The Board proposes the amendment of the rule to change its continuing education credit requirements.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGULATION

Board of Landscape Architecture

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

61G10-18.001Continuing Education Credit Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the amendment of the rule to change its continuing education credit requirements.

SUMMARY: Language regarding continuing education credit requirements will be updated.

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: 455.2124, 481.306, 481.313 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 481.313 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: Ruthanne Christie, Executive Director, Board of Landscape Architecture, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0751; [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

61G10-18.001 Continuing Education Credit Requirements.

Every person licensed pursuant to Chapter 481, Part II, F.S., must obtain at least sixteen (16) continuing education credits per biennium. There shall be no carryover of hours permitted from one licensure renewal biennium to the next.

(1) Upon renewal the licensee shall take the following continuing education courses per biennium:

(a) A minimum of one (1) two (2) of the sixteen (16) required credits must be obtained by completing an approved provider’s advanced or specialized course on the Uniform Building Code; and

(b) A minimum of one (1) two (2)  of the required sixteen (16) credits must be obtained by completing an approved provider’s a course on Florida’s laws and rules affecting the practice of landscape architecture according to Chapter 481, F.S.,  or by attending a board meeting in accordance with subsection (4) of this rule; and,

(c) A minimum of fourteen (14) twelve (12)  of the sixteen (16) required hours of continuing education credits are considered general credits  must be obtained from any of the following:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Additional hours over the minimum required for Florida building code and Florida Laws and Rules would apply to the remaining fourteen (14) twelve (12) hour general credit  requirement.

4. No change.

(2) A first time Florida licensee, licensed 12 to 24 months prior to the end of a biennial period, shall complete the following eight (8) hours of continuing education as a condition of renewal.

(a) A minimum of one (1) two (2)  of the required eight (8) credits must be obtained by completing a course on Florida’s laws and rules affecting the practice of landscape architecture according to Chapter 481, F.S., or by complying with subsection (5).

(b) through (c) No change.

(3) No change.

(4) Continuing Education -  Attendance at Board meetings  Courses in Laws and Rules  . Two continuing education credits, one (1) credit  in laws and rules of the Board and one (1) general credit, may be obtained each calendar year by attending one board meeting or four hours of a Board board meeting conducted by the Board of Landscape Architects and complying with the following:

(a) through (d) No change.

(5) No change.

(6) Licensees who participate in the development of Florida exam questions may be awarded up to six (6) hours of continuing education credit, comprised of two (2) hours of laws and rules and 4 hours of general credit optional, upon request to the Board.

(7) The Board board may, upon request of a licensee suffering a hardship, temporarily waive the continuing education requirement for one year. The licensee must make the request, in writing to the Board of Landscape Architecture, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0751, or by way of http://myflorida.com/dbpr/, detailing the hardship at least 60 days prior to the renewal.

(8) This rule shall become effective on December 1, 2021, the first day of the biennial cycle that follows the rule’s adoption.

Rulemaking Authority 455.2124, 481.306, 481.313 FS. Law Implemented 455.2124, 481.313 FS. History–New 9-19-01, Amended 7-3-03, 3-1-05, 11-12-07, 9-6-09, 12-28-09, 11-29-10, 11-25-19,                               .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Landscape Architecture

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Landscape Architecture

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 2, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 13, 2021