OBJECTIVE:

Realizing that the fair and equitable administration of property tax requires a high level of competence in many areas, the Florida Department of Revenue has instituted the Certified Cadastralist of Florida (CCF) designation. The CCF designation is designed for those professionals who are engaged in the use, production, and maintenance of cadastral maps.  The program is designed to raise the standards of the mapping profession, to obtain recognition by governmental authorities and the public of the mapping profession, and to gain recognition as qualified, objective, and competent mapping professionals.

ADMINISTRATION:

The CCF Designation Program will be administered by the Florida Department of Revenue through the Certified FL Appraiser/Certified FL Evaluator (CFA/CFE) Admissions Committee.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1.      In order to qualify for the CCF designation, an applicant must have at least two years experience in a Florida property appraiser's office or the Department of Revenue.

2.      Applicant must have successfully completed IAAO course 600 "Principles & Techniques of Cadastral Mapping".

3.      Applicants must have attended the four courses listed below and pass the written examinations:

a)      FACM Course 1 - "Mathematics for the Cadastralist"

b)      FACM Course 2 - “The Public Land Survey System"

c)      FACM Course 3 - "Interpretation of Real Property Description”

d)      FACM Course 4 - "Base Map Compilation"

4.      To receive credit for the above education requirements, applicants must be present in the classroom during 90 percent of all instructional hours (unless mitigating circumstances can be documented) and pass the required examination. However, an applicant may challenge an examination and receive credit for a course without taking the course by making application to the education chairman, secretary, or the secretary's designee, and obtaining approval by the education chairman, or the chairman's designee, to sit for the examination. Proctors may be appointed to administer the testing.

APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION:

1.      An applicant for certification shall provide the Florida Department of Revenue the following:

a)      A completed application form for certification. A copy of the form may be obtained without cost by writing to the address listed below.

b)      Copies of the certificates showing satisfactory completion of the previously mentioned courses;

c)      Certification fee in the amount of $35.00. Checks should be made out to "Florida Department of Revenue" and mailed with the application to:

Property Tax Administration Program

Training Section

P O Box 3000

Tallahassee, FL 32315-3000

2.      Upon approval by the Certified FL Appraiser/Certified FL Evaluator (CFA/CFE) Admissions Committee and the Executive Director of the Department of Revenue, the applicant will be mailed a certificate of accomplishment and a membership card. In addition, each designee will receive a pin or pendant composed of the Great Seal of the State of Florida, with certification wording and initials of the designation on the periphery of the state seal.

***RECERTIFICATION:

To be re-certified a designee must satisfactorily complete a minimum of twenty four (24) hours of Department approved instruction every three years. Verification of studies are the responsibility of the designee and are to be submitted to the Florida Department of Revenue along with a renewal fee of $15.00. The renewals are due and payable on the 31st. day of December, every third year from the year of certification.

Use of the Designation in case of termination:

In the event that the designation of an individual is terminated by resignation, expulsion, suspension or for any other reason, the individual shall refrain from using or displaying the designation CCF.  Any Certified Cadastralist of Florida (CCF) who leaves the employment of a Florida Property Appraiser or the Florida Department of Revenue may change their designation to a Certified Cadastral Mapper (CCM) by applying in writing to the Professional Designation Committee Chair.

***As per the July 14, 2003 Memo from Karen Menard, Secretary of the Certified Florida Appraiser Admissions/Certification Committee, the recertification requirements have been changed.  We have not received official notification of the changes but it appears that the continuing education requirements for recertification have reluctantly been removed.  I was told by Karen Menard that the $15.00 renewal fee every three years is still in force.  Please check with your Property Appraiser for the most recent information on this.