SESSION WATCH
Superseded — its companion passed HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. CS/HB 839

Unlicensed Practice of Engineering
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SPONSOR
Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee; Melo
FILED BY
Lauren Melo — District 82, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
COMPANION
CS/CS/SB 800 — CS/HB 839 was set aside and its companion carried the policy

Filed under Occupational.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Unlicensed Practice of Engineering; Provides penalties for persons found to have repeatedly engaged in unlicensed practice of engineering.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Sets escalating fines up to $25,000 for repeat unlicensed engineering practice.

A second violation for practicing engineering without a license now carries a $10,000 fine, rising to $15,000 for a third violation, $20,000 for a fourth, and $25,000 for a fifth violation or any after that.

These fines apply only from the second violation onward and override whatever penalty a related part of the same law would otherwise impose, but this bill does not set a specific fine for a first violation.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Creates an escalating fine schedule for repeat unlicensed engineering practice majors. 471.033

AIA person who repeatedly practices engineering without a license faces a department-imposed fine that climbs with each additional violation: $10,000 for a second violation, $15,000 for a third, $20,000 for a fourth, and $25,000 for a fifth or later violation.

“is subject to a fine imposed by the department which increases as follows” bill text, line 16 →
§ 2 Limits the new schedule to a second violation and beyond moderates. 471.033

AIThis fine schedule only applies starting with a second violation of the unlicensed-practice prohibition, and it controls over subsection (3) of the same statute for that specific circumstance.

“Notwithstanding subsection (3), a person who violates this section by engaging in the unlicensed practice of engineering, upon a second or subsequent violation” bill text, line 14 →
§ 3 Caps the escalating fine at $25,000 with no further increases moderates. 471.033

AIThe fine stops climbing after the fourth violation; a fifth violation and every violation after it carry the same flat $25,000 fine rather than continuing to rise.

“a fifth and any subsequent violation, a fine of $25,000” bill text, line 21 →
TIMELINE
3/11/2026
Laid on Table; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 800 (Ch. 2026-98 )
3/3/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
3/3/2026
Temporarily postponed, on 2nd Reading
2/26/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)
2/25/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/25/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
2/25/2026
Reported out of Commerce Committee
2/24/2026
Favorable by Commerce Committee
2/20/2026
Added to Commerce Committee agenda
2/13/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/13/2026
Now in Commerce Committee
2/13/2026
Referred to Commerce Committee
2/12/2026
CS Filed
2/12/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/12/2026
Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
2/12/2026
Favorable with CS by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
2/10/2026
PCS added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/5/2026
Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/5/2026
Referred to Commerce Committee
1/5/2026
Referred to State Administration Budget Subcommittee
1/5/2026
Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
12/19/2025
Filed
17 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 471.033
+76 / −0
s. 471.033
+0 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES