FL S1298

Exempts building code administrators and inspectors from continuing education proration provisions, adding them to the existing list of professions (engineers, CPAs, contractors, etc.) excluded under s. 455.2124, F.S.

Requires the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board to establish by rule new internship programs for residential inspectors, residential plans examiners, and roofing inspectors, with specific on-the-job training requirements ranging from 200 hours to 4 years depending on existing certifications held.

Allows property owners or corporate owners' agents to sign building permit applications and disclosure statements personally or virtually, and updates the owner-builder disclosure statement to specify that permit applications must be signed by the property owner when a direct contract exceeds $7,500 (or $15,000 for HVAC repair/replacement).

Establishes a 90-day process for a newly designated qualifying agent to apply for a change of contractor with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in each jurisdiction where the previous qualifying agent held active permits, and shields the new qualifying agent from liability for the predecessor's work while retaining responsibility for any corrective work.

Raises the threshold contract value requiring an applicant to file a copy of the notice of commencement with the building permit issuing authority from $5,000 to $7,000, removes the requirement that the copy be a certified copy, and adds a "general description of the improvement" to the required information in the notice of commencement. Effective date is July 1, 2025.