SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1643

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE, MARCH 30, 1993

Brief Description:  Modifying licensure requirements for landscape architects.

SPONSORS: Representatives King, Veloria, Heavey, Reams and Jacobsen; by request of Department of Licensing

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Barr, Cantu, Fraser, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Pelz, Prince, Sutherland, Vognild, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Erika Lim (786‑7488)

Hearing Dates: March 25, 1993; March 30, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The five-member Board of Registration for Landscape Architects oversees the licensing of landscape architects.  Three landscape architects and two members of the general public sit on the board.

The board reviews applications and determines the licensing examination scope and methods.  The board also determines the standard for passing grades on the exam.  Applications must include at least five references.

The director may issue a license without examination to a landscape architect who is licensed in another state if the other state's licensing requirements are substantially the same and the other state grants reciprocity to Washington landscape architects.

If a license renewal fee is not paid within 30 days of renewal date, it is delinquent.  Landscape architects who fail to renew their licenses for one year and who wish to be reinstated must retake the licensing exam.

SUMMARY:

Board composition is changed to four landscape architects and one member of the general public.

Applications need three, not five, references.

The board may adopt a national licensing examination and grading procedure.

Out-of-state landscape architects seeking a reciprocal license in Washington must be recommended by the board.

The director will establish renewal and penalty fees for delinquent renewals.  Landscape architects who fail to renew their licenses for more than five years may be reinstated under circumstances determined by the board.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The licensing process will be simplified and clarified.  Board functions will be improved.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Jim Hanson, Department of Licensing; Robert Shinbo, WA Society of Landscape Architects; Joanne Lawson, CLARB; Mark Hafs, UW intern