Engineering Licensing in Bartow city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Any person or entity offering or performing professional engineering services in Bartow must hold a valid Florida professional engineer license. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, professional engineering is defined as offering to perform or performing professional services or creative work requiring the application of engineering principles and data. This includes design, analysis, evaluation, and consultation on engineering projects.

Work that involves public safety, structural integrity, or systems affecting health and welfare typically requires licensure. If you are offering engineering services to the public or on behalf of clients in Bartow, you must be licensed by the state of Florida, not the city.

How to Get Licensed

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

Steps:

1. Meet qualifications under Fla. Stat. § 489.113: You must satisfy education and experience requirements (typically a degree in engineering plus years of work experience under a licensed engineer, or equivalent).

2. Apply with DBPR at the state level—not through Bartow or Polk County. Submit your application, transcripts, references, and documentation of experience.

3. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Professional Engineer (PE) exam for your discipline.

4. Obtain your license certificate from DBPR once exams are passed and your application is approved.

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

Local Requirements

Permits for engineering work conducted in Bartow are issued through the Bartow Building Department. While the professional engineer license itself is state-issued, you must comply with local permitting and building code requirements when performing work in the city.

Consult the Bartow Municipal Code for any local amendments, application procedures, or specific requirements related to engineering permits and inspections in the city.

Contact the Bartow Building Department for information on local permit applications and fees.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 provides exemptions from licensure for certain limited activities, including employees performing work under the direct supervision of a licensed professional engineer, and certain work by public utilities and government agencies. However, most commercial and private engineering services require licensure. Review the statute to determine if 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. § 489.107 — Construction Industry Licensing Board
• Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.1131 — Credit for relevant military training and education
• Bartow Municipal Code

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