Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Business & Financial Services Committee |
HB 1900
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Establishing continuing education requirements for engineers.
Sponsors: Representatives Stanford, Ladenburg, Ryu and Green.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/15/11
Staff: Alison Hellberg (786-7152).
Background:
Engineers must be registered in order to practice engineering in Washington. The State Board of Registration for Engineers and Land Surveyors (Board), through the Department of Licensing's Business and Professions Division, regulates the practice of engineering as well as land surveying. Candidates for registration as an engineer must have eight years of appropriate work experience and must have successfully passed the required examinations. Applicants may substitute undergraduate study in an approved engineering school or college for up to four years of the work experience requirements. The Board may also approve up to one year of appropriate postgraduate study.
The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) is an organization composed of the professional regulatory boards of all states.
Since 2007 land surveyors renewing their registration certificates have been required to verify that they have completed 15 continuing professional development hours per year. The Board was required to adopt rules "governing continuing professional development for land surveyors that are generally patterned after the model rules" of NCEES.
Summary of Bill:
Like land surveyors, engineers are required to complete 15 hours of continuing professional development per year. The Board is required to adopt rules "governing continuing professional development for land surveyors that are generally patterned after the model rules" of NCEES. The Director of the Department of Licensing may set fees to cover the costs of administering the new requirement.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 2/09/11.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.