Who Can Sign a Florida Wind Mitigation Form? The Statutory Answer.

Qualified Inspector — Quick Answers

Section 627.711(2), F.S. — The Full List

The OIR-B1-1802 itself contains the qualified inspector certification block. Each of these license types may sign:

1. Home Inspector (468.8314 + Hurricane Mitigation Training)

Licensed under Section 468.8314, F.S. AND has completed the statutory number of hours of hurricane mitigation training approved by the Construction Industry Licensing Board, AND passed a proficiency exam. The most common signatory in Florida — but a baseline home inspector license alone is NOT enough.

2. Building Code Inspector (468.607)

Certified under Section 468.607, F.S. — the building code inspector certification.

3. General, Building, or Residential Contractor (489.111)

Licensed under Section 489.111, F.S. May personally inspect OR authorize a direct employee with the skill, knowledge, and experience to do so. The licensee remains responsible for the employee's work.

4. Professional Engineer (471.015)

Licensed under Section 471.015, F.S. May personally inspect OR authorize a direct employee. Same employee-delegation rule as contractors.

5. Professional Architect (481.213)

Licensed under Section 481.213, F.S.

6. Other Recognized by Insurer

Section 627.711(2) also allows "any other individual or entity recognized by the insurer as possessing the necessary qualifications." This is uncommon and varies by carrier.

The Personal-Inspection Requirement

Most license types must personally perform the inspection — not delegate to an employee. The form's signature block makes this explicit:

"Individuals other than licensed contractors licensed under Section 489.111, Florida Statutes, or professional engineer licensed under Section 471.015, Florida Statutes, must inspect the structures personally and not through employees or other persons."

Translation: a home inspector, building code inspector, or architect must do the inspection themselves. A contractor or PE may have a qualified employee do the work, but the licensee signs and bears responsibility.

How to Verify Your Inspector

Before booking, ask:

1. What's your license number? Look it up at the appropriate Florida licensing board (DBPR for inspectors and contractors; FBPE for engineers).
2. Have you completed the hurricane mitigation training? Required for home inspectors. Confirm with the inspector and check their CE records if you want to be thorough.
3. Will you personally perform the inspection? If they say "no, my employee will," confirm they're a contractor or PE — those are the only license types allowed to delegate.
4. Can I see a sample report? Real Wind Mit reports show photo documentation, signed certification block, and properly-completed forms.

InspectorData inspectors verify license type and number in their business profile, which auto-populates the certification block on every form they sign.

Penalties for Filing a Fraudulent Form

Section 627.711, F.S., spells out severe consequences for fraud:

• Knowingly or grossly-negligently false form: Investigation by Criminal Investigations Division — Bureau of Insurance Fraud, plus administrative action by the licensing agency, plus potential criminal prosecution.
• Knowingly providing or uttering a false form to obtain an undeserved discount: First-degree misdemeanor.
• Employee misconduct: The qualified inspector who signs is "directly liable for the misconduct of employees as if the authorized mitigation inspector personally performed the inspection."

The form means what it says. Sign accurately or don't sign.

Florida Qualified Inspector — by the Numbers

Statutory framework for Wind Mit signatures.

License Types — What Each Can Do

Statutory authority comparison for Wind Mit signing.

Feature	Can Sign	Can Delegate
Home Inspector (468.8314 + training)	✓ Yes	No — must personally inspect
Building Code Inspector (468.607)	✓ Yes	No — must personally inspect
Contractor (489.111)	✓ Yes	✓ Yes — direct employee with skill
Professional Engineer (471.015)	✓ Yes	✓ Yes — direct employee with skill
Professional Architect (481.213)	✓ Yes	No — must personally inspect
Other (insurer recognition)	Sometimes	Varies

Comparison reflects publicly listed features as of May 2026. Specifications change — verify current details on each vendor's site before deciding.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know my inspector has hurricane mitigation training?

Ask. Real ones will have proof — CE records or a CILB-issued certificate. Also: a real one will know the form, the questions, and the photo requirements off the top of their head.

Can a roofer sign the form?

Only if they're licensed under Section 489.111 (contractor). Most roofers are — but confirm before booking.

What about a real estate agent?

No. Agents are not on the qualified-inspector list. Even if the agent has a personal home inspection license, they're typically not allowed to inspect their own clients' properties for compliance reasons.

Can a relative sign for me?

Only if they hold one of the qualifying licenses AND have no conflict of interest with the homeowner. Many carriers reject Wind Mits where the inspector and homeowner share an address or last name.

What if my inspector's license has lapsed?

The form will be rejected. Ask for a current license number and verify it. DBPR's online verification is free and immediate.

Why does the form have so much fraud language?

Florida has a long history of mitigation fraud — fake forms claiming features that don't exist, inspectors signing forms they didn't perform, etc. The fraud language is intentional and the penalties are real.

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