Brief Description: Requiring continuing education for land surveyors.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Swecker and Fraser).

Hearing Date: 2/26/04

Staff: Susan Kavanaugh (786-7106).

Background:

Land surveyors must be registered in order to practice land surveying in Washington State. The state Board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors (Board), through the Department of Licensing, Business and Professions Division, regulates the practice of land surveying in Washington. Candidates for registration must have graduated from an approved program, have eight years of work experience, and have passed the required examinations. Currently there are approximately 1,440 registered land surveyors.

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying is an organization composed of the professional regulatory boards of all states. This organization has drafted model rules requiring that licensees complete 15 hours of continuing professional development each year. Seminars, workshops, college courses, professional or technical presentations, publishing a paper and various types of video and correspondence courses may all be used to meet this requirement.

Summary of Bill:

By July 1, 2005, the Board must adopt rules generally patterned after the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying model rules governing continuing professional development.

Beginning July 1, 2006, registered land surveyors who are renewing their registration must verify to the Board that they have completed at least 15 hours of continuing professional development per year.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.