SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-199

No. CS/HB 4035

Palm Beach County
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SPONSOR
State Affairs Committee; Edmonds
FILED BY
Jervonte Edmonds — District 88, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
6/10/2026

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Palm Beach County; Revises requirements for examinations administered by Palm Beach County Construction Industry Licensing Board for certificates of competency; revises Board's applicant review process.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Removes the 3-month exam schedule and 4-exam annual limit.

The Board no longer must offer exams every 3 months or limit applicants to four attempts per year. This gives the Board full control over exam timing and frequency.

Applicants must now pass a written exam tailored to their specific certificate category. The Board may allow an oral exam instead for specialty contractors and journeymen.

The Board reviews the applicant's qualifications, including financial responsibility and credit history, before confirming readiness to issue a certificate.

The Board must confirm the applicant's readiness to issue a certificate after a passing exam and satisfied requirements.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Exam Frequency and Scheduling majors. 489.115(2)(C)(1)

AIRemoves the statutory requirement for at least one exam every three months and the 60-day rescheduling wait, giving the Board full discretion over exam timing and location.

“but there shall be offered at least one examination every 3 months.” bill text, line 32 →
§ 2 Exam Content and Format majors. 489.115(2)(C)(1)

AIReplaces the general fitness exam with a category-specific written exam, while allowing the Board to permit an oral exam in lieu of the written test for specialty contractors and journeymen.

“Each applicant must complete an objective written examination that evaluates the applicant's qualifications for certification in the category for which the applicant applies.” bill text, line 33 →
§ 3 Applicant Review Process moderates. 489.115(2)(D)

AIChanges the Board's post-application action from an investigation to a review of qualifications, and requires the Board to confirm readiness to issue a certificate once the applicant passes the exam and meets all other requirements.

“the Board shall review the applicant's qualifications, including the applicant's financial responsibility, credit history, education, examination, experience, and business”
§ 4 Business Entity Review moderates. 489.115(2)(D)

AIExplicitly requires the Board to include any business entity the applicant represents in contracting activities within its review of the applicant's qualifications.

“The review must also include any business entity that the applicant represents in contracting activities.” bill text, line 64 →
TIMELINE
7/1/2026
Chapter No. 2026-199
6/10/2026
Approved by Governor
6/9/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/11/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/11/2026
In Messages
3/11/2026
CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 788
3/11/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 788
3/11/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 788
3/11/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/11/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 785
3/9/2026
Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
2/18/2026
Received
2/12/2026
Referred to Rules
2/12/2026
In Messages
2/11/2026
CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0
2/11/2026
Read 3rd time
2/11/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/11/2026
Read 2nd time
2/5/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
2/4/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/4/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/4/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/3/2026
CS Filed
2/3/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/3/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
2/3/2026
Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee
1/30/2026
Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
1/28/2026
Now in State Affairs Committee
1/28/2026
Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/28/2026
Favorable by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/26/2026
Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda
1/20/2026
Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/20/2026
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/20/2026
Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
12/12/2025
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
12/12/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
12/12/2025
Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
12/12/2025
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
12/4/2025
Filed
35 EARLIER →
STAFF ANALYSES