Engineering Licensing in The Acreage CDP, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida requires professional engineering licenses for individuals who offer or provide engineering services to the public. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, "practice of engineering" means performing services or work that involves the application of engineering principles and data to the safeguarding of life, health, property, and public welfare.

In The Acreage CDP (Palm Beach County), if you design structures, systems, or infrastructure or offer engineering consultation to clients, you must hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by the state. Design work, feasibility studies, expert testimony, and system specifications typically fall under regulated practice.

How to Get Licensed

Florida issues PE licenses through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) under Fla. Stat. § 489.107, which establishes the Construction Industry Licensing Board's oversight.

Steps:

1. Meet qualifications under Fla. Stat. § 489.113:
2. Hold a degree from an accredited engineering program (4-year minimum), OR equivalent work experience as defined by statute

3. Complete required hours of engineering education specific to your discipline

4. Apply to DBPR with your education and experience documentation

5. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam (typically taken first)

6. Gain required work experience under a licensed PE (typically 4 years minimum depending on education)

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

8. Receive your PE license from DBPR

Military training and education may accelerate this timeline under Fla. Stat. § 489.1131. Verify current exam schedules and application procedures directly with DBPR.

Local Requirements

The Acreage CDP operates under Palm Beach County's permitting and building code framework. Before beginning engineered projects in The Acreage:

• Pull permits through the Palm Beach County Building Department (The Acreage has no separate municipal permitting authority)
• Review The Acreage Municipal Code at https://library.municode.com/fl/the-acreage-cdp-florida for any local amendments, design standards, or engineering submission requirements specific to the CDP

Contact the Palm Beach County Building Department to confirm which local engineering standards or review processes apply to your project scope.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 exempts certain work from PE licensing:
- Work performed by employees of licensed engineers under direct supervision
- Certain routine building design work below statutory thresholds (verify current limits)
- Work on private, single-family residential properties (with limitations)
- Employees of government agencies performing official duties

Review the full statute to confirm whether your specific work qualifies for 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
• The Acreage Municipal Code

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