Under Florida law, an "Underground utility and excavation contractor" means a contractor whose services are limited to the construction, installation, and repair, on public or private property, whether accomplished through open excavations or through other means — including, but not limited to, directional drilling, auger boring, jacking and boring, trenchless technologies, wet and dry taps, grouting, and slip lining — of main sanitary sewer collection systems, main water distribution systems, and storm sewer collection systems, and the continuation of utility lines from the main systems to a point of termination up to and including the meter location for the individual occupancy.

It's a Certified license issued by the DBPR's Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB), meaning it's valid across the entire state, not just one city or county.

Certified CILB contractor categories generally qualify through one of the following combinations of education and on-the-job experience. We recommend confirming the exact experience-verification requirements for the Underground Utility and Excavation classification with DBPR/CILB directly, and our team walks through this with you as part of every application review:

• A 4-year construction-related degree from an accredited college, plus 1 year of on-the-job experience.
• 1 year of experience as a foreman, plus not less than 3 years of credit from accredited college-level courses.
• 1 year as a worker, 1 year of experience as a foreman, plus 2 years of credit from accredited college-level courses.
• 2 years as a worker, 1 year as a foreman, plus 1 year of credit from accredited college-level courses.
• 4 years as a worker or foreman, of which at least 1 year must have been as a foreman.

Beyond the education and experience requirements above, your documented field experience should cover the systems and methods within this classification's scope:

Systems:

Installation methods:

Review Every Application Type & Purchase Initial Issuance

See every Florida contractor license application type side by side, and purchase the Initial Issuance application service directly, on our Florida Contractor License Information page.

Every Certified Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor must carry general liability insurance before the DBPR will issue a license. Workers' compensation coverage is also required, unless you qualify for a state exemption.

We work closely with our sister company, Artisan Insurance Inc., to provide these coverages. Both businesses are family owned and operated, so your license paperwork and your insurance move together instead of stalling on each other.

Certified licenses renew every two years, due by August 31 of even-numbered years. Renewal requires 14 hours of continuing education, covering topics like workplace safety, workers' compensation, and business practices.

Whether you are applying for a new Underground Utility Contractor license, changing from one business to another, or wanting to qualify an additional business, we are here to help.