lincense

I was wondering, does one need to be lincensed to lay tile and if so what is the process to becoming lincensed. Btw I live in north jersey

As far as Jersey goes you do have to be licensed, but the only thing the license will do is let homeowners know the state has checked to make sure you have liability insurance. If you do a job and the state finds out you were not licensed you can be fined $10,000.

Don't know of anywhere that requires tile installers to be licensed per-se. Contractors licenses are required in a lot of areas but that is usually nothing more than a revenue source for local governments, they don't really care what type of contracting one actually does. Few states use the licensing requirement to protect the consumer or to qualify the tradesman.

Here in Florida you have to be licensed. It requires a minimum of two years of verifiable work experience in the trade (which is not enough) A test for business and law and a test for the trade. That is if your bank references and credit reports are ok.

That's crazy, what does bank references and credit report have to do with someone wanting to start a business and get a license?

Stan,

Credit reports have a lot to do with being awarded a license for contractors. A good credit score shows you are a responsible person and have conducted yourself properly. You wouldn't want a contractor who doesn't pay for materials and then the customer gets a lien on their house do you?

Many if not most states have laws concerning contractors. Here in Michigan a tile setter can either have a "Tile & Marble" license in the category of "Maintenance & Alterations" (M&A) or a "Builders" license.

A Builders license allows you to engage in most trades with the exception of electrical, plumbing and HVAC. Obviously someone with a builders license doesn't have to know much about any trade although most know at least one or 2 trades.

A M&A contractor is only supposed to work in their specialty trade. Here, both the person & entity should be licensed. Even salespeople are supposed to be licensed, yes tile sales people too.

Licensing is NOT a $$$ generating scheme of the state or local governments, it's supposed to protect and when necessary punish those who cheat or do not perform their work as promised. A licensed contractor can have their license revoked and they can be fined. If you hire an un-licensed contractor and you get cheated or?, you are on your own, good luck with that.

Those of you that should be licensed but are not are probably thinking, "I don't need no stinkin license, a license isn't going to make me a better tileman."

Well, OK, you're right about that. It will make you legitimate kinda like a driver's license, practicing law or medicine, to different degrees of course. The license can be taken away and you can be punished if you screw up, that is the whole point people give some of us many thousands of $$$ and put their faith in us.

We won't get into some of the other illegal activities unlicensed contractors are more likely NOT to do, like keeping good books, accurate books.

Jaz

[Edited by JazMan on Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 11:45 pm EST]

IL only has a state level license for plumbers and roofing contractors and MO doesnt license anything state level. Anyone can operate as a tiling, remodeling and even as a general contractor in these states. You can imagine the contracting scene in these states. Complete hacksville and lowballing. Many of the "contractors" try to pass a business license off as a contractors license. The public is completely unaware based on my talking to the public. As most professional contractors know, a state level contractors license is acquired after testing for competence, financial liability and proven skills. A business license is a form of revenue by most cities and you pay a fee and you receive a shiny certificate. Another thing I have found out through talking to the public in my area is that most think liability insurance covers faulty workmanship and loss of the materials if installed incorrectly. Liability insurance only covers damage done to the existing structure and property. If you hire someone and they don't know what they are doing and waste all the material and refuse to make it right, you have to file suit against them. No insurance covers this.

Here in Canada not only do you not need licensing- for anything but plumbing and electrician, you would find it very hard to even find training. There is a good course/school in North Carolina, the name of the institute slips my mind. ANSI should be able to help you out.

There is a good course/school in North Carolina, the name of the institute slips my mind.

Actually it's in South Carolina.

Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF)
http://www.tileschool.org

[Edited by Bud Cline on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 2:23 pm CST]

My bad. South Carolina- Thanks Bud.

Ohhhhhhhh Dave G gonna slap him for SURE!

I hope you don't plan to work in Florida. $300.00 fine if you get caught tiling without a license. Contracting in the state of Florida without a license is a felony.

For some installers tiling anything "is a felony".

Amen tho that brother! On the comment about it being a felony for some to even install tile.

How can you check if someone has a license for tile installation in Florida?

Check with your county contractors licensing dept.