Florida Senate - 2009 SB 2598
By Senator Gaetz
4-01860A-09 20092598__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to the regulation of professions;
3 amending s. 455.2124, F.S.; authorizing a board or
4 commission, or the department if no such board or
5 commission exists for a profession, to require the
6 completion of certain continuing education
7 requirements by inactive licensees seeking to regain
8 active status; amending s. 455.2179, F.S.; increasing
9 the quadrennial fees for renewal of eligibility to
10 provide certain continuing education courses; amending
11 ss. 455.2228 and 455.273, F.S.; increasing the period
12 for completion of certain renewal, recertification,
13 and relicensing requirements from biennially to
14 quadrennially; amending s. 455.271, F.S.; authorizing
15 certain licensees to submit a written request for a
16 grace period upon the expiration of a license;
17 requiring that such licensee pay a specified fee and
18 complete certain continuing education requirements;
19 increasing the length of certain licensure and renewal
20 cycles; amending ss. 468.403, 468.453, 468.525,
21 468.613, 469.005, 474.217, and 475.180, F.S.;
22 providing conditions under which a nonresident who has
23 been licensed in good standing for a specified period
24 in another state qualifies for licensure in this
25 state; amending s. 476.114, F.S.; authorizing certain
26 persons to take the examination for licensure as a
27 cosmetologist; requiring that certain persons desiring
28 to be a barber apply to the department in writing
29 under certain conditions; amending s. 477.019, F.S.;
30 authorizing certain persons to take the examination
31 for licensure as a cosmetologist; requiring that
32 certain persons desiring to be a cosmetologist apply
33 to the department in writing under certain conditions;
34 amending s. 481.209, F.S.; authorizing any person
35 meeting certain criteria to take the examination for
36 licensure as an architect or interior designer;
37 requiring that such persons apply to the department in
38 writing; requiring that persons applying for licensure
39 as an interior designer remit a nonrefundable
40 application fee; requiring that the department adopt a
41 form for applications for licensure as an interior
42 designer; amending s. 481.213, F.S.; providing
43 conditions under which a nonresident who has been
44 licensed as an architect in good standing for a
45 specified period in another state qualifies for
46 licensure as an architect in this state; amending s.
47 489.111, F.S.; authorizing a person applying for
48 licensure as a contractor to substitute for certain
49 experience requirements the passing of a prelicensure
50 course approved by the Construction Industry Licensing
51 Board and established by department rule; amending s.
52 489.115, F.S.; providing conditions under which a
53 nonresident who has been licensed as a contractor in
54 good standing for a specified period in another state
55 qualifies for licensure as a contractor in this state;
56 amending s. 489.118, F.S.; deleting an obsolete
57 provision; amending s. 489.511, F.S.; providing
58 conditions under which a nonresident who has been
59 licensed as an electrical or alarm system contractor
60 in good standing for a specified period in another
61 state qualifies for licensure as an electrical or
62 alarm system contractor in this state; amending s.
63 489.515, F.S.; authorizing the Electrical Contractors'
64 Licensing Board to adopt certain alternative means by
65 which an applicant for certification may demonstrate
66 financial responsibility; amending s. 492.105, F.S.;
67 requiring that a person desiring to be licensed in
68 this state as a geologist apply to the department on a
69 form adopted by the department, remit a nonrefundable
70 application fee, and meet certain requirements;
71 providing an effective date.
72
73 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
74
75 Section 1. Section 455.2124, Florida Statutes, is amended
76 to read:
77 455.2124 Proration of or not requiring continuing
78 education.—A board, or the department when there is no board,
79 may:
80 (1) Prorate continuing education for new licensees by
81 requiring half of the required continuing education for any
82 applicant who becomes licensed with more than half the renewal
83 period remaining and no continuing education for any applicant
84 who becomes licensed with half or less than half of the renewal
85 period remaining; or
86 (2) Require no continuing education until the first full
87 renewal cycle of the licensee; or.
88 (3) Require the completion of no more than one renewal
89 cycle of continuing education requirements by an inactive
90 licensee seeking to regain active status.
91
92 These options shall also apply when continuing education is
93 first required or the number of hours required is increased by
94 law or the board, or the department when there is no board.
