50-State Engineering Licensing Compliance Guide
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Florida Engineering Industry Licensing

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Licensing requirements for engineering industry firms and individuals in Florida.

This page provides an overview of engineering industry licensing in Florida for individuals and firms. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.

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Company Licenses

Florida Engineering Company Licenses

Florida Certificate of Authorization (Land Surveying)

Agency:Florida Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers
Law:

Chapter 472 Florida Statutes

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Corporations 
  • Partnerships 
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Land Surveying Certificate of Authorization Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$255 by mail or $261.38 online

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required
Required Attachments:
  • Corporations must submit proof of existence. Attach a copy of the current Certificate of Status that has been filed with the Florida Department of State’s office which will show all fees have been paid until December 31, of the year of application.
  • Documentation must be provided for corporations, firms, partnerships, professional associations and persons using fictitious names to prove the existence of the business entity before the application is filed.
  • If the business entity has more than one Florida office from which it provides surveying and mapping services, information about each branch office must be provided on a separate piece of paper attached to the application when it is submitted to the board.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$350 renewal fee and $5 unlicensed activity fee + $8.88 convenience fee

Due:

By February 28 of odd-numbered years.

Original Ink:Not required
Notarize:Not required
Penalties:

The late renewal penalty is $150.

Florida Engineering Business Registration

Agency:Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE)
Law:

Fla. Stat. § 471.023

Eligible Entity Types:
  • Business Corporations
  • Professional Corporations
  • Limited Liability Companies
  • Professional Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships
  • Business Trusts
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Ownership Requirements:

Business Corporations:

  • At least one of the principal officers must be an engineer licensed in Florida.

Professional Corporations:

  • Shareholders of Florida PCs must be either licensed individuals, a professional corporation, or a professional limited liability company.

Limited Liability Companies:

  • At least one of the principal members must be an engineer licensed in Florida.

Professional Limited Liability Companies:

  • Members of Florida PLLCs must be either licensed individuals, a professional corporation, or a professional limited liability company.

Partnerships:

  • At least one of the partners must be an engineer licensed in Florida.
Notes:
  • A qualifying agent who leaves an engineering firm must notify the Board within 24 hours.
  • If the qualifying agent leaves the firm and was the only qualifying engineer for the business, the firm may no longer provide engineering services in Florida and must be qualified by another Professional Engineer within 60 days if it wishes to resume offering engineering services.
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set
Qualifying Individual Requirements:
  • Each qualifying agent must notify the board within 30 days after any change in the information contained in the application with which the qualification is based. 
  • A qualifying agent who terminates an affiliation with a qualified business organization shall notify the management corporation of such termination within 24 hours.
  •  the event a qualifying agent ceases employment with a qualified business organization and the qualifying agent is the only licensed individual affiliated with the business organization, the executive director of the management corporation or the chair of the board may authorize another licensee employed by the business organization to temporarily serve as its qualifying agent for a period of no more than 60 days to proceed with incomplete contracts. The business organization is not authorized to operate beyond such period under this chapter absent replacement of the qualifying agent.
  • A qualifying agent shall notify the department in writing before engaging in the practice of engineering in the licensee’s name or in affiliation with a different business organization.

Initial Registration

Instructions:

See this page for detailed instructions on registration.

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

Within an hour

Notes:

Qualified individual 

  • Not required to be a principal officer or partner
  • Must be capable of answering questions relevant to the engineering decisions made during the engineer’s work on the project, in sufficient detail as to leave little doubt as to the engineer’s proficiency for the work performed and involvement in the work.
  • Engineers can perform services only in areas of their competence. (NSPE code of ethics)
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Identify a Florida licensed engineer to act as the qualifying agent for your firm and make sure they are registered and in good standing with the board.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Identify a Florida licensed engineer to act as the qualifying agent for your firm and make sure they are registered and in good standing with the board.
  • Ensure that your Florida entity meets ownership requirements.
  • Obtain a certificate of good standing from your business entity's home state (to be filed during the foreign qualification process). The certificate cannot be more than 90 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File formation documents to form a Florida business entity with the Department of State.
  2. Register your engineering firm using the DBPR portal.
  3. Link your qualifying agent's license with the firm's registration in the DBPR portal.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. File a foreign entity qualification application to foreign qualify your entity with the Department of State (if applicable).
  2. Register your engineering firm using the DBPR portal.
  3. Link your qualifying agent's license with the firm's registration in the DBPR portal.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Business registrations do not need to be renewed.

