Engineering Licensing in Sarasota city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law requires licensure for individuals who offer or perform engineering services. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, "practice of engineering" means performing or offering to perform services—including consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, and oversight of construction—that require the application of engineering principles and data.

If you design structures, systems, or infrastructure in Sarasota city, or supervise engineering work for public safety, you must hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license issued by Florida. This applies regardless of whether the work is performed in-house or contracted to others.

How to Get Licensed

Apply to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which administers engineering licensure under the Construction Industry Licensing Board authority Fla. Stat. § 489.107.

Minimum qualifications per Fla. Stat. § 489.113:
- A degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program (or equivalent)
- Four years of progressive experience in engineering work
- Passage of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
- Passage of the Professional Engineer (PE) exam specific to your engineering discipline

Military credit: If you have relevant military training or education, Fla. Stat. § 489.1131 allows credit toward experience requirements. Submit documentation of your military service record with your application.

Contact DBPR directly for current application procedures, exam schedules, and fees. Applications are processed at the state level, not locally.

Local Requirements

Sarasota city and Sarasota County operate under the Sarasota Municipal Code. Before performing engineering work in Sarasota city, consult the municipal code and contact the Sarasota city Building Department to confirm:
- Whether your specific project requires permits
- If local amendments impose additional PE licensure or seal requirements beyond state law
- Permit application procedures and local fees

The municipal code may contain provisions governing professional standards, liability insurance, or other local conditions for engineers. Review it thoroughly before beginning work.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.103 exempts certain work from licensure:
- Work performed by full-time employees of government agencies (on public projects)
- Design and construction of single-family residential structures (in limited circumstances)
- Work incidental to the practice of other licensed professions (e.g., architects, contractors)
- Minor alterations or repairs not involving structural design

Review the statute carefully; exemptions are narrow and context-dependent.

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
• Sarasota Municipal Code

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