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Division of Hotels and Restaurants

Elevator Worker FAQ

Examinations, Certification and General Information

All information on this page is current and was last reviewed by the division on November 18, 2008.

1. Q: What are the requirements for taking an exam in order to receive a Certificate of Competency?

A: The examination procedure and location is established by the authorized examination provider. You should contact the authorized provider to determine those procedures. Currently, the Bureau recognizes a minimum of four years of verified work experience in the construction, maintenance, service and repair of elevators and successfully passing one of the following examinations as a standard to qualify for an elevator Certificate of Competency (CC) as defined in Section 399.01(17), Florida Statutes:

• National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) Elevator Mechanics Certification examination,
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) examination,
• National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) Certified Elevator Technician examination, and
• Prometric offers the Certificate of Competency examination and the wheelchair lift examination.
  

The Bureau of Elevator Safety will issue a license to candidates who have successfully completed all licensure requirements. Please note that passing an exam is not a guarantee that a license will be issued.

Once you have successfully passed an examination offered by an approved source and qualify for a Certificate of Competency, you should complete for DBPR HR-7014, Application for Certificate of Competency, available on our forms webpage, and submit it with requirements attached to the Bureau. The Bureau will verify applicant eligibility with the testing source.

 

2. Q: Who determines if I am qualified to take an examination?

A:Information and instructions regarding eligibility and authorization to take an exam are available at the Prometric web site  or on our website. The Certificate of Competency application is available on our forms webpage.

Contact the Bureau for additional information to take the exam and instructions for a registration packet by e-mail dhr.elevators@dbpr.state.fl.us

 

3. Q: Which exam must I take in order to meet partial requirements for a Certificate of Competency?

A: Any of the examinations listed above.

 

4. Q: Which exam must I take in order to become a Certified Elevator Inspector?

A: The national standards QEI exam offered by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers through NAESA, Inc.

 

5. Q: Which exam must I take to become a Certified Wheelchair Lift Technician?

A: The wheelchair lift exam offered by Prometric.

 

6. Q: What evidence/materials must I produce to apply for a Certificate of Competency?

A: You must submit form DBPR HR-7014, Application for Certificate of Competency, proof of a minimum of four years verified work experience in the construction, maintenance, service, and repair of elevators, a document certifying you have successfully passed an approved examination, and a check or money order for $50.00 payable to the Bureau of Elevator Safety.

 

7. Q. When do I need to renew my license?

A. Elevator credential licenses expire every year on December 31. The Bureau of Elevator Safety will mail a reminder 60-90 days before expiration to your mailing address on record. More information on requirements are available on our webpage.

 

8. Q. My Certificate of Competency, Certified Elevator Technician or Certified Elevator Inspector license shows as null and void. What happened and how do I renew it?

A. Your license was placed in null and void status when you failed to renew it timely. To obtain a new license you must reapply for one using the application available online.

 

9. Q: Is there a required ratio of Certified Elevator Technicians to elevator helpers?

A: No. Florida Statutes are silent on this issue.

 

10. Q: Why do Certified Elevator Technicians have to buy liability insurance?

A: Chapter 399.01(17), Florida Statutes, states: " Each certified elevator technician must annually register with the division and maintain general liability insurance coverage in the minimum amounts set by the division." The Bureau interprets "maintain" to mean, "having insurance coverage, either individually or through a company…"

 

11. Q: When may aspiring technicians take the examination?

A: Whenever they meet the qualifications set forth by Florida statute.

 

12. Q: If a person fails an exam can he or she retake the exam?

A: Yes. However, there may be additional fees imposed by the examination provider.

 

13. Q: Once I receive my professional credential, where in Florida can I take the required annual continuing education classes.

A: Several registered providers can deliver the required annual continuing education throughout various locations in Florida. Please check our list of approved continuing education providers and contact a provider near you.

 

14. Q: Why do Certified Elevator Technicians have to buy liability insurance?

A: Chapter 399.01(17), Florida Statutes, states: "Each certified elevator technician must annually register with the division and be covered by general liability insurance coverage in the minimum amounts set by the division."

 

15. Q: Must a Certificate of Competency holder be physically present at the job site in order to supervise an elevator helper?

A: Elevator helpers, including mechanics, who do not possess a certificate of competency may continue to construct, maintain, service and repair any vertical conveyance under the direct supervision of a Certificate of Competency holder who may also be a Certified Elevator Technician or Certified Elevator Inspector. “Direct supervision” means a certificate of competency holder supervising an elevator helper as set forth in section 399.01(16), Florida Statutes, is within physical proximity of the person being directly supervised such that timely observation and evaluation of the work being performed is facilitated to ensure the work is completed in accordance with applicable statutory and administrative code requirements.

