For an LP gas-related business to maintain licensure in Florida, employees are required to earn continuing education credits.
Please note: the exam registration will be active for 90 days from the date of registration. If the exam is not scheduled and taken within 90 days, a new registration with the appropriate fee must be submitted to schedule a new exam date.
Qualifiers
Every licensed business must employ at all times a full-time qualifier. A qualifier is someone who has successfully completed an examination in the license category held by the business. On successful completion of the examination, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) will issue a qualifier certificate to the examinee.
Qualifier certificates will expire three years after date of issuance. Renewals will be required with a $20 renewal fee and proof of 16 hours of approved continuing education hours.
Effective July 1, 2024: To apply for certification as a Category I Dealer/RV Dealer or Category V Installer Qualifier, each applicant must have a minimum of one year of verifiable LP gas experience or hold a professional certification by an LP gas manufacturer immediately preceding submission of the application.
Master Qualifiers
Each Category I Liquefied Petroleum Gas Dealer (LG), RV Dealer (LR) and Category V Liquefied Petroleum Gas Installer (LI) licensee must identify to FDACS one master qualifier who is a full-time employee at the licensed location. Requires a qualifier for a business to function in a position with authority to monitor and enforce safety provisions under Chapter. 527, F.S., at the licensed location.
To apply for certification as a master qualifier, each applicant must:
- Be employed by a licensed Category I Liquefied Petroleum Gas or RV Dealer or Liquefied Petroleum Gas Installer or by an applicant for such a license,
- Be a registered Category I Liquefied Petroleum Gas or RV Dealer qualifier or Liquefied Petroleum Gas Installer qualifier for three years or hold a professional certification by an LP Gas Manufacturer, and
- Pass a master qualifier competency examination.
Training Requirements
- Training is required for ALL employees whether or not they are qualifiers, and refresher training must be conducted at three-year intervals. Documentation must be retained on file.
- All Q1, Q2 and Q5 qualifiers must renew their qualifications every three years, pay $20 and submit 16 continuing education credits.
- All master qualifiers (M1 and M5) must renew their qualifications every three years, pay $30 and submit 16 continuing education credits.
- Submit continuing education credit hours to cscompliance@FDACS.gov . To ensure proper credit, include qualifier name, qualifier certificate number and the course ID in the email.
Renewal notices will be mailed to all qualifiers prior to expiration. Note: Renewal notices are sent as a courtesy only. Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve the qualifier or master qualifier of the obligation to timely renew.
Failure to timely submit proof of completion of all required continuing education hours will result in cancellation of the qualifier/master qualifier status. If this status is cancelled, the state examination must be retaken.
Sign Up for a Continuing Education Course or Exam
View the Approved Continuing Education Provider List.
Note: FDACS will accept up to four credit hours for safety-related meetings provided by your employer. Please use course ID 9966 to document this type of continuing education.
Continuing education classes provided by the employer must be documented as outlined in Rule 5J-20.060, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), and records must be maintained for a period of three years at the employee’s work location. These records must be available for inspection by FDACS on request.
FDACS has contracted with a third-party testing facility to proctor LP Gas Qualifier and Master Qualifier exams. This service will be offered at an additional fee of $69. This service will allow for quicker and more convenient testing as the facility has 22 locations throughout the state of Florida.
To sign up for a class and/or an exam, visit our e-Gov Service Center or submit a completed application [ Adobe PDF Document ] with the associated fee.
Exam Location
If selecting the third-party testing facility, you can select the exam location that is most convenient to you. Choose “authorized agent” when completing the application for exam. Once the application is received, you will be entered into the third-party testing website by FDACS staff. You will receive an email from the third-party testing facility to complete the exam signup. You will then choose your preferred location and pay the additional $69 fee for the exam.
Exam Materials
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LP Gas Exam Information
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Please note: the exam registration will be active for 90 days from the date of registration. If the exam is not scheduled and taken within 90 days, a new registration with the appropriate fee must be submitted to schedule a new exam date.
More Training Information
5J-20.062, F.A.C., Approved Courses of Continuing Education:
(1) Courses, which cover one or more of the following topics, shall be approved for continuing education credit for Category I, Category I-R.V., Category II and V Qualifiers and Category I, Category I-R.V., and Category V Master Qualifiers:
(a) Inspections and maintenance of LP gas facilities and equipment.
(b) State and federal LP gas laws, rules and regulations, codes and standards.
(c) Gas emergency procedures, fire protection, or risk management planning.
(d) Gas storage and distribution facility operations and safety.
(e) Gas transportation and delivery.
(f) Gas liquid transfer.
(g) Gas tanks, cylinders and equipment.
(h) Gas liquid and vapor distribution systems and equipment.
(i) Gas equipment and appliance service, installation and repair.
(2) Sixteen hours of continuing education during the three-year period must be attained in order for the Qualifier or Master Qualifier to renew certification. Continuing education credits will be granted on an hour-for-hour basis for up to four hours credit per class. For each 3 year period, a minimum of two hours shall be from paragraph (a), (b) or (c), in subsection (1), above.
(3) Continuing education classes provided by the employer shall be documented as outlined in Rule 5J-20.060, F.A.C., and records shall be maintained for a period of three years at the employee’s work location. These records shall be available for inspection by the department upon request.
(4) No more than two approved courses per topic as listed in subsection (1) shall be accepted in order to meet the 16 hour requirement.
(5) No more than four credit hours shall be accepted for safety-related meetings that have not been approved pursuant to Rule 5J-20.063, F.A.C.
If you have a request for training that is not mentioned in the training schedule, call our office and we will work with you to develop a class to suit your needs.
The annual Propane Gas Safety School is held each year in May for one week in Ocala, Florida. This class is sponsored by the Florida Propane Gas Association and FDACS. For more information or to receive a brochure for this year's classes, contact (850) 681-0496.