12D-19.009. Recertification

(1)(a) To be recertified, Certified Florida Appraisers and Certified Florida Collectors must complete a minimum of 24 hours of approved courses that meet the criteria of subsection 12D-19.003(1), F.A.C., each calendar year and pay a recertification fee, as specified in paragraph 12D-19.007(1)(b), F.A.C.

(b) To be recertified, Certified Florida Evaluators, Certified Cadastralists of Florida, and Certified Florida Collector Assistants must certify their governmental employment each calendar year and pay a recertification fee, as specified in paragraph 12D-19.007(1)(b), F.A.C. At the discretion of each official, professional designees employed by such official may be required to maintain recertification by completing a designated number of continuing education hours.

(c) Professional designees applying for recertification must submit a completed Application for Florida Professional Certification (Form DR-4001, incorporated by reference in Rule 12D-16.002, F.A.C.) to the Department. Certification automatically expires if recertification as set forth in this rule is not maintained timely.

(2) Professional designees are exempted from the recertification requirement and recertification fee for the calendar year in which the requirements for certification are met.

(3) An applicant for recertification may not challenge a course examination.

(4) If a professional designee fails to meet recertification requirements set forth in this rule, within the prescribed time, that professional designee’s certification shall expire. Officials whose certifications expire shall be ineligible to receive the special qualifications salary provided in Sections 145.10 and 145.11, F.S. Such ineligibility shall continue until the official is reinstated as provided in these rules.

(5) When a certified official has become ineligible to receive the special qualifications salary by failure to meet recertification requirements, the Department shall notify the official by sending a written notice of the reason for such ineligibility. The Department shall notify the appropriate disbursement office of such ineligibility. That office shall withhold the prorated portion of the annual $2,000 salary supplement until certification is reinstated as provided in Rule 12D-19.010, F.A.C.

(6) Where a certified official has become ineligible to receive the special qualifications salary and continues to draw such compensation, the official shall be liable for full restitution and subject to appropriate legal action.

(7) Certification shall be conditional upon a professional designee’s governmental employment, and certification shall expire automatically without notice to the holder when a professional designee leaves governmental employment. A person who leaves governmental employment and fails to meet annual recertification requirements must, upon returning to governmental employment, follow the reinstatement procedures to become certified. If a person returns to governmental employment and timely meets the annual recertification requirements, that person remains certified and does not need to meet the reinstatement requirements. Each property appraiser and tax collector shall notify the Department when a professional designee within the office leaves governmental employment.

(8) Upon written application and proof that the property appraiser has 20 years of service, the Executive Director may grant an annual waiver of the recertification requirements for any property appraiser who has reached 60 years of age.

(9) The Department shall maintain records of approved courses, attendance, approval dates, hours of courses, and all other information for the purpose of maintaining current records on all professional designees’ continuing education status.

Rulemaking Authority 195.002(2), 195.027(1) FS. Law Implemented 145.10, 145.11, 195.002 FS. History–New 4-2-81, Formerly 12-9.07, Amended 4-11-89, 12-30-97, 10-26-21, Formerly 12-9.007.