HB 1413

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to the regulation of professions; amending
3	s. 455.2124, F.S.; authorizing a board or commission, or
4	the Department of Business and Professional Regulation if
5	no such board or commission exists for a profession, to
6	require the completion of certain continuing education
7	requirements by inactive licensees seeking to regain
8	active status; amending s. 455.2179, F.S.; specifying the
9	quadrennial fees for renewal of eligibility to provide
10	certain continuing education courses; amending ss.
11	455.2228 and 455.273, F.S.; increasing the period for
12	completion of certain renewal, recertification, and
13	relicensing requirements from biennially to quadrennially;
14	amending s. 455.271, F.S.; authorizing certain licensees
15	to submit a written request for a grace period upon the
16	expiration of a license; requiring that such licensee pay
17	a specified fee and complete certain continuing education
18	requirements; increasing the length of certain licensure
19	and renewal cycles; amending ss. 468.403, 468.453,
20	468.525, 468.613, 469.005, 474.217, and 475.180, F.S.,
21	relating to licensure or certification requirements for
22	talent agencies, athlete agents, employee leasing
23	companies, building code administrators, plans examiners,
24	building code inspectors, asbestos consultants and
25	contractors, veterinarians, and real estate brokers,
26	broker associates, and sales associates; providing
27	conditions under which a nonresident who has been licensed
28	in good standing for a specified period in another state
29	qualifies for licensure in this state; amending s.
30	476.114, F.S.; authorizing certain persons to take the
31	examination for licensure as a barber; requiring that
32	certain persons desiring to be a barber apply to the
33	department in writing under certain conditions; amending
34	s. 476.144, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; amending
35	s. 477.019, F.S.; authorizing certain persons to take the
36	examination for licensure as a cosmetologist; requiring
37	that certain persons desiring to be a cosmetologist apply
38	to the department in writing under certain conditions;
39	amending s. 481.209, F.S.; authorizing any person meeting
40	certain criteria to take the examination for licensure as
41	an architect or interior designer; requiring that such
42	persons apply to the department in writing; requiring that
43	persons applying for licensure as an interior designer
44	remit a nonrefundable application fee; requiring that the
45	department adopt a form for applications for licensure as
46	an interior designer; amending s. 481.213, F.S.; providing
47	conditions under which a nonresident who has been licensed
48	as an architect in good standing for a specified period in
49	another state qualifies for licensure as an architect in
50	this state; amending s. 489.111, F.S.; authorizing a
51	person applying for licensure as a contractor to
52	substitute for certain experience requirements the passing
53	of a prelicensure course approved by the Construction
54	Industry Licensing Board and established by department
55	rule; amending s. 489.115, F.S.; providing conditions
56	under which a nonresident who has been licensed or
57	certified as a contractor in good standing for a specified
58	period in another state qualifies for certification as a
59	contractor in this state; amending s. 489.118, F.S.;
60	deleting an obsolete provision; amending s. 489.511, F.S.;
61	providing conditions under which a nonresident who has
62	been licensed or certified as an electrical or alarm
63	system contractor in good standing for a specified period
64	in another state qualifies for certification as an
65	electrical or alarm system contractor in this state;
66	amending s. 489.515, F.S.; authorizing the Electrical
67	Contractors' Licensing Board to adopt certain alternative
68	means by which an applicant for certification may
69	demonstrate financial responsibility; amending s. 492.105,
70	F.S.; requiring that a person desiring to be licensed in
71	this state as a geologist apply to the department on a
72	form adopted by the department, remit a nonrefundable
73	application fee, and meet certain requirements; amending
74	s. 492.108, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; providing
75	an effective date.
