As a professional engineer, you worked hard for that distinction.
You graduated with an engineering degree, spent years working under an experienced engineer, and took two grueling exams to become licensed.
As your career winds down or you decide to stop practicing engineering in Florida, don’t disregard the importance of that PE license. There are scammers out there eager to take advantage of your good reputation and your license number.
Similarly, unscrupulous people have unlawfully used a deceased PE’s license number and seal.
Here are some steps you can take to secure your PE license:
Retiring?
If you have retired from practicing engineering and never plan to again sign and seal engineering documents, you should request that the Board place your license in retired status. It requires you to fill out a short form and submit it to the Board.
When your retired status is approved, you are entitled to use the title “PE, Retired” after your name.
You also should destroy any PE seals that you have to prevent them from being used by unscrupulous persons to sign and seal engineering documents in your name.
Once you have had your PE license retired, you can no longer offer engineering services without applying for a new license. If you think you may want to resume offering engineering services in Florida, you should consider letting your PE license go null and void. A null-and-void license can be reinstated following the steps listed on our website.
Null & Void?
Say that you no longer need to have a PE license in Florida, and you have chosen to let your license go null and void. At that point, you may no longer offer engineering services in Florida, and you may no longer use “PE” after your name or call yourself a professional engineer or any other protected title.
This extends to business cards, telephone listings, websites, LinkedIn or other social media, or any other public expression. Be sure to update them accordingly.
Should you choose to resume offering engineering services in Florida, a null-and-void license can be reinstated following the steps listed on our website.
Estate Planning?
If you are a PE, you should consider estate planning that includes instructions to your heirs regarding your license and seal.
After a PE has died, a family member or co-worker should notify the Board and provide documentation, such as an obituary, so that the PE licensee can be labeled deceased. When that happens, the PE’s license number and personal information is removed from the listings at myfloridalicense.com. This helps prevent anyone from fraudulently assuming the deceased’s identity as a Professional Engineer.