Professional Engineers licensed in Florida may apply for the Structural Engineering Recognition Program for Professional Engineers using the request linked below. The program is for recognition only and is not required for the practice of structural engineering in Florida.
Section 471.055, Florida Statutes, went into effect July 1, 2022:
471.055, Structural Engineering Recognition Program for Professional Engineers.
(1) The Board shall establish the Structural Engineering Recognition Program for Professional Engineers to recognize professional engineers who specialize in structural engineering and have gone above and beyond the required minimum professional engineer licensing standards. The Board shall establish minimum requirements to receive recognition through the program. The Board must recognize any licensed professional engineer who has successfully passed the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Structural Engineering 16-hour PE Structural examination or any other examination approved by the Board. In addition, the board may recognize any licensed professional engineer who specializes in structural engineering based on alternative criteria determined by the board.
(2) Upon application to the Board, a professional engineer who has the minimum program requirements shall be recognized as a professional engineer who has gone above and beyond in the field of structural engineering. The Board may not collect a fee for such application or for recognition by the program.
(3) A professional engineer who is recognized by the program may identify such recognition in her or his professional practice, including in marketing and advertising materials.
(4) Recognition by the program is not required for a professional engineer to practice structural engineering.
(5) The Board shall adopt rules to implement this section.
Rule 61G15-20.0011, Florida Administrative Code, went into effect Aug. 25, 2022:
61G15-20.0011, Structural Engineering Recognition Program for Professional Engineers.
Pursuant to Section 471.055, F.S., the Board establishes the following minimum requirements for Florida licensed Professional Engineers who specialize in structural engineering and who have exceeded required minimum professional engineer licensing standards in that specialty area to receive recognition through the Structural Engineering Recognition Program for Professional Engineers.
(1) Any Professional Engineer currently licensed in good standing in the state of Florida who desires Recognition as a Structural Engineer in Florida shall submit an online form to the Board. The form is located on the Board’s website at FBPE.org/FBRSE. The Board shall Recognize only those applicants who have completed the online form, including submission of required documentation, and who have demonstrated to the Board that they have:
- (a) Passed the NCEES Structural I and Structural II exams taken prior to January 1, 2011, OR
- (b) Passed an equivalent 16-hour state-written examination prior to January 1, 2004, OR
- (c) Passed the NCEES Structural II exam plus an equivalent 8-hour state-written structural examination prior to January 1, 2011, OR
- (d) Passed the NCEES 16-hour S.E. examination (vertical and lateral) taken after January 1, 2011, OR
- (e) Held an active license or registration (as applicable) in any U.S. Jurisdiction and:
- Has at least fifteen (15) years of experience working on significant structural engineering projects. For purposes of this paragraph, “significant structural engineering projects” is defined as the design of structural components and systems of any of the following:
- a. Buildings over three stories.
- b. Buildings with an occupancy greater than 250 persons.
- c. Risk Category III or IV buildings, as defined by Table 1604.5 RISK CATEGORY OF BUILDINGS AND OTHER STRUCTURES in the current Florida Building Code or equivalent classification in another jurisdiction.
- d. Vehicular Bridges.
- The license and/or registration must have been awarded at least 15 years prior to the application date, and must remain valid continuously through the application process, and
- The license and/or registration must not have been disciplined or otherwise acted against for a violation related to the field of structural engineering.
(2) Any Florida Licensed PE recognized by the Florida Board may be so indicated by using the designation “Florida Board Recognized Structural Engineer” or “FBRSE.” A Professional Engineer who is recognized by the program may identify such recognition in her or his professional practice, including marketing and advertising materials.
(3) Recognition by the program is not required for a Professional Engineer to practice structural engineering.
(4) Upon submission of the online form, the Board will timely notify an applicant of any information that is required to complete the request. If an applicant fails to supply any requested information within one (1) year of notification, the request will be presented to the Board for review and decision on the request as submitted.
(5) No later than December 31, 2026, the Board shall review and consider amendment, modification, or repeal of this rule if review determines this rule creates barriers to entry for private business competition, is duplicative, outdated, obsolete, overly burdensome, or imposes excessive costs. Failure by the Board at act in accordance with this provision will result in the expiration of this rule on December 31, 2026.
Rulemaking Authority 471.055 FS. Law Implemented 471.055 FS. History–New 8-25-22.