Engineering Licensing in Boynton Beach city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Any person who offers to perform or performs engineering services in Florida must hold a professional engineer (PE) license issued by the state. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, "engineering" means applying scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, construction, and improvement of structures, machines, apparatus, and processes.

Work that requires a PE license includes:
- Design of buildings, bridges, and infrastructure
- Preparation of engineering plans and specifications
- Professional engineering judgment on construction projects
- Seal and signature on engineering documents submitted to authorities

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 identifies certain exemptions (see below), but most structural, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering work requires state licensure.

How to Get Licensed

Florida's Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) does not issue PE licenses. Instead, the Florida Board of Professional Engineers (a separate state board) administers professional engineer licensing.

To become licensed, you must:

1. Meet qualifications under Fla. Stat. § 489.113:
2. Hold a degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program (or equivalent)
3. Gain four years of progressive engineering experience under a licensed PE
4. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam

5. Pass the Professional Engineering (PE) exam in your discipline

6. Apply through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), not through local channels.

7. Credit for military training: Fla. Stat. § 489.1131 allows veterans to substitute relevant military training and education for some experience requirements.

The state exam, application process, and renewal are handled by DBPR and the state board—not by Boynton Beach city or Palm Beach County.

Local Requirements

Once licensed by the state, you must comply with Boynton Beach Municipal Code when submitting engineering plans and permits for local projects.

Consult the Boynton Beach Municipal Code for:
- Local permit and plan submission procedures
- Building and zoning standards that your designs must meet
- Inspection and approval timelines

Submit permits and engineering documents to the Boynton Beach Building Department. Contact the Building Department for specific submission requirements, fees, and local amendments to state standards.

Exemptions

Per Fla. Stat. § 489.103, exemptions to PE licensing include:

• Work performed by employees under the direct supervision of a licensed PE
• Certain routine maintenance and minor repairs
• Work on single-family residential buildings (under specific conditions)
• Landscape architecture and land surveying (separate licenses required)

Review the full statute 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. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.1131 — Credit for relevant military training and education
• Boynton Beach Municipal Code

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