95 Section 2. Subsection (3) of section 455.2179, Florida
96 Statutes, is amended to read:
97 455.2179 Continuing education provider and course approval;
98 cease and desist orders.—
99 (3) Each board authorized to approve continuing education
100 providers, or the department if there is no board, may
101 establish, by rule, a fee not to exceed $250 for anyone seeking
102 approval to provide continuing education courses and may
103 establish, by rule, a quadrennial biennial fee not to exceed
104 $500 $250 for the renewal of providership of such courses. The
105 Florida Real Estate Commission, authorized under the provisions
106 of chapter 475 to approve prelicensure, precertification, and
107 postlicensure education providers, may establish, by rule, an
108 application fee not to exceed $250 for anyone seeking approval
109 to offer prelicensure, precertification, or postlicensure
110 education courses and may establish, by rule, a quadrennial
111 biennial fee not to exceed $500 $250 for the renewal of such
112 courses. Such postlicensure education courses are subject to the
113 reporting, monitoring, and compliance provisions of this section
114 and ss. 455.2177 and 455.2178.
115 Section 3. Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of section
116 455.2228, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
117 455.2228 Barbers and cosmetologists; instruction on HIV and
118 AIDS.—
119 (1) The board, or the department where there is no board,
120 shall require each person licensed or certified under chapter
121 476 or chapter 477 to complete a continuing educational course
122 approved by the board, or the department where there is no
123 board, on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune
124 deficiency syndrome as part of quadrennial biennial relicensure
125 or recertification. The course shall consist of education on
126 modes of transmission, infection control procedures, clinical
127 management, and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and
128 acquired immune deficiency syndrome, with an emphasis on
129 appropriate behavior and attitude change.
130 (2) When filing fees for each quadrennial biennial renewal,
131 each licensee shall submit confirmation of having completed said
132 course, on a form provided by the board or by the department if
133 there is no board. At the time of the subsequent quadrennial
134 biennial renewal when coursework is to be completed, if the
135 licensee has not submitted confirmation which has been received
136 and recorded by the board, or department if there is no board,
137 the department shall not renew the license.
138 (3) The board, or the department where there is no board,
139 shall have the authority to approve additional equivalent
140 courses that may be used to satisfy the requirements in
141 subsection (1).
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 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in this
194 state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida laws and
195 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 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in this
203 state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida laws and
204 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 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in this
210 state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida laws and
211 rules and passes the resulting examination.
212 Section 9. Section 468.613, Florida Statutes, is amended to
213 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 in good standing for 2 years in another state qualifies
224 for licensure in this state if such nonresident completes a
225 course on Florida laws and rules and passes the resulting
226 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 licensure
230 as either asbestos consultants or asbestos contractors shall:
231 (7) If he or she is a nonresident who has been licensed in
232 good standing for 2 years in another state, qualify for
233 licensure in this state if he or she completes a course on
234 Florida laws and rules and passes the resulting examination.
235 Section 11. Subsection (3) is added to section 474.217,
236 Florida Statutes, to read:
237 474.217 Licensure by endorsement.—
238 (3) A nonresident who has been licensed in good standing
239 for 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in this
240 state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida laws and
241 rules and passes the resulting examination.
242 Section 12. Subsection (1) of section 475.180, Florida
243 Statutes, is amended to read:
244 475.180 Nonresident licenses.—
245 (1) Notwithstanding the prelicensure requirements set forth
246 under ss. 475.17(2) and (6) and 475.175, the commission in its
247 discretion may enter into written agreements with similar
248 licensing authorities of other states, territories, or
249 jurisdictions of the United States or foreign national
250 jurisdictions to ensure for Florida licensees nonresident
251 licensure opportunities comparable to those afforded to
252 nonresidents by this section. Whenever the commission determines
253 that another jurisdiction does not offer nonresident licensure
254 to Florida licensees substantially comparable to those afforded
255 to licensees of that jurisdiction by this section, the
256 commission shall require licensees of that jurisdiction who
257 apply for nonresident licensure to meet education, experience,
258 and examination requirements substantially comparable to those
259 required by that jurisdiction with respect to Florida licensees
260 who seek nonresident licensure, not to exceed such requirements
261 as prescribed in ss. 475.17(2) and (6) and 475.175. A
262 nonresident who has been licensed in good standing for 2 years
263 in another state qualifies for licensure in this state if such
264 nonresident completes a course on Florida laws and rules and
265 passes the resulting examination.