76
77	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
78
79	Section 1.  Section 455.2124, Florida Statutes, is amended
80	to read:
81	455.2124  Proration of or not requiring continuing
82	education.--A board, or the department when there is no board,
83	may:
84	(1)  Prorate continuing education for new licensees by
85	requiring half of the required continuing education for any
86	applicant who becomes licensed with more than half the renewal
87	period remaining and no continuing education for any applicant
88	who becomes licensed with half or less than half of the renewal
89	period remaining; or
90	(2)  Require no continuing education until the first full
91	renewal cycle of the licensee; or.
92	(3)  Require the completion of no more than one renewal
93	cycle of continuing education requirements by an inactive
94	licensee seeking to regain active status.
95
96	These options shall also apply when continuing education is
97	first required or the number of hours required is increased by
98	law or the board, or the department when there is no board.
99	Section 2.  Subsection (3) of section 455.2179, Florida
100	Statutes, is amended to read:
101	455.2179  Continuing education provider and course
102	approval; cease and desist orders.--
103	(3)  Each board authorized to approve continuing education
104	providers, or the department if there is no board, may
105	establish, by rule, a fee not to exceed $250 for anyone seeking
106	approval to provide continuing education courses and may
107	establish, by rule, a quadrennial biennial fee not to exceed
108	$500 $250 for the renewal of providership of such courses. The
109	Florida Real Estate Commission, authorized under the provisions
110	of chapter 475 to approve prelicensure, precertification, and
111	postlicensure education providers, may establish, by rule, an
112	application fee not to exceed $250 for anyone seeking approval
113	to offer prelicensure, precertification, or postlicensure
114	education courses and may establish, by rule, a quadrennial
115	biennial fee not to exceed $500 $250 for the renewal of such
116	courses. Such postlicensure education courses are subject to the
117	reporting, monitoring, and compliance provisions of this section
118	and ss. 455.2177 and 455.2178.
119	Section 3.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 455.2228,
120	Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
121	455.2228  Barbers and cosmetologists; instruction on HIV
122	and AIDS.--
123	(1)  The board, or the department where there is no board,
124	shall require each person licensed or certified under chapter
125	476 or chapter 477 to complete a continuing educational course
126	approved by the board, or the department where there is no
127	board, on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune
128	deficiency syndrome as part of quadrennial biennial relicensure
129	or recertification. The course shall consist of education on
130	modes of transmission, infection control procedures, clinical
131	management, and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and
132	acquired immune deficiency syndrome, with an emphasis on
133	appropriate behavior and attitude change.
134	(2)  When filing fees for each quadrennial biennial
135	renewal, each licensee shall submit confirmation of having
136	completed said course, on a form provided by the board or by the
137	department if there is no board. At the time of the subsequent
138	quadrennial biennial renewal when coursework is to be completed,
139	if the licensee has not submitted confirmation which has been
140	received and recorded by the board, or department if there is no
141	board, the department shall not renew the license.
142	Section 4.  Subsection (2) of section 455.273, Florida
143	Statutes, is amended to read:
144	455.273  Renewal and cancellation notices.--
145	(2)  Each licensure renewal notification and each notice of
146	pending cancellation of licensure must state conspicuously that
147	a licensee who remains on inactive status for more than two
148	consecutive quadrennial biennial licensure cycles and who wishes
149	to reactivate the license may be required to demonstrate the
150	competency to resume active practice by sitting for a special
151	purpose examination or by completing other reactivation
152	requirements, as defined by rule of the board or the department
153	when there is no board.
154	Section 5.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) and subsections
155	(7), (8), and (10) of section 455.271, Florida Statutes, are
156	amended to read:
157	455.271  Inactive and delinquent status.--
158	(6)(a)  A delinquent status licensee must affirmatively
159	apply with a complete application, as defined by rule of the
160	board, or the department if there is no board, for active or
161	inactive status during the licensure cycle in which a licensee
162	becomes delinquent. Failure by a delinquent status licensee to
163	become active or inactive before the expiration of the current
164	licensure cycle renders shall render the license void without
165	any further action by the board or the department. Upon
166	expiration of the license, the licensee may request in writing a
167	grace period of 45 calendar days for the reactivation of the
168	license. Along with the written request, the licensee must pay a
169	fee not to exceed $50 and complete one renewal cycle of
170	continuing education requirements.
