69A-51.020. Certificates of Competency; Training Course; Renewals

(1) A person shall not be, act as, or advertise or hold himself or herself out to be an inspector of a boiler that is subject to regulation by Chapter 554, F.S., unless he or she currently holds a certificate of competency issued by the Department.

(2) A certificate of competency will be issued to a person who meets the following:

(a) Has successfully passed the examination administered by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors;

(b) Holds a commission from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors;

(c) Has completed the 2-hour training course required by Section 554.104(4), F.S., no later than 12 months before issuance of an initial or renewal certificate of competency;

(d) Is employed by an authorized inspection agency or the Department; and

(e) Has submitted the application form and paid the fee.

(3) Training course. A person must complete the Department’s two-hour training course to obtain a certificate of competency. The training course may be obtained online at the Department’s website at: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm/bfp/boilersafety/; or by contacting the Boiler Safety Program, Bureau of Fire Prevention, Division of State Fire Marshal, 325 John Knox Road, Third Floor, Atrium Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32303, Phone: [phone].

(4) Special boiler inspectors.

(a) A certificate of competency designating a special boiler inspector will be issued by the chief boiler inspector upon application by an authorized inspection agency. An application must be submitted on Form DFS-K3-404, Application for Original and Renewal Certificate of Competency for Special Boiler and Deputy Boiler Inspectors (Rev. 05/21), which is hereby incorporated by reference, and available at the following link: http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13308; or on the Department’s website at: http://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm/bfp/boilersafety/; or by contacting the Boiler Safety Program, Bureau of Fire Prevention, Division of State Fire Marshal, 325 John Knox Road, Third Floor, Atrium Building, Tallahassee, Florida 32303, Phone: [phone].

(b) An employee of an NB-369 authorized inspection agency defined in paragraph 69A-51.005(7)(c), F.A.C., must provide a certificate or letter showing proof of professional liability insurance coverage.

(c) The certificate of competency of a special boiler inspector remains in effect only so long as the special boiler inspector is employed by an authorized inspection agency and expires on December 31 of each year. Upon termination of employment, the authorized inspection agency must give written notice by email to the chief boiler inspector ([e-mail]) within 15 days following the date of termination.

(5) Deputy boiler inspectors.

(a) The Department will issue a certificate of competency to a deputy boiler inspector who who meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this rule and Section 554.104, F.S.

(b) An application must be submitted on Form DFS-K3-404, Application for Original and Renewal Certificate of Competency for Special Boiler and Deputy Boiler Inspectors, which is incorporated by reference in subsection (4).

(c) The certificate of competency of a deputy boiler inspector remains in effect only so long as the deputy boiler inspector is employed by the Department and expires on December 31 of each year.

(6) Renewals.

(a) Every certificate of competency issued by the Department will expire on December 31 of each year. Applications for renewal must be made on Form DFS-K3-404, which is incorporated by reference in subsection (4). The renewal application must be completed, signed, and forwarded to the Department. Upon receipt of the application, an invoice for the fee set forth in Section 554.111(1)(a), F.S., will be sent to the authorized inspection agency.

(b) A certificate of competency which is not timely renewed is inoperative. As a consequence, inspection reports dated after December 31 will not be accepted and the boilers to which they relate must be reinspected by an authorized inspector holding a valid certificate of competency.

(7) A revocation of a certificate of competency is permanent, and a revoked certificate of competency shall not be reinstated, nor shall a new certificate of competency be issued to the same person.

(8) A suspension of a certificate of competency shall remain in effect until all violations have been corrected.

Rulemaking Authority 554.1021(2), 554.103, 554.104(8) FS. Law Implemented 554.1021, 554.104, 554.105, 554.106, 554.107, 554.111, 554.115 FS. History–New 2-27-89, Amended 7-15-98, Formerly 4A-51.020, Amended 5-26-10, 8-10-21.