Engineering Licensing in Bowling Green, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law regulates professional engineers under Chapter 489. Any person offering or performing engineering services in Bowling Green must hold a valid Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the state, unless they qualify for an exemption under Fla. Stat. § 489.103.

Engineering work includes designing structures, systems, and infrastructure that affect public safety, health, or welfare. The definition of "practice of engineering" in Fla. Stat. § 489.105 governs what requires licensure in Bowling Green and throughout Hardee County.

How to Get Licensed

1. Apply to the Florida Board of Professional Engineers (administered under Fla. Stat. § 489.107), not locally. The state board, not Bowling Green city, issues PE licenses.

2. Meet qualifications under Fla. Stat. § 489.113:

3. Complete an ABET-accredited engineering degree or equivalent
4. Gain required years of work experience under a licensed engineer
5. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam

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

7. Military credit: If you have relevant military training or education, Fla. Stat. § 489.1131 allows credit toward experience requirements. Document this when applying to the state board.

8. Contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) for the complete application, exam schedules, and current fee structure. The state board handles all licensing decisions.

Local Requirements

Bowling Green does not issue PE licenses; Florida's state board does. However, Bowling Green requires engineering work to comply with local building permits and codes.

Contact the Bowling Green Building Department to learn:
- Which permits are required for engineering work in the city
- Local inspection procedures
- Any local amendments to state engineering standards

Refer to the Bowling Green Municipal Code for local building, zoning, and engineering requirements specific to the city. Review this code before beginning work in Bowling Green.

Exemptions

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.103, certain work is exempt from PE licensure, including:
- Routine maintenance or repair of existing structures
- Work performed by employees of engineering firms under direct supervision of a licensed PE
- Certain minor projects below state-defined thresholds

Review § 489.103 carefully to confirm whether your specific work qualifies for an exemption.

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
• Bowling Green Municipal Code

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