a professional license disciplined, or been the subject of a civil judgment related to construction. Each subquestion has a Yes/No box, and a single Yes triggers the explanation attachment.
Answer truthfully — the DBPR runs an FBI fingerprint check that surfaces every conviction, including sealed records under Section 943.0585. Janet Williams, who had a DUI in 2010, checks “Yes” on the criminal-history line and attaches a one-page explanation with court documents. For each “Yes,” attach a written explanation, certified court records, and proof of completed sentence.
A nuance: arrests without convictions still must be disclosed if they involved a felony charge under Rule 61G4-15.0061. The most common mistake is omitting an old, “expunged” conviction — the FBI database still shows it, and the omission itself becomes grounds for denial under Section 489.129(1)(a) for misrepresentation. The misconception is that misdemeanors do not count; they do, especially any conviction involving fraud, theft, or moral turpitude.
Section 7: Experience Verification
Section 7 requires you to document at least 4 years of plumbing experience, with at least 1 year as a foreman, supervisor, or contractor. The form lists three affidavit types — Affidavit of Experience by a Licensed Contractor, by an Architect/Engineer, or by a Building Official.
Enter each verifier’s name, license number, contact information, and the inclusive dates of the experience verified. Aisha Brown lists “Robert Chen, CFC1428596, 04/2018–06/2024,” covering 6 years as a journeyman. Each verifier must sign and notarize their affidavit.
A nuance is the education credit: an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in construction or engineering substitutes for up to 3 years of experience under Rule 61G4-15.001(2)(b). The most common mistake is using unlicensed verifiers — affidavits from unlicensed handymen or relatives are rejected outright. The misconception is that “in the trade” time alone is enough; you must show actual plumbing-specific experience, not generic construction labor.
Section 8: Fees and Payment
Section 8 collects the application fee, initial license fee, and unlicensed activity fee. The combined total is \$249 for applications received in odd-numbered years and \$149 in even-numbered years, because the license cycle prorates around the August 31 biennial expiration.
Enter the total and check your payment method: Check, Money Order, or Credit Card (online filings only). Marcus Reed, filing in 2026, writes a check for “\$149.00” payable to “Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.” Credit card payments are processed through DBPR Online Services.
A nuance is the fingerprint fee, which is paid separately to your Livescan vendor and runs about \$50–\$80. The most common mistake is sending cash through the mail — the DBPR returns cash and treats the file as unfunded. The misconception is that a denial earns a refund; under Rule 61G4-12.011, the application fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
Affidavits and Signature Block
The final pages contain the Applicant’s Affirmation, the Financial Responsibility Affidavit, and the Qualifying Agent Affidavit (if applicable). Sign each before a notary public, who must complete the jurat with seal, commission number, and expiration date.
Use blue ink on paper filings so the notary seal is distinguishable from a photocopy. Carlos Mendez signs each affidavit before a Florida notary, who stamps “Commission GG-998877, expires 04/30/2028.”
A nuance is electronic notarization: Florida allows Remote Online Notarization (RON) under Chapter 117, and the CILB accepts RON jurats on PDF uploads. The most common mistake is signing without a notary — the CILB rejects unnotarized affidavits as legally insufficient. The misconception is that an out-of-state notary cannot notarize for Florida; they can, as long as the jurat complies with the notary’s home-state law and is authenticated.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each scenario below walks one named filer through PLUMB-1 from cover page to signature block. The 2-column tables show exactly what each person enters in the most consequential boxes.
Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez, Certified Plumbing Contractor by Examination
Maria is a 38-year-old journeyman plumber in Orlando who passed both Pearson VUE exams and wants statewide authority.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1, License Type | Certified Plumbing Contractor |
| Section 1, Method | Examination |
| Section 2, Legal Name | LOPEZ, MARIA ELENA |
| Section 2, DOB / SSN | 03/14/1988 / 234-56-7890 |
| Section 3, Business | No — sole proprietor |
| Section 4, FICO Score | 702 (Experian) |
| Section 5, Liability Carrier | NATIONWIDE INSURANCE, Policy FL-44521 |
| Section 6, Background | No convictions; all “No” |
| Section 7, Experience | Verified by Tom Bryant, CFC1426001, 2018–2025 |
| Section 8, Fee | \$149.00 by credit card (even year) |
Scenario 2 — Carlos Mendez, Endorsement from Georgia
Carlos holds a Georgia Master Plumber license and is moving to Jacksonville.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1, License Type | Certified Plumbing Contractor |
| Section 1, Method | Endorsement |
| Section 2, Legal Name | MENDEZ, CARLOS ANTONIO |
| Section 2, Address | 418 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32202 |
| Section 3, Business | Yes — Mendez Plumbing Co. Inc. |
| Section 4, FICO Score | 688 (TransUnion) |
| Section 5, Workers’ Comp | Exemption filed, certificate attached |
| Section 6, Background | No to all |
| Section 7, Experience | Georgia license history (12 years) plus affidavit |
| Section 8, Fee | \$149.00 plus \$5 UAF |
Scenario 3 — Aisha Brown, Qualifying Agent for an LLC
Aisha is qualifying her newly formed LLC, Brown Plumbing Solutions, in Tampa.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1, License Type | Certified Plumbing Contractor |
| Section 1, Method | Examination |
| Section 2, Legal Name | BROWN, AISHA NICOLE |
| Section 3, Entity Name | BROWN PLUMBING SOLUTIONS LLC |
| Section 3, Document # | L25000098765 (Sunbiz) |
| Section 4, FICO Score | 735 (Equifax) |
| Section 5, Liability Carrier | THE HARTFORD, Policy COM-77881 |
| Section 6, Background | Yes — 2012 misdemeanor theft, explanation attached |
| Section 7, Experience | Affidavit by Robert Chen, CFC1428596, 6 years |
| Section 8, Fee | \$249.00 by check (odd year) |
How to File the Completed Form
PLUMB-1 can be filed through three channels, and each has different timing, payment rules, and proof-of-filing. Pick the channel that matches your urgency and your comfort with PDF uploads.
Online filing is done through DBPR Online Services. The portal accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and ACH bank transfers, and processing time runs 5–10 business days for initial intake. Save the confirmation page as a PDF and the email receipt as your proof of filing.
Mail filing goes to Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. Pay by check or money order made payable to the DBPR; cash is rejected. Mail processing averages 14–21 days, and the USPS Certified Mail receipt with green return card is your proof of filing.
In-person filing is accepted at the same Tallahassee address during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Pay by check, money order, or cashier’s check; the front counter will time-stamp two copies and hand one back to you as your proof of filing.
A nuance shared across all three channels: the file is not “received” until the analyst opens it and confirms completeness, which is when the 30-day deficiency clock starts under Rule 61G4-15.0085. The most common mistake across channels is failing to keep proof of filing — without it, you cannot dispute a “lost” file.
What Happens After You File
Once the DBPR logs your file, an analyst reviews it for completeness within 10 business days and either advances it to the CILB agenda or issues a deficiency letter. If you receive a deficiency letter, you have 30 days to cure the defect; missing the deadline closes the file with no refund.
A complete file is placed on the next available CILB meeting agenda, which the Board holds roughly every 6 weeks in different Florida cities. The Board votes to approve, deny, or approve with conditions (such as probation or extra continuing education). Approved applicants receive a license number within 5 business days of the vote, and the wall license arrives by mail within 2–3 weeks.
If denied, you receive a Notice of Intent to Deny with a 21-day window to request a formal hearing under Section 120.569, Florida Statutes. Most denials are based on FICO, criminal history, or experience deficiencies, and many are reversed at hearing with proper documentation.
A misconception is that approval is automatic once exams are passed; it is not, because the CILB independently reviews experience, finances, and character. Plan for at least 60–90 days from filing to license issuance even on a clean file.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
These ten errors generate most of the deficiency letters the CILB issues each year, and each one has a direct, painful consequence.
- Checking two license-type boxes in Section 1 — the file is rejected and the application fee is forfeited.
- Using a nickname instead of legal name in Section 2 — fingerprint results return “no match” and your background check stalls.
- Forgetting the SSN on the application — the DBPR cannot run the child-support cross-check and must return the file.
- Submitting a “score only” credit printout — the CILB rejects it and demands a full tri-merge report, costing 2–4 weeks.
- Leaving the workers’ comp box blank — treated as a failure to disclose under Section 489.129(1)(i) and triggers a deficiency.
- Omitting an “expunged” conviction — the FBI background hit reveals it and the omission becomes its own ground for denial.
- Using unlicensed experience verifiers — the affidavit is void and the experience requirement is treated as unmet.
- Sending cash through the mail — the DBPR returns the cash and your file goes unfunded, missing your CILB cycle.
- Filing without notarization on the affidavits — every affidavit becomes legally insufficient and the file is held.
- Missing the 30-day deficiency cure window — your file closes, the fee is forfeited, and you must restart from zero.
Do’s and Don’ts
These rules will keep your file out of the deficiency stack.
- ✅ Do download a fresh PLUMB-1 from the DBPR forms page every time, because revisions roll silently.
- ✅ Do match every name field to your Social Security card, because mismatches halt the background check.
