The Florida Senate

475.631  Nonresident licenses and certifications.--

(1)  Notwithstanding the requirements for certification set forth in ss. 475.615 and 475.616, the board may enter into written agreements with similar licensing or certification authorities of other states, territories, or jurisdictions of the United States to ensure for state-certified appraisers nonresident licensure or certification opportunities comparable to those afforded to nonresidents by this section. Whenever the board determines that another jurisdiction does not offer nonresident licensure or certification to state-certified appraisers substantially comparable to those afforded to certified appraisers or licensees of that jurisdiction by this section, the board shall require certified appraisers or licensees of that jurisdiction who apply for nonresident certification to meet education, experience, and examination requirements substantially comparable to those required by that jurisdiction with respect to state-certified appraisers who seek nonresident licensure or certification, not to exceed such requirements as are prescribed in ss. 475.615 and 475.616

(2)(a)  An applicant who is not a resident of this state shall file an irrevocable consent that suits and actions may be commenced against her or him in any county of this state in which a plaintiff having a cause of action or suit against her or him resides and that service of any process or pleading in suits or actions against her or him may be made by delivering the process or pleading to the director of the Division of Real Estate by certified mail, return receipt requested, and also to the certified appraiser or licensee by registered mail addressed to the certified appraiser or licensee at her or his designated principal place of business. Service, when so made, must be taken and held in all courts to be as valid and binding upon the certified appraiser or licensee as if made upon her or him in this state within the jurisdiction of the court in which the suit or action is filed. The irrevocable consent must be in a form prescribed by the department and be acknowledged before a notary public.

(b)  Any resident state-certified appraiser who becomes a nonresident shall, within 60 days, notify the board of the change in residency and comply with nonresident requirements. Failure to notify and comply is a violation of the license law, subject to the penalties in s. 475.624

(c)  All nonresident applicants, certified appraisers, and licensees shall comply with all requirements of board rules and this part. The board may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 necessary for the regulation of nonresident certified appraisers and licensees.

History.--s. 20, ch. 2003-164.