171
172	This subsection does not apply to individuals subject to
173	regulation under chapter 473.
174	(7)  Each board, or the department when there is no board,
175	shall, by rule, impose an additional delinquency fee, not to
176	exceed the quadrennial biennial renewal fee for an active status
177	license, on a delinquent status licensee when such licensee
178	applies for active or inactive status.
179	(8)  Each board, or the department when there is no board,
180	shall, by rule, impose an additional fee, not to exceed the
181	quadrennial biennial renewal fee for an active status license,
182	for processing a licensee's request to change licensure status
183	at any time other than at the beginning of a licensure cycle.
184	(10)  Before reactivation, an inactive or delinquent
185	licensee shall meet the same continuing education requirements,
186	if any, imposed on an active status licensee for all quadrennial
187	biennial licensure periods in which the licensee was inactive or
188	delinquent.
189	Section 6.  Subsection (10) is added to section 468.403,
190	Florida Statutes, to read:
191	468.403  License requirements.--
192	(10)  A nonresident who has been licensed in good standing
193	for at least 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in
194	this state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida
195	laws and rules and passes the resulting examination.
196	Section 7.  Subsection (8) is added to section 468.453,
197	Florida Statutes, to read:
198	468.453  Licensure required; qualifications; license
199	nontransferable; service of process; temporary license; license
200	or application from another state.--
201	(8)  A nonresident who has been licensed in good standing
202	for at least 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in
203	this state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida
204	laws and rules and passes the resulting examination.
205	Section 8.  Subsection (5) is added to section 468.525,
206	Florida Statutes, to read:
207	468.525  License requirements.--
208	(5)  A nonresident who has been licensed in good standing
209	for at least 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in
210	this state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida
211	laws and rules and passes the resulting examination.
212	Section 9.  Section 468.613, Florida Statutes, is amended
213	to read:
214	468.613  Certification by endorsement.--The board shall
215	examine other certification or training programs, as applicable,
216	upon submission to the board for its consideration of an
217	application for certification by endorsement. The board shall
218	waive its examination, qualification, education, or training
219	requirements, to the extent that such examination,
220	qualification, education, or training requirements of the
221	applicant are determined by the board to be comparable with
222	those established by the board. A nonresident who has been
223	licensed or certified in good standing for at least 2 years in
224	another state qualifies for certification in this state if such
225	nonresident completes a course on Florida laws and rules and
226	passes the resulting examination.
227	Section 10.  Subsection (7) is added to section 469.005,
228	Florida Statutes, to read:
229	469.005  License requirements.--All applicants for
230	licensure as either asbestos consultants or asbestos contractors
231	shall:
232	(7)  If he or she is a nonresident who has been licensed in
233	good standing for at least 2 years in another state, qualify for
234	licensure in this state if he or she completes a course on
235	Florida laws and rules and passes the resulting examination.
236	Section 11.  Subsection (3) is added to section 474.217,
237	Florida Statutes, to read:
238	474.217  Licensure by endorsement.--
239	(3)  A nonresident who has been licensed in good standing
240	for at least 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in
241	this state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida
242	laws and rules and passes the resulting examination.