- ✅ Do attach a full tri-merge credit report, because the CILB cannot score a snippet.
- ✅ Do notarize every affidavit before submitting, because unnotarized affidavits are legally void.
- ✅ Do keep certified-mail or portal receipts, because they are your only proof of filing.
- ✅ Do calendar the next CILB meeting, because filing too late pushes you a full cycle.
- ❌ Don’t check both Certified and Registered, because the file is rejected and the fee is non-refundable.
- ❌ Don’t omit any criminal history, because the FBI check will reveal it anyway.
- ❌ Don’t use a P.O. Box for residential address, because the DBPR requires a street address for service of process.
- ❌ Don’t send cash, because cash submissions are returned and your file goes unfunded.
- ❌ Don’t file an unsigned exam pass letter, because the CILB requires the official Pearson VUE score report.
- ❌ Don’t ignore a deficiency letter, because the 30-day clock runs whether you read the letter or not.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most plumbing applicants can file PLUMB-1 pro se, but the calculus changes when criminal history, low credit, or business qualification are in play.
- ✅ Pro: Filing yourself saves the \$500–\$2,000 typical contractor-licensing service fee.
- ✅ Pro: You learn the regulatory framework that governs your business going forward.
- ✅ Pro: Online filing is straightforward when no red flags exist.
- ✅ Pro: You control the timeline and can move at your own pace.
- ✅ Pro: You build a direct relationship with your DBPR analyst.
- ❌ Con: Mistakes on FICO or background sections can trigger a denial that follows you forever.
- ❌ Con: You miss strategic timing around CILB meeting agendas.
- ❌ Con: Affidavit drafting for criminal-history or bankruptcy explanations is unforgiving.
- ❌ Con: You may not know which experience verifiers the CILB will accept.
- ❌ Con: A single denial can require a formal Section 120.569 hearing to reverse.
Online vs. Paper Filing at a Glance
| Filing Channel | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Online (DBPR Portal) | 5–10 day intake; credit card or ACH; instant PDF receipt; uploads attachments |
| 14–21 day intake; check or money order; certified-mail receipt as proof | |
| In-Person | Same-day timestamp; check, money order, or cashier’s check; physical receipt |
FAQs
Is the application fee refundable if I’m denied?
No. Under Rule 61G4-12.011, the application fee is non-refundable regardless of approval, denial, or withdrawal, so confirm your file is complete before submitting payment.
Do I have to take the Florida exam if I’m licensed in another state?
No, not always — endorsement applicants from states with substantially equivalent standards under Section 489.115(5) may waive the trade exam, but the Business & Finance exam is usually still required.
Can I qualify more than one company on PLUMB-1?
No. PLUMB-1 qualifies one entity per filing; each additional entity requires a separate Form CILB 4359 qualifying-agent application and its own fee.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in Section 2?
Yes, use whichever name appears on your current Social Security card; if you recently changed names, update the SSA first or the background check will mismatch.
Do I need to disclose a sealed or expunged conviction?
Yes. Under Rule 61G4-15.0061, you must disclose all arrests and convictions even if sealed, because the FBI fingerprint check surfaces them and omission is itself grounds for denial.
Is a credit-score-only printout enough for Section 4?
No. The CILB requires a full tri-merge credit report from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion; score-only printouts are rejected as incomplete.
Can I use a P.O. Box for my residential address in Section 2?
No. The residential address must be a physical street address because the DBPR uses it for service of process; a P.O. Box is acceptable only as the mailing address.
Does workers’ comp exemption apply to sole proprietors?
No, not exactly — sole proprietors with no employees check “Not Applicable,” while corporate officers and LLC members file a formal exemption with the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Can a relative sign my experience affidavit?
No, unless that relative is a licensed contractor, architect, or engineer who supervised your plumbing work; otherwise the affidavit is void.
Is online filing faster than paper?
Yes. Online filings reach a CILB analyst in 5–10 business days, while mailed packets average 14–21 days for initial intake.
Do I need a bond if my FICO is below 660?
Yes. A FICO under 660 requires a \$20,000 bond for Certified applicants or \$10,000 for Registered applicants under Rule 61G4-15.006.
Can I use Remote Online Notarization for the affidavits?
Yes. Florida accepts Remote Online Notarization under Chapter 117, and the CILB takes RON-notarized PDFs uploaded through the online portal.
How long is my exam credit valid?
Yes, it expires — passing scores are valid for 4 years under Rule 61G4-15.005, so file PLUMB-1 well before that window closes.
What happens if I miss the 30-day deficiency cure window?
No cure is allowed past 30 days — your file closes, the fee is forfeited, and you must restart with a new application from scratch.
Related reading
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