Engineering Licensing in Sunrise, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law requires licensers for professional engineering work. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, "engineering" means professional services or creative work requiring engineering education, training, and experience in applying special knowledge to safely design structures, systems, and processes.

Any person offering or performing engineering services in Sunrise must hold a valid Florida Professional Engineer (PE) license unless an exemption applies. This includes design of buildings, infrastructure, mechanical systems, and other engineered work subject to public safety.

How to Get Licensed

State Application & Exam:

1. Apply with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which administers licensing under Fla. Stat. § 489.107 (Construction Industry Licensing Board authority).

2. Meet qualification requirements under Fla. Stat. § 489.113:

3. Complete an ABET-accredited engineering degree (or equivalent)
4. Obtain four years of relevant engineering work experience
5. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam

6. Pass the Professional Engineer (PE) exam in your discipline

7. Military applicants may receive education and training credit per Fla. Stat. § 489.1131.

Contact DBPR's Professional Regulation Division for current application procedures, exam schedules, and fee information.

Local Requirements

Sunrise contractors must pull building permits through the Sunrise Building Department before commencing engineering work on any project. The town operates under Broward County building codes and the Sunrise Municipal Code.

Review the Sunrise Municipal Code for any local amendments, permit procedures, or additional engineer qualifications required by the city. Local ordinances may impose additional standards beyond state licensure.

Contact the Sunrise Building Department to confirm permit requirements and whether local engineer qualifications or inspections are mandated for your specific project type.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 exempts certain work from licensure:

• Routine maintenance and repairs to existing structures
• Design or construction solely for personal use (not for sale or public use)
• Work by employed engineers under direct supervision of a licensed engineer responsible for the work
• Government employees performing engineering work in official capacity

However, exemptions do not permit unlicensed practice of engineering for compensation in the private sector. When in doubt, obtain a PE license or work under a licensed engineer's responsible charge.

State Licensing Board Contact

Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE)
- Phone: 850-521-0500
- Website: https://fbpe.org/

References

• Fla. Stat. § 489.103 — Exemptions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.107 — Construction Industry Licensing Board
• Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.1131 — Credit for relevant military training and education
• Sunrise Municipal Code

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)