243	Section 12.  Subsection (1) of section 475.180, Florida
244	Statutes, is amended to read:
245	475.180  Nonresident licenses.--
246	(1)  Notwithstanding the prelicensure requirements set
247	forth under ss. 475.17(2) and (6) and 475.175, the commission in
248	its discretion may enter into written agreements with similar
249	licensing authorities of other states, territories, or
250	jurisdictions of the United States or foreign national
251	jurisdictions to ensure for Florida licensees nonresident
252	licensure opportunities comparable to those afforded to
253	nonresidents by this section. Whenever the commission determines
254	that another jurisdiction does not offer nonresident licensure
255	to Florida licensees substantially comparable to those afforded
256	to licensees of that jurisdiction by this section, the
257	commission shall require licensees of that jurisdiction who
258	apply for nonresident licensure to meet education, experience,
259	and examination requirements substantially comparable to those
260	required by that jurisdiction with respect to Florida licensees
261	who seek nonresident licensure, not to exceed such requirements
262	as prescribed in ss. 475.17(2) and (6) and 475.175. A
263	nonresident who has been licensed in good standing for at least
264	2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in this state
265	if such nonresident completes a course on Florida laws and rules
266	and passes the resulting examination.
267	Section 13.  Section 476.114, Florida Statutes, is amended
268	to read:
269	476.114  Examination; prerequisites.--
270	(1)(a)  A person who is at least 16 years of age may apply
271	to take the examination for licensure as a barber.
272	(b)  A person desiring to be licensed as a barber shall
273	apply to the department in writing if the applicant: for
274	licensure.
275	(2)  An applicant shall be eligible for licensure by
276	examination to practice barbering if the applicant:
277	(a)  Is at least 16 years of age;
278	(b)  Pays the required application fee; and
279	(c)1.  Holds an active valid license to practice barbering
280	in another state, has held the license for at least 1 year, and
281	does not qualify for licensure by endorsement as provided for in
282	s. 476.144(5); or
283	2.  Has received a minimum of 1,200 hours of training as
284	established by the board, which shall include, but shall not be
285	limited to, the equivalent of completion of services directly
286	related to the practice of barbering at one of the following:
287	a.  A school of barbering licensed pursuant to chapter
288	1005;
289	b.  A barbering program within the public school system; or
290	c.  A government-operated barbering program in this state.
291
292	The board shall establish by rule procedures whereby the school
293	or program may certify that a person is qualified to take the
294	required examination after the completion of a minimum of 1,000
295	actual school hours. If the person passes the examination, she
296	or he shall have satisfied this requirement; but if the person
297	fails the examination, she or he shall not be qualified to take
298	the examination again until the completion of the full
299	requirements provided by this section.
300	(2)(3)  An applicant who meets the requirements set forth
301	in subparagraphs (1)(b)1. and 2. (2)(c)1. and 2. who fails to
302	pass the examination may take subsequent examinations as many
303	times as necessary to pass, except that the board may specify by
304	rule reasonable timeframes for rescheduling the examination and
305	additional training requirements for applicants who, after the
306	third attempt, fail to pass the examination. Before Prior to
307	reexamination, the applicant must file the appropriate form and
308	pay the reexamination fee as required by rule.
309	Section 14.  Subsection (6) of section 476.144, Florida
310	Statutes, is amended to read:
311	476.144  Licensure.--
312	(6)  A person may apply for a restricted license to
313	practice barbering. The board shall adopt rules specifying
314	procedures for an applicant to obtain a restricted license if
315	the applicant:
316	(a)1.  Has successfully completed a restricted barber
317	course, as established by rule of the board, at a school of
318	barbering licensed pursuant to chapter 1005, a barbering program
319	within the public school system, or a government-operated
320	barbering program in this state; or
321	2.a.  Holds or has within the previous 5 years held an
322	active valid license to practice barbering in another state or
323	country or has held a Florida barbering license which has been
324	declared null and void for failure to renew the license, and the
325	applicant fulfilled the requirements of s. 476.114(1)(b)2. s.
326	476.114(2)(c)2. for initial licensure; and
327	b.  Has not been disciplined relating to the practice of
328	barbering in the previous 5 years; and
329	(b)  Passes a written examination on the laws and rules
330	governing the practice of barbering in Florida, as established
331	by the board, and a practical examination approved by the board.
