Bill Text: FL S0474 | 2020 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Deregulation of Professions and Occupations
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-12 - Laid on Table, refer to CS/HB 1193 [S0474 Detail]
Download: Florida-2020-S0474-Comm_Sub.html
Bill Title: Deregulation of Professions and Occupations
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-12 - Laid on Table, refer to CS/HB 1193 [S0474 Detail]
Download: Florida-2020-S0474-Comm_Sub.html
Florida Senate - 2020 CS for SB 474 By the Committee on Innovation, Industry, and Technology; and Senator Albritton 580-02430-20 2020474c1 1 A bill to be entitled 2 An act relating to the deregulation of professions and 3 occupations; providing a short title; amending s. 4 20.165, F.S.; renaming the Board of Architecture and 5 Interior Design as the Board of Architecture within 6 the Department of Business and Professional 7 Regulation; amending s. 322.57, F.S.; defining the 8 term “servicemember”; requiring the Department of 9 Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to waive the 10 requirement to pass the Commercial Driver License 11 Skills Tests for certain servicemembers and veterans; 12 requiring an applicant who receives such waiver to 13 complete certain requirements within a specified time; 14 requiring the department to adopt rules; amending s. 15 326.004, F.S.; deleting the requirement that a yacht 16 broker maintain a separate license for each branch 17 office; deleting the requirement that the Division of 18 Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes 19 establish a fee; amending s. 447.02, F.S.; conforming 20 provisions to changes made by the act; repealing s. 21 447.04, F.S., relating to licensure and permit 22 requirements for business agents; repealing s. 23 447.041, F.S., relating to hearings for persons or 24 labor organizations denied licensure as a business 25 agent; repealing s. 447.045, F.S., relating to 26 confidential information obtained during the 27 application process; repealing s. 447.06, F.S., 28 relating to required registration of labor 29 organizations; amending s. 447.09, F.S.; deleting 30 certain prohibited actions relating to the right of 31 franchise of a member of a labor organization; 32 repealing s. 447.12, F.S., relating to registration 33 fees; repealing s. 447.16, F.S., relating to 34 applicability; amending s. 447.305, F.S.; deleting a 35 provision that requires notification of registrations 36 and renewals to the Department of Business and 37 Professional Regulation; amending s. 455.213, F.S.; 38 requiring the department or a board to enter into 39 reciprocal licensing agreements with other states 40 under certain circumstances; providing requirements; 41 amending s. 456.072, F.S.; specifying that the failure 42 to repay certain student loans is not considered a 43 failure to perform a statutory or legal obligation for 44 which certain disciplinary action can be taken; 45 conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 46 repealing s. 456.0721, F.S., relating to health care 47 practitioners who are in default on student loan or 48 scholarship obligations; amending s. 456.074, F.S.; 49 deleting a provision relating to the suspension of a 50 license issued by the Department of Health for 51 defaulting on certain student loans; amending s. 52 468.385, F.S.; revising requirements relating to 53 businesses auctioning or offering to auction property 54 in this state; amending s. 468.603, F.S.; revising 55 which inspectors are included in the definition of the 56 term “categories of building code inspectors”; 57 amending s. 468.613, F.S.; providing for waiver of 58 specified requirements for certification under certain 59 circumstances; amending s. 468.8314, F.S.; requiring 60 an applicant for a license by endorsement to maintain 61 a specified insurance policy; requiring the department 62 to certify an applicant who holds a specified license 63 issued by another state or territory of the United 64 States under certain circumstances; amending s. 65 471.015, F.S.; revising licensure requirements for 66 engineers who hold specified licenses in another 67 state; amending s. 473.308, F.S.; deleting continuing 68 education requirements for license by endorsement for 69 certified public accountants; amending s. 474.202, 70 F.S.; revising the definition of the term “limited 71 service veterinary medical practice” to include 72 certain procedures; amending s. 474.207, F.S.; 73 revising education requirements for licensure by 74 examination; amending s. 474.217, F.S.; requiring the 75 department to issue a license by endorsement to 76 certain applicants who successfully complete a 77 specified examination; amending s. 476.114, F.S.; 78 revising training requirements for licensure as a 79 barber; amending s. 476.144, F.S.; requiring the 80 department to certify as qualified for licensure by 81 endorsement an applicant who is licensed to practice 82 barbering in another state; amending s. 477.013, F.S.; 83 revising the definition of the term “hair braiding”; 84 repealing s. 477.0132, F.S., relating to registration 85 for hair braiding, hair wrapping, and body wrapping; 86 amending s. 477.0135, F.S.; providing additional 87 exemptions from license or registration requirements 88 for specified occupations or practices; amending s. 89 477.019, F.S.; deleting a provision prohibiting the 90 Board of Cosmetology from asking for proof of certain 91 educational hours under certain circumstances; 92 revising requirements for certification of licensure 93 by endorsement for a certain applicant to engage in 94 the practice of cosmetology; conforming provisions to 95 changes made by the act; amending s. 477.0201, F.S.; 96 providing requirements for registration as a 97 specialist; amending s. 477.026, F.S.; conforming 98 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 99 477.0263, F.S.; providing that certain cosmetology 100 services may be performed in a location other than a 101 licensed salon under certain circumstances; amending 102 ss. 477.0265 and 477.029, F.S.; conforming provisions 103 to changes made by the act; amending s. 481.201, F.S.; 104 deleting legislative findings relating to the practice 105 of interior design; amending s. 481.203, F.S.; 106 revising and deleting definitions; amending s. 107 481.205, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made 108 by the act; amending s. 481.207, F.S.; authorizing the 109 board to establish certain fees for certificates of 110 registration for interior designers; specifying that 111 such registration is valid for a specified period of 112 time; authorizing registered interior designers to 113 renew such registration; conforming provisions to 114 changes made by the act; amending s. 481.209, F.S.; 115 providing requirements for a certificate of 116 registration and a seal for interior designers; 117 conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 118 amending s. 481.213, F.S.; revising requirements for 119 certification of licensure by endorsement for a 120 certain licensee to engage in the practice of 121 architecture; providing that a registration is not 122 required for specified persons to practice; conforming 123 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 124 481.2131, F.S.; requiring certain interior designers 125 to include a specified seal when submitting documents 126 for the issuance of a building permit; amending s. 127 481.215, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made 128 by the act; deleting a provision requiring a specified 129 number of hours in certain courses for the renewal of 130 a license; amending s. 481.217, F.S.; conforming 131 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 132 481.219, F.S.; deleting provisions permitting the 133 practice of or offer to practice interior design 134 through certain business organizations; deleting 135 provisions requiring certificates of authorization for 136 certain business organizations offering interior 137 design services to the public; requiring a licensee or 138 applicant in the practice of architecture to qualify 139 as a business organization; providing requirements; 140 amending s. 481.221, F.S.; conforming provisions to 141 changes made by the act; requiring registered 142 architects and certain business organizations to 143 display certain license numbers in specified 144 advertisements; amending s. 481.223, F.S.; providing 145 construction; conforming provisions to changes made by 146 the act; amending s. 481.2251, F.S.; revising the acts 147 that constitute grounds for disciplinary actions 148 relating to interior designers; conforming provisions 149 to changes made by the act; amending ss. 481.229 and 150 481.231, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made 151 by the act; amending s. 481.303, F.S.; deleting the 152 definition of the term “certificate of authorization”; 153 amending s. 481.310, F.S.; providing that an applicant 154 who holds certain degrees is not required to 155 demonstrate 1 year of practical experience for 156 licensure; amending s. 481.311, F.S.; revising 157 requirements for certification of licensure by 158 endorsement for a certain applicant to engage in the 159 practice of landscape architecture; amending s. 160 481.317, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made 161 by the act; amending s. 481.319, F.S.; deleting the 162 requirement for a certificate of authorization; 163 authorizing landscape architects to practice in the 164 name of a corporation or partnership; amending s. 165 481.321, F.S.; requiring a landscape architect to 166 display a certain certificate number in specified 167 advertisements; amending s. 481.329, F.S.; conforming 168 a cross-reference; amending s. 489.103, F.S.; revising 169 certain contract prices for exemption; amending s. 170 489.111, F.S.; revising provisions relating to 171 eligibility for licensure; amending s. 489.115, F.S.; 172 requiring the Construction Industry Licensing Board to 173 certify any applicant who holds a specified license to 174 practice contracting issued by another state or 175 territory of the United States under certain 176 circumstances; amending s. 489.511, F.S.; requiring 177 the board to certify as qualified for certification by 178 endorsement any applicant who holds a specified 179 license to practice electrical or alarm system 180 contracting issued by another state or territory of 181 the United States under certain circumstances; 182 amending s. 489.517, F.S.; providing a reduction in 183 certain continuing education hours required for 184 registered contractors; amending s. 489.518, F.S.; 185 requiring a person to have completed a specified 186 amount of training within a certain time period to 187 perform the duties of an alarm system agent; creating 188 s. 509.102; preempting the regulation of mobile food 189 dispensing vehicles to the state; defining the term 190 mobile food dispensing vehicle; amending s. 548.003, 191 F.S.; deleting the requirement that the Florida State 192 Boxing Commission adopt rules relating to a knockdown 193 timekeeper; amending s. 548.017, F.S.; deleting the 194 licensure requirement for a timekeeper or an 195 announcer; amending s. 553.5141, F.S.; conforming 196 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 197 553.74, F.S.; revising the membership and 198 qualifications of the Florida Building Commission; 199 amending ss. 558.002, 559.25, and 287.055, F.S.; 200 conforming provisions to changes made by the act; 201 providing effective dates. 202 203 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 204 205 Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Occupational 206 Freedom and Opportunity Act.” 207 Section 2. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section 208 20.165, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 209 20.165 Department of Business and Professional Regulation. 210 There is created a Department of Business and Professional 211 Regulation. 212 (4)(a) The following boards and programs are established 213 within the Division of Professions: 214 1. Board of Architectureand Interior Design, created under 215 part I of chapter 481. 216 2. Florida Board of Auctioneers, created under part VI of 217 chapter 468. 218 3. Barbers’ Board, created under chapter 476. 219 4. Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors 220 Board, created under part XII of chapter 468. 221 5. Construction Industry Licensing Board, created under 222 part I of chapter 489. 223 6. Board of Cosmetology, created under chapter 477. 224 7. Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board, created under 225 part II of chapter 489. 226 8. Board of Employee Leasing Companies, created under part 227 XI of chapter 468. 228 9. Board of Landscape Architecture, created under part II 229 of chapter 481. 230 10. Board of Pilot Commissioners, created under chapter 231 310. 232 11. Board of Professional Engineers, created under chapter 233 471. 234 12. Board of Professional Geologists, created under chapter 235 492. 236 13. Board of Veterinary Medicine, created under chapter 237 474. 238 14. Home inspection services licensing program, created 239 under part XV of chapter 468. 240 15. Mold-related services licensing program, created under 241 part XVI of chapter 468. 242 Section 3. Present subsection (4) of section 322.57, 243 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (5), and a new 244 subsection (4) is added to that section, to read 245 322.57 Tests of knowledge concerning specified vehicles; 246 endorsement; nonresidents; violations.— 247 (4)(a) As used in this subsection, the term “servicemember” 248 means a member of any branch of the United States military or 249 military reserves, the United States Coast Guard or its 250 reserves, the Florida National Guard, or the Florida Air 251 National Guard. 252 (b) The department shall waive the requirement to pass the 253 Commercial Driver License Skills Tests for servicemembers and 254 veterans if: 255 1. The applicant has been honorably discharged from 256 military service within 1 year of the application, if the 257 applicant is a veteran; 258 2. The applicant is trained as an MOS 88M Army Motor 259 Transport Operator or similar military job specialty; 260 3. The applicant has received training to operate large 261 trucks in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 262 Administration; and 263 4. The applicant has at least 2 years of experience in the 264 military driving vehicles that would require a commercial driver 265 license to operate. 266 (c) An applicant must complete every other requirement for 267 a commercial driver license within 1 year of receiving a waiver 268 under paragraph (b) or the waiver is invalid. 269 (d)The department shall adopt rules to administer this 270 subsection. 271 Section 4. Subsection (13) of section 326.004, Florida 272 Statutes, is amended to read: 273 326.004 Licensing.— 274 (13) Each broker must maintain a principal place of 275 business in this state and may establish branch offices in the 276 state.A separate license must be maintained for each branch277office. The division shall establish by rule a fee not to exceed278$100 for each branch office license.279 Section 5. Subsection (3) of section 447.02, Florida 280 Statutes, is amended to read: 281 447.02 Definitions.