The Limited Energy (Low Voltage) contractor can install, repair, fabricate, erect, alter, add to, or design, in compliance with law, electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, thermostats, apparatus, raceways, conduit, and fiber optics (transmitting light over stranded glass) or any part thereof not to exceed 77 volts, when those items are for the purpose of transmitting data, proprietary video (satellite systems which are not part of a community antenna television, cable television, or radio distribution system), radio frequency, central vacuum, or electric locks, data distribution, networks, home theater systems, surround sound systems, public address systems or telephone systems.
The license is limited to electrical circuits and equipment governed by the applicable provisions of Articles 725 (Class 2 and 3 circuits only), 770, 800, 810, and 820 of the NEC 1984 edition or 47 CFR Part 68.
This license does not include work performed by public utilities exempt under the terms of Section 489.503(5), F.S., or exempt due to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Florida Public Service Commission.
To apply, contact State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1-850-487-1395.
The exams are computer based. The fees are $316.25 paid to the State of Florida Business and Professional Regulation with the submission of an ECLB 8 application (Certified Electrical Contractor Exam Application) and $78.75 (paid to the testing vendor after examination application approval)
The License fee is $300.00
Licenses renew on August 31 of every even numbered year.
Important Contacts
Florida currently recognizes the following examinations for endorsement: (not reciprocity)
• Florida Unlimited Electrical (EC) = North Carolina Unlimited
• Florida Unlimited Electrical (EC) = Georgia Class II Unrestricted & Low Voltage Unlimited (must hold both Georgia licenses)
• Florida Unlimited Electrical (EC) = California Electrical C-10 License Examination
• Florida Residential Specialty (ES) = Georgia Class I
• Florida Residential Specialty (ES) = North Carolina Limited License (L)
• Florida (Low Voltage) Limited Energy (ES) = North Carolina Sp-LV
• Florida (Low Voltage) Limited Energy (ES) = California Electrical C-7 License Examination
If you are applying from any state and category other than those listed above you will be required to submit the following items along with your application for endorsement:
• The state statutes and rules governing your license the year you became licensed in that state.
• The examination blueprint/outline for the examination you took to become licensed for the year you passed the examination in that state. Please note: In states where “Experior” was
the administrator of the examination, the Department has been unable to obtain the blueprint for the examination given in the particular state.
• Provide contact information for the licensing board of the state in which you are licensed and took an examination as well as the examination vendor if applicable. Specifically the name, address and phone number of the individual responsible for administering the examination program.
Note: The review process for an endorsement application may take several months to complete.
As of this time Florida requires 14 hours of board approved continuing education each biennium prior to the renewal period for both certified and registered contractors.
At least 7 hours must deal with technical subjects, at least 1 hour must be on the subject of worker’s compensation, at least 1 hour on workplace safety, at least 1 hour must cover the subject of business practices, and at least 1 hour of Florida Building Code advanced module course. Multiple license holders are required to complete continuing education requirements only 1 time each biennium.
All alarm system contractors and all electrical contractors who do alarm wiring and installations must take a 2 hour false alarm prevention course as a part of their continuing education.
Continuing education must be completed prior to the license expiration of August 31 of every even year. The courses must be completed during the 2 year period and extra continuing education hours cannot be carried over.
A license holder can earn up to 3 hours per renewal cycle for attending a meeting at which disciplinary cases are considered, as long as he/she attends the entire disciplinary portion of the meeting and as long as he/she is not the subject of the disciplinary proceedings.
The license holder must fax a letter, at least 7 days prior to the meeting, requesting to attend the meeting for CE credit, then the board will respond with the date, time, and location of the meeting.
The exams are computer based. The fees are $316.25 paid to the State
- A score of at least 75% is required to pass each of the exams.
- The exams are open book and timed. There are 100 questions with a 5 hour time limit for the Limited Energy Specialty Contractor I exam. There are 50 questions with a 2.5 hour time limit for the Business exam.
- The exams are computer based and offered throughout the year at PearsonVue Testing Facility. Exams are on a first come first serve basis.
- Effective November 3, 2006 the Board revised rule 61G4-16.009 Florida Administrative Code. The revised rule provides that a candidate who has failed to achieve a passing score on 1 or more of the required exams has up to 2 years from the date of the 1st attempt to achieve a passing score on all required parts. If a passing score is not achieved within the 2 year period, all past test scores shall be considered invalid and the candidate will be required to retake all portions of the exam. Each candidate will only be allowedi> 6 attempts to pass each part of the exam during the 2 year period.
- Applicants must be submitted to the DBPR to be eligible to take the exam. After passing the exam, aliscensure application will need to be completed and submitted to the state.
Topics covered on the trade exam are general theory and electrical principles, plan and specification reading and interpretation, wiring and protection, wiring methods and materials, special occupancies and situations, life safety and Americans with Disabilities Act, limited energy/low voltage, OSHA, safety, procedures for testing and use of tools and equipment, central station facilities and signaling, premises protective signaling systems, initiating devices, and burglar alarms.
- Applicants have 3 chances to pass the Limited Energy Specialty Contractor exam during a 1 year period. If the applicant fails either or both sections of the exam he/she must reapply to the board before sitting for the exam again. If the applicant fails either or both sections of the exam 3 times in a row he/she must complete 7 hours of continuing education in that subject matter and submit a new application before testing again. There is a 21 day waiting period between retakes for the Business (CBT) exam.
Topics covered on the business exam are maintaining cash flow, estimating and bidding a job, interpretation of contracts and agreements, purchasing control, contract scheduling, obtaining insurance and bonding, complying with contracting laws and rules, personnel management, complying with payroll and salary tax laws, interpretation of financial statements and reports, and management accounting.
- To schedule your Limited Energy Specialty exam you must contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at 1-850-487-1395. To schedule the Florida Electrical Business exam (CBT) you must contact Pearson Vue at 1-888-204-6230.
- Official photo-bearing score reports on the Business (CBT) exam are available on-site from the vendor immediately following the exam.
American Contractors offers a 2-day preparation course for the Florida Limited Energy (Low Voltage) contractor license exam. Please contact us for additional information, 1-800-992-1910.