332
333	The restricted license shall limit the licensee's practice to
334	those specific areas in which the applicant has demonstrated
335	competence pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
336	Section 15.  Section 477.019, Florida Statutes, is amended
337	to read:
338	477.019  Cosmetologists; qualifications; licensure;
339	supervised practice; license renewal; endorsement; continuing
340	education.--
341	(1)(a)  A person who is at least 16 years of age may apply
342	to take the examination for licensure as a cosmetologist
343	desiring to be licensed as a cosmetologist shall apply to the
344	department for licensure.
345	(b)  A person desiring to be licensed as a cosmetologist
346	shall apply to the department in writing
347	(2)  An applicant shall be eligible for licensure by
348	examination to practice cosmetology if the applicant:
349	1.  Has passed the licensure examination, achieving a
350	passing grade as established by rule of the board;
351	(a)  Is at least 16 years of age or has received a high
352	school diploma;
353	(b)  Pays the required application fee, which is not
354	refundable, and the required examination fee, which is
355	refundable if the applicant is determined to not be eligible for
356	licensure for any reason other than failure to successfully
357	complete the licensure examination; and
358	2.(c)1.  Is authorized to practice cosmetology in another
359	state or country, has been so authorized for at least 1 year,
360	and does not qualify for licensure by endorsement as provided
361	for in subsection (5) (6); or
362	3.2.  Has received, before examination, a minimum of 1,200
363	hours of training as established by the board, which shall
364	include, but shall not be limited to, the equivalent of
365	completion of services directly related to the practice of
366	cosmetology at one of the following:
367	a.  A school of cosmetology licensed pursuant to chapter
368	1005.
369	b.  A cosmetology program within the public school system.
370	c.  The Cosmetology Division of the Florida School for the
371	Deaf and the Blind, provided the division meets the standards of
372	this chapter.
373	d.  A government-operated cosmetology program in this
374	state.
375
376	The board shall establish by rule procedures whereby the school
377	or program may certify that a person is qualified to take the
378	required examination after the completion of a minimum of 1,000
379	actual school hours. If the person then passes the examination,
380	he or she shall have satisfied this requirement; but if the
381	person fails the examination, he or she shall not be qualified
382	to take the examination again until the completion of the full
383	requirements provided by this section.
384	(2)(3)  An application for the licensure examination for
385	any license under this section may be submitted for examination
386	approval in the last 100 hours of training by a pregraduate of a
387	licensed cosmetology school or a program within the public
388	school system, which school or program is certified by the
389	Department of Education with fees as required in paragraph
390	(2)(b). Upon approval, the applicant may schedule the
391	examination on a date when the training hours are completed. An
392	applicant shall have 6 months from the date of approval to take
393	the examination. After the 6 months have passed, if the
394	applicant failed to take the examination, the applicant must
395	reapply. The board shall establish by rule the procedures for
396	the pregraduate application process.
397	(3)(4)  Upon an applicant receiving a passing grade, as
398	established by board rule, demonstrating qualifications under
399	this section, on the examination and paying the initial
400	licensing fee, the department shall issue a license to practice
401	cosmetology.
402	(4)(5)  If an applicant passes all parts of the examination
403	for licensure as a cosmetologist, he or she may practice in the
404	time between passing the examination and receiving a physical
405	copy of his or her license if he or she practices under the
406	supervision of a licensed cosmetologist in a licensed salon. An
407	applicant who fails any part of the examination may not practice
408	as a cosmetologist and may immediately apply for reexamination.
409	(5)(6)  Renewal of license registration shall be
410	accomplished pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
411	(6)(7)  The board shall adopt rules specifying procedures
412	for the licensure by endorsement of practitioners desiring to be
413	licensed in this state who hold a current active license in
414	another state and who have met qualifications substantially
415	similar to, equivalent to, or greater than the qualifications
416	required of applicants from this state.
