The American Institute of Architects - Florida Licensing Requirements, MCE Requirements by Location

Florida Licensing Requirements

Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design
Juanita Chastain
1940 N. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-6506
850-487-1395
850-922-2918 FAX

Note: The general information shown below is intended for the benefit of AIA members.
For verification of a specific state’s mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirement, please contact the state licensing board directly.

Report Date	Total Hours Annually	HSW Hours Annually	Distance Learning Accepted	Teaching Credit Accepted	Committee Credit Accepted	Self-Study Accepted
February 28th	20/2 years	16/2 years***	Yes	FT - No PT - Yes	No	Yes

***Of the 16 hours, two hours must be completed in advanced Florida Building Code courses. This will be required in order to renew your license February 28, 2007, and for subsequent renewals. This course is counted toward either the required 20 hours of health, safety, and welfare credit or the optional credits.

All licensees are required to complete a one-time Florida Building Code core course within two years of initial licensure. The core course is four hours and is counted toward the required 20 hours of heath, safety and welfare credit or as an optional credit.

Florida Building Code core and advanced course information is available at www.floridabuilding.org and www.MyFloridaLicense.com.

Proof of Compliance
Payment of fees associated with the timely renewal of a license will signify successful completion of continuing education requirements. Licenses will be audited in accordance with Department of Business and Professional Regulation established guidelines in order to ensure compliance. Reporting certificates should be maintained by each licensee unless specifically requested by the Department.

The registrant is responsible for retaining proof of participation in continuing education activities. Such verification includes the following as applicable

A log showing activity claimed, sponsoring organization, location duration, etc.
Attendance Certificates
Signed Attendance Receipts
Sponsor’s list of attendees (signed by a person in responsible charge of the activity).
These records must be retained for a period of three years following the actual license renewal. Copies must be furnished to the Board for audit purposes if requested.

Registrants wishing to apply credits received from other jurisdictions or AIA national, should at all times be prepared to certify completion of same.
Penalties
Failure to fulfill continuing education requirements shall result in non-renewal of the architect’s license and reverting of said license to an inactive or delinquent status.
If a license is placed into inactive status, registrants will be compelled to verify completion of all continuing education requirements as established for each biennium the license remained inactive. Registrants are prohibited from the practice of architecture during the periods of license inactivity.

If a license is placed into a delinquent status, registrants will be required to immediately cease the practice of architecture in the State of Florida until such time as the license is fully renewed and activated. Registrants who continue to practice architecture during the time of license delinquency are subject to being fined in accordance with rule 61G1-12.005(3)(b), Florida Administrative Code.

Exceptions and Exemptions
A registrant’s continuing education requirement may be deferred if one of the following conditions applies:
Placement of a license into an inactive status. However, in order to reactivate a license, the registrant must evidence completion of all CEHs that would have been required in order to maintain the license in an active status.
Personal hardships limited to illness, death within an immediate family or acts of God, will be considered on an individual basis provided that appropriate evidence substantiating the hardship is submitted.