Amendment

Agency Fee:

$0

Due:

If the qualifying agent is no longer with the firm, the board must be notified within 24 hours, and the agent must be replaced within 60 days. Changes to the application must be reported in 30 days.

Florida Geology Business Registration

Agency:Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation - Board of Professional Geologists
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$0

Notes:

There is no firm registration application. Instead, the qualifying individual should list the firm in the qualifying business section of the geologist license application to qualify the firm.

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Geology business registrations do not need to be renewed. As long as the qualifying individual(s) maintain their license(s) the firm registration will not expire.

Individual Licenses

Florida Individual Engineering Licenses

Florida Engineering Intern Certificate

Agency:Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for EI Certificate

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$100

Notes:

Applicants must hold a board-approved engineering or engineering technology degree. If an applicant does not have a board-approved degree they must have their education reviewed by a Florida-approved evaluation company to demonstrate the education is substantially equivalent to an EAC/ABET or ETAC/ABET-accredited degree

Required Attachments:
  • Proof of education or submit a credential evaluation
  • Proof of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Florida Geologist In Training Registration

Agency:Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation - Board of Professional Geologists
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Geologist In Training – Initial Registration by Examination (PG 4706)

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$190

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Florida Professional Engineer License

Agency:Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Yes
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

(2) A professional engineer utilizing a digital signature to electronically sign and seal engineering plans, specifications, reports or other documents shall have their identity authenticated by a certification authority and shall assure that the digital signature is: (a) Unique to the person using it; (b) Capable of verification; (c) Under the sole control of the person using it; and, (d) Linked to a document in such a manner that the digital signature and correspondingly the document is invalidated if any data in the document is changed.

(3) The affixing of a digital signature to engineering plans, specifications, reports or other documents as provided herein shall constitute the signing and sealing of such items. (a) A digitally created seal as set forth in Rule 61G15‐23.002, F.A.C., may be placed where it would appear if the item were being physically signed, dated and sealed. (b) The date that the digital signature was placed into the document must appear on the document in accordance with subsection 61G15‐23.001(4), F.A.C., and where it would appear if the item were being physically signed, dated and sealed. (c) The engineering plans, specifications, reports or other documents being digitally signed and sealed shall include text to indicate the following and place it where an original signature would appear if the item were being physically signed, dated and sealed:

  1. The same information required by subsection 61G15‐23.002(2), F.A.C., if a digitally created image of the seal is not use;
  2. The item has been digitally signed and sealed; and,
  3. Printed copies of this document are not considered signed and sealed and all signatures must be verified on any electronic copies.

(d) Formatting of seals and text similar to that depicted below shall be used. While the formatting may be altered, the text must remain identical.

When a digitally created seal is not used:

[NAME], State of Florida, Professional Engineer, License No. [NUMBER]
This item has been digitally signed and sealed by [NAME] on the date indicated here.
Printed copies of this document are not considered signed and sealed and the signature must be verified on any electronic copies.

FL Admin Code 61G15‐23.004

Also see 61G15‐23.005 for rules related to SHA signature use.

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

Formatting of seals and text similar to that depicted below shall be used. While the formatting may be altered, the text must remain identical.

1. When a digitally created seal is used:

This item has been digitally signed and sealed by [NAME] on the date adjacent to the seal.
Printed copies of this document are not considered signed and sealed and the signature must be verified on any electronic copies.

FL Admin Code 61G15‐23.004

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Licensure as a Professional Engineer

Agency Fee:

$180

Reciprocal Registration

Notes:

Florida does not license by reciprocity or comity.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$98.75

Due:

By February 28th of odd-numbered years.