417	(7)(8)(a)  The board shall prescribe by rule continuing
418	education requirements intended to ensure protection of the
419	public through updated training of licensees and registered
420	specialists, not to exceed 16 hours biennially, as a condition
421	for renewal of a license or registration as a specialist under
422	this chapter. Continuing education courses shall include, but
423	not be limited to, the following subjects as they relate to the
424	practice of cosmetology: human immunodeficiency virus and
425	acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Occupational Safety and
426	Health Administration regulations; workers' compensation issues;
427	state and federal laws and rules as they pertain to
428	cosmetologists, cosmetology, salons, specialists, specialty
429	salons, and booth renters; chemical makeup as it pertains to
430	hair, skin, and nails; and environmental issues. Courses given
431	at cosmetology conferences may be counted toward the number of
432	continuing education hours required if approved by the board.
433	(b)  Any person whose occupation or practice is confined
434	solely to hair braiding, hair wrapping, or body wrapping is
435	exempt from the continuing education requirements of this
436	subsection.
437	(c)  The board may, by rule, require any licensee in
438	violation of a continuing education requirement to take a
439	refresher course or refresher course and examination in addition
440	to any other penalty. The number of hours for the refresher
441	course may not exceed 48 hours.
442	Section 16.  Section 481.209, Florida Statutes, is amended
443	to read:
444	481.209  Examinations.--
445	(1)(a)  Any person may take the examination for licensure
446	as an architect.
447	(b)  A person desiring to be licensed as a registered
448	architect shall apply to the department in writing and must to
449	take the licensure examination. The department shall administer
450	the licensure examination for architects to each applicant who
451	the board certifies:
452	1.  Have passed the examination for licensure by achieving
453	a passing score as established by rule of the board;
454	(a)  Has completed the application form and remitted a
455	nonrefundable application fee and an examination fee which is
456	refundable if the applicant is found to be ineligible to take
457	the examination;
458	2.(b)1.  Be Is a graduate of:
459	a.  A school or college of architecture accredited by the
460	National Architectural Accreditation Board; or
461	b.2.  Is a graduate of An approved architectural
462	curriculum, evidenced by a degree from an unaccredited school or
463	college of architecture approved by the board. The board shall
464	adopt rules providing for the review and approval of
465	unaccredited schools and colleges of architecture and courses of
466	architectural study based on a review and inspection by the
467	board of the curriculum of accredited schools and colleges of
468	architecture in the United States; and
469	3.(c)  Have Has completed, before prior to examination, 1
470	year of the internship experience required by s. 481.211(1).
471	(2)(a)  Any person may take the examination for licensure
472	as an interior designer.
473	(b)  A person desiring to be licensed as a registered
474	interior designer shall apply to the department in writing on a
475	form prescribed by the department, shall remit a nonrefundable
476	application fee, and must for licensure. The department shall
477	administer the licensure examination for interior designers to
478	each applicant who has completed the application form and
479	remitted the application and examination fees specified in s.
480	481.207 and who the board certifies:
481	1.  Have passed the examination for licensure;
482	2.(a)  Be Is a graduate from an interior design program of
483	5 years or more and have has completed 1 year of diversified
484	interior design experience;
485	3.(b)  Be Is a graduate from an interior design program of
486	4 years or more and have has completed 2 years of diversified
487	interior design experience;
488	4.(c)  Have Has completed at least 3 years in an interior
489	design curriculum and have has completed 3 years of diversified
490	interior design experience; or
491	5.(d)  Be Is a graduate from an interior design program of
492	at least 2 years and have has completed 4 years of diversified
493	interior design experience.
494
495	Subsequent to October 1, 2000, for the purpose of having the
496	educational qualification required under this subsection
497	accepted by the board, the applicant must complete his or her
498	education at a program, school, or college of interior design
499	whose curriculum has been approved by the board as of the time
500	of completion. Subsequent to October 1, 2003, all of the
501	required amount of educational credits shall have been obtained
502	in a program, school, or college of interior design whose
503	curriculum has been approved by the board, as of the time each
504	educational credit is gained. The board shall adopt rules
505	providing for the review and approval of programs, schools, and
506	colleges of interior design and courses of interior design study
507	based on a review and inspection by the board of the curriculum
508	of programs, schools, and colleges of interior design in the
509	United States, including those programs, schools, and colleges
510	accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education
511	Research. The board shall adopt rules providing for the review
512	and approval of diversified interior design experience required
513	by this subsection.
