SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5103

                       AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 12, 1991

Brief Description:  Concerning the registration of engineers.

SPONSORS:Senators Craswell, Nelson, McMullen and Matson; by request of Department of Licensing.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Matson, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, McCaslin, McDonald, McMullen, Murray, and Skratek. 

Staff:  Forrest Bathurst (786‑7429)

Hearing Dates:January 30, 1991; February 28, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Licensing is requesting this legislation to increase administrative efficiency, to update references to women, and to remove unnecessary requirements regarding the licensing of engineers.

SUMMARY:

References to "his" are changed to "his or her" or "the applicant's."

Registration fees for professional engineers are based on the costs associated with administering examinations and issuing certificates.

An additional fee is not required when registration as a professional engineer is completed by an engineer in training. 

The registration fee for land surveyors does not have to be the same as that of a professional engineer when one person holds both certificates.  Licensing is allowed to issue separate certificates for each of these professions.

Candidates failing an examination for registration as an engineer may retake the examination without waiting six months.

The state Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors determines if nonresidents are legally qualified for temporary practice in Washington State.  Registration in their home state or country may allow applicants to practice in Washington State for a maximum period of 30 days without having a Washington State certificate.

Reciprocity is no longer a criterion for granting a certificate to an applicant that is registered in another state or country.

Appropriation:    none 

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note: requested January 23, 1991

TESTIMONY FOR:

The Department of Licensing is requesting this legislation to increase administrative efficiency, update language, and remove unnecessary requirements related to engineers licenses.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Alan Rathbun, Dept. of Licensing; Joe Daniels, Federation of Professional Engineers and Technical Engineers