Florida Legislature Establishes Bigger Penalties for Unlicensed Engineering, Loan Program to Recruit P.E.s to State

The Florida Legislature has established a workforce initiative to recruit professional engineers to public service and modernizes the penalties for unlicensed engineering activity. If approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the bill will become effective on July 1.

The proposed law amends Florida Statute 471.033 to establish escalating fines for individuals who repeatedly practice engineering without a license. The bill introduces new penalties for repeat offenders of the unlicensed practice of engineering. Fines escalate from $10,000 for a second offense to $15,000 for a third offense, $20,000 for a fourth offense, and $25,000 for a fifth and any subsequent offenses.

Introduced by Sen. Debbie Mayfield, SB 800 passed unanimously through the Regulated Industries Committee, Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, and the Fiscal Policy Committee. The bill passed the Florida Senate unanimously on March 4 and the House, 111-1, on March 11.

The legislation also creates an engineering student loan assistance program intended to encourage licensed engineers to work for state agencies and water management districts. The program would be funded through an engineering licensing fee and associated fines.

To be eligible for the loan program, a candidate must have graduated from an accredited or approved engineering program, earned a Florida engineering license as a P.E. or professional engineer intern, and be currently employed by a state agency or water management district.