514	Section 17.  Subsection (8) is added to section 481.213,
515	Florida Statutes, to read:
516	481.213  Licensure.--
517	(3)  The board shall certify as qualified for a license by
518	endorsement as an architect or as an interior designer an
519	applicant who:
520	(8)  A nonresident who has been licensed in good standing
521	for at least 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in
522	this state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida
523	laws and rules and passes the resulting examination.
524	Section 18.  Present subsections (3) and (4) of section
525	489.111, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (4) and
526	(5), respectively, and a new subsection (3) is added to that
527	section, to read:
528	489.111  Licensure by examination.--
529	(3)  Successfully passing a prelicensure course approved by
530	the Construction Industry Licensing Board and established by
531	department rule may be substituted for the experience
532	requirements set forth in subsection (2).
533	Section 19.  Subsection (10) is added to section 489.115,
534	Florida Statutes, to read:
535	489.115  Certification and registration; endorsement;
536	reciprocity; renewals; continuing education.--
537	(10)  A nonresident who has been licensed or certified in
538	good standing for at least 2 years in another state qualifies
539	for certification in this state if such nonresident completes a
540	course on Florida laws and rules and passes the resulting
541	examination.
542	Section 20.  Section 489.118, Florida Statutes, is amended
543	to read:
544	489.118  Certification of registered contractors;
545	grandfathering provisions.--The board shall, upon receipt of a
546	completed application and appropriate fee, issue a certificate
547	in the appropriate category to any contractor registered under
548	this part who makes application to the board and can show that
549	he or she meets each of the following requirements:
550	(1)  Currently holds a valid registered local license in
551	one of the contractor categories defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-
552	(p).
553	(2)  Has, for that category, passed a written examination
554	that the board finds to be substantially similar to the
555	examination required to be licensed as a certified contractor
556	under this part. For purposes of this subsection, a written,
557	proctored examination such as that produced by the National
558	Assessment Institute, Block and Associates, NAI/Block, Experior
559	Assessments, Professional Testing, Inc., or Assessment Systems,
560	Inc., is shall be considered to be substantially similar to the
561	examination required to be licensed as a certified contractor.
562	The board may not impose or make any requirements regarding the
563	nature or content of these cited examinations.
564	(3)  Has at least 5 years of experience as a contractor in
565	that contracting category, or as an inspector or building
566	administrator with oversight over that category, at the time of
567	application. For contractors, only time periods in which the
568	contractor license is active and the contractor is not on
569	probation shall count toward the 5 years required by this
570	subsection.
571	(4)  Has not had his or her contractor's license revoked at
572	any time, had his or her contractor's license suspended within
573	the last 5 years, or been assessed a fine in excess of $500
574	within the last 5 years.
575	(5)  Is in compliance with the insurance and financial
576	responsibility requirements in s. 489.115(5).
577
578	Applicants wishing to obtain a certificate pursuant to this
579	section must make application by November 1, 2005.
580	Section 21.  Subsection (7) is added to section 489.511,
581	Florida Statutes, to read:
582	489.511  Certification; application; examinations;
583	endorsement.--
584	(7)  A nonresident who has been licensed or certified in
585	good standing for at least 2 years in another state qualifies
586	for certification in this state if such nonresident completes a
587	course on Florida laws and rules and passes the resulting
588	examination.
