WSR 99-10-084

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING


(Engineer Registration Board)

[ Filed May 4, 1999, 2:53 p.m. ]

Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 99-02-077.

Title of Rule: WAC 196-24-095 Seals, this rule states that individuals licensed in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW must obtain a seal/stamp. The rule shows what the engineer and land surveyor seals look like and describes what information must be on them.

Purpose: Amend the rule to clarify issues that have arisen over the years of implementation, to modernize the rule for use with today's technology and to separate out parts of the rule that should be written as separate rules. Additionally, the rule will be moved from chapter 196-24 WAC to new chapter 196-23 WAC, Stamping and seals.

Other Identifying Information: This rule was reviewed in accordance with the requirements in Executive Order 97-02.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.43.035.

Statute Being Implemented: Chapter 18.43 RCW.

Summary: WAC 196-24-095 was reviewed as part of the board's rule review schedule. The rule will be amended to state that it is the licensee's responsibility to maintain control over his/her stamp/seal, to delete specific size requirements for the seal/stamp and to add "date of expiration" to the list of information required on the seal/stamp. Additionally, the sections on "signature" and "direct supervision" were deleted from this rule and will be written as separate rules. The rule was moved to new chapter 196-23 WAC.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: The rule will be modernized making the seal easier to use with today's technology. In addition, information is separated out that should be written as their own rules. Moving the rule to chapter 196-23 WAC, is a logical place for the rule and will make it easier for applicants, licensees and the general public to find information on this topic.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Rick Notestine, 405 Black Lake Boulevard, Olympia, (360) 586-7298; Implementation and Enforcement: George Twiss, 405 Black Lake Boulevard, Olympia, (360) 586-3361.

Name of Proponent: Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: This rule describes the seal/stamp that must be obtained by licensed engineers and land surveyors. The purpose is to put the licensees on notice that they must obtain a seal/stamp, describe what information must be on that seal/stamp, and inform the engineer/land surveyor that they must maintain control of the seal/stamp. The effect will be to modernize the rule language, make it more clear and concise, and to separate out language that should be written as its own rule.

In addition, moving the rule from chapter 196-24 to 196-23 WAC puts the rule in a more logical location which will make the information easier to find.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: This rule was amended to state that it is the licensee's responsibility to maintain control over their seal/stamp, to eliminate specific size requirements for the seal/stamp indicating only that it must be legible, and adding "date of expiration" to the information that must be on the seal/stamp. In addition, the sections on signature and direct supervision were deleted from this rule to be written as two separate rules.

This rule's citation in chapter 196-23 WAC will be WAC 196-23-010.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Amending this rule has no negative fiscal impact [on] small businesses.

Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. The Department of Licensing is not one of the named agencies in this statute.

Hearing Location: Hilton Seattle Airport, 17620 Pacific Highway South, SeaTac, WA 98188, on June 21, 1999, at 7:00 p.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Kim Chipman by June 14, 1999, TDD (360) 586-2788, or (360) 753-6966.

Submit Written Comments to: Rick Notestine, Program Director, Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, P.O. Box 9649, Olympia, WA 98507-9649.

Date of Intended Adoption: June 21, 1999.

May 4, 1999

George A. Twiss

Executive Director

OTS-3044.2

Chapter 196-23 WAC

STAMPING AND SEALS


NEW SECTION
WAC 196-23-010
Seals.

All individuals licensed in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW shall procure a seal/stamp that conforms to the design as authorized by the board. It is the responsibility of the licensee to maintain control over the use of his/her stamp/seal. The impression or image of the seal/stamp shall conform to the below-illustrated design and be of a size that assures full legibility of the following required information:

(1) State of Washington;

(2) Registered professional engineer or registered professional land surveyor;

(3) Certificate number;

(4) Licensee's name as shown on wall certificate;

(5) Date of license expiration.
Place illustration here.

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OTS-3122.1


REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 196-24-095Seals.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office