266 Section 13. Section 476.114, Florida Statutes, is amended
267 to read:
268 476.114 Examination; prerequisites.—
269 (1)(a) A person who is at least 16 years of age may apply
270 to take the exam for licensure as a cosmetologist.
271 (b) A person desiring to be licensed as a barber shall
272 apply to the department in writing if the applicant: for
273 licensure.
274 (2) An applicant shall be eligible for licensure by
275 examination to practice barbering if the applicant:
276 (a) Is at least 16 years of age;
277 (b) Pays the required application fee; and
278 (c)1. Holds an active valid license to practice barbering
279 in another state, has held the license for at least 1 year, and
280 does not qualify for licensure by endorsement as provided for in
281 s. 476.144(5); or
282 2. Has received a minimum of 1,200 hours of training as
283 established by the board, which shall include, but shall not be
284 limited to, the equivalent of completion of services directly
285 related to the practice of barbering at one of the following:
286 a. A school of barbering licensed pursuant to chapter 1005;
287 b. A barbering program within the public school system; or
288 c. A government-operated barbering program in this state.
289
290 The board shall establish by rule procedures whereby the school
291 or program may certify that a person is qualified to take the
292 required examination after the completion of a minimum of 1,000
293 actual school hours. If the person passes the examination, she
294 or he shall have satisfied this requirement; but if the person
295 fails the examination, she or he shall not be qualified to take
296 the examination again until the completion of the full
297 requirements provided by this section.
298 (2)(3) An applicant who meets the requirements set forth in
299 subparagraphs (1)(b)1. and 2. (2)(c)1. and 2. who fails to pass
300 the examination may take subsequent examinations as many times
301 as necessary to pass, except that the board may specify by rule
302 reasonable timeframes for rescheduling the examination and
303 additional training requirements for applicants who, after the
304 third attempt, fail to pass the examination. Before Prior to
305 reexamination, the applicant must file the appropriate form and
306 pay the reexamination fee as required by rule.
307 Section 14. Section 477.019, Florida Statutes, is amended
308 to read:
309 477.019 Cosmetologists; qualifications; licensure;
310 supervised practice; license renewal; endorsement; continuing
311 education.—
312 (1)(a) A person who is at least 16 years of age may apply
313 to take the examination for licensure as a cosmetologist
314 desiring to be licensed as a cosmetologist shall apply to the
315 department for licensure.
316 (b) A person desiring to be licensed as a cosmetologist
317 shall apply to the department in writing
318 (2) An applicant shall be eligible for licensure by
319 examination to practice cosmetology if the applicant:
320 1. Has passed the licensure examination, achieving a
321 passing grade as established by rule of the board;
322 (a) Is at least 16 years of age or has received a high
323 school diploma;
324 (b) Pays the required application fee, which is not
325 refundable, and the required examination fee, which is
326 refundable if the applicant is determined to not be eligible for
327 licensure for any reason other than failure to successfully
328 complete the licensure examination; and
329 2.(c)1. Is authorized to practice cosmetology in another
330 state or country, has been so authorized for at least 1 year,
331 and does not qualify for licensure by endorsement as provided
332 for in subsection (6); or
333 3.2. Has received, before examination, a minimum of 1,200
334 hours of training as established by the board, which shall
335 include, but shall not be limited to, the equivalent of
336 completion of services directly related to the practice of
337 cosmetology at one of the following:
338 a. A school of cosmetology licensed pursuant to chapter
339 1005.
340 b. A cosmetology program within the public school system.
341 c. The Cosmetology Division of the Florida School for the
342 Deaf and the Blind, provided the division meets the standards of
343 this chapter.
344 d. A government-operated cosmetology program in this state.
345
346 The board shall establish by rule procedures whereby the school
347 or program may certify that a person is qualified to take the
348 required examination after the completion of a minimum of 1,000
349 actual school hours. If the person then passes the examination,
350 he or she shall have satisfied this requirement; but if the
351 person fails the examination, he or she shall not be qualified
352 to take the examination again until the completion of the full
353 requirements provided by this section.