589	Section 22.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
590	489.515, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
591	489.515  Issuance of certificates; registrations.--
592	(1)
593	(b)  The board shall certify as qualified for certification
594	any person who satisfies the requirements of s. 489.511 and who
595	submits satisfactory evidence that he or she has obtained both
596	workers' compensation insurance or an acceptable exemption
597	certificate issued by the department and public liability and
598	property damage insurance for the health, safety, and welfare of
599	the public in amounts determined by rule of the board, and
600	furnishes evidence of financial responsibility, credit, and
601	business reputation of either himself or herself or the business
602	organization he or she desires to qualify. The board may adopt
603	rules authorizing an alternative means by which an applicant may
604	demonstrate financial responsibility by requiring minimum credit
605	scores or bonds payable as prescribed by rule for financially
606	responsible officers under s. 489.1195.
607	Section 23.  Subsection (1) of section 492.105, Florida
608	Statutes, is amended to read:
609	492.105  Licensure by examination; requirements; fees.--
610	(1)(a)  Any person who is at least 18 years of age may take
611	the examination for licensure as a geologist.
612	(b)  Any person desiring to be licensed as a professional
613	geologist shall apply to the department in writing on a form
614	adopted by the department, shall remit a nonrefundable
615	application fee, and must to take the licensure examination. The
616	written licensure examination shall be designed to test an
617	applicant's qualifications to practice professional geology, and
618	shall include such subjects as will tend to ascertain the
619	applicant's knowledge of the theory and the practice of
620	professional geology and may include such subjects as are taught
621	in curricula of accredited colleges and universities. The
622	department shall examine each applicant who the board certifies:
623	1.  Have passed the examination for licensure by achieving
624	a passing score as established by rule of the board.
625	(a)  Has completed the application form and remitted a
626	nonrefundable application fee and an examination fee which is
627	refundable if the applicant is found to be ineligible to take
628	the examination.
629	(b)  Is at least 18 years of age.
630	2.(c)  Have Has not committed any act or offense in any
631	jurisdiction which would constitute the basis for disciplining a
632	professional geologist licensed pursuant to this chapter.
633	3.(d)  Fulfill Fulfills the following educational
634	requirements at a college or university the geological curricula
635	of which meet the criteria established by an accrediting agency
636	recognized by the United States Department of Education:
637	a.1.  Graduation from such college or university with a
638	major in geology or other related science acceptable to the
639	board; and
640	b.2.  Satisfactory completion of at least 30 semester hours
641	of geological courses, 24 of which must be at the third or
642	fourth year or graduate level.
643	4.(e)  Have Has at least 7 years of professional geological
644	work experience, which shall include a minimum of 3 years of
645	professional geological work under the supervision of a licensed
646	or qualified geologist or professional engineer registered under
647	chapter 471 as qualified in the field or discipline of
648	professional engineering involved; or have a minimum of 5
649	accumulative years' experience in responsible charge of
650	geological work. The following criteria of education and
651	experience qualify, as specified, toward accumulation of the
652	required 7 years of professional geological work:
653	a.1.  Each year of undergraduate study in the geological
654	sciences shall count as 1/2 year of the experience requirement,
655	up to a maximum of 2 years, and each year of graduate study
656	shall count as 1 year of the experience requirement.
657	b.2.  Credit for undergraduate study, graduate study, and
658	graduate courses, individually or in any combination thereof,
659	shall in no case exceed a total of 2 years toward meeting the
660	requirements for at least 7 years of professional geological
661	work.
662	c.3.  Full-time teaching or research in the geological
663	sciences at the college level shall be credited year for year
664	toward meeting the requirement in this category.
665	d.4.  The ability of the applicant shall have been
666	demonstrated by his or her having performed the work in a
667	responsible position as determined by the board.
668	Section 24.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
669	492.108, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
670	492.108  Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fees.--
671	(1)  The department shall issue a license by endorsement to
672	any applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting
673	an application fee, has been certified by the board that he or
674	she:
675	(a)  Has met the qualifications for licensure in s.
676	492.105(1) s. 492.105(1)(b)-(e).
677	Section 25.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a
678	law.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.