—The following terms, when used in this 282 chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this 283 section: 284(3)The term “department” means the Department of Business285and Professional Regulation.286 Section 6. Section 447.04, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 287 Section 7. Section 447.041, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 288 Section 8. Section 447.045, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 289 Section 9. Section 447.06, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 290 Section 10. Subsections (6) and (8) of section 447.09, 291 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 292 447.09 Right of franchise preserved; penalties.—It shall be 293 unlawful for any person: 294(6)To act as a business agent without having obtained and295possessing a valid and subsisting license or permit.296(8)To make any false statement in an application for a297license.298 Section 11. Section 447.12, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 299 Section 12. Section 447.16, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 300 Section 13. Subsection (4) of section 447.305, Florida 301 Statutes, is amended to read: 302 447.305 Registration of employee organization.— 303(4)Notification of registrations and renewals of304registration shall be furnished at regular intervals by the305commission to the Department of Business and Professional306Regulation.307 Section 14. Subsection (14) is added to section 455.213, 308 Florida Statutes, to read: 309 455.213 General licensing provisions.— 310 (14) The department or a board must enter into a reciprocal 311 licensing agreement with other states if the practice act within 312 the purview of this chapter permits such agreement. If a 313 reciprocal licensing agreement exists or if the department or 314 board has determined another state’s licensing requirements or 315 examinations to be substantially equivalent or more stringent to 316 those under the practice act, the department or board must post 317 on its website which jurisdictions have such reciprocal 318 licensing agreements or substantially similar licenses. 319 Section 15. Paragraph (k) of subsection (1) of section 320 456.072, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 321 456.072 Grounds for discipline; penalties; enforcement.— 322 (1) The following acts shall constitute grounds for which 323 the disciplinary actions specified in subsection (2) may be 324 taken: 325 (k) Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation 326 placed upon a licensee. For purposes of this section, failing to 327 repay a student loan issued or guaranteed by the state or the 328 Federal Government in accordance with the terms of the loan is 329 notor failing to comply with service scholarship obligations330shall beconsidered a failure to perform a statutory or legal 331 obligation, and the minimum disciplinary action imposed shall be332a suspension of the license until new payment terms are agreed333upon or the scholarship obligation is resumed, followed by334probation for the duration of the student loan or remaining335scholarship obligation period, and a fine equal to 10 percent of336the defaulted loan amount. Fines collected shall be deposited 337 into the Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund. 338 Section 16. Section 456.0721, Florida Statutes, is 339 repealed. 340 Section 17. Subsection (4) of section 456.074, Florida 341 Statutes, is amended to read: 342 456.074 Certain health care practitioners; immediate 343 suspension of license.— 344(4)Upon receipt of information that a Florida-licensed345health care practitioner has defaulted on a student loan issued346or guaranteed by the state or the Federal Government, the347department shall notify the licensee by certified mail that he348or she shall be subject to immediate suspension of license349unless, within 45 days after the date of mailing, the licensee350provides proof that new payment terms have been agreed upon by351all parties to the loan. The department shall issue an emergency352order suspending the license of any licensee who, after 45 days353following the date of mailing from the department, has failed to354provide such proof. Production of such proof shall not prohibit355the department from proceeding with disciplinary action against356the licensee pursuant to s. 456.073.357 Section 18. Paragraph (b) of subsection (7) of section 358 468.385, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 359 468.385 Licenses required; qualifications; examination.— 360 (7) 361 (b) ANobusiness may notshallauction or offer to auction 362 any property in this state unless it is owned by an auctioneer 363 who is licensedas an auction businessby the departmentboard364 or is exempt from licensure under this act. Each application for 365 licensure mustshallinclude the names of the owner and the 366 business, the business mailing address and location, and any 367 other information which the board may require. The owner of an 368 auction business shall report to the board within 30 days of any 369 change in this required information. 370 Section 19. Paragraph (f) of subsection (5) of section 371 468.603, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 372 468.603 Definitions.—As used in this part: 373 (5) “Categories of building code inspectors” include the 374 following: 375 (f) “ResidentialOne and two family dwellinginspector” 376 means a person who is qualified to inspect and determine that 377 one-family, two-family, or three-family residences not exceeding 378 two habitable stories above no more than one uninhabitable story 379 and accessory use structures in connection therewithone and two380family dwellings and accessory structuresare constructed in 381 accordance with the provisions of the governing building, 382 plumbing, mechanical, accessibility, and electrical codes. 383 Section 20. Section 468.613, Florida Statutes, is amended 384 to read: 385 468.613 Certification by endorsement.—The board shall 386 examine other certification or training programs, as applicable, 387 upon submission to the board for its consideration of an 388 application for certification by endorsement. The board shall 389 waive its examination, qualification, education, or training 390 requirements, to the extent that such examination, 391 qualification, education, or training requirements of the 392 applicant are determined by the board to be comparable with 393 those established by the board. The board shall waive its 394 examination, qualification, education, or training requirements 395 if an applicant for certification by endorsement is at least 18 396 years of age; is of good moral character; has held a valid 397 building administrator, inspector, plans examiner, or the 398 equivalent, certification issued by another state or territory 399 of the United States for at least 10 years before the date of 400 application; and has successfully passed an applicable 401 examination administered by the International Code Council. Such 402 application must be made either when the license in another 403 state or territory is active or within 2 years after such 404 license was last active. 405 Section 21. Subsection (3) of section 468.8314, Florida 406 Statutes, is amended to read: 407 468.8314 Licensure.— 408 (3) The department shall certify as qualified for a license 409 by endorsement an applicant who is of good moral character as 410 determined in s. 468.8313, who maintains an insurance policy as 411 required by s. 468.8322, and who:;412 (a) Holds a valid license to practice home inspection 413 services in another state or territory of the United States, 414 whose educational requirements are substantially equivalent to 415 those required by this part; and has passed a national, 416 regional, state, or territorial licensing examination that is 417 substantially equivalent to the examination required by this 418 part; or 419 (b) Has held a valid license to practice home inspection 420 services issued by another state or territory of the United 421 States for at least 10 years before the date of application. 422 Such application must be made either when the license in another 423 state or territory is active or within 2 years after such 424 license was last active. 425 Section 22. Subsection (5) of section 471.015, Florida 426 Statutes, is amended to read: 427 471.015 Licensure.— 428 (5)(a) The board shall deem that an applicant who seeks 429 licensure by endorsement has passed an examination substantially 430 equivalent to the fundamentals examination when such applicant 431 has held a valid professional engineer’s license in another 432 state for 1015yearsand has had 20 years of continuous433professional-level engineering experience. 434 (b) The board shall deem that an applicant who seeks 435 licensure by endorsement has passed an examination substantially 436 equivalent to the fundamentals examination and the principles 437 and practices examination when such applicant has held a valid 438 professional engineer’s license in another state for 1525years 439and has had 30 years of continuous professional-level440engineering experience. 441 Section 23. Subsection (7) of section 473.308, Florida 442 Statutes, is amended to read: 443 473.308 Licensure.— 444 (7) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by 445 endorsement an applicant who: 446 (a)1.Is not licensed and has not been licensed in another 447 state or territory and who has met the requirements of this 448 section for education, work experience, and good moral character 449 and has passed a national, regional, state, or territorial 450 licensing examination that is substantially equivalent to the 451 examination required by s. 473.306; orand4522.Has completed such continuing education courses as the453board deems appropriate, within the limits for each applicable4542-year period as set forth in s. 473.312, but at least such455courses as are equivalent to the continuing education456requirements for a Florida certified public accountant licensed457in this state during the 2 years immediately preceding her or458his application for licensure by endorsement; or459 (b)1.a.Holds a valid license to practice public accounting 460 issued by another state or territory of the United States, if 461 the criteria for issuance of such license were substantially 462 equivalent to the licensure criteria that existed in this state 463 at the time the license was issued; 464 2.b.Holds a valid license to practice public accounting 465 issued by another state or territory of the United States but 466 the criteria for issuance of such license did not meet the 467 requirements of sub-subparagraph a.; has met the requirements of 468 this section for education, work experience, and good moral 469 character; and has passed a national, regional, state, or 470 territorial licensing examination that is substantially 471 equivalent to the examination required by s. 473.306; or 472 3.c.Holds a valid license to practice public accounting 473 issued by another state or territory of the United States for at 474 least 10 years before the date of application; has passed a 475 national, regional, state, or territorial licensing examination 476 that is substantially equivalent to the examination required by 477 s. 473.306; and has met the requirements of this section for 478 good moral character; and4792.Has completed continuing education courses that are480equivalent to the continuing education requirements for a481Florida certified public accountant licensed in this state482during the 2 years immediately preceding her or his application483for licensure by endorsement. 484 Section 24. Subsection (6) of section 474.202, Florida 485 Statutes, is amended to read: 486 474.202 Definitions.—As used in this chapter: 487 (6) “Limited-service veterinary medical practice” means 488 offering or providing veterinary services at any location that 489 has a primary purpose other than that of providing veterinary 490 medical service at a permanent or mobile establishment permitted 491 by the board; provides veterinary medical services for privately 492 owned animals that do not reside at that location; operates for 493 a limited time; and provides limited types of veterinary medical 494 services, including vaccinations or immunizations against 495 disease, preventative procedures for parasitic control, and 496 microchipping. 497 Section 25. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 498 474.207, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 499 474.207 Licensure by examination.— 500 (2) The department shall license each applicant who the 501 board certifies has: 502 (b)1. Graduated from a college of veterinary medicine 503 accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association 504 Council on Education; or 505 2. Graduated from a college of veterinary medicine listed 506 in the American Veterinary Medical Association Roster of 507 Veterinary Colleges of the World and obtained a certificate from 508 the Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates or the 509 Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence. 510 511 The department shall not issue a license to any applicant who is 512 under investigation in any state or territory of the United 513 States or in the District of Columbia for an act which would 514 constitute a violation of this chapter until the investigation 515 is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been terminated, 516 at which time the provisions of s. 474.214 shall apply. 517 Section 26. Subsection (1) of section 474.217, Florida 518 Statutes, is amended to read: 519 474.217 Licensure by endorsement.— 520 (1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to 521 any applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting 522 a fee set by the board, demonstrates to the board that she or 523 he: 524 (a) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of the 525 board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of 526 veterinary medicine in this state; and 527 (b)1.EitherHolds, and has held for the 3 years 528 immediately preceding the application for licensure, a valid, 529 active license to practice veterinary medicine in another state 530 of the United States, the District of Columbia, or a territory 531 of the United States, provided that the applicant has 532 successfully completed a state, regional, national, or other 533 examination that is equivalent to or more stringent than the 534 examination required by the boardrequirements for licensure in535the issuing state, district, or territory are equivalent to or536more stringent than the requirements of this chapter; or 537 2. Meets the qualifications of s. 474.207(2)(b) and has 538 successfully completed a state, regional, national, or other 539 examination which is equivalent to or more stringent than the 540 examination given by the department and has passed the board’s 541 clinical competency examination or another clinical competency 542 examination specified by rule of the board. 543 Section 27. Subsection (2) of section 476.114, Florida 544 Statutes, is amended to read: 545 476.114 Examination; prerequisites.— 546 (2) An applicant shall be eligible for licensure by 547 examination to practice barbering if the applicant: 548 (a) Is at least 16 years of age; 549 (b) Pays the required application fee; and 550 (c)1. Holds an active valid license to practice barbering 551 in another state, has held the license for at least 1 year, and 552 does not qualify for licensure by endorsement as provided for in 553 s. 476.144(5); or 554 2. Has received a minimum of 9001,200hours of training in 555 sanitation, safety, and laws and rules, as established by the 556 board, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, the 557 equivalent of completion of services directly related to the 558 practice of barbering at one of the following: 559 a. A school of barbering licensed pursuant to chapter 1005; 560 b. A barbering program within the public school system; or 561 c. A government-operated barbering program in this state. 562 563 The board shall establish by rule procedures whereby the school 564 or program may certify that a person is qualified to take the 565 required examination after the completion of a minimum of 600 5661,000actual school hours. If the person passes the examination, 567 she or he shall have satisfied this requirement; but if the 568 person fails the examination, she or he shall not be qualified 569 to take the examination again until the completion of the full 570 requirements provided by this section. 571 Section 28. Subsection (5) of section 476.144, Florida 572 Statutes, is amended to read: 573 476.144 Licensure.— 574 (5) The board shall certify as qualified for licensure by 575 endorsement as a barber in this state an applicant who holds a 576 current active license to practice barbering in another state. 577 The board shall adopt rules specifying procedures for the 578 licensure by endorsement of practitioners desiring to be 579 licensed in this state who hold a current active license in 580 anotherstate orcountry and who have met qualifications 581 substantially similar to, equivalent to, or greater than the 582 qualifications required of applicants from this state. 583 Section 29. Subsection (9) of section 477.013, Florida 584 Statutes, is amended to read: 585 477.013 Definitions.—As used in this chapter: 586 (9) “Hair braiding” means the weaving or interweaving of 587 natural human hair or commercial hair, including the use of hair 588 extensions or wefts, for compensation without cutting, coloring, 589 permanent waving, relaxing, removing, or chemical treatmentand590does not include the use of hair extensions or wefts. 591 Section 30. Section 477.0132, Florida Statutes, is 592 repealed. 593 Section 31. Subsections (7) through (10) are added to 594 section 477.0135, Florida Statutes, to read: 595 477.0135 Exemptions.— 596 (7) A license or registration is not required for a person 597 whose occupation or practice is confined solely to hair braiding 598 as defined in s. 477.013(9). 599 (8) A license or registration is not required for a person 600 whose occupation or practice is confined solely to hair wrapping 601 as defined in s. 477.013(10). 602 (9) A license or registration is not required for a person 603 whose occupation or practice is confined solely to body wrapping 604 as defined in s. 477.013(12). 605 (10) A license or registration is not required for a person 606 whose occupation or practice is confined solely to applying 607 polish to fingernails and toenails. 608 Section 32. Subsections (6) and (7) of section 477.019, 609 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 610 477.019 Cosmetologists; qualifications; licensure; 611 supervised practice; license renewal; endorsement; continuing 612 education.— 613 (6) The board shall certify as qualified for licensure by 614 endorsement as a cosmetologist in this state an applicant who 615 holds a current active license to practice cosmetology in 616 another state and who has completed a 2-hour course approved by 617 the board on human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune 618 deficiency syndrome.The board may not require proof of619educational hours if the license was issued in a state that620requires 1,200 or more hours of prelicensure education and621passage of a written examination. This subsection does not apply622to applicants who received their license in another state623through an apprenticeship program.624 (7)(a) The board shall prescribe by rule continuing 625 education requirements intended to ensure protection of the 626 public through updated training of licensees and registered 627 specialists, not to exceed 1016hours biennially, as a 628 condition for renewal of a license or registration as a 629 specialist under this chapter. Continuing education courses 630 shall include, but not be limited to, the following subjects as 631 they relate to the practice of cosmetology: human 632 immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome; 633 Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations; 634 workers’ compensation issues; state and federal laws and rules 635 as they pertain to cosmetologists, cosmetology, salons, 636 specialists, specialty salons, and booth renters; chemical 637 makeup as it pertains to hair, skin, and nails; and 638 environmental issues. Courses given at cosmetology conferences 639 may be counted toward the number of continuing education hours 640 required if approved by the board. 641 (b)Any person whose occupation or practice is confined642solely to hair braiding, hair wrapping, or body wrapping is643exempt from the continuing education requirements of this644subsection.645(c)The board may, by rule, require any licensee in 646 violation of a continuing education requirement to take a 647 refresher course or refresher course and examination in addition 648 to any other penalty. The number of hours for the refresher 649 course may not exceed 48 hours. 650 Section 33. Subsection (1) of section 477.0201, Florida 651 Statutes, is amended to read: 652 477.0201 Specialty registration; qualifications; 653 registration renewal; endorsement.— 654 (1) Any person is qualified for registration as a 655 specialist in anyone or more of thespecialty practice 656practiceswithin the practice of cosmetology under this chapter 657 who: 658 (a) Is at least 16 years of age or has received a high 659 school diploma. 660 (b) Has received a certificate of completion for:in a661 1. One hundred and eighty hours of training, as established 662 by the board, which shall focus primarily on sanitation and 663 safety, to practice specialties as defined in s. 477.013(6)(a) 664 and (b);specialty pursuant to s. 477.013(6)665 2. Two hundred and twenty hours of training, as established 666 by the board, which shall focus primarily on sanitation and 667 safety, to practice the specialty as defined in s. 668 477.013(6)(c); or 669 3. Four hundred hours of training or the number of hours of 670 training required to maintain minimum Pell Grant requirements, 671 as established by the board, which shall focus primarily on 672 sanitation and safety, to practice the specialties as defined in 673 s. 477.013(6)(a)-(c). 674 (c) The certificate of completion specified in paragraph 675 (b) must be from one of the following: 676 1. A school licensed pursuant to s. 477.023. 677 2. A school licensed pursuant to chapter 1005 or the 678 equivalent licensing authority of another state. 679 3. A specialty program within the public school system. 680 4. A specialty division within the Cosmetology Division of 681 the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, provided the 682 training programs comply with minimum curriculum requirements 683 established by the board. 684 Section 34. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section 685 477.026, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 686 477.026 Fees; disposition.— 687 (1) The board shall set fees according to the following 688 schedule: 689(f)For hair braiders, hair wrappers, and body wrappers,690fees for registration shall not exceed $25.691 Section 35. Subsection (4) of section 477.0263, Florida 692 Statutes, is amended, and subsection (5) is added to that 693 section, to read: 694 477.0263 Cosmetology services to be performed in licensed 695 salon; exceptions.— 696 (4) Pursuant to rules adopted by the board, any cosmetology 697 or specialty service may be performed in a location other than a 698 licensed salon when the service is performed in connection with 699 a special event and is performed by a personwho is employed by700a licensed salon andwho holds the proper license or specialty 701 registration.An appointment for the performance of any such702service in a location other than a licensed salon must be made703through a licensed salon.704 (5) Hair shampooing, hair cutting, hair arranging, nail 705 polish removal, nail filing, nail buffing, and nail cleansing 706 may be performed in a location other than a licensed salon when 707 the service is performed by a person who holds the proper 708 license. 709 Section 36. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section 710 477.0265, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 711 477.0265 Prohibited acts.— 712 (1) It is unlawful for any person to: 713 (f) Advertise or imply that skin care servicesor body714wrapping, as performed under this chapter, have any relationship 715 to the practice of massage therapy as defined in s. 480.033(3), 716 except those practices or activities defined in s. 477.013. 717 Section 37. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 718 477.029, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 719 477.029 Penalty.— 720 (1) It is unlawful for any person to: 721 (a) Hold himself or herself out as a cosmetologist or,722 specialist, hair wrapper, hair braider, or body wrapperunless 723 duly licensed or registered, or otherwise authorized, as 724 provided in this chapter. 725 Section 38. Section 481.201, Florida Statutes, is amended 726 to read: 727 481.201 Purpose.—The primary legislative purpose for 728 enacting this part is to ensure that every architect practicing 729 in this state meets minimum requirements for safe practice. It 730 is the legislative intent that architects who fall below minimum 731 competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public shall 732 be prohibited from practicing in this state.The Legislature733further finds that it is in the interest of the public to limit734the practice of interior design to interior designers or735architects who have the design education and training required736by this part or to persons who are exempted from the provisions737of this part.738 Section 39. Section 481.203, Florida Statutes, is amended 739 to read: 740 481.203 Definitions.—As used in this part, the term: 741 (3)(1)“Board” means the Board of Architecture and Interior 742 Design. 743 (7)(2)“Department” means the Department of Business and 744 Professional Regulation. 745 (1)(3)“Architect” or “registered architect” means a 746 natural person who is licensed under this part to engage in the 747 practice of architecture. 748 (5)(4)“Certificate of registration” means a license or 749 registration issued by the department to a natural person to 750 engage in the practice of architecture or interior design. 751 (4)(5)“Business organization” means a partnership, a 752 limited liability company, a corporation, or an individual 753 operating under a fictitious name“Certificate of authorization”754means a certificate issued by the department to a corporation or755partnership to practice architecture or interior design. 756 (2)(6)“Architecture” means the rendering or offering to 757 render services in connection with the design and construction 758 of a structure or group of structures which have as their 759 principal purpose human habitation or use, and the utilization 760 of space within and surrounding such structures. These services 761 include planning, providing preliminary study designs, drawings 762 and specifications, job-site inspection, and administration of 763 construction contracts. 764 (16)(7)“Townhouse” is a single-family dwelling unit not 765 exceeding three stories in height which is constructed in a 766 series or group of attached units with property lines separating 767 such units. Each townhouse shall be considered a separate 768 building and shall be separated from adjoining townhouses by the 769 use of separate exterior walls meeting the requirements for zero 770 clearance from property lines as required by the type of 771 construction and fire protection requirements; or shall be 772 separated by a party wall; or may be separated by a single wall 773 meeting the following requirements: 774 (a) Such wall shall provide not less than 2 hours of fire 775 resistance. Plumbing, piping, ducts, or electrical or other 776 building services shall not be installed within or through the 777 2-hour wall unless such materials and methods of penetration 778 have been tested in accordance with the Standard Building Code. 779 (b) Such wall shall extend from the foundation to the 780 underside of the roof sheathing, and the underside of the roof 781 shall have at least 1 hour of fire resistance for a width not 782 less than 4 feet on each side of the wall. 783 (c) Each dwelling unit sharing such wall shall be designed 784 and constructed to maintain its structural integrity independent 785 of the unit on the opposite side of the wall. 786 (10)(8)“Interior design” means designs, consultations, 787 studies, drawings, specifications, and administration of design 788 construction contracts relating to nonstructural interior 789 elements of a building or structure. “Interior design” includes, 790 but is not limited to, reflected ceiling plans, space planning, 791 furnishings, and the fabrication of nonstructural elements 792 within and surrounding interior spaces of buildings. “Interior 793 design” specifically excludes the design of or the 794 responsibility for architectural and engineering work, except 795 for specification of fixtures and their location within interior 796 spaces. As used in this subsection, “architectural and 797 engineering interior construction relating to the building 798 systems” includes, but is not limited to, construction of 799 structural, mechanical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, 800 ventilating, electrical, or vertical transportation systems, or 801 construction which materially affects lifesafety systems 802 pertaining to firesafety protection such as fire-rated 803 separations between interior spaces, fire-rated vertical shafts 804 in multistory structures, fire-rated protection of structural 805 elements, smoke evacuation and compartmentalization, emergency 806 ingress or egress systems, and emergency alarm systems. 807 (11)(9)“Registered interior designer”or “interior808designer”means a natural person who holds a valid certificate 809 of registration to practice interior designis licensed under810this part. 811 (12)(10)“Nonstructural element” means an element which 812 does not require structural bracing and which is something other 813 than a load-bearing wall, load-bearing column, or other load 814 bearing element of a building or structure which is essential to 815 the structural integrity of the building. 816 (13)(11)“Reflected ceiling plan” means a ceiling design 817 plan which is laid out as if it were projected downward and 818 which may include lighting and other elements. 819 (15)(12)“Space planning” means the analysis, programming, 820 or design of spatial requirements, including preliminary space 821 layouts and final planning. 822 (6)(13)“Common area” means an area that is held out for 823 use by all tenants or owners in a multiple-unit dwelling, 824 including, but not limited to, a lobby, elevator, hallway, 825 laundry room, clubhouse, or swimming pool. 826 (8)(14)“Diversified interior design experience” means 827 experience which substantially encompasses the various elements 828 of interior design services set forth under the definition of 829 “interior design” in subsection (10)(8). 