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Decisions at the ballot box influence policies that support engineering standards and public safety.June 2014
PE REPORT
Increase in Continuing Education for Florida PEs Appears Likely
Professional engineers licensed in Florida may soon see an increase in the number of continuing education hours required for license renewal.
The legislation (S.B. 692/H.B. 713), passed by both the state senate and house, is en route to Governor Rick Scott. The measure will increase the continuing education requirement to 18 hours every two years, from eight hours, while significantly broadening the options engineers have for obtaining their credits.
The Florida Engineering Society believes that the continuing education changes are essential to bringing the state closer to standards set by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. The new continuing education requirements call for the following: four hours must be related to the state PE law and professional ethics, four hours must be devoted to the licensee’s area of practice, and the remaining hours can cover various topics related to the practice of engineering. A maximum of four hours can be earned by presenting or attending seminars, in-house courses, workshops, and professional or technical presentations at meetings and conferences. A maximum of four hours may be earned by serving as an officer or actively participating on an FES committee.
The bill also changes the qualifications and procedures for appointing members of the Board of Professional Engineers, creating more flexibility in appointments. Nine members of the 11-member board must be licensed engineers. They will be selected based on their qualifications and experience to provide expertise to the board in civil engineering, structural engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, plumbing engineering, fire protection engineering, or engineering education. A professional or technical society may recommend potential members of the board.
Additionally, licensure applicants serving in the US armed forces who are delayed in taking the FE or PE exam will be allowed two extra chances to pass either exam before being required to take additional college courses or an exam review course.