354 (2)(3) An application for the licensure examination for any
355 license under this section may be submitted for examination
356 approval in the last 100 hours of training by a pregraduate of a
357 licensed cosmetology school or a program within the public
358 school system, which school or program is certified by the
359 Department of Education with fees as required in paragraph
360 (2)(b). Upon approval, the applicant may schedule the
361 examination on a date when the training hours are completed. An
362 applicant shall have 6 months from the date of approval to take
363 the examination. After the 6 months have passed, if the
364 applicant failed to take the examination, the applicant must
365 reapply. The board shall establish by rule the procedures for
366 the pregraduate application process.
367 (3)(4) Upon an applicant receiving a passing grade, as
368 established by board rule, demonstrating qualifications under
369 this section, on the examination and paying the initial
370 licensing fee, the department shall issue a license to practice
371 cosmetology.
372 (4)(5) If an applicant passes all parts of the examination
373 for licensure as a cosmetologist, he or she may practice in the
374 time between passing the examination and receiving a physical
375 copy of his or her license if he or she practices under the
376 supervision of a licensed cosmetologist in a licensed salon. An
377 applicant who fails any part of the examination may not practice
378 as a cosmetologist and may immediately apply for reexamination.
379 (5)(6) Renewal of license registration shall be
380 accomplished pursuant to rules adopted by the board.
381 (6)(7) The board shall adopt rules specifying procedures
382 for the licensure by endorsement of practitioners desiring to be
383 licensed in this state who hold a current active license in
384 another state and who have met qualifications substantially
385 similar to, equivalent to, or greater than the qualifications
386 required of applicants from this state.
387 (7)(8)(a) The board shall prescribe by rule continuing
388 education requirements intended to ensure protection of the
389 public through updated training of licensees and registered
390 specialists, not to exceed 16 hours biennially, as a condition
391 for renewal of a license or registration as a specialist under
392 this chapter. Continuing education courses shall include, but
393 not be limited to, the following subjects as they relate to the
394 practice of cosmetology: human immunodeficiency virus and
395 acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Occupational Safety and
396 Health Administration regulations; workers’ compensation issues;
397 state and federal laws and rules as they pertain to
398 cosmetologists, cosmetology, salons, specialists, specialty
399 salons, and booth renters; chemical makeup as it pertains to
400 hair, skin, and nails; and environmental issues. Courses given
401 at cosmetology conferences may be counted toward the number of
402 continuing education hours required if approved by the board.
403 (b) Any person whose occupation or practice is confined
404 solely to hair braiding, hair wrapping, or body wrapping is
405 exempt from the continuing education requirements of this
406 subsection.
407 (c) The board may, by rule, require any licensee in
408 violation of a continuing education requirement to take a
409 refresher course or refresher course and examination in addition
410 to any other penalty. The number of hours for the refresher
411 course may not exceed 48 hours.
412 Section 15. Section 481.209, Florida Statutes, is amended
413 to read:
414 481.209 Examinations.—
415 (1)(a) Any person may take the examination for licensure as
416 an architect.
417 (b) A person desiring to be licensed as a registered
418 architect shall apply to the department in writing and must to
419 take the licensure examination. The department shall administer
420 the licensure examination for architects to each applicant who
421 the board certifies:
422 1. Have passed the examination for licensure by achieving a
423 passing score as established by rule of the board;
424 (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a
425 nonrefundable application fee and an examination fee which is
426 refundable if the applicant is found to be ineligible to take
427 the examination;
428 2.(b)1. Be Is a graduate of a school or college of
429 architecture accredited by the National Architectural
430 Accreditation Board; or
431 3.2. Be Is a graduate of an approved architectural
432 curriculum, evidenced by a degree from an unaccredited school or
433 college of architecture approved by the board. The board shall
434 adopt rules providing for the review and approval of
435 unaccredited schools and colleges of architecture and courses of
436 architectural study based on a review and inspection by the
437 board of the curriculum of accredited schools and colleges of
438 architecture in the United States; and
439 4.(c) Have Has completed, before prior to examination, 1
440 year of the internship experience required by s. 481.211(1).
441 (2)(a) Any person may take the examination for licensure as
442 an interior designer.
