Compliance Alert
Is Your Elevator's Certificate of Operation Expired?
If you received a letter or postcard with a QR code, it means your building's State of Florida Certificate of Operation has likely expired or gone delinquent — and the elevator may be operating out of compliance. Here's exactly what that means, how to confirm it yourself, and how we get you back to compliant fast.
Did you receive a letter or postcard with this QR code?
If a letter or postcard brought you here, it's because your building's State of Florida Certificate of Operation has likely expired or gone delinquent — which means the elevator may be operating out of compliance. The good news: it's fixable, usually quickly. We can confirm your exact status for free and get you back to compliant.
Expired vs. delinquent — what's the difference?
Expired certificate
Florida elevator Certificates of Operation are renewed annually. When the renewal date passes without a current certificate on file, the certificate is expired and the elevator is no longer certified to operate.
Delinquent certificate
A certificate is generally considered delinquent when it has been expired or unpaid past the allowed window — often escalating to additional penalties and a higher risk of an order to remove the elevator from service.
What an expired certificate actually puts at risk
The exact impact depends on your jurisdiction, your policies, and your contracts — always confirm specifics with your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), insurer, attorney, or lender. In general, a lapsed certificate can create risk in four areas:
Code enforcement & fines
Operating an elevator without a current Certificate of Operation is a code violation. The authority having jurisdiction — the Florida DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety, or a local program such as Miami-Dade County — can issue violation notices, levy fines and penalties, and order the elevator removed from service until it is recertified. Penalty amounts and timelines vary by jurisdiction.
Insurance & liability exposure
If someone is injured in an elevator that is running on an expired or delinquent certificate, your insurer may dispute or deny the claim, and the building and owner can face significantly greater liability exposure. Many carriers now ask for proof of current certification at renewal.
Leases & tenant obligations
Commercial and residential leases typically require the landlord to keep common elements code-compliant and operational. An out-of-service or uncertified elevator can put you in breach, trigger rent and accessibility disputes, and create habitability problems — especially when the elevator is the only accessible route to upper floors.
Sale, refinance & commercial lending
Open code violations and lapsed certificates routinely surface in due diligence. Lenders, buyers, and the estoppel or title process can require the certificate be brought current before a sale, refinance, or loan closes — delaying or derailing the transaction.
This page is general information, not legal, insurance, or financial advice. Penalties, enforcement, and requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time — confirm specifics with your authority having jurisdiction, insurer, attorney, or lender. For a building-specific answer, request a free certificate check below.
How to check your own certificate status
Look at the certificate posted in the cab
Every Florida elevator must display its current Certificate of Operation inside the cab — check the expiration date. State DBPR certificates renew annually; in Miami-Dade County, certificates expire every July 31.
Search the State of Florida elevator records
If your building is regulated by the state, the Florida DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety publishes public elevator records — including license status and the date of the last passed inspection. You can also verify by license number through the instant public records lookup.
Check your local elevator authority
Some jurisdictions run their own elevator programs instead of the state. In Miami-Dade County, the Office of Elevator Safety regulates elevators countywide — except the City of Miami and City of Miami Beach, which run their own programs — and offers a public search for inspection and certificate status. Broward County also runs its own elevator section.
Ask your management company or current provider
Your property manager or current elevator service company should have the latest inspection report and certificate on file. If they can't produce a current one, that's a red flag.
Not sure where to look or what you're reading? Send us your address and we'll check it for free →
Unhappy with your current elevator company?
A lapsed certificate is often a symptom of a service company that stopped showing up. If any of these sound familiar, it may be time to switch:
- Slow or no callbacks when the elevator goes down
- Paperwork and inspections they were supposed to file — but didn't
- Surprise fees and vague, padded invoices
- An elevator left out of service for weeks
- No straight answer on your certificate or compliance status
Colpani Elevators is owner-operated — Certified General Contractor CGC1540788 (Colpani Construction Inc.), Registered Elevator Co. #1106 (Colpani Construction), and Elevator Certificate of Competency CC6467 (Jonathan Colpani). We're the prime contractor on every job (we don't sub out core elevator work), we respond fast across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach, and switching to us is straightforward. We'll even review your current agreement with you.
How we get you back to compliant
Free status check
We confirm exactly what's expired, delinquent, or open against your elevator with the authority having jurisdiction.
Inspection & corrections
Our licensed technicians make the repairs and address any open deficiencies that are holding up your certificate.
Re-inspection & recertification
We coordinate the inspection and Certificate of Operation issuance directly with the state or local authority.
Stay compliant
An optional maintenance plan keeps your inspections and certificate current — so it never lapses again.
Get a free certificate status check
Send us your building address and a licensed elevator contractor will look up your Certificate of Operation status and tell you exactly what's needed to get compliant — at no cost.
Prefer to talk it through?
Book a free 15-minute call and we'll walk through your certificate status together.
Expired Certificate FAQ
What does an expired elevator Certificate of Operation mean?
It means the State of Florida (or your local elevator authority) no longer has a current, valid certificate on file for that elevator. The annual certificate has lapsed, so the elevator is operating out of compliance and can be ordered removed from service until it is recertified.
Is it legal to run an elevator with an expired certificate in Florida?
No. An elevator with an expired or delinquent Certificate of Operation is out of compliance with Florida elevator safety requirements. The authority having jurisdiction can issue violations, assess penalties, and require the elevator be taken out of service until it passes inspection and is recertified.
How do I check my elevator's certificate status?
Start with the certificate posted inside the cab and check the expiration date. You can also search the Florida DBPR Bureau of Elevator Safety public records, or contact your local elevator authority (for example, Miami-Dade County runs its own program). If you're not sure where to look, send us your building address and we'll check it for free.
I received a letter or postcard with a QR code — what should I do now?
The notice indicates your building's Certificate of Operation has likely expired or gone delinquent. Confirm the status (cab certificate, DBPR records, or your manager), then get it back into compliance. A licensed elevator contractor can inspect, correct any deficiencies, and coordinate recertification. We offer a free certificate status check to start.
How fast can you get my elevator recertified?
It depends on what's causing the lapse — a missed renewal moves quickly, while open deficiencies require repairs and a re-inspection first. After a free status check we'll give you a realistic, written timeline for your specific building. This is general information, not a guarantee of any specific outcome or schedule.
Can I switch elevator companies if I'm unhappy with my current one?
Usually, yes. Many maintenance agreements are terminable with written notice, though terms vary — review your contract. We're happy to review your agreement and help you transition with no gap in coverage or compliance.