The Florida Board of Interior Design and Architecture requires licensees to complete 20 (twenty) hours of continuing education every two years.
- CE Requirement: 20 (twenty) Continuing Education Credits, of which 16 (sixteen) must be HSW (Health, Safety & Welfare) including 2 (two) Advanced Florida Building Code credits (as part of the 16 HSW credits).
- CE Cycle: Two-year period running from March 1 of odd-numbered years through February 28 of the following odd-numbered year (e.g. March 1, 2009 through February 28, 2011 then March 1, 2011 through February 28, 2013).
- Acceptable Coursework: Courses should be approved by one of the following:
- The Florida Board of Interior Design and Architecture, which approves courses under one of three designations: HSW (Health, Safety & Welfare), O (Optional) and Advanced FBC (Advanced Florida Building Code, which also counts as HSW).
- The IDCEC, which approves courses under one of three designations: HS (Health & Safety), W (Welfare) and G (General).
- The AIA, which allows courses to be registered under one of three designations: HSW (Health, Safety & Welfare), non HSW (equivalent to optional or general credits) and SD (Sustainable Design, which also counts as HSW).
Tip: If you hold a professional membership (AIA, ASID, IIDA) and/or multiple state-issued interior design or architecture license or registration, you can claim credits toward both provided the course is duly approved.
- Reporting of Credits: Providers are NOT required to report continuing education credits earned to the Florida Board but have the OPTION to report credits earned by taking a course approved directly by the Board. Credits earned by taking a course approved by the AIA and/or IDCEC (which are automatically accepted for credits by the Board, but have no Board-issued course number) cannot be reported nor manually entered into the Board's computer system. For details, see notice on DBPR's website.
- Tracking of Credits: Members are responsible for maintaining proof of successful completion of continuing education activities for at least four years from date of completion. Did you know? Design Arts Seminars keeps track of the courses you take with us and provides you with online access to your transcript saving you both time and money, especially in case of audit.
- Audit: A random sample of Florida licensees will be audited. If audited (and only if audited), members will be asked to produce proof of compliance (certificate of continuing education or transcript showing courses completed during the reporting period.)
Source: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Post comments or questions on this blog or contact Design Arts Seminars, Inc.
For a list of continuing education opportunities, please visit Design Arts Seminars' calendar of events.