 

16. Q: Must a custom elevator cab manufacturer, when working as a subcontractor, have a Certificate of Competency holder physically on the job site?

A: Florida statutes do not define a "custom cab manufacturer." A subcontractor working for a contractor who holds a certificate of competency would be considered to be under the direct supervision of a certificate of competency holder.

 

17. Q: Must a Certificate of Competency holder be present for the inspection process?

A: While it is not required by Florida statutes, it is advisable to have a Certificate of Competency card holder present during an inspection to assist in the operation of the elevator during the inspection as well as perform any required tests which must be witnessed by the CEI. Performing the tests at the same time as the inspection may save the owner from  paying for additional visits.

 

18. Q: What is the time allowed before a follow-up inspection can be made when a violation is cited?

A: Section 399.061(4), Florida Statutes, provides that when the division determines that an elevator is in violation of this chapter, the division may issue an order to the elevator owner requiring corrections. Section 399.105, Florida Statutes, provides further that an elevator owner who fails to comply with that order within 30 days of its issuance is subject to administrative fine. All inspections are considered Orders to Correct and the owner must comply within 30 days of the order date.

 

19. Q: Can a Certificate of Competency holder do routine inspections under the supervision of a Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) or does the inspector have to be a QEI?

A:No. Section 399.01(14), Florida Statutes, provides that only a Certified Elevator Inspector can perform inspections and that to be a CEI, the individual must have attained national QEI certification.

 

20. Q: How can I bring in help from out of state in times of special need and get them authorized to work in Florida?

A:Florida statutes define elevator workers in three ways: Elevator Helpers, Certified Elevator Technicians (certificate of competency holders) and Certified Elevator Inspectors (CC and QEI holders). Elevator mechanics who have not yet received a certificate of competency may construct, maintain, service, or repair any vertical conveyance under the direct supervision of a certificate of competency holder [pursuant to Section 399.01(16) Florida Statutes, definition of an elevator helper]. "Direct supervision" means a certificate of competency holder supervising an elevator helper as set forth in Section 399.01(16), Florida Statutes.

 

21. Q: Can the division authorize a licensed mechanical engineer to be a certified elevator inspector?

A: No. Section 399.01(17)(b), Florida Statutes, states: "A licensed mechanical engineer whose license is in good standing may be granted an elevator certificate of competency."  A certified elevator inspector must attain national certification from an ASME accredited sponsor beyond the mechanics training. A Qualified Elevator Inspector credential is required to perform an inspection.

 

22. Q: Who performs initial inspections?

A: Certified Elevator Inspectors who perform independent inspections aside from elevator personnel employed by the elevator company which installed the unit.

 

23. Q: Is the certificate of operation holder responsible for hiring inspectors?

A: The following provisions of Chapter 399, Florida Statutes, are pertinent to this question. With regard to existing elevators, Section 399.02(5)(b), Florida Statutes, provides that the elevator owner is responsible for the safe operation, proper maintenance, inspection, and correction of code deficiencies of the elevator after the department issues a certificate of operation. The responsibilities of the elevator owner may be assigned by lease.

"Operation and maintenance" would include responsibility for the annual inspections required by statute. Therefore, the owner may assign inspection responsibility as part of a service maintenance agreement, and the elevator company performing maintenance may contract for inspection. With regard to new elevator installations or modifications, Section 399.03, Florida Statutes, provides that permits may be issued only to a person, firm, or corporation licensed under Ch. 399, Florida Statutes, and that the permit holder is responsible for certifying compliance with code in the presence of a licensed inspector not associated with the permit holder. There is no language that directs the elevator owner to personally arrange for inspection, however, the owner is responsible for ensuring the required inspections are conducted.

 

24. Q: May an elevator company arrange for an elevator inspection for an existing elevator?

A: Yes. However, the elevator owner must delegate the authority to contracted elevator company for the inspection.

 

25. Q: Is a Certificate of Competency (CC) holder responsible for reporting a conveyance not in compliance with the code even if the CC is not working on the particular conveyance?

A: If a certificate of competency holder has knowledge of a circumstance where a conveyance is not in compliance with state law then that CC holder has a legal and professional obligation to report the unsafe condition to the department and the certificate of operation holder. Section 399.049(1), Florida Statutes, states: " The department may suspend or revoke an elevator inspector certification, an elevator company registration, an elevator certificate of competency, or an elevator certificate of operation issued under this chapter or impose an administrative penalty of up to $1,000 per violation upon any registered elevator company or certificate holder who commits any one or more of the following violations: (a) Any false statement as to a material matter in an application for registration, certification, or any permit or certificate issued under this chapter” and “(d)Violation of any provision of this chapter.”

 

26. Q: What is a "call back" inspection?

A: A "call back" inspection is any follow-up inspection to ascertain that cited violations have been corrected.