Engineering Licensing in Highland Beach, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law requires licensure for persons who offer to perform or who perform professional engineering services. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, "practice of engineering" means providing services or creative work requiring professional engineering knowledge, including consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, and supervision of construction.

In Highland Beach, any individual or firm offering engineering services—whether structural design, site plans, drainage analysis, or construction administration—must hold an active Florida Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the state. The scope includes work on buildings, infrastructure, and other projects within town limits.

How to Get Licensed

Step 1: Meet Qualifications
Per Fla. Stat. § 489.113, applicants must have a degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program or equivalent, plus four years of progressive engineering experience under a licensed PE.

Step 2: Take the Fundamentals Exam (FE)
Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This is required before claiming the title "Engineer-in-Training."

Step 3: Take the Professional Engineering Exam (PE)
After meeting experience requirements, pass the Florida PE exam in your engineering discipline.

Step 4: Apply to Florida
Submit your application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which houses the Construction Industry Licensing Board per Fla. Stat. § 489.107. Include exam scores, experience documentation, and application fee.

Military Service Credit:
Fla. Stat. § 489.1131 allows credit for relevant military training and education toward experience requirements—consult with DBPR during application.

Local Requirements

Permit applications and engineering plan review in Highland Beach are handled by the Highland Beach Building Department. Contact the town directly to confirm current submission procedures, plan review timelines, and any local design standards.

Refer to the Highland Beach Municipal Code for local building, zoning, and site development regulations that may affect engineering scope. The town may have specific requirements for stormwater, setbacks, or environmental review beyond state minimums.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 exempts certain work from licensing requirements, including:
- Employees of the federal government, state, or local government performing engineering work as part of their job duties
- Employees of a licensed professional engineer or firm performing work under direct supervision of a licensed PE
- Routine work on existing buildings that does not alter structural systems or safety

However, in Highland Beach, any design professional offering services to the public or seal and signing plans must hold an active PE license.

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
• Highland Beach Municipal Code

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