61G19-6.0035. Application for Provisional and/or Standard Certification

(1) Each individual who wishes to obtain a provisional and/or standard certificate in any certificate category shall submit the following to the Board:

(a) A completed application form for the category in which certification is sought. The form that shall be used for this purpose shall be provided by the Department and available on the Department’s website.

(b) An attestation describing in detail each separate period of work experience listed in the application form, signed by a licensed architect, engineer, contractor, fire marshal, or building code administrator who has knowledge of the applicant’s duties and responsibilities during the period indicated. The form that shall be used for this purpose shall be provided by the Department and available on the Department’s website. The form sought is adopted and incorporated by reference in Rule 61-35.008, F.A.C. Each attestation must include the name and address of the applicant’s employer during the work experience period, the dates of employment, and a description of the applicant’s duties and responsibilities during the employment including any supervisory responsibilities, in sufficient detail to enable the Board to determine whether or not the applicant has the experience required for certification.

(c) Each applicant for certification as an inspector or plans examiner shall demonstrate that he or she has at least one (1) year of hands-on experience in the category of certification sought, with the exception of Residential inspector. For Residential inspector certification, refer to the specific requirements in Rule 61G19-6.017, F.A.C.

(d) Each applicant seeking to qualify for certification through a combination of postsecondary education and work experience shall submit an official copy of all college or university transcripts which document the applicant’s education in addition to all required attestations of work experience.

(e) Each applicant who is not employed by a local government agency having responsibility for building code inspection, building construction regulation, and enforcement of building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, fire safety, energy, accessibility, and other construction codes at the time of the application shall submit payment of all applicable application, examination and certification fees as specified in Chapter 61G19-10, F.A.C.

(f) For the purposes of this section, any unlicensed activity in those geographic areas that require licensure shall not be recognized for the purposes of providing required experience.

(g) For purposes of implementation of section 468.609(2), F.S., the term “four years’ experience” shall mean four years (48 months) of experience primarily performing activities and duties corresponding to the certification category sought.

1. For any employment or work experience where all or substantially all of the applicant’s work time was not confined to the activities and duties of a single certification category, the applicant shall indicate what percentage of the applicant’s time was spent on activities and duties for each certification category.

2. For applicants applying for a single trade license, the Board shall not consider credit for periods of employment or work experience where less than 33% of the applicant’s work time activities and duties applied to that one certification category.

3. For any employment or work experience where the applicant performed duties involving multiple certification categories, the Board shall allow an applicant to pro-rate or allocate the times spent with documentation and/or testimony showing the time spent with each employer and the percentage of time spent performing the detailed activities that are described by the applicant on the affidavit of work experience, verified by a building official, Architect, Professional Engineer, or Licensed Contractor, including tally sheets with a complete breakdown. The period of time used for one category of certification shall not be allowed to be creditable to multiple certification categories, sometimes referred to as “double dipping”, which may result in disciplinary proceedings.

(2) In addition to all other required items, each applicant for an inspector or plans examiner certificate shall submit with the application a statement from the applicant’s current employer which shall indicate the applicant’s present status with the employer. Each applicant employed by a local government agency, private provider or private provider’s firm having responsibility for building code inspection, building construction regulation, and enforcement of building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, fire prevention, fire safety, energy, accessibility, and other construction codes at the time the application is submitted must include on the statement the signature and license number of the building code administrator, building official, or fire marshal for the applicant’s employing agency.

(3) In addition to all other required items, each applicant for a building code administrator certificate shall submit with the application a statement from the applicant’s current employer which shall indicate the applicant’s present status with the employer.

(4) The Board shall reciprocate license certifications from another state provided the applicant obtained the out-of-state certification by successfully passing an examination administered by the International Code Council and the applicant has passed the Florida Principles and Practice Exam and has met the requirements of Section 468.609(2), F.S.

(5) The board shall approve an application for Standard Certification by endorsement compliant with Section 468.613, F.S., when an applicant holds a building code administrator, inspector, or plans examiner license/certification issued by another state for at least 10 years before the date of application; and has successfully passed an applicable examination administered by the International Code Council. Such application must be submitted for Board review when the license/certification from the other state is active or within 2 years of the license/certification being active.

Rulemaking Authority 468.606, 468.609 FS. Law Implemented 468.609, 468.613 FS. History–New 11-28-95, Amended 10-1-97, 2-23-99, 6-3-03, 2-6-07, 10-4-07, 12-17-12, 9-20-17, 2-14-18, 7-21-21, 11-24-22, 9-12-23.