Engineering Licensing in Port Orange, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida requires licensure for persons offering professional engineering services to the public. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, "practice of engineering" means performing services or offering to perform services such as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design, or inspection of construction, systems, or equipment where the public welfare is at stake.

Work that requires a professional engineer's license in Port Orange includes:
- Design of buildings, structures, and infrastructure
- Evaluation of structural integrity
- Preparation of construction plans and specifications
- Inspection and certification of engineering work
- Any professional opinion on engineering matters offered to the public

How to Get Licensed

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

Steps to licensure:

  1. Meet qualifications under Fla. Stat. § 489.113: You must have specific education and experience requirements. Generally, this requires a degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program plus relevant work experience (typically four years under a licensed engineer), or equivalent combinations of education and experience.

  2. Credit for military service: If applicable, Fla. Stat. § 489.1131 provides credit for relevant military training and education toward experience requirements.

  3. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Professional Engineer (PE) exam administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

  4. Apply through DBPR: Submit your application, exam scores, education transcripts, and work experience documentation directly to DBPR—not to the city.

Local Requirements

Permits for engineering work in Port Orange are obtained through the Port Orange Development Services Department (part of the city's building and development process).

Consult the Port Orange Municipal Code for local building standards, permit procedures, and any municipal amendments to state licensure requirements that may apply to engineered projects within the city.

Exemptions

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.103, licensure is not required for:
- Work performed by employees of the federal government, state, or local government agencies
- Routine maintenance and repair work that does not involve design or public safety certification
- Contractors performing work under the direct supervision of a licensed engineer
- Work on certain private residential structures under specified conditions

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)