BY DYLAN ALBERGO, PE, FBPE Chair (2023)
This article serves as an update to my April 2023 article titled “Chair’s Corner: Clarifying the Structural Engineering Recognition Program.” Section 471.055, Florida Statutes, required the Board to establish the Structural Engineering Recognition Program as a method for Professional Engineers licensed in Florida who specialize in structural engineering to request recognition for having “gone above and beyond the required minimum Professional Engineer licensing standards.”
As of June 29, 2023, Rule 61G15-20.0011, Florida Administrative Code, has been amended to be more inclusive of professional engineers who clearly demonstrate structural engineering expertise. The most significant update is an amendment of the required post-licensure years of experience from 15 to 5 years.
Additionally, some Special Inspectors (SI) of Threshold Buildings are now able to qualify. To be included, the SI must meet all requirements of the rule, and have been certified as a Special Inspector of Threshold Buildings pursuant to section 471.015(7), F.S., prior to February 2016, or if certified after February 2016, sought certification based on principal practice in the area of structural engineering as defined in Rule 61G15-35.003(1)(a) and (b), F.A.C.
Certification as a Special Inspector (Limited) will not qualify an applicant for recognition.
Those wishing to qualify must demonstrate that they meet or exceed the rule requirements by completing the form on the Board website. Applicants should be descriptive enough to demonstrate a total of at least five years of post-licensure structural engineering experience working on significant structural engineering projects.
These amendments will help to ensure that those deserving of the recognition will be able to qualify.
As a reminder, the recognition does not entitle a Florida Professional Engineer to do anything beyond what any PE can do. It is strictly a voluntary and optional program.
PEs who receive the recognition may use FRSE — for Florida Recognized Structural Engineer — to market and advertise their professional practice.
The Board does not require PEs practicing structural engineering to have the FRSE recognition. Any PE may offer structural engineering services in areas which they are competent.
Dylan Albergo, PE, of Tampa, specializes in bridge design and engineering project management. He served as FBPE vice chair in 2022, and is chair of the special inspector rules committee and serves on the application review and the FEMC operations committees.