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Governmental Affairs

What Has AIA Florida Done for You Lately?

Protecting architects, strengthening professional practice and advocating for policies that improve Florida's built environment.

Advocacy Delivers Results

Passing effective legislation is an investment of time, resources and relationships. Each accomplishment represents weeks — and sometimes years — of work by AIA Florida members, staff, lobbyists and legal representatives advocating on behalf of Florida architects.

2026
Latest Advocacy Success

Deregulation Thwarted

The Legislature again considered legislation that would eliminate the Board of Architecture and Interior Design (BOAID) and continuing education requirements for architects. AIA Florida's advocacy team met with the bill sponsor, legislative staff and stakeholders and provided data demonstrating BOAID's effectiveness in licensure processing and disciplinary oversight.

AIA Florida also testified during committee meetings and shared information during Legislative Day emphasizing the importance of architect involvement in professional regulation and continuing education. No Senate companion was filed, and the legislation ultimately died during the committee process.

BOAID Protected Professional oversight remains in place.
CE Protected Architect continuing education requirements remain.
Public Safety Professional standards and current code knowledge remain priorities.

Recent Legislative Accomplishments

2025

Regulation and Continuing Education Protected

AIA Florida opposed amendments eliminating BOAID and mandatory continuing education for architects. The deregulation language moved through several House committees, but the Senate refused to concur with the House amendment, ending the effort for the session.

2024

Licensure Standards Protected

AIA Florida worked with bill sponsors to preserve Florida's architecture licensure-by-endorsement requirements so architects becoming licensed in Florida continue to meet consistent professional standards.

Legislation also tied future increases to CCNA continuing contract thresholds to the Consumer Price Index, avoiding large increases in the future.

2023

Statute of Repose Lowered

Florida's Statute of Repose was reduced from 10 years to seven years. The legislation also clarified when the statutory clock begins for completed projects.

2022

Liability Protections Preserved

AIA Florida successfully worked to preserve architect liability protections during changes to Florida's construction-defect laws and protected the Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act from proposed changes.

AIA Florida also filed an amicus brief supporting BOAID's authority to reserve use of the title "architect" for individuals licensed to practice architecture.

2021

Good Samaritan Protection Adopted

AIA Florida successfully advocated for long-sought legislation providing liability protection for architects responding to declared emergencies. The profession was also protected from deregulation and attempts to circumvent CCNA.

2020

Architect Licensure Protected

AIA Florida secured commitments to remove architects from legislation that would have sunset Florida professional licenses, stopped an attempt to carve the State University System out of CCNA and negotiated an increase in CCNA continuing-contract thresholds to $4 million.

2019

Florida Building Code Update Process Clarified

AIA Florida championed legislation clarifying the triennial Florida Building Code update process following a rule challenge and appeal.

2018

Building Code Rule Challenge

AIA Florida challenged proposed Florida Building Commission rule changes affecting members. Legislation further defining the starting date of the Statute of Repose was also signed into law.

2017

Statute of Repose Clarified

AIA Florida supported legislation precisely defining when the Statute of Repose clock begins, protecting design professionals from potentially indefinite liability.

Earlier Advocacy Successes

2015 — Construction Defect Resolution
Legislation supported by AIA Florida established a process for resolving construction defect claims through negotiated settlement and shifted the burden of proof to the plaintiff.
2014 — Protecting Qualifications-Based Selection
AIA Florida worked with allied design professions to prevent changes that could have jeopardized Florida's qualifications-based selection process under Florida Statute 287.055.
2013 — MoranSis v. Heathman
After years of advocacy, legislation passed allowing firms to protect employees and agents from individual negligence claims involving professional services.
2012 — Protecting CCNA
AIA Florida successfully defeated another attempt to shortlist design firms based on lowest contract price rather than qualifications.
2011 — CCNA and Licensure Protected
AIA Florida defeated amendments that would have introduced price negotiation into the early stages of CCNA and also protected architects from professional deregulation.
2010 — Professional Liability Protections
AIA Florida partnered with other design professionals to pursue legislation preventing clients from circumventing negotiated contracts to sue design professionals personally for economic damages.
2009 — Rebuild and Renew Florida
AIA Florida presented lawmakers with the six-part Rebuild and Renew Florida Stimulus Plan, helped amend reciprocity legislation that would have lowered Florida licensure standards and helped clarify confusing Florida Building Code language.
2008 — Hometown Democracy Defeated
AIA Florida helped defeat proposed constitutional amendments that could have hindered design professionals, including Hometown Democracy and a proposed services tax.
2007 — CCNA Protected
AIA Florida stopped another effort to increase CCNA thresholds for construction costs and professional fees.
2006 — BOAID Authority Clarified
AIA Florida helped clarify BOAID's rulemaking authority regarding responsible supervisory control in remote offices and worked to reduce the Statute of Repose from 15 years to 10 years.
2005 — Design Profession Success
AIA Florida supported supervisory-control rules, electronic signing and sealing, protections against stockpiling firms under continuing contracts and clarification between the Florida Building Code and Fire Prevention Code.
2004 — Protecting Architectural Services
AIA Florida successfully opposed the Floridians Against Inequities in Rates constitutional amendment, which would have removed sales-tax exemptions and exclusions, including those applying to architectural and consulting services.

Advocacy Is an Investment in the Profession

AIA Florida continues to represent architects before the Florida Legislature and state government on issues affecting licensure, liability, building codes, professional practice and the built environment.

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