830 (9)(15)“Interior decorator services” includes the 831 selection or assistance in selection of surface materials, 832 window treatments, wallcoverings, paint, floor coverings, 833 surface-mounted lighting, surface-mounted fixtures, and loose 834 furnishings not subject to regulation under applicable building 835 codes. 836 (14)(16)“Responsible supervising control” means the 837 exercise of direct personal supervision and control throughout 838 the preparation of documents, instruments of service, or any 839 other work requiring the seal and signature of a licensee under 840 this part. 841 Section 40. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 842 481.205, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 843 481.205 Board of Architecture and Interior Design.— 844 (3)(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of ss. 455.225, 845 455.228, and 455.32, the duties and authority of the department 846 to receive complaints and investigate and discipline persons 847 licensed or registered under this part, including the ability to 848 determine legal sufficiency and probable cause; to initiate 849 proceedings and issue final orders for summary suspension or 850 restriction of a license or certificate of registration pursuant 851 to s. 120.60(6); to issue notices of noncompliance, notices to 852 cease and desist, subpoenas, and citations; to retain legal 853 counsel, investigators, or prosecutorial staff in connection 854 with the licensed practice of architecture or registeredand855 interior design; and to investigate and deter the unlicensed 856 practice of architectureand interior designas provided in s. 857 455.228 are delegated to the board. All complaints and any 858 information obtained pursuant to an investigation authorized by 859 the board are confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) as 860 provided in s. 455.225(2) and (10). 861 Section 41. Section 481.207, Florida Statutes, is amended 862 to read: 863 481.207 Fees.— 864 (1) The board, by rule, may establishseparatefees for 865 architectsand interior designers, to be paid for applications, 866 examination, reexamination, licensing and renewal, delinquency, 867 reinstatement, and recordmaking and recordkeeping. The 868 examination fee shall be in an amount that covers the cost of 869 obtaining and administering the examination and shall be 870 refunded if the applicant is found ineligible to sit for the 871 examination. The application fee is nonrefundable. The fee for 872 initial application and examination for architectsand interior873designersmay not exceed $775 plus the actual per applicant cost 874 to the department for purchase of the examination from the 875 National Council of Architectural Registration Boardsor the876National Council of Interior Design Qualifications,877respectively,or similar national organizations. The biennial 878 renewal fee for architects may not exceed $200.The biennial879renewal fee for interior designers may not exceed $500.The 880 delinquency fee may not exceed the biennial renewal fee 881 established by the board for an active license. The board shall 882 establish fees that are adequate to ensure the continued 883 operation of the board and to fund the proportionate expenses 884 incurred by the department which are allocated to the regulation 885 of architects and registered interior designers. Fees shall be 886 based on department estimates of the revenue required to 887 implement this part and the provisions of law with respect to 888 the regulation of architects and interior designers. 889 (2) The board may establish a fee for certificates of 890 registration for interior designers. Such fee, if established, 891 is not refundable and may not exceed $75. A certificate of 892 registration is valid for 2 years and a registered interior 893 designer may renew the registration. The biennial renewal fee 894 may not exceed $75. 895 Section 42. Section 481.209, Florida Statutes, is amended 896 to read: 897 481.209 Examinations.— 898 (1) A person desiring to be licensed as a registered 899 architect by initial examination shall apply to the department, 900 complete the application form, and remit a nonrefundable 901 application fee. The department shall license any applicant who 902 the board certifies:903(a)has passed the licensure examination prescribed by 904 board rule;and 905(b)is a graduate of a school or college of architecture 906 with a program accredited by the National Architectural 907 Accreditation Board. 908 (2) A person seeking to obtain a certificate of 909 registration as a registered interior designer and a seal 910 pursuant to s. 481.221 must provide the department with his or 911 her name and address and written proof that he or she has 912 successfully passed the qualification examination prescribed by 913 the Council for Interior Design Qualification or its successor 914 entity or the California Council for Interior Design 915 Certification or its successor entity, or has successfully 916 passed an equivalent exam as determined by the departmentA917person desiring to be licensed as a registered interior designer918shall apply to the department for licensure. The department919shall administer the licensure examination for interior920designers to each applicant who has completed the application921form and remitted the application and examination fees specified922in s. 481.207 and who the board certifies:923(a)Is a graduate from an interior design program of 5924years or more and has completed 1 year of diversified interior925design experience;926(b)Is a graduate from an interior design program of 4927years or more and has completed 2 years of diversified interior928design experience;929(c)Has completed at least 3 years in an interior design930curriculum and has completed 3 years of diversified interior931design experience; or932(d)Is a graduate from an interior design program of at933least 2 years and has completed 4 years of diversified interior934design experience.935 936Subsequent to October 1, 2000, for the purpose of having the937educational qualification required under this subsection938accepted by the board, the applicant must complete his or her939education at a program, school, or college of interior design940whose curriculum has been approved by the board as of the time941of completion. Subsequent to October 1, 2003, all of the942required amount of educational credits shall have been obtained943in a program, school, or college of interior design whose944curriculum has been approved by the board, as of the time each945educational credit is gained. The board shall adopt rules946providing for the review and approval of programs, schools, and947colleges of interior design and courses of interior design study948based on a review and inspection by the board of the curriculum949of programs, schools, and colleges of interior design in the950United States, including those programs, schools, and colleges951accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education952Research. The board shall adopt rules providing for the review953and approval of diversified interior design experience required954by this subsection. 955 Section 43. Section 481.213, Florida Statutes, is amended 956 to read: 957 481.213 Licensure and registration.— 958 (1) The department shall license or register any applicant 959 who the board certifies is qualified for licensure or 960 registration and who has paid the initial licensure or 961 registration fee. Licensure as an architect under this section 962 shall be deemed to include all the rights and privileges of 963 registrationlicensureas an interior designer under this 964 section. 965 (2) The board shall certify for licensure or registration 966 by examination any applicant who passes the prescribed licensure 967 or registration examination and satisfies the requirements of 968 ss. 481.209 and 481.211, for architects, or the requirements of 969 s. 481.209, for interior designers. 970 (3) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by 971 endorsement as an architect or registration as a registeredan972 interior designer an applicant who: 973 (a) Qualifies to take the prescribed licensure or 974 registration examination, and has passed the prescribed 975 licensure registration examination or a substantially equivalent 976 examination in another jurisdiction, as set forth in s. 481.209 977 for architects or registered interior designers, as applicable, 978 and has satisfied the internship requirements set forth in s. 979 481.211 for architects; 980 (b) Holds a valid license to practice architecture or a 981 license, registration, or certification to practice interior 982 design issued by another jurisdiction of the United States, if 983 the criteria for issuance of such license were substantially 984 equivalent to the licensure criteria that existed in this state 985 at the time the license was issued;provided, however, that an986applicant who has been licensed for use of the title “interior987design” rather than licensed to practice interior design shall988not qualify hereunder;or 989 (c) Has passed the prescribed licensure examination and 990 holds a valid certificate issued by the National Council of 991 Architectural Registration Boards, and holds a valid license to 992 practice architecture issued by another state or jurisdiction of 993 the United States. 994 995 An architect who is licensed in another state who seeks 996 qualification for license by endorsement under this subsection 997 must complete a class approved by the board on the Florida 998 Building Code. 999 (4) The board may refuse to certify any applicant who has 1000 violated any of the provisions of s. 481.223, s. 481.225, or s. 1001 481.2251, as applicable. 1002 (5) The board may refuse to certify any applicant who is 1003 under investigation in any jurisdiction for any act which would 1004 constitute a violation of this part or of chapter 455 until such 1005 time as the investigation is complete and disciplinary 1006 proceedings have been terminated. 1007 (6) The board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions 1008 of this part relating to the examination, internship, and 1009 licensure of applicants. 1010 (7) For persons whose licensure requires satisfaction of 1011 the requirements of ss. 481.209 and 481.211, the board shall, by 1012 rule, establish qualifications for certification of such persons 1013 as special inspectors of threshold buildings, as defined in ss. 1014 553.71 and 553.79, and shall compile a list of persons who are 1015 certified. A special inspector is not required to meet standards 1016 for certification other than those established by the board, and 1017 the fee owner of a threshold building may not be prohibited from 1018 selecting any person certified by the board to be a special 1019 inspector. The board shall develop minimum qualifications for 1020 the qualified representative of the special inspector who is 1021 authorized under s. 553.79 to perform inspections of threshold 1022 buildings on behalf of the special inspector. 1023 (8) A certificate of registration is not required for a 1024 person whose occupation or practice is confined to interior 1025 decorator services or for a person whose occupation or practice 1026 is confined to interior design except as required in this part. 1027 Section 44. Subsection (1) of section 481.2131, Florida 1028 Statutes, is amended to read: 1029 481.2131 Interior design; practice requirements; disclosure 1030 of compensation for professional services.— 1031 (1) A registered interior designer is authorized to perform 1032 “interior design” as defined in s. 481.203. Interior design 1033 documents prepared by a registered interior designer shall 1034 contain a statement that the document is not an architectural or 1035 engineering study, drawing, specification, or design and is not 1036 to be used for construction of any load-bearing columns, load 1037 bearing framing or walls of structures, or issuance of any 1038 building permit, except as otherwise provided by law. Interior 1039 design documents that are prepared and sealed by a registered 1040 interior designer mustmay, if required by a permitting body, be 1041 accepted by the permitting bodybe submittedfor the issuance of 1042 a building permit for interior construction excluding design of 1043 any structural, mechanical, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, 1044 ventilating, electrical, or vertical transportation systems or 1045 that materially affect lifesafety systems pertaining to 1046 firesafety protection such as fire-rated separations between 1047 interior spaces, fire-rated vertical shafts in multistory 1048 structures, fire-rated protection of structural elements, smoke 1049 evacuation and compartmentalization, emergency ingress or egress 1050 systems, and emergency alarm systems. Interior design documents 1051 submitted for the issuance of a building permit by an individual 1052 performing interior design services who is not a licensed 1053 architect must include a seal issued by the department and in 1054 conformance with the requirements of s. 481.221. 1055 Section 45. Section 481.215, Florida Statutes, is amended 1056 to read: 1057 481.215 Renewal of license or certificate of registration.— 1058 (1) Subject to the requirement of subsection (3), the 1059 department shall renew a license or certificate of registration 1060 upon receipt of the renewal application and renewal fee. 1061 (2) The department shall adopt rules establishing a 1062 procedure for the biennial renewal of licenses and certificate 1063 of registrations. 1064 (3) ANolicense or certificate of registration renewal may 1065 notshallbe issued to an architect or a registeredaninterior 1066 designer by the department until the licensee or registrant 1067 submits proof satisfactory to the department that, during the 2 1068 years beforeprior toapplication for renewal, the licensee or 1069 registrant participated per biennium in not less than 20 hours 1070 of at least 50 minutes each per biennium of continuing education 1071 approved by the board. The board shall approve only continuing 1072 education that builds upon the basic knowledge of architecture 1073 or interior design. The board may make exception from the 1074 requirements of continuing education in emergency or hardship 1075 cases. 1076 (4) The board shall by rule establish criteria for the 1077 approval of continuing education courses and providers and shall 1078 by rule establish criteria for accepting alternative 1079 nonclassroom continuing education on an hour-for-hour basis. 1080(5)Theboard shall require, by rule adopted pursuant to1081ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, a specified number of hours in1082specialized or advanced courses, approved by the Florida1083Building Commission, on any portion of the Florida Building1084Code, adopted pursuant to part IV of chapter 553, relating to1085the licensee’s respective area of practice.1086 Section 46. Section 481.217, Florida Statutes, is amended 1087 to read: 1088 481.217 Inactive status.— 1089 (1) The board may prescribe by rule continuing education 1090 requirements as a condition of reactivating a license. The rules 1091 may not require more than one renewal cycle of continuing 1092 education to reactivate a license or registration for a 1093 registered architect or registered interior designer.For1094interior design, the board may approve only continuing education1095that builds upon the basic knowledge of interior design.1096 (2) The board shall adopt rules relating to application 1097 procedures for inactive status and for the reactivation of 1098 inactive licenses and registrations. 