443 (b) A person desiring to be licensed as a registered
444 interior designer shall apply to the department in writing on a
445 form prescribed by the department, shall remit a nonrefundable
446 application fee, and must for licensure. The department shall
447 administer the licensure examination for interior designers to
448 each applicant who has completed the application form and
449 remitted the application and examination fees specified in s.
450 481.207 and who the board certifies:
451 1. Have passed the examination for licensure;
452 2.(a) Be Is a graduate from an interior design program of 5
453 years or more and have has completed 1 year of diversified
454 interior design experience;
455 3.(b) Be Is a graduate from an interior design program of 4
456 years or more and have has completed 2 years of diversified
457 interior design experience;
458 4.(c) Have Has completed at least 3 years in an interior
459 design curriculum and have has completed 3 years of diversified
460 interior design experience; or
461 5.(d) Be Is a graduate from an interior design program of
462 at least 2 years and have has completed 4 years of diversified
463 interior design experience.
464
465 Subsequent to October 1, 2000, for the purpose of having the
466 educational qualification required under this subsection
467 accepted by the board, the applicant must complete his or her
468 education at a program, school, or college of interior design
469 whose curriculum has been approved by the board as of the time
470 of completion. Subsequent to October 1, 2003, all of the
471 required amount of educational credits shall have been obtained
472 in a program, school, or college of interior design whose
473 curriculum has been approved by the board, as of the time each
474 educational credit is gained. The board shall adopt rules
475 providing for the review and approval of programs, schools, and
476 colleges of interior design and courses of interior design study
477 based on a review and inspection by the board of the curriculum
478 of programs, schools, and colleges of interior design in the
479 United States, including those programs, schools, and colleges
480 accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education
481 Research. The board shall adopt rules providing for the review
482 and approval of diversified interior design experience required
483 by this subsection.
484 Section 16. Subsection (8) is added to section 481.213,
485 Florida Statutes, to read:
486 481.213 Licensure.—
487 (8) A nonresident who has been licensed in good standing
488 for 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in this
489 state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida laws and
490 rules and passes the resulting examination.
491 Section 17. Present subsections (3) and (4) of section
492 489.111, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (4) and
493 (5), respectively, and a new subsection (3) is added to that
494 section, to read:
495 489.111 Licensure by examination.—
496 (3) Successfully passing a prelicensure course approved by
497 the Construction Industry Licensing Board and established by
498 department rule may be substituted for the experience
499 requirements set forth in subsection (2).
500 Section 18. Subsection (10) is added to section 489.115,
501 Florida Statutes, to read:
502 489.115 Certification and registration; endorsement;
503 reciprocity; renewals; continuing education.—
504 (10) A nonresident who has been licensed in good standing
505 for 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in this
506 state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida laws and
507 rules and passes the resulting examination.
508 Section 19. Section 489.118, Florida Statutes, is amended
509 to read:
510 489.118 Certification of registered contractors;
511 grandfathering provisions.—The board shall, upon receipt of a
512 completed application and appropriate fee, issue a certificate
513 in the appropriate category to any contractor registered under
514 this part who makes application to the board and can show that
515 he or she meets each of the following requirements:
516 (1) Currently holds a valid registered local license in one
517 of the contractor categories defined in s. 489.105(3)(a)-(p).
518 (2) Has, for that category, passed a written examination
519 that the board finds to be substantially similar to the
520 examination required to be licensed as a certified contractor
521 under this part. For purposes of this subsection, a written,
522 proctored examination such as that produced by the National
523 Assessment Institute, Block and Associates, NAI/Block, Experior
524 Assessments, Professional Testing, Inc., or Assessment Systems,
525 Inc., is shall be considered to be substantially similar to the
526 examination required to be licensed as a certified contractor.
527 The board may not impose or make any requirements regarding the
528 nature or content of these cited examinations.
529 (3) Has at least 5 years of experience as a contractor in
530 that contracting category, or as an inspector or building
531 administrator with oversight over that category, at the time of
532 application. For contractors, only time periods in which the
533 contractor license is active and the contractor is not on
534 probation shall count toward the 5 years required by this
535 subsection.
536 (4) Has not had his or her contractor's license revoked at
537 any time, had his or her contractor's license suspended within
538 the last 5 years, or been assessed a fine in excess of $500
539 within the last 5 years.
540 (5) Is in compliance with the insurance and financial
541 responsibility requirements in s. 489.115(5).
