HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1369

As Passed House:

March 3, 2003

Title: An act relating to continuing education for land surveyors.

Brief Description: Requiring continuing education for land surveyors.

Sponsors: By Representatives Romero and Alexander.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor: 2/3/03, 2/10/03 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/3/03, 65-32.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Hudgins and Kenney.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Condotta, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Crouse and Holmquist.

Staff: Matt Cooper (786-7106).

Background:

The state Board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors (Board), through the Department of Licensing, Business and Professions Division, regulates the practice of land surveying in Washington. Land surveyors must be registered in order to practice. Candidates for registration must have graduated from an approved program, have eight years of work experience, and have passed the required examinations. Currently there are approximately 1,440 registered land surveyors.

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying is an organization comprised of the professional regulatory boards of all states. This organization has drafted model rules governing continuing professional development. Most states have adopted these model rules and require continuing professional development for land surveyors.

Summary of Engrossed Bill:

Beginning July 1, 2005, registered land surveyors who are renewing their registration must verify to the Board that they have completed at least 15 hours of continuing professional development per year.

By July 1, 2004, the Board must adopt rules generally patterned after the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying model rules governing continuing professional development.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The qualifications to become a licensed land surveyor should be the minimum standards for practice. Continuing professional development will ensure that surveyors exceed the minimum standards and keep up with current technology and changes in the law. The technology involved with land surveying has changed rapidly over the past few years and continued education helps maintain proficiency.

The Department of Licensing would like to delay the deadlines in the bill for six months. Implementing a continuing professional development program may increase the cost of the licensing program and would add an additional duty for department staff.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Patrick Beehler, Ken Swindaman, and Lawrence Signani, Land Surveyors' Association of Washington; and Alan Rathbun, Assistant Director, Department of Licensing, Business and Professions Division.