1099 Section 47. Section 481.219, Florida Statutes, is amended 1100 to read: 1101 481.219 Qualification of business organizations 1102certification of partnerships, limited liability companies, and1103corporations.— 1104 (1) A licensee mayThe practice of or the offer topractice 1105 architectureor interior designby licenseesthrough a qualified 1106 business organization that offerscorporation, limited liability1107company, or partnership offeringarchitecturalor interior1108designservices to the public, or by a corporation, limited1109liability company, or partnership offering architectural or1110interior design services to the public through licensees under1111this part as agents, employees, officers, or partners, is1112permitted, subject to the provisions of this section. 1113 (2) If a licensee or an applicant proposes to engage in the 1114 practice of architecture as a business organization, the 1115 licensee or applicant shall qualify the business organization 1116 upon approval of the boardFor the purposes of this section, a1117certificate of authorization shall be required for a1118corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or person1119practicing under a fictitious name, offering architectural1120services to the public jointly or separately. However, when an1121individual is practicing architecture in her or his own name,1122she or he shall not be required to be certified under this1123section. Certification under this subsection to offer1124architectural services shall include all the rights and1125privileges of certification under subsection (3) to offer1126interior design services. 1127 (3)(a) A business organization may not engage in the 1128 practice of architecture unless its qualifying agent is a 1129 registered architect under this part. A qualifying agent who 1130 terminates an affiliation with a qualified business organization 1131 shall immediately notify the department of such termination. If 1132 such qualifying agent is the only qualifying agent for that 1133 business organization, the business organization must be 1134 qualified by another qualifying agent within 60 days after the 1135 termination. Except as provided in paragraph (b), the business 1136 organization may not engage in the practice of architecture 1137 until it is qualified by another qualifying agent. 1138 (b) In the event a qualifying agent ceases employment with 1139 a qualified business organization, the executive director or the 1140 chair of the board may authorize another registered architect 1141 employed by the business organization to temporarily serve as 1142 its qualifying agent for a period of no more than 60 days. The 1143 business organization is not authorized to operate beyond such 1144 period under this chapter absent replacement of the qualifying 1145 agent who has ceased employment. 1146 (c) A qualifying agent shall notify the department in 1147 writing before engaging in the practice of architecture in her 1148 or his own name or in affiliation with a different business 1149 organization, and she or he or such business organization shall 1150 supply the same information to the department as required of 1151 applicants under this part. 1152(3)For the purposes of this section, a certificate of1153authorization shall be required for a corporation, limited1154liability company, partnership, or person operating under a1155fictitious name, offering interior design services to the public1156jointly or separately. However, when an individual is practicing1157interior design in her or his own name, she or he shall not be1158required to be certified under this section.1159 (4) All final construction documents and instruments of 1160 service which include drawings, specifications, plans, reports, 1161 or other papers or documents that involveinvolvingthe practice 1162 of architecture which are prepared or approved for the use of 1163 the business organizationcorporation, limited liability1164company, or partnershipand filed for public record within the 1165 state mustshallbear the signature and seal of the licensee who 1166 prepared or approved them and the date on which they were 1167 sealed. 1168 (5)All drawings, specifications, plans, reports, or other1169papers or documents prepared or approved for the use of the1170corporation, limited liability company, or partnership by an1171interior designer in her or his professional capacity and filed1172for public record within the state shall bear the signature and1173seal of the licensee who prepared or approved them and the date1174on which they were sealed.1175(6)The department shall issue a certificate of1176authorization to any applicant who the board certifies as1177qualified for a certificate of authorization and who has paid1178the fee set in s. 481.207.1179(7)The board shall allow a licensee orcertifyan 1180 applicant to qualify one or more business organizationsas1181qualified for a certificate of authorizationto offer 1182 architecturalor interior designservices, or to use a 1183 fictitious name to offer such services, ifprovided that:1184(a)one or more of the principal officers of the 1185 corporation or limited liability company, or one or more 1186 partners of the partnership, and all personnel of the 1187 corporation, limited liability company, or partnership who act 1188 in its behalf in this state as architects, are registered as 1189 provided by this part; or1190(b)One or more of the principal officers of the1191corporation or one or more partners of the partnership, and all1192personnel of the corporation, limited liability company, or1193partnership who act in its behalf in this state as interior1194designers, are registered as provided by this part. 1195(8)The department shall adopt rules establishing a1196procedure for the biennial renewal of certificates of1197authorization.1198(9)The department shall renew a certificate of1199authorization upon receipt of the renewal application and1200biennial renewal fee.1201 (6)(10)Each qualifying agent who qualifies a business 1202 organization, partnership, limited liability company, orand1203 corporation certified under this section shall notify the 1204 department within 30 days afterofany change in the information 1205 contained in the application upon which the qualification 1206certificationis based. Any registered architect or interior 1207 designer who qualifies the business organization shall ensure 1208corporation, limited liability company, or partnership as1209provided in subsection (7) shall be responsible for ensuring1210 responsible supervising control of projects of the business 1211 organizationentityand shall notify the department of theupon1212 termination of her or his employment with a business 1213 organization qualifiedpartnership, limited liability company,1214or corporation certifiedunder this sectionshall notify the1215department of the terminationwithin 30 days after such 1216 termination. 1217 (7)(11)A business organization is notNo corporation,1218limited liability company, or partnership shall berelieved of 1219 responsibility for the conduct or acts of its agents, employees, 1220 or officers by reason of its compliance with this section. 1221 However, except as provided in s. 558.0035, the architect who 1222 signs and seals the construction documents and instruments of 1223 service isshall beliable for the professional services 1224 performed, and the interior designer who signs and seals the 1225 interior design drawings, plans, or specifications shall be 1226 liable for the professional services performed. 1227(12)Disciplinary action against a corporation, limited1228liability company, or partnership shall be administered in the1229same manner and on the same grounds as disciplinary action1230against a registered architect or interior designer,1231respectively.1232 (8)(13)Nothing inThis section may notshallbe construed 1233 to mean that a certificate of registration to practice 1234 architecture mustor interior design shallbe held by a business 1235 organizationcorporation, limited liability company, or1236partnership.Nothing inThis section does not prohibit a 1237 business organization from offeringprohibits corporations,1238limited liability companies, and partnerships from joining1239together to offerarchitectural, engineering,interior design,1240 surveying and mapping, and landscape architectural services, or 1241 any combination of such services, to the public if the business 1242 organization, provided that each corporation, limited liability1243company, or partnershipotherwise meets the requirements of law. 1244(14)Corporations, limited liability companies, or1245partnerships holding a valid certificate of authorization to1246practice architecture shall be permitted to use in their title1247the term “interior designer” or “registered interior designer.”1248 Section 48. Subsections (1), (3), (5), (7), (10), (11), and 1249 (12) of section 481.221, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1250 481.221 Seals; display of certificate number.— 1251 (1) The departmentboardshall prescribe, by rule, one or 1252 more forms of seals to be used by registered architects holding 1253 valid certificates of registration. 1254 (3) The departmentboardshall adopt a rule prescribing the 1255 distinctly different seals to be used by registered interior 1256 designers holding valid certificates of registration. Each 1257 registered interior designer shall obtain a seal as prescribed 1258 by the departmentboard, and all drawings, plans, 1259 specifications, or reports prepared or issued by the registered 1260 interior designer and being filed for public record shall bear 1261 the signature and seal of the registered interior designer who 1262 prepared or approved the document and the date on which they 1263 were sealed. The signature, date, and seal shall be evidence of 1264 the authenticity of that to which they are affixed. Final plans, 1265 specifications, or reports prepared or issued by a registered 1266 interior designer may be transmitted electronically and may be 1267 signed by the registered interior designer, dated, and sealed 1268 electronically with the seal in accordance with ss. 668.001 1269 668.006. 1270 (5) No registered interior designer shall affix, or permit 1271 to be affixed, her or his seal or signature to any plan, 1272 specification, drawing, or other document which depicts work 1273 which she or he is not competent or registeredlicensedto 1274 perform. 1275 (7) No registered interior designer shall affix her or his 1276 signature or seal to any plans, specifications, or other 1277 documents which were not prepared by her or him or under her or 1278 his responsible supervising control or by another registered 1279 interior designer and reviewed, approved, or modified and 1280 adopted by her or him as her or his own work according to rules 1281 adopted by the departmentboard. 1282 (10) Each registered architect mustor interior designer,1283and each corporation, limited liability company, or partnership1284holding a certificate of authorization, shallinclude her or his 1285 licenseits certificatenumber in any newspaper, telephone 1286 directory, or other advertising medium used by the registered 1287 licensee. Each business organization must include the license 1288 number of the registered architect who serves as the qualifying 1289 agent for that business organization in any newspaper, telephone 1290 directory, or other advertising medium used by the business 1291 organizationarchitect, interior designer, corporation, limited1292liability company, or partnership. A corporation, limited1293liability company, or partnership is not required to display the1294certificate number of individual registered architects or1295interior designers employed by or working within the1296corporation, limited liability company, or partnership. 1297 (11) When the certificate of registration of a registered 1298 architector interior designerhas been revoked or suspended by 1299 the board, the registered architector interior designershall 1300 surrender her or his seal to the secretary of the board within a 1301 period of 30 days after the revocation or suspension has become 1302 effective. If the certificate of the registered architector1303interior designerhas been suspended for a period of time, her 1304 or his seal shall be returned to her or him upon expiration of 1305 the suspension period. 1306 (12) A person may not sign and seal by any means any final 1307 plan, specification, or report after her or his certificate of 1308 registration has expired or is suspended or revoked. A 1309 registered architector interior designerwhose certificate of 1310 registration is suspended or revoked shall, within 30 days after 1311 the effective date of the suspension or revocation, surrender 1312 her or his seal to the executive director of the board and 1313 confirm in writing to the executive director the cancellation of 1314 the registered architect’sor interior designer’selectronic 1315 signature in accordance with ss. 668.001-668.006. When a 1316 registered architect’sor interior designer’scertificate of 1317 registration is suspended for a period of time, her or his seal 1318 shall be returned upon expiration of the period of suspension. 1319 Section 49. Section 481.223, Florida Statutes, is amended 1320 to read: 1321 481.223 Prohibitions; penalties; injunctive relief.— 1322 (1) A person may not knowingly: 1323 (a) Practice architecture unless the person is an architect 1324 or a registered architect; however, a licensed architect who has 1325 been licensed by the board and who chooses to relinquish or not 1326 to renew his or her license may use the title “Architect, 1327 Retired” but may not otherwise render any architectural 1328 services. 1329(b)Practice interior design unless the person is a1330registered interior designer unless otherwise exempted herein;1331however, an interior designer who has been licensed by the board1332and who chooses to relinquish or not to renew his or her license1333may use the title “Interior Designer, Retired” but may not1334otherwise render any interior design services.1335 (b)(c)Use the name or title “architect,”or“registered 1336 architect,” or“interior designer” or“registered interior 1337 designer,”or words to that effect,when the person is not then 1338 the holder of a valid license or certificate of registration 1339 issued pursuant to this part. This paragraph does not restrict 1340 the use of the name or title “interior designer” or “interior 1341 design firm.” 1342 (c)(d)Present as his or her own the license of another. 1343 (d)(e)Give false or forged evidence to the board or a 1344 member thereof. 1345 (e)(f)Use or attempt to use an architector interior1346designerlicense or interior design certificate of registration 1347 that has been suspended, revoked, or placed on inactive or 1348 delinquent status. 1349 (f)(g)Employ unlicensed persons to practice architecture 1350or interior design. 1351 (g)(h)Conceal information relative to violations of this 1352 part. 1353 (2) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (1) 1354 commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as 1355 provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. 