Throughout the years, the mineral asbestos has been used in a broad range of manufactured products, including building materials used in construction. Long-term asbestos exposure creates the risk of pulmonary disease and cancer, which makes the work of asbestos consultants vital to ensure safety.Ā
In this article, you will find the requirement to become a licensed asbestos consultant in Florida.
Florida Asbestos License ā The Basics
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is responsible for licensing asbestos consultants and contractors. Florida Statutes Ā§469.004 (2) specifies that “all asbestos contractors must be licensed by the department.”Ā
As asbestos consultants and contractors do not have a formal board, the licensing process is handled by the Asbestos Licensing Unit, a division of the DBPR. Accordingly, the Department hires expert consultants to assist their decision-making in situations of technical nature.
Prospective applicants may have their petitions processed within 30 days. Before receiving approval from the Asbestos Licensing Units, applicants must pass an examination divided into two parts.
The first two-and-a-half-hour exam assesses the applicant’s technical knowledge. The second one-and-a-half-hour exam assesses the applicant’s business knowledge.Ā
Florida Licensed Asbestos Consultant Requirements ā As Provided by Law
Florida Statutes Ā§469.001 (5) defines the term “asbestos consultant” as “a person who offers to, undertakes to, submits a bid to, or does, individually or by employing others:
- Conduct surveys for asbestos-containing materials
- Develop operation and maintenance plans, monitor and evaluate asbestos abatement
- Prepare asbestos abatement specifications, or
- Perform related tasks”
Florida Statutes Ā§469.005 specify that all applicants for licensure as either asbestos consultants or asbestos contractors “shall pay the initial licensing fee (ā¦) and successfully complete the following department-approved courses:
- A building asbestos surveys and mechanical systems course. Such course shall consist of not less than 3 days of instruction
- An asbestos management planning course. Such course shall consist of not less than 2 days of instruction
- A respiratory protection course. Such course shall consist of not less than 3 days of instruction
- A project designer course. Such course shall consist of not less than 3 days of instruction”
The same statute adds that applicants must provide evidence of satisfactory work on 10 asbestos projects within the last 5 years, evidence of financial stability, and pass a department-approved examination of qualifications and knowledge relating to asbestos.
To satisfy these statutory requirements, Rule 61E1 of the Florida Administrative Code states that “the applicant must submit evidence of ten asbestos projects within the last five years with:
- Said evidence containing a description of the project
- The level of responsibility, the dates of the engagement, and
- A statement that no claims of unsatisfactory professional services have been sustained against the professional activities of the applicant. This statement must be certified by the owner or entity for whom the service was rendered”
Rule 61E1-1.001 (4)(a) specify that the “distribution of the ten projects for an asbestos consultant shall be as follows:
- Two projects involving asbestos surveys
- Two projects involving the development of operations and maintenance plans
- Two projects involving asbestos abatement project management and supervision
- Two projects involving the design of an asbestos abatement project, and
- Two additional projects from any of the above categories”
Do You Want to Obtain an Asbestos Consultant License in Florida? ā Immediately Seek Expert Legal Guidance
Navigating the complex requirements to become a licensed asbestos consultant can be overwhelming. Contact Attorney Romy B. Jurado by calling (305) 921-0976 or emailing [email protected] to find the best licensing strategy for your case.