542
543 Applicants wishing to obtain a certificate pursuant to this
544 section must make application by November 1, 2005.
545 Section 20. Subsection (7) is added to section 489.511,
546 Florida Statutes, to read:
547 489.511 Certification; application; examinations;
548 endorsement.—
549 (7) A nonresident who has been licensed in good standing
550 for 2 years in another state qualifies for licensure in this
551 state if such nonresident completes a course on Florida laws and
552 rules and passes the resulting examination.
553 Section 21. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
554 489.515, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
555 489.515 Issuance of certificates; registrations.—
556 (1)
557 (b) The board shall certify as qualified for certification
558 any person who satisfies the requirements of s. 489.511 and who
559 submits satisfactory evidence that he or she has obtained both
560 workers' compensation insurance or an acceptable exemption
561 certificate issued by the department and public liability and
562 property damage insurance for the health, safety, and welfare of
563 the public in amounts determined by rule of the board, and
564 furnishes evidence of financial responsibility, credit, and
565 business reputation of either himself or herself or the business
566 organization he or she desires to qualify. The board may adopt
567 rules authorizing an alternative means by which an applicant may
568 demonstrate financial responsibility by requiring minimum credit
569 scores or bonds payable as prescribed by rule for financially
570 responsible officers under s. 489.1195.
571 Section 22. Subsection (1) of section 492.105, Florida
572 Statutes, is amended to read:
573 492.105 Licensure by examination; requirements; fees.—
574 (1)(a) Any person who is at least 18 years of age may take
575 the examination for licensure as a geologist.
576 (b) Any person desiring to be licensed as a professional
577 geologist shall apply to the department in writing on a form
578 adopted by the department, shall remit a nonrefundable
579 application fee, and must to take the licensure examination. The
580 written licensure examination shall be designed to test an
581 applicant’s qualifications to practice professional geology, and
582 shall include such subjects as will tend to ascertain the
583 applicant’s knowledge of the theory and the practice of
584 professional geology and may include such subjects as are taught
585 in curricula of accredited colleges and universities. The
586 department shall examine each applicant who the board certifies:
587 1. Have passed the examination for licensure by achieving a
588 passing score as established by rule of the board.
589 (a) Has completed the application form and remitted a
590 nonrefundable application fee and an examination fee which is
591 refundable if the applicant is found to be ineligible to take
592 the examination.
593 (b) Is at least 18 years of age.
594 2.(c) Have Has not committed any act or offense in any
595 jurisdiction which would constitute the basis for disciplining a
596 professional geologist licensed pursuant to this chapter.
597 3.(d) Fulfill Fulfills the following educational
598 requirements at a college or university the geological curricula
599 of which meet the criteria established by an accrediting agency
600 recognized by the United States Department of Education:
601 a.1. Graduation from such college or university with a
602 major in geology or other related science acceptable to the
603 board; and
604 b.2. Satisfactory completion of at least 30 semester hours
605 of geological courses, 24 of which must be at the third or
606 fourth year or graduate level.
607 4.(e) Have Has at least 7 years of professional geological
608 work experience, which shall include a minimum of 3 years of
609 professional geological work under the supervision of a licensed
610 or qualified geologist or professional engineer registered under
611 chapter 471 as qualified in the field or discipline of
612 professional engineering involved; or have a minimum of 5
613 accumulative years’ experience in responsible charge of
614 geological work. The following criteria of education and
615 experience qualify, as specified, toward accumulation of the
616 required 7 years of professional geological work:
617 a.1. Each year of undergraduate study in the geological
618 sciences shall count as 1/2 year of the experience requirement,
619 up to a maximum of 2 years, and each year of graduate study
620 shall count as 1 year of the experience requirement.
621 b.2. Credit for undergraduate study, graduate study, and
622 graduate courses, individually or in any combination thereof,
623 shall in no case exceed a total of 2 years toward meeting the
624 requirements for at least 7 years of professional geological
625 work.
626 c.3. Full-time teaching or research in the geological
627 sciences at the college level shall be credited year for year
628 toward meeting the requirement in this category.
629 d.4. The ability of the applicant shall have been
630 demonstrated by his or her having performed the work in a
631 responsible position as determined by the board.
632 Section 23. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.