1356 (3)(a) Notwithstanding chapter 455 or any other law to the 1357 contrary, an affected person may maintain an action for 1358 injunctive relief to restrain or prevent a person from violating 1359 paragraph (1)(a) or,paragraph (1)(b), or paragraph (1)(c). The 1360 prevailing party is entitled to actual costs and attorney’s 1361 fees. 1362 (b) For purposes of this subsection, the term “affected 1363 person” means a person directly affected by the actions of a 1364 person suspected of violating paragraph (1)(a) or,paragraph 1365 (1)(b), or paragraph (1)(c)and includes, but is not limited to, 1366 the department, any person who received services from the 1367 alleged violator, or any private association composed primarily 1368 of members of the profession the alleged violator is practicing 1369 or offering to practice or holding himself or herself out as 1370 qualified to practice. 1371 Section 50. Section 481.2251, Florida Statutes, is amended 1372 to read: 1373 481.2251 Disciplinary proceedings against registered 1374 interior designers.— 1375 (1) The following acts constitute grounds for which the 1376 disciplinary actions specified in subsection (2) may be taken: 1377 (a) Attempting to registerobtain, obtaining,or renewing 1378 registration,by bribery, by fraudulent misrepresentation, or 1379 through an error of the board, a license to practice interior1380design; 1381 (b) Having an interior design license, certification, or 1382 registrationa license to practice interior designrevoked, 1383 suspended, or otherwise acted against, including the denial of 1384 licensure, registration, or certification by the licensing 1385 authority of another jurisdiction for any act which would 1386 constitute a violation of this part or of chapter 455; 1387 (c) Being convicted or found guilty, regardless of1388adjudication,of a crime in any jurisdiction which directly 1389 relates to the provision of interior design services or to the 1390 ability to provide interior design services. A plea of nolo1391contendere shall create a rebuttable presumption of guilt to the1392underlying criminal charges. However, the board shall allow the1393person being disciplined to present any evidence relevant to the1394underlying charges and the circumstances surrounding her or his1395plea; 1396 (d) False, deceptive, or misleading advertising; 1397 (e)Failing to report to the board any person who the1398licensee knows is in violation of this part or the rules of the1399board;1400(f) Aiding, assisting, procuring, or advising any1401unlicensed person to use the title “interior designer” contrary1402to this part or to a rule of the board;1403(g) Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation1404placed upon a registered interior designer;1405(h)Making or filing a report which the registrantlicensee1406 knows to be false, intentionally or negligently failing to file 1407 a report or record required by state or federal law, or 1408 willfully impeding or obstructing such filing or inducing 1409 another person to do so. Such reports or records shall include 1410 only those which are signed in the capacity as a registered 1411 interior designer; 1412 (f)(i)Making deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent 1413 representations in the provision of interior design services; 1414 (g)(j)Accepting and performing professional 1415 responsibilities which the registrantlicenseeknows or has 1416 reason to know that she or he is not competentor licensedto 1417 perform; 1418(k) Violating any provision of this part, any rule of the1419board, or a lawful order of the board previously entered in a1420disciplinary hearing;1421(l) Conspiring with another licensee or with any other1422person to commit an act, or committing an act, which would tend1423to coerce, intimidate, or preclude another licensee from1424lawfully advertising her or his services;1425(m) Acceptance of compensation or any consideration by an1426interior designer from someone other than the client without1427full disclosure of the compensation or consideration amount or1428value to the client prior to the engagement for services, in1429violation of s. 481.2131(2);1430 (h)(n)Rendering or offering to render architectural 1431 services; or 1432 (i)(o)Committing an act of fraud or deceit, or of 1433 negligence, incompetency, or misconduct, in the practice of 1434 interior design, including, but not limited to, allowing the1435preparation of any interior design studies, plans, or other1436instruments of service in an office that does not have a full1437time Florida-registered interior designer assigned to such1438office or failing to exercise responsible supervisory control1439over services or projects, as required by board rule. 1440 (2) When the board finds any person guilty of any of the 1441 grounds set forth in subsection (1), it may enter an order 1442 taking the following action or imposing one or more of the 1443 following penalties: 1444 (a) Refusal to register the applicantapprove an1445application for licensure; 1446 (b) Refusal to renew an existing registrationlicense; 1447 (c) Removal from the state registryRevocation or1448suspension of a license; or 1449 (d) Imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed $500 1450$1,000for each violation or separate offense and a fine of up 1451 to $2,500$5,000for matters pertaining to a material violation 1452 of the Florida Building Code as reported by a local 1453 jurisdiction; or1454(e) Issuance of a reprimand. 1455 Section 51. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5), and 1456 subsections (6), and (8) of section 481.229, Florida Statutes, 1457 are amended to read: 1458 481.229 Exceptions; exemptions from licensure.— 1459 (5) 1460 (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, all 1461 persons licensed as architects under this part shall be 1462 qualified for interior design registrationlicensureupon 1463 submission of a completed application for such license and a fee 1464 not to exceed $30. Such persons shall be exempt from the 1465 requirements of s. 481.209(2). For architects licensed as 1466 interior designers, satisfaction of the requirements for renewal 1467 of licensure as an architect under s. 481.215 shall be deemed to 1468 satisfy the requirements for renewal of registrationlicensure1469 as an interior designer under that section. Complaint 1470 processing, investigation, or other discipline-related legal 1471 costs related to persons licensed as interior designers under 1472 this paragraph shall be assessed against the architects’ account 1473 of the Regulatory Trust Fund. 1474 (6) This part shall not apply to:1475(a)A person who performs interior design services or1476interior decorator services for any residential application,1477provided that such person does not advertise as, or represent1478himself or herself as, an interior designer. For purposes of1479this paragraph, “residential applications” includes all types of1480residences, including, but not limited to, residence buildings,1481single-family homes, multifamily homes, townhouses, apartments,1482condominiums, and domestic outbuildings appurtenant to one1483family or two-family residences. However, “residential1484applications” does not include common areas associated with1485instances of multiple-unit dwelling applications.1486(b)an employee of a retail establishment providing 1487 “interior decorator services” on the premises of the retail 1488 establishment or in the furtherance of a retail sale or 1489 prospective retail sale, provided that such employee does not 1490 advertise as, or represent himself or herself as, an interior 1491 designer. 1492 (8) A manufacturer of commercial food service equipment or 1493 the manufacturer’s representative, distributor, or dealer or an 1494 employee thereof, who prepares designs, specifications, or 1495 layouts for the sale or installation of such equipment is exempt 1496 from licensure as an architector interior designer, if: 1497 (a) The designs, specifications, or layouts are not used 1498 for construction or installation that may affect structural, 1499 mechanical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, ventilating, 1500 electrical, or vertical transportation systems. 1501 (b) The designs, specifications, or layouts do not 1502 materially affect lifesafety systems pertaining to firesafety 1503 protection, smoke evacuation and compartmentalization, and 1504 emergency ingress or egress systems. 1505 (c) Each design, specification, or layout document prepared 1506 by a person or entity exempt under this subsection contains a 1507 statement on each page of the document that the designs, 1508 specifications, or layouts are not architectural, interior1509design,or engineering designs, specifications, or layouts and 1510 not used for construction unless reviewed and approved by a 1511 licensed architect or engineer. 1512 Section 52. Subsection (1) of section 481.231, Florida 1513 Statutes, is amended to read: 1514 481.231 Effect of part locally.— 1515 (1)Nothing inThis part does notshall be construed to1516 repeal, amend, limit, or otherwise affect any specific provision 1517 of any local building code or zoning law or ordinance that has 1518 been duly adopted, now or hereafter enacted, which is more 1519 restrictive, with respect to the services of registered 1520 architects or registered interior designers, thanthe provisions1521ofthis part; provided, however, that a licensed architect shall 1522 be deemed registeredlicensedas an interior designer for 1523 purposes of offering or rendering interior design services to a 1524 county, municipality, or other local government or political 1525 subdivision. 1526 Section 53. Section 481.303, Florida Statutes, is amended 1527 to read: 1528 481.303 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term: 1529 (1) “Board” means the Board of Landscape Architecture. 1530 (3)(2)“Department” means the Department of Business and 1531 Professional Regulation. 1532 (6)(3)“Registered landscape architect” means a person who 1533 holds a license to practice landscape architecture in this state 1534 under the authority of this act. 1535 (2)(4)“Certificate of registration” means a license issued 1536 by the department to a natural person to engage in the practice 1537 of landscape architecture. 1538(5)“Certificate of authorization” means a license issued1539by the department to a corporation or partnership to engage in1540the practice of landscape architecture.1541 (4)(6)“Landscape architecture” means professional 1542 services, including, but not limited to, the following: 1543 (a) Consultation, investigation, research, planning, 1544 design, preparation of drawings, specifications, contract 1545 documents and reports, responsible construction supervision, or 1546 landscape management in connection with the planning and 1547 development of land and incidental water areas, including the 1548 use of Florida-friendly landscaping as defined in s. 373.185, 1549 where, and to the extent that, the dominant purpose of such 1550 services or creative works is the preservation, conservation, 1551 enhancement, or determination of proper land uses, natural land 1552 features, ground cover and plantings, or naturalistic and 1553 aesthetic values; 1554 (b) The determination of settings, grounds, and approaches 1555 for and the siting of buildings and structures, outdoor areas, 1556 or other improvements; 1557 (c) The setting of grades, shaping and contouring of land 1558 and water forms, determination of drainage, and provision for 1559 storm drainage and irrigation systems where such systems are 1560 necessary to the purposes outlined herein; and 1561 (d) The design of such tangible objects and features as are 1562 necessary to the purpose outlined herein. 1563 (5)(7)“Landscape design” means consultation for and 1564 preparation of planting plans drawn for compensation, including 1565 specifications and installation details for plant materials, 1566 soil amendments, mulches, edging, gravel, and other similar 1567 materials. Such plans may include only recommendations for the 1568 conceptual placement of tangible objects for landscape design 1569 projects. Construction documents, details, and specifications 1570 for tangible objects and irrigation systems shall be designed or 1571 approved by licensed professionals as required by law. 1572 Section 54. Section 481.310, Florida Statutes, is amended 1573 to read: 1574 481.310 Practical experience requirement.—Beginning October 1575 1, 1990, every applicant for licensure as a registered landscape 1576 architect shall demonstrate, prior to licensure, 1 year of 1577 practical experience in landscape architectural work. An 1578 applicant who holds a master of landscape architecture degree 1579 and a bachelor’s degree in a related field is not required to 1580 demonstrate 1 year of practical experience in landscape 1581 architectural work to obtain licensure. The board shall adopt 1582 rules providing standards for the required experience. An 1583 applicant who qualifies for examination pursuant to s. 1584 481.309(1)(b)1. may obtain the practical experience after 1585 completing the required professional degree. Experience used to 1586 qualify for examination pursuant to s. 481.309(1)(b)2. may not 1587 be used to satisfy the practical experience requirement under 1588 this section. 1589 Section 55. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 481.311, 1590 Florida Statutes, are amended, to read: 1591 481.311 Licensure.— 1592 (3) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by 1593 endorsement an applicant who:1594(a)Qualifies to take the examination as set forth in s.1595481.309; and has passed a national, regional, state, or1596territorial licensing examination which is substantially1597equivalent to the examination required by s. 481.309;or1598(b)holds a valid license to practice landscape 1599 architecture issued by another state or territory of the United 1600 States, if the criteria for issuance of such license were1601substantially identical to the licensure criteria which existed1602in this state at the time the license was issued. 1603(4)The board shall certify as qualified for a certificate1604of authorization any applicant corporation or partnership who1605satisfies the requirements of s. 481.319.1606 Section 56. Subsection (2) of section 481.317, Florida 1607 Statutes, is amended to read: 1608 481.317 Temporary certificates.— 1609(2)Upon approval by the board and payment of the fee set1610in s. 481.307, the department shall grant a temporary1611certificate of authorization for work on one specified project1612in this state for a period not to exceed 1 year to an out-of1613state corporation, partnership, or firm, provided one of the1614principal officers of the corporation, one of the partners of1615the partnership, or one of the principals in the fictitiously1616named firm has obtained a temporary certificate of registration1617in accordance with subsection (1).1618 Section 57. Section 481.319, Florida Statutes, is amended 1619 to read: 1620 481.319 Corporate and partnership practice of landscape 1621 architecture; certificate of authorization.— 1622 (1) The practice of or offer to practice landscape 1623 architecture by registered landscape architects registered under 1624 this part through a corporation or partnership offering 1625 landscape architectural services to the public, or through a 1626 corporation or partnership offering landscape architectural 1627 services to the public through individual registered landscape 1628 architects as agents, employees, officers, or partners, is 1629 permitted, subject to the provisions of this section, if: 1630 (a) One or more of the principal officers of the 1631 corporation, or partners of the partnership, and all personnel 1632 of the corporation or partnership who act in its behalf as 1633 landscape architects in this state are registered landscape 1634 architects; and 1635 (b) One or more of the officers, one or more of the 1636 directors, one or more of the owners of the corporation, or one 1637 or more of the partners of the partnership is a registered 1638 landscape architect; and1639(c)The corporation or partnership has been issued a1640certificate of authorization by the board as provided herein. 