Engineering Licensing in Key West city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida regulates professional engineers under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, which defines professional engineering as offering or providing services or creative work requiring the application of engineering principles and data. Any person who practices, or offers to practice, professional engineering in Key West must hold a valid license from the State of Florida. This includes design work, consulting, and oversight of engineering projects within the city.

How to Get Licensed

Licensing is administered by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) under the Construction Industry Licensing Board established in Fla. Stat. § 489.107.

Steps:
1. Meet qualification requirements under Fla. Stat. § 489.113, which include:
- A degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- Four years of active work experience in engineering practice under a licensed engineer
- Passage of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and Professional Engineer (PE) exam

  1. If you have relevant military training and education, Fla. Stat. § 489.1131 allows credit toward experience requirements—submit military documentation to DBPR.

  2. Apply directly to DBPR with your exam scores, experience documentation, and application fee.

  3. Upon approval, DBPR issues your license. A Florida PE license permits you to practice engineering statewide, including in Key West.

Local Requirements

Once licensed by the State, engineering work in Key West is subject to local permit and review requirements. Contact the Key West Building Department to determine which permits are required for your specific project before beginning work.

The Key West Municipal Code (available at https://library.municode.com/fl/key_west) governs local construction standards, permitting procedures, and land use. Review it for any local amendments or additional requirements beyond state licensing standards.

Monroe County may also have jurisdiction over certain projects. Confirm with the Building Department whether county permits or approvals are needed.

Exemptions

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.103, certain work is exempt from professional engineering licensure, including:
- Routine maintenance and repair of existing structures
- Work performed by employees of the federal, state, or local government within their official capacity
- Design and construction of single-family residential dwellings (in some circumstances)

However, exemptions are narrow. When in doubt, consult with DBPR or the Key West Building Department to confirm whether your work requires licensure.

State Licensing Board Contact

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

References

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