The Board proposed an amendment to update the rule language regarding continuing education requirements.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

Board of Professional Engineers

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

61G15-22.001Continuing Education Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposed an amendment to update the rule language regarding continuing education requirements.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule amendment updates the rule language regarding continuing education requirements.

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 concluded that this rule change will not have any impact on licensees and their businesses or the businesses that employ them. The rule will not increase any fees, business costs, personnel costs, will not decrease profit opportunities, and will not require any specialized knowledge to comply. This change will not increase any direct or indirect regulatory costs. Hence, the Board 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: 471.008, 471.017(3), 471.0195 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 471.017(3), 471.0195 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

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

61G15-22.001 Continuing Education Requirements.

(1) Each licensee shall complete eighteen (18) continuing education hours during each license renewal biennium as a condition of license renewal. Four (4) hours shall relate to the licensee’s area(s) of practice; one (1) hour must be related to professional ethics; and one (1) hour shall relate to Chapter 471, F.S., and the rules of the Board. The remaining hours may relate to any topic pertinent to the practice of engineering as defined in Rule 61G15-22.002, F.A.C.

(a) through (c) No Change.

(2) No Change.

(3) Beginning with the effective date of the EighthFifth Edition of the Florida Building Code (2023), all licensees actively participating in the design of engineering works or systems in connection with buildings, structures, or facilities and systems covered by the Florida Building Code, as identified within Section 553.73(1)(a), F.S., shall:

(a) Complete at least one (1) advanced Florida Building Code course on each new Edition of the Florida Building Code, andwithin twelve (12) months of each edition of the Florida Building Code effective date,

(b) Provide the Board with a copy of a certificate of completion which shows: course number, course hours, Code edition and revision year, and portion of Code or course focus. This course may also count towards the area of practice requirement for continuing education set forth in Rule 61G15-22.001, F.A.C.

(4) The Board shall approve all Advanced Florida Building Code courses. Courses submitted for approval shall have been designated an “Advanced” course by the Florida Building Commission and shall be within the discipline of civil structure, mechanical, electrical or general engineering.

Rulemaking Authority 471.008, 471.017(3), 471.0195 FS. Law Implemented 471.017(3), 471.0195 FS. History–New 8-19-80, Formerly 21H-22.01, Amended 5-14-86, Formerly 21H-22.001, Amended 6-22-99, 6-13-00, 2-22-01, 9-16-01, 3-7-13, 9-29-14, 2-18-16, 8-1-18, 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: October 11, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 7, 2023