The purpose of the amendments is to update the required procedures for reinstatement of void licenses and expand the means of obtaining required CE hours.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

Board of Professional Engineers

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

61G15-22.0002Licensure Change of Status, Reactivation; Reinstatement of Void Licenses

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the amendments is to update the required procedures for reinstatement of void licenses and expand the means of obtaining required CE hours.

SUMMARY: Update void license reinstatement requirements and methods of obtaining CE hours.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: During discussion of the economic impact of this rule at its Board meeting, the Board, based upon the expertise and experience of its members, determined that a Statement of Estimated Regulatory Costs (SERC) was not necessary and that the rule will not require ratification by the Legislature. No person or interested party submitted additional information regarding the economic impact at that time.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 455.271, 471.008, 471.019 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 455.271, 471.019 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Zana Raybon, Executive Director, Board of Professional Engineers, 2400 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308, [phone] or by electronic mail [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

61G15-22.0002 Licensure Change of Status, Reactivation; Reinstatement of Void Licenses.

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) Reinstatement of Void Licenses. Persons previously licensed as professional engineers in Florida may not re-apply for licensure by examination or by endorsement pursuant to Section 471.013 or 471.015, F.S.  Rather, pursuant to Sections 455.271(6) and 471.019, F.S., any person previously licensed as a professional engineer in Florida whose Florida license has become void must apply for reinstatement of the previous license. Application for reinstatement shall be made on form FBPE/023, Change of Status Application, referenced in subsection (1). In addition to a completed application form, all applications for reinstatement shall be accompanied by the following.

(a) No change.

(b) Documentation of satisfaction of any disciplinary obligations imposed against the void license; and

(c) Passage of the Board’s Laws and Rules Study Guide; and

(d) Documentation of one of the following:

1. No change.

2. Applicants not currently in active practice as a professional engineer must provide proof of completion of thirty-six (36) hours of continuing education, including two (2) hours of professional ethics and a one (1) hour course in Florida Laws and Rules. With the exception of the one (1) hour Florida Laws and Rules course, which can be taken online, the remaining thirty-five (35) hours must be either in-person or synchronous live streaming / videoconference / interactive webinar OR obtained through distance learning CE courses provided by a national or Florida statewide engineering society or association in-person courses; other online or distance learning courses will not be accepted.

(4) 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 to act in accordance with this provision will result in the expiration of this rule on December 31, 2026. 

Rulemaking Authority 455.271, 471.008, 471.019 FS. Law Implemented 455.271, 471.019 FS. History–New 8-1-02, Amended 2-27-17, 12-29-19,                   .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Professional Engineers

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Professional Engineers

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 11, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: September 10, 2021