1641 (2) All documents involving the practice of landscape 1642 architecture which are prepared for the use of the corporation 1643 or partnership shall bear the signature and seal of a registered 1644 landscape architect. 1645 (3) A landscape architect applying to practice in the name 1646 of aAn applicantcorporation mustshallfile with the 1647 department the names and addresses of all officers and board 1648 members of the corporation, including the principal officer or 1649 officers, duly registered to practice landscape architecture in 1650 this state and, also, of all individuals duly registered to 1651 practice landscape architecture in this state who shall be in 1652 responsible charge of the practice of landscape architecture by 1653 the corporation in this state. A landscape architect applying to 1654 practice in the name of aAn applicantpartnership mustshall1655 file with the department the names and addresses of all partners 1656 of the partnership, including the partner or partners duly 1657 registered to practice landscape architecture in this state and, 1658 also, of an individual or individuals duly registered to 1659 practice landscape architecture in this state who shall be in 1660 responsible charge of the practice of landscape architecture by 1661 said partnership in this state. 1662 (4) Each landscape architect qualifying a partnership or 1663andcorporationlicensedunder this part mustshallnotify the 1664 department within 1 month afterofany change in the information 1665 contained in the application upon which the license is based. 1666 Any landscape architect who terminates her or hisor her1667 employment with a partnership or corporation licensed under this 1668 part shall notify the department of the termination within 1 1669 month after such termination. 1670 (5)Disciplinary action against a corporation or1671partnership shall be administered in the same manner and on the1672same grounds as disciplinary action against a registered1673landscape architect.1674(6)Except as provided in s. 558.0035, the fact that a 1675 registered landscape architect practices landscape architecture 1676 through a corporation or partnership as provided in this section 1677 does not relieve the landscape architect from personal liability 1678 for her or hisor herprofessional acts. 1679 Section 58. Subsection (5) of section 481.321, Florida 1680 Statutes, is amended to read: 1681 481.321 Seals; display of certificate number.— 1682 (5) Each registered landscape architect mustand each1683corporation or partnership holding a certificate of1684authorization shallinclude her or hisitscertificate number in 1685 any newspaper, telephone directory, or other advertising medium 1686 used by the registered landscape architect, corporation, or 1687 partnership. A corporation or partnership mustis not required1688todisplay the certificate numbernumbersof at least one 1689 officer, director, owner, or partner who is aindividual1690 registered landscape architectarchitectsemployed by or 1691 practicing with the corporation or partnership. 1692 Section 59. Subsection (5) of section 481.329, Florida 1693 Statutes, is amended to read: 1694 481.329 Exceptions; exemptions from licensure.— 1695 (5) This part does not prohibit any person from engaging in 1696 the practice of landscape design, as defined in s. 481.303s.1697481.303(7), or from submitting for approval to a governmental 1698 agency planting plans that are independent of, or a component 1699 of, construction documents that are prepared by a Florida 1700 registered professional. Persons providing landscape design 1701 services shall not use the title, term, or designation 1702 “landscape architect,” “landscape architectural,” “landscape 1703 architecture,” “L.A.,” “landscape engineering,” or any 1704 description tending to convey the impression that she or he is a 1705 landscape architect unless she or he is registered as provided 1706 in this part. 1707 Section 60. Subsection (9) of section 489.103, Florida 1708 Statutes, is amended to read: 1709 489.103 Exemptions.—This part does not apply to: 1710 (9) Any work or operation of a casual, minor, or 1711 inconsequential nature in which the aggregate contract price for 1712 labor, materials, and all other items is less than $2,500 1713$1,000, but this exemption does not apply: 1714 (a) If the construction, repair, remodeling, or improvement 1715 is a part of a larger or major operation, whether undertaken by 1716 the same or a different contractor, or in which a division of 1717 the operation is made in contracts of amounts less than $2,500 1718$1,000for the purpose of evading this part or otherwise. 1719 (b) To a person who advertises that he or she is a 1720 contractor or otherwise represents that he or she is qualified 1721 to engage in contracting. 1722 Section 61. Subsection (2) of section 489.111, Florida 1723 Statutes, is amended to read: 1724 489.111 Licensure by examination.— 1725 (2) A person shall be eligible for licensure by examination 1726 if the person: 1727 (a) Is 18 years of age; 1728 (b) Is of good moral character; and 1729 (c) Meets eligibility requirements according to one of the 1730 following criteria: 1731 1. Has received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited 1732 4-year college in the appropriate field of engineering, 1733 architecture, or building construction and has 1 year of proven 1734 experience in the category in which the person seeks to qualify. 1735 For the purpose of this part, a minimum of 2,000 person-hours 1736 shall be used in determining full-time equivalency. 1737 2. Has a total of at least 4 years of active experience as 1738 a worker who has learned the trade by serving an apprenticeship 1739 as a skilled worker who is able to command the rate of a 1740 mechanic in the particular trade or as a foreman who is in 1741 charge of a group of workers and usually is responsible to a 1742 superintendent or a contractor or his or her equivalent, 1743 provided, however, that at least 1 year of active experience 1744 shall be as a foreman. 1745 3. Has a combination of not less than 1 year of experience 1746 as a foreman and not less than 3 years of credits for any 1747 accredited college-level courses; has a combination of not less 1748 than 1 year of experience as a skilled worker, 1 year of 1749 experience as a foreman, and not less than 2 years of credits 1750 for any accredited college-level courses; or has a combination 1751 of not less than 2 years of experience as a skilled worker, 1 1752 year of experience as a foreman, and not less than 1 year of 1753 credits for any accredited college-level courses. All junior 1754 college or community college-level courses shall be considered 1755 accredited college-level courses. 1756 4.a. An active certified residential contractor is eligible 1757 to receive a certified building contractor license after passing 1758 or having previously passedtakethe building contractors’ 1759 examination if he or she possesses a minimum of 3 years of 1760 proven experience in the classification in which he or she is 1761 certified. 1762 b. An active certified residential contractor is eligible 1763 to receive a certified general contractor license after passing 1764 or having previously passedtakethe general contractors’ 1765 examination if he or she possesses a minimum of 4 years of 1766 proven experience in the classification in which he or she is 1767 certified. 1768 c. An active certified building contractor is eligible to 1769 receive a certified general contractor license after passing or 1770 having previously passedtakethe general contractors’ 1771 examination if he or she possesses a minimum of 4 years of 1772 proven experience in the classification in which he or she is 1773 certified. 1774 5.a. An active certified air-conditioning Class C 1775 contractor is eligible to receive a certified air-conditioning 1776 Class B contractor license after passing or having previously 1777 passedtakethe air-conditioning Class B contractors’ 1778 examination if he or she possesses a minimum of 3 years of 1779 proven experience in the classification in which he or she is 1780 certified. 1781 b. An active certified air-conditioning Class C contractor 1782 is eligible to receive a certified air-conditioning Class A 1783 contractor license after passing or having previously passed 1784takethe air-conditioning Class A contractors’ examination if he 1785 or she possesses a minimum of 4 years of proven experience in 1786 the classification in which he or she is certified. 1787 c. An active certified air-conditioning Class B contractor 1788 is eligible to receive a certified air-conditioning Class A 1789 contractor license after passing or having previously passed 1790takethe air-conditioning Class A contractors’ examination if he 1791 or she possesses a minimum of 1 year of proven experience in the 1792 classification in which he or she is certified. 1793 6.a. An active certified swimming pool servicing contractor 1794 is eligible to receive a certified residential swimming pool 1795 contractor license after passing or having previously passed 1796takethe residential swimming pool contractors’ examination if 1797 he or she possesses a minimum of 3 years of proven experience in 1798 the classification in which he or she is certified. 1799 b. An active certified swimming pool servicing contractor 1800 is eligible to receive a certified commercial swimming pool 1801 contractor license after passing or having previously passed 1802takethe swimming pool commercial contractors’ examination if he 1803 or she possesses a minimum of 4 years of proven experience in 1804 the classification in which he or she is certified. 1805 c. An active certified residential swimming pool contractor 1806 is eligible to receive a certified commercial swimming pool 1807 contractor license after passing or having previously passed 1808takethe commercial swimming pool contractors’ examination if he 1809 or she possesses a minimum of 1 year of proven experience in the 1810 classification in which he or she is certified. 1811 d. An applicant is eligible to receive a certified swimming 1812 pool/spa servicing contractor license after passing or having 1813 previously passedtakethe swimming pool/spa servicing 1814 contractors’ examination if he or she has satisfactorily 1815 completed 60 hours of instruction in courses related to the 1816 scope of work covered by that license and approved by the 1817 Construction Industry Licensing Board by rule and has at least 1 1818 year of proven experience related to the scope of work of such a 1819 contractor. 1820 Section 62. Subsection (3) of section 489.115, Florida 1821 Statutes, is amended to read: 1822 489.115 Certification and registration; endorsement; 1823 reciprocity; renewals; continuing education.— 1824 (3) The board shall certify as qualified for certification 1825 by endorsement any applicant who: 1826 (a) Meets the requirements for certification as set forth 1827 in this section; has passed a national, regional, state, or 1828 United States territorial licensing examination that is 1829 substantially equivalent to the examination required by this 1830 part; and has satisfied the requirements set forth in s. 1831 489.111; 1832 (b) Holds a valid license to practice contracting issued by 1833 another state or territory of the United States, if the criteria 1834 for issuance of such license were substantially equivalent to 1835 Florida’s current certification criteria;or1836 (c) Holds a valid, current license to practice contracting 1837 issued by another state or territory of the United States, if 1838 the state or territory has entered into a reciprocal agreement 1839 with the board for the recognition of contractor licenses issued 1840 in that state, based on criteria for the issuance of such 1841 licenses that are substantially equivalent to the criteria for 1842 certification in this state; or 1843 (d) Has held a valid, current license to practice 1844 contracting issued by another state or territory of the United 1845 States for at least 10 years before the date of application and 1846 is applying for the same or similar license in this state, 1847 subject to subsections (5)-(9). The board may consider whether 1848 such applicant has had a license to practice contracting 1849 revoked, suspended, or otherwise acted against by the licensing 1850 authority of another state, territory, or country. Such 1851 application must be made either when the license in another 1852 state or territory is active or within 2 years after such 1853 license was last active. 1854 Section 63. Subsection (5) of section 489.511, Florida 1855 Statutes, is amended to read: 1856 489.511 Certification; application; examinations; 1857 endorsement.— 1858 (5) The board shall certify as qualified for certification 1859 by endorsement any individual applying for certification who: 1860 (a) Meets the requirements for certification as set forth 1861 in this section; has passed a national, regional, state, or 1862 United States territorial licensing examination that is 1863 substantially equivalent to the examination required by this 1864 part; and has satisfied the requirements set forth in s. 1865 489.521;or1866 (b) Holds a valid license to practice electrical or alarm 1867 system contracting issued by another state or territory of the 1868 United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license was 1869 substantially equivalent to the certification criteria that 1870 existed in this state at the time the certificate was issued; or 1871 (c) Has held a valid, current license to practice 1872 electrical or alarm system contracting issued by another state 1873 or territory of the United States for at least 10 years before 1874 the date of application and is applying for the same or similar 1875 license in this state, subject to ss. 489.510 and 489.521(3)(a), 1876 and subparagraph (1)(b)1. Such application must be made either 1877 when the license in another state or territory is active or 1878 within 2 years after such license was last active. 1879 Section 64. Subsection (3) and paragraph (b) of subsection 1880 (4) of section 489.517, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1881 489.517 Renewal of certificate or registration; continuing 1882 education.— 1883 (3) Each certificateholder or registrant shall provide 1884 proof, in a form established by rule of the board, that the 1885 certificateholder or registrant has completed at least 11141886 classroom hours of at least 50 minutes each of continuing 1887 education courses during each biennium since the issuance or 1888 renewal of the certificate or registration. The board shall by 1889 rule establish criteria for the approval of continuing education 1890 courses and providers and may by rule establish criteria for 1891 accepting alternative nonclassroom continuing education on an 1892 hour-for-hour basis. 