Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Business & Financial Services Committee

HB 1231

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Establishing continuing education requirements for engineers.

Sponsors: Representatives Stanford, Kirby, Manweller, Ross, Nealey, Ryu, Warnick, Hudgins and Van De Wege.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires professional engineers to complete at least 15 hours of continuing professional development per year.

Hearing Date: 1/23/13

Staff: Alexa Silver (786-7190).

Background:

Engineers must be registered in order to practice engineering in Washington. The State Board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors (Board), through the Department of Licensing, regulates the practice of engineering as well as land surveying. Candidates for registration as an engineer must have eight years of appropriate work experience and have successfully passed the required examinations. Applicants may substitute undergraduate study in an approved engineering school or college for up to four years of the work experience requirements. The Board may also approve up to one year of appropriate postgraduate study.

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is an organization composed of the professional regulatory boards of all states.

Since 2007 land surveyors renewing their registration certificates have been required to verify that they have completed 15 continuing professional development hours per year. The Board was required to adopt rules governing continuing professional development for land surveyors that are generally patterned after the model rules of the NCEES.

Summary of Bill:

Like land surveyors, engineers are required to complete 15 hours of continuing professional development per year. The Board must adopt rules governing continuing professional development for engineers that are generally patterned after the model rules of the NCEES. The Director of the Department of Licensing may set fees to cover the costs of administering the new requirement.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2014.