Florida Professional Geologist License

Agency:Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation - Board of Professional Geologists
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set
Allow Digital Signatures?Yes
Digital Signature Guidelines:

(4) An electronic signature and seal shall be permitted in place of an original seal, signature and date when the following criteria are met:

(a) It is a unique identification of the licensee and shall contain the same information required on an impression or stamp seal including the date that the document is electronically signed and sealed;

(b) It is verifiable;

(c) It is under the licensee's direct and exclusive control;

(d) It is linked to the electronic documents in such a manner that causes changes to be easily determined and visually displayed if any data in the electronic document file is changed subsequent to the electronic signature having been affixed to the electronic document and;

(e) An attempt to change the electronic document after the electronic signature and seal is affixed shall cause the electronic signature to be removed or altered significantly enough to invalidate the electronic signature.

FL Admin Code 61G16-2.005

Allow Digital Sealing?Yes
Digital Sealing Guidelines:

See digital signing guidelines.

Initial Registration

Form:

Professional Geologist – Initial license by Examination (PG 4701)

  • This application is used by individuals who wish to apply for licensure by taking the National Association of State Boards of Geology examination administered by the department.

Professional Geologist – Upgrade from Geologist In Training to Professional Geologist – In-State (PG 4701)

  • This application is used for by individuals who are currently registered in Florida as a Geologist In Training and are now ready to upgrade to a Geologist license by taking the National Association of State Boards of Geology Practice of Geology examination part administered by the Department.
Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

Depends on application type:

  • $452.50 if applying by examination
  • $302.50 if applying as an upgrade from Geologist in Training

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Professional Geologist – Initial License for Out-of-State Applicants (Endorsement) (PG 4701)

  • This application is used to apply for licensure by individuals who hold a license in another state and would like to become licensed in Florida based on their out-of-state license.

Professional Geologist – Initial License by Endorsement (10 Years of Licensure) (PG 4701)

  • If an applicant for endorsement has been licensed in another state for more than 10 years and met all endorsement requirements except passing an approved exam, the applicant may be allowed to take the Florida approved exam in order to endorse into a Florida license. Such applicants must be currently active within two years of expiration.

Professional Geologist – Upgrade from Geologist In Training to Professional Geologist – Out-of-State (PG 4701)

  • This is for applicants that have taken and passed the Fundamental portion of the Geology exam, hold a Current Geologist In Training in another state and are now ready to upgrade to a Geologist license by taking the National Association of State Boards of Geology Practice of Geology examination part administered by the Department.
Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

Depends on application type:

  • $202.50 if applying via endorsement
  • $452.50 if applying as an upgrade from out-of-state Geologist in Training

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$125

Due:

By July 31 of even-numbered years.

Florida Surveyor and Mapper License

Agency:Florida Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Surveyor and Mapper - Initial Licensure by Examination or Endorsement

Agency Fee:

$255

Reciprocal Registration

Form:

Surveyor and Mapper - Initial Licensure by Examination or Endorsement

Agency Fee:

$255

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$255 + 2.5% convenience fee. 

Due:

By February 28 of odd-numbered years.

Florida Surveyor in Training License

Agency:Florida Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Not Set
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?Not Set

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Licensure as Surveyor in Training

Agency Fee:

$0

Renewal Not Required

Not required



Learn about engineering licensing in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Design Firm - Engineering firm registration is sometimes grouped with architecture and land surveying on a single “design firm” application form.

EI (Engineering Intern) - A term also used to describe an Engineer in Training.

EIT (Engineer in Training) - A professional designation granted upon having completed at least 3 years of school at an ABET-accredited university and having passed the FE exam.

FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) - An exam testing on basic engineering principles that is required to become an engineer in training.

PE (Professional Engineer or 'Principles and Practice in Engineering') - Means either Professional Engineer or refers to the Principles and Practice in Engineering exam that is a prerequisite for an engineering license.

Reciprocity - When a licensed engineer in one state can provide documentation (often an NCEES Record) to more easily apply for a license in another jurisdiction.

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
Accrediting board that sets standards for university programs in a variety of applied science disciplines.

American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC)
Engineering, architecture, and land surveying advocacy group.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Organization that provides continuing education, professional conferences, and advocacy efforts to the civil engineering community.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Mechanical engineering organization that focuses on education and professional development.

Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC)
Reviews accreditation requirements and makes final decisions regarding the accreditation process.

National Council of Examiners for Engineering & Surveying (NCEES)
Develops, administers, and scores the exams used for engineering licenses.

National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
NSPE is an advocacy group for professional engineers.

Revised March 21, 2024. Complete data last reviewed February 20, 2023.
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