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

Brief Description: Requiring continuing education for land surveyors.

Sponsors: Representatives Williams, Alexander, Springer, DeBolt, Conway, Wood, McCoy, Condotta and Armstrong.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/03/05, 87-10.

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 3/17/05 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Parlette, Ranking Minority Member; Honeyford, Keiser and Prentice.

Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7483)

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 (board), 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, 2006, rules governing continuing professional development for land surveyors that are generally patterned after the model rules of NCEES. Beginning July 1, 2007, land surveyors renewing their registration certificates must verify to the board that they have competed 15 PDH per year.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Mandating professional development hours for land surveyors would conform to the national model for the profession. The industry is in support of this bill.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Williams; Tim Layton, Land Surveyors Association of Washington.