Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of
Professions Board of Architecture and Interior Design
Leon Biegalski
Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Board of Architecture & Interior Design
1940 N. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850 487-1395
850 922-2918 FAX

Completion Requirements
Licensees will be required to complete an advanced Florida building code course of 2 hours for renewal, which can count towards the 20 hour requirement.

Renewal Dates
Renewal occurs February 28 odd years.

Statute
61G1-24.001

Special Designations or Stipulations
A minimum of 16 contact hours is required in related topics and structured study. A maximum of four CEH's are allowed in optional topics and self-directed study. All 20 hours may be earned in structured study or related topics.

As of October 6, 2000, the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design(FLBOAID)has confirmed acceptance of online continuing education courses. Any online course attempted for credit by interior designers must be approved by the Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC) or independently approved by the FLBOAID. Additionally, of the twenty (20) CE hours required, sixteen (16) must be HSW related.

Audit Potential
Random

Allowed Carry-Over Hours
N/A

Applicable Course Study
Related Topics (Technical and Professional) subjects related to safeguarding life, health, property and promoting the public welfare. Unless otherwise approved by the Board, subject content acceptable for purposes of interior design continuing education shall be limited to:
(1) Study of codes including life safety codes, acts, laws and regulations governing the practice of interior design.
(2) Environmental Issues.
(3) Design proficiency.
(4) Study within planning, engineering, interior design, construction contracting and related disciplines.
(5) Legal aspects of contracts, documents, insurance bonds, project administration, etc.
(6) Specialization (preservation, adaptive reuse, building types), etc.
(7) Construction documents and services.
(8) Materials and methods.
(9) Mechanical, plumbing, electrical and life safety.
(10) Structural technology.
(11) Energy efficiency.
(12) New technical/professional skills.
(13) Project administration.
(14) Professional ethics.

Optional Topics:
All of the following subject matters must directly relate to interior design practice or the ability to enhance interior design practice in order to qualify for continuing education credit.
(1) Business and Practice Efficiency.
(2) Business Development.
(3) Personal Improvement.
(4) General Education.
(5) Studies/Consultation Opportunities.

Proof of Compliance
No license renewal shall be issued to an interior designer by the department until the licensee submits proof satisfactory to the department that, during the 2 years prior to application for renewal, the licensee participated per biennium in not less than 20 hours of at least 50 minutes each per biennium of continuing education approved by the board. The board shall approve only continuing education that builds upon the basic knowledge of interior design. Payment of fees associated with the timely renewal of a license will signify successful completion of continuing education requirements. Licenses will be audited in accordance with Department of Business and Professional Regulation established guidelines in order to ensure compliance. Reporting certificates should be maintained by each licensee unless specifically requested by the Department.

The registrant is responsible for retaining proof of participation in continuing education activities. Such verification includes the following as applicable:
(1) A log showing activity claimed, sponsoring organization, location duration, etc.
(2) Attendance Certificates
(3) Signed Attendance Receipts
(4) Sponsor’s list of attendees (signed by a person in responsible charge of the activity).

These records must be retained for a period of three years following the actual license renewal. Copies must be furnished to the Board for audit purposes if requested.

Non-CompliancE Penalties
Failure to fulfill continuing education requirements shall result in non-renewal of the interior designer’s license and reverting of said license to an inactive or delinquent status.

If a license is placed into inactive status, registrants will be compelled to verify completion of all continuing education requirements as established for each biennium the license remained inactive. Registrants are prohibited from the practice of interior design during the periods of license inactivity.

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

Disallowed Credits
If the Board determines that continuing education credits are to be disallowed, registrants shall have 180 calendar days after notification to substantiate the original claim or earn other continuing education credits to meet minimum requirements. Fraud or misrepresentation in certification of course attendance or any other aspect of fulfilling continuing education requirements will be disciplined in accordance with 481.225(1)(e), Florida Statues.

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

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