Engineering Licensing in Riviera Beach, Florida

Who Needs a License

Engineering work in Riviera Beach is regulated under Florida Statutes Chapter 489. Any person offering to perform or performing services or work requiring professional engineering knowledge—including design, analysis, evaluation, or consultation on public or private construction projects—must hold a valid Florida Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Work that triggers the licensing requirement includes but is not limited to structural design, site engineering, drainage systems, utilities design, and stamping of engineering documents for permit submission. Fla. Stat. § 489.105 defines "practice of professional engineering" and Fla. Stat. § 489.113 sets qualifications and restrictions on practice.

How to Get Licensed

  1. Education: Complete a four-year ABET-accredited engineering degree or equivalent.

  2. Experience: Accumulate four years of responsible charge experience in professional engineering work under a licensed PE.

  3. Fundamentals Exam (FE): Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam (typically taken early in your career).

  4. Professional Engineering (PE) Exam: After meeting experience requirements, pass the PE exam in your discipline.

  5. Application: Submit your application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which administers licensing through the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Fla. Stat. § 489.107 establishes the board.

Applicants with relevant military training and education may receive credit toward experience requirements. See Fla. Stat. § 489.1131.

Local Requirements

Engineering work in Riviera Beach requires both a state PE license and local permit approval. Contact the Riviera Beach Building Department to obtain and submit engineering plans for permit review.

Riviera Beach operates under the Riviera Beach Municipal Code, which may contain local amendments, additional design standards, or submission requirements beyond state law. Review the municipal code before beginning design work to ensure compliance with local zoning, stormwater, and construction standards.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 provides exemptions for certain persons and work, including employees of the federal government, employees of the state of Florida, and specific work performed by licensed contractors or architects within their defined scopes. However, exemptions are narrowly construed. If your role involves engineering judgment on construction projects, obtain a PE license unless you clearly fall within a statutory exemption.

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)