George Freijo PE Restricted, $2.5k Fine, Ethics Course
Summary
The Florida Board of Professional Engineers issued a final order against George Freijo, PE (License No. 32578), restricting his license and imposing a fine plus costs totaling $2,557.95 ($1,000 fine and $1,557.95 in costs). The Board found that Freijo violated Florida law by negligently digitally signing and sealing materially deficient fire alarm system design sheets for the Champlain Towers East Condominium in Surfside. As part of the order, Freijo must complete an ethics course and pass the NCEES Fire Protection PE examination before practicing fire protection or fire alarm engineering again.
“Licensee was charged with violating Section 471.033(1)(g), Florida Statutes, and Rule 61G15-19.001(4), Florida Administrative Code, negligence in the practice of engineering.”
Florida-licensed engineers who digitally sign and seal designs in specialized sub-disciplines should verify they possess current knowledge of applicable codes and standards before doing so. The Board imposed mandatory competency verification through passage of a discipline-specific PE examination, indicating that the deficiency was not merely procedural but substantive. Engineers whose practice includes fire protection or life-safety systems should consider whether their continuing education and experience adequately covers the applicable NFPA standards.
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GovPing monitors FL Board of Professional Engineers for new professional licensing regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 12 changes logged to date.
What changed
The Board found George Freijo, PE violated Section 471.033(1)(g), Florida Statutes, and Rule 61G15-19.001(4), Florida Administrative Code, by negligently practicing engineering. Freijo digitally signed and sealed fire alarm system replacement design sheets for Champlain Towers East Condominium in Surfside that were materially deficient.
Professional engineers holding Florida licenses should note that digitally sealing documents for projects outside one's demonstrated competency area carries significant disciplinary risk. The Board imposed a multi-part remedy combining punitive elements (fine and costs), corrective education (ethics course and Florida law study guide), and competency verification (passage of a specialized PE examination), along with post-licensing oversight (six and 18-month project reviews). Engineers who digitally sign and seal work should ensure they possess adequate knowledge of the applicable codes and standards for the specific engineering discipline involved.
What to do next
- Complete Auburn University course "Intermediate Engineering Ethics and Professionalism"
- Complete the Board's Florida Laws and Rules Study Guide
- Pass the NCEES Fire Protection PE examination before practicing fire protection/fire alarm engineering
- Upon passing examination, submit fire alarm system design projects for Board review at six and 18 months
Penalties
$1,000 fine and $1,557.95 in costs, totaling $2,557.95
Archived snapshot
Apr 24, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
GEORGE FREIJO, PE
PE No. 32578 – RESTRICTED
Case No. 2023060410
Licensee was charged with violating Section 471.033(1)(g), Florida Statutes, and Rule 61G15-19.001(4), Florida Administrative Code, negligence in the practice of engineering. Licensee digitally signed and sealed engineering design sheets for a fire alarm system replacement for the Champlain Towers East Condominium, Surfside, that were materially deficient.
Ruling: Licensee was ordered to appear before the Board. The Board imposed a fine of $1,000 and costs of $1,557.95, completion of the Auburn University course “Intermediate Engineering Ethics and Professionalism,” completion of the Board’s Florida Laws and Rules Study Guide, and restricted licensee from practicing fire protection/fire alarm engineering until passage of the NCEES Fire Protection PE examination. Following successful completion of the examination, licensee’s fire alarm system design projects will be subject to Board review at six and 18 months. Final Order was filed on Feb. 24, 2026.
Violation: Section 471.033(1)(g), F.S., and Rule 61G15-19.001(4), F.A.C.
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