Licensure.

(1) Notwithstanding any other law, the department is the sole authority for determining the contents of any documents to be submitted for initial licensure and licensure renewal. The documents may contain information including, as appropriate: demographics, social security number, education, work history, personal background, criminal history, finances, business information, complaints, inspections, investigations, discipline, bonding, signature notarization, photographs, performance periods, reciprocity, local government approvals, supporting documentation, periodic reporting requirements, continuing education requirements, and ongoing education monitoring. The applicant shall supplement his or her application as needed to reflect any material change in any circumstance or condition stated in the application which takes place between the initial filing of the application and the final grant or denial of the license and which might affect the decision of the department. An application is received for the purposes of s. 120.60 upon receipt by the department of the application, submitted in the format prescribed by the department, the application fee set by the board, and any other documentation or fee required by law or rule to be submitted with the application in order for the application to be complete.

(2) The department shall license any applicant who the board certifies is qualified to practice surveying and mapping.

(3)(a) Before the issuance of any license, the department may charge an initial license fee as determined by rule of the board. Upon receipt of the appropriate license fee, except as provided in subsection (6), the department shall issue a license to any person certified by the board, or its designee, as having met the applicable requirements imposed by law or rule. However, an applicant who is not otherwise qualified for licensure is not entitled to licensure solely based on a passing score on a required examination.

(b) The department shall waive the initial license fee for an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Armed Forces, the spouse or surviving spouse of such a veteran, a current member of the United States Armed Forces who has served on active duty or the spouse of such a member, the surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces who died while serving on active duty, or a business entity that has a majority ownership held by such a veteran or spouse or surviving spouse if the department receives an application in a format prescribed by the department. The application format must include the applicant’s signature, under penalty of perjury, and supporting documentation. To qualify for the waiver:

1. A veteran must provide to the department a copy of his or her DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs;

2. The spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran must provide to the department a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate verifying that he or she was lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge; or

3. A business entity must provide to the department proof that a veteran or the spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran holds a majority ownership in the business, a copy of the veteran’s DD Form 214, as issued by the United States Department of Defense, or another acceptable form of identification as specified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and, if applicable, a copy of a valid marriage license or certificate verifying that the spouse or surviving spouse of the veteran was lawfully married to the veteran at the time of discharge.

(4) The board shall certify for licensure any applicant who satisfies the requirements of s. 472.013 and who has passed the licensing examination. The board may refuse to certify any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of s. 472.031.

(5)(a) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by endorsement an applicant who, at the time of application:

1. Holds a valid license to practice surveying and mapping issued before July 1, 1999, by another state or territory of the United States; has passed a national, regional, state, or territorial licensing examination that is substantially equivalent to the examination required by s. 472.013; and has a specific experience record of at least 8 years as a subordinate to a registered surveyor and mapper in the active practice of surveying and mapping, 6 years of which must be of a nature indicating that the applicant was in responsible charge of the accuracy and correctness of the surveying and mapping work performed; or

2. Holds a valid license to practice surveying and mapping issued by another state or territory of the United States if the criteria for issuance of the license were substantially the same as the licensure criteria that existed in Florida at the time the license was issued.

(b) All applicants for licensure by endorsement must pass the Florida law and rules portion of the examination prior to licensure.

(6)(a) The board may refuse to issue an initial license to any applicant who is under investigation or prosecution in any jurisdiction for an action that would constitute a violation of this chapter until such time as the investigation or prosecution is complete.

(b) The department may not issue a license by endorsement to any applicant who is under investigation in this state or any other state or any other jurisdiction for any act that would constitute a violation of this chapter until the investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been terminated.

(7) When any administrative law judge conducts a hearing pursuant to chapter 120 with respect to the issuance of a license by the department, the administrative law judge shall submit his or her recommended order to the board, which shall thereupon issue a final order. The applicant for a license may appeal the final order of the board in accordance with the provisions of chapter 120.

(8) A privilege against civil liability is hereby granted to any witness for any information furnished by the witness in any proceeding pursuant to this section, unless the witness acted in bad faith or with malice in providing such information.

(9) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any elected official who is licensed under this chapter may hold employment for compensation with any public agency concurrent with such public service. Such dual service must be disclosed according to any disclosure required by applicable law.

(10) In any instance in which a licensee or applicant to the department is required to be in compliance with a particular provision by, on, or before a certain date, and if that date occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, the licensee or applicant is deemed to be in compliance with the specific date requirement if the required action occurs on the first succeeding day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

(11) Any submission required to be in writing may otherwise be required by the department to be made by electronic means.

(12) A licensee or business entity that meets the requirements of this section or s. 472.021 must carry professional liability insurance or provide notice to any person or entity to which surveying and mapping services are offered that the licensee or business entity does not carry professional liability insurance. The notice must consist of a sign prominently displayed in the reception area and written statements provided in a form and frequency as required by rule of the Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers.

(13) The department may revoke the license of a licensee or business entity that fails to pay a final judgment in connection with the provision of, or failure to provide, services under this chapter.

(14) A person may not be disqualified from practicing surveying or mapping as regulated by the state solely because he or she is not a United States citizen.

(15) Pursuant to the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, each person applying for initial licensure or license renewal shall provide his or her social security number. Use of social security numbers obtained through this requirement is limited to the purpose of administering the Title IV-D program for child support enforcement, use by the department, and use as otherwise provided by law.