Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 1161

Brief Description:  Authorizing the department of licensing to establish engineer and land surveyors' certificate and licensing renewal intervals, renewal fees, and renewal dates.

Sponsors:  Representatives Conway, Clements and Kenney.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The director of the department of licensing is authorized to set the renewal intervals, renewal fees, and renewal dates for certificates of registration issued to engineers and land surveyors.

Hearing Date:  2/2/01

Staff:  Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).

Background: 

The Department of Licensing Business and Professions Division regulates the practice of  engineering and land surveying.  Engineers and land surveyors are granted a certificate of registration based upon their education, experience, and examination performance.  A fee is required at initial registration and at renewal. 

By statute, certificates of registration for engineers and land surveyors expire on December 31 each year.  The director is required to send a written renewal notice 30 days before expiration.  If the renewal fee is not paid by December 31, the certificate of registration becomes invalid.  If the renewal fee remains unpaid for 90 days, the renewal fee is doubled.

The director is authorized to modify or extend the duration of initial certification periods and renewal certification periods in the interest of efficiency.  The department processes approximately 11,500 renewals annually.  The current practice of the department is to renew registration certificates for engineers and land surveyors every two years on the registrant=s birthday.

Summary of Bill: 

The director of the department of licensing is authorized to set the renewal fees, renewal intervals, and renewal dates for certificates of registration issued to engineers and land surveyors.  The department may, but is no longer required to, send written notice of pending renewal dates.  The certificate or license becomes invalid if not renewed by the date of expiration.  A penalty fee equal to one year=s renewal fee is required for reinstatement 90 days or more after the expiration date of a certificate of registration.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Appropriation:  None.

Rules Authority:  This bill does not grant any new or additional rule-making authority.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.