INTRODUCTION

July 1, 2025 marks the finish line for Florida’s multi-year push to centralize and modernize contractor licensing. Two statutes—House Bill 735 and HB 1335—do the heavy lifting, transforming everything from local “handyman” cards to recovery-fund payouts. This deep-dive decodes the statutes, spots landmines for Qualifying Agents (QAs), and maps next moves. contractorlicensingpros.comMy Florida License

LEGISLATION LANDMARKS

HB 735—SPECIALTY CENTRALIZATION

• • Local License Pre-emption* – County-issued specialty licenses disappear; state certification becomes mandatory.
  
• • New Certified Specialty Categories* – By July 1 2025, the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) must publish voluntary certifications for nine trades—structural steel, rooftop solar, seawall work, more. contractorlicensingpros.com
  
• • Practical Impact* – Expect added exam modules and continuing-ed hours for QAs who want the new designations.
  

HB 1335—RECOVERY FUND REBOOT

• • Higher Caps* – Division I claims (e.g., General, Building) jump to $100 000 each; Division II (Roofing, Mechanical) to $30 000. Effective for contracts signed after July 1 2024 and settled from Jan 1 2025 forward. My Florida License
  
• • Global Ceiling* – The fund won’t pay more than $2 million in total yearly Division I claims, so early filers get priority.
  
• • Bond & Insurance Ripple* – Carriers are ratcheting rates upward; FROs should revisit coverage limits now.
  

FIELD FALLOUT FOR QUALIFYING AGENTS

1. Board Bottlenecks – CILB hearing dockets swell as agents apply for new specialties. File early to avoid permit delays.
   
2. Paper-Trail Pressure – Recovery-fund caps motivate owners to document QA site visits and punch-list approvals.
   
3. Competitive Advantage – QAs who secure “structural steel” or “rooftop solar” specialties before peers can command premium retainers.
   

COMPLIANCE CALENDAR

CASE STUDY—SOLAR SPECIALTY SURGE

Problem – Jacksonville roofing firm “SunPeak Builds” wins a solar-retrofit contract but lacks the rooftop-solar specialty.
Solution – They partner with a QA holding the new certification, file an expedited board review, and pull permits within three weeks.
Outcome – $3.2 million in added 2025 revenue; QA retainer renews at 25 % premium.

FAQ FAST FIVE

1. Will old county licenses grandfather in? – No. Work requiring a state specialty certification after July 1 2025 must be performed under a state-issued license. Broward County
   
2. Are recovery-fund caps retroactive? – Only for contracts signed on/after July 1 2024.
   
3. Does every specialty need a separate QA? – One QA can hold multiple specialties if qualified.
   
4. Do bond amounts rise with the new caps? – Statutes keep the $100 000 FRO bond unchanged (for now).
   
5. Where do I apply? – Download specialty forms via the CILB “Hot Topics” page. My Florida License
   

CONCLUSION & CTA

HB 735 and HB 1335 rewrite the rulebook—penalizing the passive and rewarding the proactive. Book a 15-minute “Statute Strategy Session” with Florida Contractor Qualifier to lock in specialties, bond coverage, and compliance clauses before competitors catch up.