1893 (4) 1894 (b) Of the 1114classroom hours of continuing education 1895 required, at least 67hours must be on technical subjects, 1 1896 hour on workers’ compensation, 1 hour on workplace safety, 1 1897 hour on business practices, and for alarm system contractors and 1898 electrical contractors engaged in alarm system contracting, 2 1899 hours on false alarm prevention. 1900 Section 65. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 1901 489.518, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1902 489.518 Alarm system agents.— 1903 (1) A licensed electrical or alarm system contractor may 1904 not employ a person to perform the duties of a burglar alarm 1905 system agent unless the person: 1906 (b) Has successfully completed a minimum of 14 hours of 1907 training within 90 days after employment, to include basic alarm 1908 system electronics in addition to related training including 1909 CCTV and access control training, with at least 2 hours of 1910 training in the prevention of false alarms. Such training shall 1911 be from a board-approved provider, and the employee or applicant 1912 for employment shall provide proof of successful completion to 1913 the licensed employer. The board shall by rule establish 1914 criteria for the approval of training courses and providers and 1915 may by rule establish criteria for accepting alternative 1916 nonclassroom education on an hour-for-hour basis. The board 1917 shall approve providers that conduct training in other than the 1918 English language. The board shall establish a fee for the 1919 approval of training providers or courses, not to exceed $60. 1920 Qualified employers may conduct training classes for their 1921 employees, with board approval. 1922 Section 66. Section 509.102, Florida Statutes, is created 1923 to read: 1924 509.102 Mobile food dispensing vehicles; preemption.— 1925 (1) As used in this section, the term “mobile food 1926 dispensing vehicle” means any vehicle that is a public food 1927 service establishment and that is self-propelled or otherwise 1928 movable from place to place and includes self-contained 1929 utilities, including, but not limited to, gas, water, 1930 electricity, or liquid waste disposal. 1931 (2) Regulation of mobile food dispensing vehicles involving 1932 licenses, registrations, permits, and fees and the regulation of 1933 the operation of mobile food dispensing vehicles is preempted to 1934 the state. A municipality, county, or other local government 1935 entity may not: 1936 (a) Require a separate license, registration, or permit 1937 other than the license required under s. 509.241, or require the 1938 payment of any license, registration, or permit fee other than 1939 the fee required under s. 509.251, as a condition for the 1940 operation of a mobile food dispensing vehicle within the 1941 entity’s jurisdiction; 1942 (b) Prohibit mobile food dispensing vehicles from operating 1943 within the entity’s jurisdiction. 1944 Section 67. Paragraph (i) of subsection (2) of section 1945 548.003, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1946 548.003 Florida State Boxing Commission.— 1947 (2) The Florida State Boxing Commission, as created by 1948 subsection (1), shall administer the provisions of this chapter. 1949 The commission has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 1950 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this 1951 chapter and to implement each of the duties and responsibilities 1952 conferred upon the commission, including, but not limited to: 1953(i)Designation and duties of a knockdown timekeeper.1954 Section 68. Subsection (1) of section 548.017, Florida 1955 Statutes, is amended to read: 1956 548.017 Participants, managers, and other persons required 1957 to have licenses.— 1958 (1) A participant, manager, trainer, second,timekeeper,1959 referee, judge,announcer,physician, matchmaker, or promoter 1960 must be licensed before directly or indirectly acting in such 1961 capacity in connection with any match involving a participant. A 1962 physician approved by the commission must be licensed pursuant 1963 to chapter 458 or chapter 459, must maintain an unencumbered 1964 license in good standing, and must demonstrate satisfactory 1965 medical training or experience in boxing, or a combination of 1966 both, to the executive director before working as the ringside 1967 physician. 1968 Section 69. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section 1969 553.5141, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1970 553.5141 Certifications of conformity and remediation 1971 plans.— 1972 (1) For purposes of this section: 1973 (d) “Qualified expert” means: 1974 1. An engineer licensed pursuant to chapter 471. 1975 2. A certified general contractor licensed pursuant to 1976 chapter 489. 1977 3. A certified building contractor licensed pursuant to 1978 chapter 489. 1979 4. A building code administrator licensed pursuant to 1980 chapter 468. 1981 5. A building inspector licensed pursuant to chapter 468. 1982 6. A plans examiner licensed pursuant to chapter 468. 1983 7. An interior designer registeredlicensedpursuant to 1984 chapter 481. 1985 8. An architect licensed pursuant to chapter 481. 1986 9. A landscape architect licensed pursuant to chapter 481. 1987 10. Any person who has prepared a remediation plan related 1988 to a claim under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities 1989 Act, 42 U.S.C. s. 12182, that has been accepted by a federal 1990 court in a settlement agreement or court proceeding, or who has 1991 been qualified as an expert in Title III of the Americans with 1992 Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. s. 12182, by a federal court. 1993 Section 70. Effective January 1, 2021, subsection (1) of 1994 section 553.74, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1995 553.74 Florida Building Commission.— 1996 (1) The Florida Building Commission is created and located 1997 within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1998 for administrative purposes. Members are appointed by the 1999 Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate. The commission 2000 is composed of 1927members, consisting of the following 2001 members: 2002 (a) One architect licensed pursuant to chapter 481 with at 2003 least 5 years of experience in the design and construction of 2004 buildings designated for Group E or Group I occupancies by the 2005 Florida Building Coderegistered to practice in this state and2006actively engaged in the profession. The American Institute of 2007 Architects, Florida Section, is encouraged to recommend a list 2008 of candidates for consideration. 2009 (b) One structural engineer registered to practice in this 2010 state and actively engaged in the profession. The Florida 2011 Engineering Society is encouraged to recommend a list of 2012 candidates for consideration. 2013 (c) One air-conditioning contractor,ormechanical 2014 contractor, or mechanical engineer certified to do business in 2015 this state and actively engaged in the profession. The Florida 2016 Air Conditioning Contractors Association, the Florida 2017 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association,and2018 the Mechanical Contractors Association of Florida, and the 2019 Florida Engineering Society are encouraged to recommend a list 2020 of candidates for consideration. 2021 (d) One electrical contractor or electrical engineer 2022 certified to do business in this state and actively engaged in 2023 the profession. The Florida Association of Electrical 2024 Contractors,andthe National Electrical Contractors 2025 Association, Florida Chapter, and the Florida Engineering 2026 Society are encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for 2027 consideration. 2028(e)One member from fire protection engineering or2029technology who is actively engaged in the profession. The2030Florida Chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and2031the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association are2032encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for consideration.2033 (e)(f)One certified general contractor or one certified 2034 building contractor certified to do business in this state and 2035 actively engaged in the profession. The Associated Builders and 2036 Contractors of Florida, the Florida Associated General 2037 Contractors Council, the Florida Home Builders Association, and 2038 the Union Contractors Association are encouraged to recommend a 2039 list of candidates for consideration. 2040 (f)(g)One plumbing contractor licensed to do business in 2041 this state and actively engaged in the profession. The Florida 2042 Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors is 2043 encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 2044 (g)(h)One roofing or sheet metal contractor certified to 2045 do business in this state and actively engaged in the 2046 profession. The Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal, and Air 2047 Conditioning Contractors Association and the Sheet Metal and Air 2048 Conditioning Contractors’ National Association are encouraged to 2049 recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 2050 (h)(i)One certified residential contractor licensed to do 2051 business in this state and actively engaged in the profession. 2052 The Florida Home Builders Association is encouraged to recommend 2053 a list of candidates for consideration. 2054 (i)(j)Three members who are municipal, county, or district 2055 codes enforcement officials, one of whom is also a fire 2056 official. The Building Officials Association of Florida and the 2057 Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association are encouraged 2058 to recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 2059(k)One member who represents the Department of Financial2060Services.2061(l)One member who is a county codes enforcement official.2062The Building Officials Association of Florida is encouraged to2063recommend a list of candidates for consideration.2064 (j)(m)One member of a Florida-based organization of 2065 persons with disabilities or a nationally chartered organization 2066 of persons with disabilities with chapters in this state which 2067 complies with or is certified to be compliant with the 2068 requirements of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, as 2069 amended. 2070 (k)(n)One member of the manufactured buildings industry 2071 who is licensed to do business in this state and is actively 2072 engaged in the industry. The Florida Manufactured Housing 2073 Association is encouraged to recommend a list of candidates for 2074 consideration. 2075(o)One mechanical or electrical engineer registered to2076practice in this state and actively engaged in the profession.2077The Florida Engineering Society is encouraged to recommend a2078list of candidates for consideration.2079(p)One member who is a representative of a municipality or2080a charter county. The Florida League of Cities and the Florida2081Association of Counties are encouraged to recommend a list of2082candidates for consideration.2083 (l)(q)One member of the building products manufacturing 2084 industry who is authorized to do business in this state and is 2085 actively engaged in the industry. The Florida Building Material 2086 Association, the Florida Concrete and Products Association, and 2087 the Fenestration Manufacturers Association are encouraged to 2088 recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 2089 (m)(r)One member who is a representative of the building 2090 owners and managers industry who is actively engaged in 2091 commercial building ownership or management. The Building Owners 2092 and Managers Association is encouraged to recommend a list of 2093 candidates for consideration. 2094 (n)(s)One member who is a representative of the insurance 2095 industry. The Florida Insurance Council is encouraged to 2096 recommend a list of candidates for consideration. 2097(t)One member who is a representative of public education.2098 (o)(u)One member who is a swimming pool contractor 2099 licensed to do business in this state and actively engaged in 2100 the profession. The Florida Swimming Pool Association and the 2101 United Pool and Spa Association are encouraged to recommend a 2102 list of candidates for consideration. 2103 (p)(v)One member who is a representative of the green 2104 building industry and who is a third-party commission agent, a 2105 Florida board member of the United States Green Building Council 2106 or Green Building Initiative, a professional who is accredited 2107 under the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), or a 2108 professional who is accredited under Leadership in Energy and 2109 Environmental Design (LEED). 2110 (q)(w)One member who is a representative of a natural gas 2111 distribution system and who is actively engaged in the 2112 distribution of natural gas in this state. The Florida Natural 2113 Gas Association is encouraged to recommend a list of candidates 2114 for consideration. 2115(x)One member who is a representative of the Department of2116Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Energy. The2117Commissioner of Agriculture is encouraged to recommend a list of2118candidates for consideration.2119(y)One member who shall be the chair.2120 Section 71. Subsection (7) of section 558.002, Florida 2121 Statutes, is amended to read: 2122 558.002 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term: 2123 (7) “Design professional” means a person, as defined in s. 2124 1.01, who is licensed in this state as an architect, interior2125designer, a landscape architect, an engineer, a surveyor, or a 2126 geologist or who is a registered interior designer, as defined 2127 in s. 481.203. 2128 Section 72. Subsection (3) of section 559.25, Florida 2129 Statutes, is amended to read: 2130 559.25 Exemptions.—The provisions of this part shall not 2131 apply to or affect the following persons: 2132(3)Duly licensed auctioneers, selling at auction.2133 Section 73. Paragraphs (h) and (k) of subsection (2) of 2134 section 287.055, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 2135 287.055 Acquisition of professional architectural, 2136 engineering, landscape architectural, or surveying and mapping 2137 services; definitions; procedures; contingent fees prohibited; 2138 penalties.— 2139 (2) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: 2140 (h) A “design-build firm” means a partnership, corporation, 2141 or other legal entity that: 2142 1. Is certified under s. 489.119 to engage in contracting 2143 through a certified or registered general contractor or a 2144 certified or registered building contractor as the qualifying 2145 agent; or 2146 2. Is qualifiedcertifiedunder s. 471.023 to practice or 2147 to offer to practice engineering; qualifiedcertifiedunder s. 2148 481.219 to practice or to offer to practice architecture; or 2149 qualifiedcertifiedunder s. 481.319 to practice or to offer to 2150 practice landscape architecture. 2151 (k) A “design criteria professional” means a firm that is 2152 qualifiedwho holds a current certificate of registrationunder 2153 chapter 481 to practice architecture or landscape architecture 2154 or a firm who holds a current certificate as a registered 2155 engineer under chapter 471 to practice engineering and who is 2156 employed by or under contract to the agency for the providing of 2157 professional architect services, landscape architect services, 2158 or engineering services in connection with the preparation of 2159 the design criteria package. 2160 Section 74. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this 2161 act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2020.