Escambia County board approves multiple contractor license reciprocity and exam applications

The Escambia County Contractor Competency Board approved a slate of contractor licensing requests and a business name change at its Dec. 3, 2025 meeting in Pensacola.

In the morning session the board approved Anton Bereshev’s request to sit for the underground utility contractor examination after staff testified he holds a general contractor’s license (since 09/04/2020) and that state statute allows general‑contractor experience to qualify for the underground license. Bereshev told the board he wants to expand into underground utility work and described relevant experience working with stormwater and sewer installations.

Following that decision the board accepted newly provided documentation and approved the request from Curtis (recorded also as “Kurt”) McLaughlin to take the building contractor exam. Staff said McLaughlin had supplied additional verification after an October appearance; he described overseeing multiple medical and commercial fit‑out projects and provided project photos and references.

The board also approved reciprocity requests and related applications: David Reynolds (reciprocity of a roofing license from Santa Rosa County), Rainer Crabtree (reciprocity of a residential contractor license), and Ashley Renee Preston (reciprocity of a registered general contractor license). Staff noted Reynolds disclosed and provided documentation related to a past financial responsibility question; the board accepted the paperwork and granted reciprocity. Preston described her construction background and family ties to the trade; staff clarified her application reflected general‑contractor reciprocity.

An applicant recorded as Sean (the record shows the name uncertainly as “Grease”/“Grise”) presented a change‑of‑status form to convert a DBA to an LLC for Prestige Plumbing and Gas and disclosed an adjudication‑withheld court record from 2009; the board approved the business name change after reviewing court documents.

All applicant approvals were made by motion, second and voice vote during the public meeting; the minutes record motions and approvals but do not include a roll‑call name‑by‑name tally for each vote.

What’s next: Approved applicants will proceed according to the county’s licensing procedures — applicants seeking to sit examinations must follow the county’s scheduling and exam‑application steps; those receiving reciprocity must complete licensing paperwork with county staff.

The board adjourned after later agenda items.