5J-17.063. Certificates of Authorization

(1) Except as provided in subsection (10) of this rule, certificates of authorization are required of all corporations, partnerships, professional associations, firms, or persons practicing under a fictitious name, who provide surveying and mapping services to the public. For the purpose of this rule, those corporations, partnerships, associations, firms, and persons shall be referred to as “business entities.”

(2) Individuals practicing surveying and mapping under their given name are not required to obtain a certificate of authorization. For the purposes of this rule, “given name” is defined as the individual’s name as it appears on the individual’s birth certificate, state issued driver’s license, or Florida surveyor and mapper license.

(3) Individuals practicing surveying and mapping under the first initials of their first and/or middle names and their entire last name are not required to obtain a certificate of authorization.

(4) Individuals practicing surveying and mapping under their given name or the first initials of their first and/or middle names and their entire last name are permitted to use the following titles and abbreviations in their surveying and mapping business name without being required to obtain a certificate of authorization: licensed surveyor and mapper, registered surveyor and mapper, registered land surveyor, professional land surveyor, professional surveyor and mapper, professional surveyor, RLS, PLS, PSM, or PS.

(5) Individuals practicing surveying and mapping pursuant to subsections (2), (3) and (4) of this rule must obtain a certificate of authorization once the individual adds Incorporated, Inc., Limited Liability Company, LLC, Partnership Association, P.A., or any other business association or business entity name, title or abbreviation to the individual’s name or business name.

(6) Individuals operating a surveying and mapping business, which is incorporated, is a limited liability corporation, is a partnership association, or is operating as any other business entity, but does not include the business entity title or abbreviation in the surveying and mapping business’s name, must obtain a certificate of authorization.

(7) Business entities that wish to obtain a Certificate of Authorization must complete an application at https://csapp.800helpfla.com/csrep/ and pay fees totaling $255.00 for permanent licensure or fees totaling $180.00 for a temporary certificate. In lieu of completing an electronic application, applicants are permitted to complete “Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers Application for Certificate of Authorization” FDACS-10054, Rev. 08/17, hereby incorporated by reference. Copies of the form may be obtained from the Board office or accessed online at: http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-08766. Upon application to the Board, certificates of authorization shall be issued only to those business entities which:

(a) List the street address of each of its Florida offices from which surveying and mapping services are provided;

(b) Specify the name or names of its principals who are licensed surveyors and mappers as the term “principal” is defined in paragraph 5J-17.013(1)(b), F.A.C.;

(c) Provide proof to show that the applicant is a partnership, corporation, or person practicing under a fictitious name at the time of application and that the person identified pursuant to paragraph (7)(b) of this rule is a principal of the business entity.

(8) The Board shall penalize, deny, suspend or revoke the certificate of authorization of any business entity which fails to meet the requirements of laws or rules pertaining to the practice of surveying and mapping.

(9) Business entities shall notify the Board within one (1) month of any changes in the business entity’s location of offices, its licensed surveyors and mappers in residence, and the names of its principals, along with proof to demonstrate the change in principals.

(10) Paragraphs (7)(a) and (b), of this rule, do not apply to construction offices or temporary field offices set up to serve a specific survey site.

Rulemaking Authority 472.011 FS. Law Implemented 472.011, 472.021, 472.0365 FS. History–New 3-22-84, Formerly 21HH-7.03, Amended 3-12-92, Formerly 21HH-7.003, Amended 5-30-95, 5-21-00, 3-25-01, 5-24-06, Formerly 61G17-7.003, Amended 11-13-17.