SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1369

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Trade, February 25, 2004

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

Brief Description: Requiring continuing education for land surveyors.

Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Romero and Alexander).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 2/25/04 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Honeyford, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Franklin, Keiser and Mulliken.

Staff: John Dziedzic (786-7784)

Background: Only registered land surveyors may practice land surveying in Washington. To become registered, a person must have at least eight years of land surveying work recognized by the Board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors, and must pass the exams prescribed by the board. Graduation from a college offering an approved course of study in the field is equal to four years of experience. Land surveyor registrations periodically expire and may be renewed upon payment of a fee.

The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is an "umbrella organization of the state and territorial professional engineering and land surveying authorities." NCEES has adopted model rules that require licensees to annually earn 15 "professional development hours" (PDH). Activities that NCEES accepts as qualifying for PDH include seminars, workshops, college courses, professional or technical presentations, and publishing a paper, as well as televised, video-taped, audio-taped and correspondence courses.

Summary of Bill: The board must adopt, by July 1, 2005, rules "governing continuing professional development for land surveyors that are generally patterned after the model rules" of NCEES. Beginning July 1, 2006, land surveyors renewing their registration certificates must verify to the board that they have competed 15 PDH per year.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available for bill as introduced.

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

Testimony For: Requiring ongoing education for land surveyors is good for consumers and the profession.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Pat Beehler, Land Surveyors' Association Assn. of WA.