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, was amended June 29, 2023:
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 application to the Board. The instructions and application Form FBPE/030 (04/23), entitled, “FBPE Application for Recognition in the Florida Structural Engineer Recognition Program” is hereby incorporated by reference, copies of which may be obtained from the Board office at 2400 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308; from the Board’s website at FBPE.org/FBRSE. The Board shall Recognize only those applicants who have completed the Application, 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) Prior to January 1, 2004, passed a 16-hour state-written examination equivalent in scope and content to the examination identified in paragraph (1)(a), above. For purposes of this rule, the board identifies the following examinations as equivalent in scope and content: the 16-hour Western States Structural Engineering examination, OR
- (c) Passed the NCEES Structural II exam plus an 8-hour state-written structural examination prior to January 1, 2011. For purposes of this rule, the board will accept the following 8-hour examinations: 8-hour NCEES Civil: Structural Examination; 8-hour NCEES Architectural Engineering Examination; 8-hour California Structural Engineering Seismic III Examination; or 8-hour Washington Structural Engineering III Examination, OR
- (d) Passed the NCEES 16-hour Structural Engineering examination (vertical and lateral) taken after January 1, 2011, OR
- (e) Has at least five (5) years of experience after licensure as a Professional Engineer in any jurisdiction(s) designing significant structural engineering projects. For purposes of this rule, “significant structural engineering projects” is defined as the design of structural components and structural systems of any of the following:
- Buildings three stories or greater.
- 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 in effect at the time of application or equivalent classification in another jurisdiction.
- Vehicular Bridges
- (f) Been Certified as a Special Inspector of Threshold Buildings pursuant to section 471.015(7), F.S. prior to February, 2016, or if so 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.
- (g) The license(s) and/or registration(s) 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 “FRSE.” 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 Application, the Board will timely notify an applicant of any documentation and/or information that is required to complete the request.
- (a) Upon request, it is the Applicant’s responsibility to supply additional documentation/information that will enable the Board to determine that Applicant has the appropriate experience designing significant structures.
- (b) Examples of documentation/information required include: written proof of passage of examinations, verifications of out of state licensure, or for applicants by experience, a signed and sealed statement of experience describing the scope of applicant’s work on significant structural engineering projects.
- (c) If an applicant fails to supply any requested documentation and/or information that is required to complete the request within one (1) year of notification, the request will be presented to the Board for review and decision on the request as submitted.
(5) This rule shall be reviewed, and if necessary, repealed, modified, or renewed through the rulemaking process five years from the effective date.